Compel n’assembly to declare seats of defector lawmakers vacant, LP tells court

The Labour Party (LP) says it has filed a suit in court asking the leadership of the national assembly to declare vacant the seats of its members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 

Last week, five LP members in the house of representatives switched to the ruling party, citing “internal crisis” in the LP.

On Tuesday, Ajang Iliya, another LP lawmaker from Plateau, defected to the APC.

In a statement on Thursday, Obiora Ifoh, LP spokesperson, denounced the gale of defections.

Ifoh said the lawmakers were birds of a feather who had long perfected plans to run away with the people’s mandate.

The spokesperson said the legislators betrayed their constituents and the party and should lose their seats as stipulated in the constitution.

Ifoh added that the suit also demands the return of all salaries, emoluments, and privileges received by the lawmakers since their defection.

“The leadership of the Labour Party again received with dismay news of the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Illiya, a man whom the Labour Party and the people of Plateau State entrusted with their collective hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society through legislation,” the statement reads.

“Hon. Illiya who just engraved his name on the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame’ Register has brought dishonour to himself through this action.

“While it is true that the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the constitution qualifies such rights regarding the membership of political parties.

“The law does not protect an individual who steals the mandate of a people and a political party to run into another without first surrendering the mandate he deceitfully acquired.

“This defection, like similar ones before it, is quite unfortunate and condemnable. Section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution is emphatic on when to defect and what happens when a lawmaker sponsored by a political party decides to jump ship.”

Ifoh asked the court to do what the speaker of the house has refused to do.

“It is unnecessary probing why most of the defectors chose the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination point and why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abass has refused to respect the provisions of the constitution by declaring their seats vacant,” he added.

“However, those politicians who have chosen to abandon the people at this crucial time in their lives are the ones who deserve pity because they have  exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.

“Meanwhile, the Party has since filed actions in the court to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected Labour Party lawmakers vacant.

“The suit also seeks that every salary, emolument or privileges received from the date of defection, be returned.”