Opposition lawmakers want seat declared vacant as LP Rep defects to APC

A member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Labour Party, Fom Daniel Chollom, on Tuesday announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Chollom, in a letter read during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, cited the leadership crisis in the LP and his desire to support the President in national development as reasons for his decision.

According to him, the party’s internal conflicts had made it difficult for him to align with any faction, hindering his ability to deliver effective representation.

He said that he has reflected deeply on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and came to the conclusion that he will better serve the interest of his people within the fold of the All Progressives Congress.

While appreciating the Labour Party for offering him the platform to contest and come to the House, the defector said he was joining the APC to team up with the President to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.

Reacting to the defection, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi criticized those leaving the Labour Party, labeling them as individuals lacking ideological commitment and calling for Chollom’s seat to be declared vacant.

He said the rate of defection from the Labour Party to the APC was very disturbing, emphasising that there was no leadership crisis in the party.

According to him, the defecting lawmaker used the platform of the party to deny the House the service of some quality lawmakers and yet failed to stay in the party for more than seven months.

“Those defecting are people without ideology. I am worried by the rate of defection when there is no crisis in the Labour Party. I am very sorry for these members and I am very sorry for the APC because you will not earn their trust.

“I want to say that his seat must be declared vacant and we will do everything possible to ensure that is done,” Ozodinobi said.

In the same vein, the Minority Leader, Kingsley China said Chollom has failed to do the needful by first resigning from the Labour Party from his ward, and presenting evidence of such resignation to the House before his letter is read.

Chinda said the House should not be putting the cart before the horse as members should first do the right thing before their letters of defections are read, stressing that in the alternative, the seat of the lawmaker should be declared vacant.