Labour Party Moves To Reclaim Seats Of Defected Lawmakers

The Labour Party has vowed to take legal action against four of its members who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers in question are Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).

According to Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, the lawmakers’ actions are “unfortunate, irrational, and inconsistent with democratic principles.”

Ifoh emphasized that, as stated in Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, lawmakers sponsored by a political party must vacate their seats upon defection unless the Party is experiencing a crisis.

READ ALSO: LP Lawmakers Who Defected To APC Should Resign – Delta Rep Member

The Labour Party however outlined a three-step response to the defections: condemning the act, petitioning the Speaker to declare the seats vacant, and pursuing legal action.

“We have asked the Speaker to declare their seats vacant, but given his open support for the defectors, we are not optimistic about his compliance. Consequently, we will escalate the matter to the courts. Our legal department has been instructed to proceed with filing the case,” Ifoh said in a chat with Punch.

Furthermore, the Labour Party disclosed the establishment of a “Hall of Shame” register to document the identities of defected public office holders, rebels, and troublemakers who have disgraced the Party.

The register is set to be publicly unveiled today. “Let me tell you that significantly by tomorrow, Monday, we are going to publish the register of the hall of shame. We will make it available and publish it in the media generally,” Ifoh affirmed.

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via: Information Nigeria