There was confusion in the House of Representatives on Thursday during plenary, as opposition members protested the defection of another Labour Party (LP) member to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, announced his defection, prompting opposition members to demand that his seat be declared vacant.
Tis defection, brings the total number of Labour Party members joining the ruling APC to six within a week, witnessed by former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong.
In his letter of defection, read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the lawmaker cited internal crises in the Labour Party and his desire to align with the policies and developmental goals of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government.
He stated, “I believe my decision to offer effective representation to my constituency can be better achieved within the APC. My defection is not for personal gain but to contribute to national development and peacebuilding.”
Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, while not opposing the defection, remarked, “Even though there is no crisis in the LP, I don’t want to repeat myself. I wish those defecting good luck. We’ll meet again in 2027, and the end will justify the means.”
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, PDP , Obio/Akpor Fed Constituency, however, rejected the defection, stating: “The letter of defection should not be accepted because the lawmaker has not fulfilled constitutional provisions. He should first join the APC at his ward level before submitting his defection letter to the House and facing the consequences.”
Chinda accused the House of accepting the defection prematurely, and said, “The House is putting the cart before the horse by accepting the letter without following constitutional procedures.”
In response, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) defended the defection, arguing that the lawmaker had fulfilled all constitutional requirements. He added, “Section 40 of the Constitution allows anyone to form or join a political party. Out of the eight House members from Plateau State, seven are now in the APC.”
Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) urged lawmakers to uphold the Constitution, he said, “As parliamentarians, we must show Nigerians that we respect the law by correctly applying its provisions.”
Former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase supported the Speaker’s acceptance of the defection letter, cautioning against using inappropriate language in Parliament.
He said, “The Speaker acted within the law in accepting the letter.”
The session ended without resolving the dispute over the legality of the defection.