Reps angry over defection in the House

By Olusegun Olanrewaju

The House of Representatives was yesterday thrown into an uproar when another Labour Party (LP) lawmaker, Ajang Iliya, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In his letter of defection read at plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Iliya said he was defecting in view of the crisis in the LP and the need to align with the policies and developmental initiative of the President Bola Tinubu led-APC government.

However, members of the opposition protested the defection, insisting that his seat should be declared vacant.

His defection to the APC brings to six the number of LP members to have defected within one week.

In addition, the Plateau Lawmaker said that he believes that his decision to offer effective representation to his constituency will better be met while in the fold of the APC.

He said further that as a result of the current crisis in the party, he finds it difficult to align with LP’s approach to national issues.

He stressed that his defection was not based on any personal gains, but his desire to contribute to national development in general and Plateau State in particular.

However Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, did not oppose the defection, saying however that even though there is no crisis in the LP, he would not want to repeat the same thing all over again.

“I want to wish all those defecting and those who may wish to do so and believe that the APC is their best destination good luck.

‘’We will be waiting to meet them again in 2027 if they will be here. The end will justify the means,” Ozodinobi said.

Meanwhile, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda said the letter of defection should not be accepted by the House because it was not ripe as the lawmaker has not fulfilled the constitutional provision to do so.

He said the lawmaker should first go back to his ward and join the APC. before coming back to the House with his letter and then be prepared to face the consequences.

He accused the House of putting the cart before the Horse and accepting the letter of defection without the lawmaker complying with the provisions of the Constitution.

However, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) said the sections of the Constitution being cited by the Minority Leader was quite clear to all members, adding that the defecting member has fulfilled all conditions precedent.
He said moreover, section 40 of the Constitution grants permission to anybody to form or join a political party, stressing that out of the 8 members of the House of Representatives from. plateau state, seven of them are presently members of the APC.

Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) said as lawmakers, members of the parliament must show to the Nigerian people that they are not law breakers by correctly applying the provisions of the Constitution.

But former Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Idris Wade warned against wrong use of words in Parliament and noted that what the Speaker did in accepting the defection letter was in order.

Meanwhile, a former Minister of Labour and Employment and now serving senator Simon Lalong was at the House of Representatives complex to witness the defection and give support to his colleague.

The House had earlier suspended its rules to admit Lalong representing Plateau South senatorial district.

His defection from the LP to the ruling APC adds to the swelling number of federal lawmakers dumping one of Nigeria’s main opposition parties.

A few days back, another lawmaker, Dalyop Chollom, representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency dumped the LP for the APC. He cited the crisis in the party as his reason.

Some weeks back, four members of the House of Representatives dumped the LP for the ruling party, citing squabbles in the Labour Party.

Following their defection, the LP threatened legal action and claimed their action was unconstitutional.

Meanwhile, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Bayelsa State during the 2023 governorship election, Udengs Eradiri, and his running mate, Cdre. Benjamin Nathus (retd.), have announced their resignations from the party.

It was gathered that most of the local government chairmen of the party in Bayelsa joined Eradiri and Nathus to dump the party.

Eradiri sent his resignation letter to the state chairman of the party in Yenagoa.

In the letter dated December 8 and entitled, ‘Letter of Withdrawal as a Labour Party Member,’  Eradiri said he took the decision to enable him pursue his political career on a platform ready and prepared to provide the kind of leadership that Bayelsa deserved.

Eradiri, who appreciated members of the party, said he was undergoing serious consultations to decide the next political platform that would enable him to provide service to the people.

Eradiri, who came third in the governorship poll, said his decision was supported by his loyalists, stating that it was a great moment working together politically and traversing every nook and cranny of the state in the quest for leadership.

He said: “But unfortunately, we couldn’t sail through the intrigues and challenges implanted in the party leadership. We are consulting seriously and engaging all stakeholders to know the next political party to join.

“Our next party of interest will be such that will enable us to provide service to the people and move Bayelsa forward,” he said.

Also in his letter of withdrawal, his running mate, Nathus, said the move was borne out of his decision to seek a platform committed to a leadership that would propel Bayelsa towards a brighter and more prosperous future.

He said: “I am profoundly grateful for the support and camaraderie of the party members who have shared in our vision for a thriving Bayelsa and graciously provided me the opportunity to serve as a deputy governorship candidate.
‘’The journey has been enriched with invaluable experiences and insights”.

Nathus said he was honoured working with dedicated colleagues and engaging deeply with communities in the pursuit of transformative governance.