BREAKING: Reps In Chaos As Another LP Lawmaker Defects To APC
The House of Representatives witnessed a heated session on Thursday morning as opposition members protested the defection of a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defection, announced during plenary and read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, drew loud objections from opposition lawmakers who demanded that the lawmaker’s seat be declared vacant.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the lawmaker, whose move marks the sixth LP member to defect to the APC within a week, cited the crisis within the Labour Party and a desire to align with the developmental agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC-led administration as reasons for his decision.
In his letter, the Plateau lawmaker argued that effective representation of his constituency could be better achieved within the APC fold. He also stated that the internal crisis within the LP had made it difficult for him to align with the party’s approach to national issues, emphasizing that his defection was not driven by personal gain but by a commitment to peacebuilding and national development.
However, the announcement was met with sharp criticism. Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi acknowledged the defection but dismissed claims of a crisis within the LP, expressing skepticism about the long-term benefits of the move. Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda argued that the defection violated constitutional provisions, insisting the lawmaker must formally register with the APC in his ward and face potential consequences before submitting a defection letter to the House.
Defending the defection, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) argued that the lawmaker had met all constitutional requirements. He also invoked Section 40 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of association, and noted that seven of the eight representatives from Plateau State are now APC members.
Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) countered, urging lawmakers to uphold the Constitution and avoid actions that could undermine public trust in the legislature. Meanwhile, former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase defended Speaker Tajudeen’s acceptance of the defection letter, warning against the misuse of language in parliamentary debates.
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