Labour Party Opens 'Hall Of Shame' For Defecting House Of Reps Members, Asks Speaker To Declare Seats Vacant

The Labour Party has condemned the defection of five of its lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing their actions as irrational and inconsistent with democratic values. 

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh on Thursday, the party stated that the defectors, including Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau), officially submitted their defection letters to the APC, which were read out by the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas.

In response, the Labour Party said it would take a firm stance, while demanding that the Speaker of the House of Representatives declare their seats vacant, in accordance with the Constitution. 

“The defection is quite unfortunate and we condemn the action which is irrational, untenable, inconsistent and alien to all known norms for which democracy stands for,” the statement said.

The party pointed to Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits lawmakers elected on a particular party's ticket from defecting unless there is a division within the party or a merger of political parties. 

The Labour Party emphasised that no such division or merger exists, and therefore, the defectors should not retain their positions.

The party further expressed its disappointment, citing the significant sacrifices made by the party to support the lawmakers’ elections. 

“These deserters did not win because of their pedigree or financial muscles but simply because of the ticket they ran on,” the statement noted. 

It recalled the party’s open-door policy in 2022, which saw many working-class Nigerians, such as Okada riders and artisans, rise to political prominence under Labour Party's platform.

The party also highlighted the betrayal of party loyalty by the defectors, particularly Donatus Mathew, who had been elected following the assassination of the party’s Women Leader, Victoria Chintex, in 2022. 

The party denounced Mathew’s claim that he defected due to being the sole Labour member in the North West, labelling it disrespectful to those who worked hard for his election.

In light of these defections, the Labour Party has instructed its legal team to take necessary actions to reclaim its mandates. The party is committed to pursuing legal action against the defectors and will take steps to ensure the Speaker declares their seats vacant, as stipulated by House Rules.

Additionally, the party has decided to maintain a "Hall of Shame" register for any lawmaker who defects in this manner without relinquishing their mandate. This register will prominently feature the names of the defected lawmakers, including Senators and House Representatives.