The Labour Party (LP) has taken legal action, requesting the court to compel the leadership of the National Assembly to declare the seats of its defecting lawmakers vacant.
Henzodaily reports that this follows the recent defection of four members of the House of Representatives from LP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the lawmakers citing “internal crisis” within the party as their reason for leaving.
Adding to the string of defections, Ajang Iliya, an LP representative from Plateau State, announced his move to the APC on Tuesday.
In response, Obiora Ifoh, the spokesperson for the Labour Party, issued a statement on Thursday condemning the defections and describing them as a breach of trust and betrayal of the people’s mandate.
Ifoh accused the defecting lawmakers of plotting to “run away with the people’s mandate” and urged that they be stripped of their legislative positions.
According to him, the constitution clearly outlines the consequences for lawmakers who abandon the party that sponsored their election.
Describing Iliya’s actions as dishonourable, Ifoh noted that while the constitution allows for freedom of association, it also places limits on political party membership for elected officials.
He argued that lawmakers who win elections under the banner of one party cannot simply switch allegiance without relinquishing the mandate granted to them by voters.
The statement reads, “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.
“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.
“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.
“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.”