LP threatens legal action against Reps who defected to APC

Speaker Tajudeen Abbas today, confirmed the defections of Chinedu Okere, Mathew Donatus, Akiba Bassey, and Esosa Iyawe, who cited an alleged “internal crisis” within the LP as their reason for leaving.

While the LP leadership remains resolute in the face of these defections, it has decided to challenge the matter legally.

According to LP spokesman Obiora Ifoh, the party has instructed its legal team to take action to reclaim the mandates of the defectors, in accordance with the 1999 Constitution and the amended 2022 Electoral Act.

Ifoh dismissed claims of a crisis within the LP, asserting, “There is absolute peace in the Labour Party. No individual elected on the party’s ticket has the constitutional right to defect with the party’s mandate.”

The party expressed strong disapproval of the defections, describing them as “unfortunate, irrational, and inconsistent with democratic principles.”

Ifoh also stated that the LP would petition the Speaker to declare the defectors’ seats vacant, as their continued representation of their constituencies under these circumstances is deemed “inappropriate and unacceptable.”

Additionally, the LP announced plans to establish a “Hall of Shame” register to document lawmakers and elected officials who defect without relinquishing their mandates.

Ifoh confirmed that the defectors would be prominently listed in the register.