The Labour Party has dismissed claims of internal division despite recent defections of its lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh, emphasized that the LP remains united and determined to reclaim its mandates through legal means.
This statement follows reports that two senators elected on the party’s platform might soon defect to the APC. Last week, Ajang Iliya, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, officially joined the APC, making him the sixth Labour Party legislator to leave the party. Others who have defected include Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).
Ifoh clarified that the party initially secured eight Senate seats and 35 House of Representatives seats after the general elections. However, one senatorial seat was lost through a court decision, and six House members have since defected. He expressed disappointment over the defections, pointing to Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates lawmakers to vacate their seats if they leave the party under whose platform they were elected unless the party is in crisis, according to NaijaNews.
He stressed that the Labour Party is not facing any crisis, as its leadership has been validated by court rulings. Attempts by some individuals to destabilize the party were thwarted through judicial intervention. The party has taken legal action to challenge the defections, demanding that the defectors relinquish their seats and return any allowances received unlawfully.
Ifoh acknowledged pressures from rival parties trying to lure LP senators but expressed optimism that most would remain loyal. While he conceded that a few might consider defection, he affirmed that the party would ensure constitutional provisions are enforced against any lawmaker who jumps ship.
The Labour Party has reiterated its commitment to maintaining unity and holding defectors accountable to safeguard the trust of its supporters.
He said: “After the general election, Labour Party won eight seats in the Senate and 35 seats in the House of Representatives. We, however, lost a senatorial seat through the courts.
“We have also seen about six members of the House of Representatives decamp. This is in spite of the provision of the 1999 Constitution, Section 68(g) that clearly states that for one to decamp, you must first drop the mandate given to the party.
“Though a proviso in the constitution stated that the lawmakers can change party where the party in which such one is elected has a crisis. However, the Labour Party has no crisis presently.
“The current leadership has been affirmed by the courts as valid and legitimate. Though a few of our leaders made attempt to infuse crisis but that was nipped with the help of the court.
“We have, however, challenged the defections in the court, asking that the members that defected should drop the mandate and vacate their seats as well as return all illegally received allowances and emoluments.
“As regards whether some senators will leave, the party is aware of pressures from the other parties to woo them. It is not impossible that one or two may succumb.
“But many of them have vowed their loyalty to the party leadership and we believe that common sense will prevail, particularly now that the party has clearly wriggled itself from the earlier hiccups. But for those who may wish to decamp, we will ensure that the provision of the constitution applies.”
