The Labour Party of Nigeria has called on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to declare the seats of all defectors from its party to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC).
The call was contained in a press statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Pastor Obiorah Ifoh.
The Labour Party spokesman said the party has already initiated a court process to compel the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare the seat of the defectors to the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) vacant as their actions contradict the provision of the constitution on defection.
The statement said “the Party has since filed actions in the court to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected Labour Party lawmakers vacant.
“The suit also seeks that every salary, emolument, or privilege received from the date of defection be returned.
The statement further said: “The leadership of the Labour Party again received with dismay news of the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr Akangbe Illiya, a man whom the Labour Party and the people of Plateau State entrusted with their collective hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society through legislation.
“Hon. Illiya, who just engraved his name on the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame’ Register, has brought dishonour to himself through this action.
“While it is true that the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the constitution qualifies such rights regarding the membership of political parties.
“The law does not protect an individual who steals the mandate of a people and a political party to run into another without first surrendering the mandate he deceitfully acquired.
“This defection, like similar ones before, is quite unfortunate and condemnable.
“Section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution is emphatic on when to defect and what happens when a lawmaker sponsored by a political party decides to jump ship.
“It is unnecessary to probe why most of the defectors chose the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination point and why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abass, has refused to respect the provisions of the constitution by declaring their seats vacant.
“However, those politicians who have chosen to abandon the people at this crucial time in their lives are the ones who deserve pity because they have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.
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