The Labor Party (LP) has expressed concern over difficulties in serving court papers on six members of the House of Representatives who defected from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Naija News has learned that the LP is seeking a court order for the defectors’ seats to be declared vacant and for them to recover all the salaries and allowances they earned as members.
In an interview with Punch on Thursday, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifor, and the party’s National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, revealed that the defectors were evading the delivery of court documents.
“We have made numerous attempts to serve them with court documents but they continue to evade service. We have no choice but to involve the Clerk of Parliament and publish their names in national newspapers. Maybe not,” Ifor said.
MPs who lost their positions
The exiles include Ajahn Iriya (Jos South/Jos East, Plateau), Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Ed), Dauryeop Fomu. (Plateau) is included.
Iriya, who defected in December 2024, cited the crisis within the LP and the need to align with President Bola Tinubu’s development policies as reasons for joining the APC.
The LP leadership dismissed the defectors as “paper politicians” and insisted that their departure would not affect the party’s support base.
“We have filed similar cases in the past and won. They are wasting their time with the APC. Most of them will not return to the National Assembly and very few will return to the National Assembly.” Ifor said.
Despite its tough stance, the LP said it was ready to welcome defectors back under strict conditions. “You can’t close the door in politics, but it’s on our terms,” he added.
Dissatisfaction with judicial delays
Kennedy Ahanotu blamed the inefficiency of the judicial system and lamented the delays caused by the defectors’ actions.
“These people are running away from receiving services, which prolongs the process. Our national legal advisers are working on this issue, but justice in Nigeria is often slow to move. ,” Ahanotu said.
He criticized the culture of impunity in Nigerian politics, adding: “It is unfortunate that those who once protested injustice are now in power suppressing and denying justice to the masses.” .
Mr Ahanotu stressed the need for timely resolution of asylum cases to ensure accountability.
“If the judicial system functions efficiently, defection cases will be resolved within two to three months, allowing for fresh elections to elect representatives who truly serve the party and the people,” he said. I concluded.
