Nigeria’s Labour Party (LP) has initiated legal action against its members in the National Assembly who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The party is seeking a court declaration that the seats of the defecting lawmakers be declared vacant and is demanding the return of all salaries, allowances, and privileges received since their defection.
In a statement by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party specifically condemned Mr. Akangbe Illiya, a representative from Jos South/Jos East, for his defection. The party called it a betrayal of the trust placed in him by both the party and the people of Plateau State.
The Labour Party argued that Illiya’s actions violated the constitution and represented both a moral and political failure. Ifoh pointed out that while the constitution guarantees freedom of association, it does not absolve defecting lawmakers from accountability.
The party described defections as deceitful acts that undermine the democratic mandate given by voters under its platform and vowed to challenge these defections in court to uphold accountability.
The Labour Party also criticized the increasing trend of lawmakers switching parties after securing their positions, calling it dishonourable and detrimental to the nation’s democratic values.
The party reaffirmed its commitment to fighting such defections in court to protect the integrity of its mandate.