The Labor Party (LP) has taken legal action, asking a court to force the parliamentary leadership to declare the defecting MP’s seat vacant.
According to a report in Naija News, this follows the recent defection of four members of the House of Representatives from the LP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the members citing an “internal crisis” within the party as the reason for their departure. are listed.
Adding to the series of defections, Plateau State LP president Ajahn Iliya on Tuesday announced his transfer to APC.
In response, Labor Party spokesperson Obiora Ifor issued a statement on Thursday condemning the defections, calling it a breach of trust and betrayal of the people’s mission.
Mr. Ifor accused defecting members of the party of plotting to “escape from the mandate of the people” and called for them to be stripped of their parliamentary positions.
He said the constitution clearly spells out the consequences for members who abandon the party that sponsored the election.
Mr. Ifor said Mr. Ilya’s actions were disgraceful, noting that while the constitution allows for freedom of association, it also places limits on political affiliation of elected officials.
He argued that legislators who win elections under one party’s banner cannot simply switch allegiance without abandoning the mandate given to them by their constituents.
The statement says: “The leadership of the Labor Party has once again received with regret the news of the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akanbe Iliya, to whom the Labor Party and the people of Plateau State have collectively entrusted.” A fair and just society through law. hopes and aspirations for.
"Hon. Elijah, who has just etched his name into the Labor Party’s Hall of Shame, has brought dishonor upon himself by this act.
“While it is true that the Constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the Constitution limits the rights of members of political parties.
“The law does not protect individuals who steal the mandate of the people or political parties and clash with other political parties without first relinquishing the mandates they have fraudulently obtained.
“This defection, like similar defections before, is deeply regrettable and reprehensible. Article 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution clearly states when a party should leave a party and that it It emphasizes what will happen if he decides to leave the party.
“Why did most defectors choose the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination and why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas, refused to respect the provisions of the Constitution by declaring their seats vacant? There is no need to find out.
“But the politicians who choose to abandon their people at this critical time in their lives are the ones who deserve our sympathy because they have shown themselves to be unworthy of our collective trust going forward.
“Meanwhile, the party has since brought legal action in court to force the parliamentary leadership to declare the seats of defecting Labor MPs vacant.
“The lawsuit also seeks the return of all salaries, compensation, and privileges received after the date of defection.”
