BY IKECHUKWU ONYEKACHI
The minority caucus of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has described their members who are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), lacking 8. political ideology to entrench a true democracy in the country
The minority caucus therefore insisted that the seats of all the defected members should be declared vacant in accordance to the provisions of the 2022 electoral act as amended, so that they would be subjected to fresh mandate of their constituents
This is even as another member of the Labour Party (LP) Rep. Dalyop Chollom representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal constituency of Plateau state announced his defection to the APC at the floor of the House on Tuesday
Recall that four members of the Labour Party, and one from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had earlier defected to the ruling APC at the House plenary last week
The Plateau House of Representatives member announced his dumping of the Labour Party in a letter read during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, where he cited the leadership crisis in the LP and his desire to support the President in national development as reasons for his decision.
Hon Chollom explained that the party’s internal conflicts had made it difficult for him to align with any faction, hindering his ability to deliver effective representation, adding 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.
However, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, while criticizing those leaving the Labour Party, described them as individuals lacking ideological commitment, and called 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.
Hon. Ozodinobi regretted that the defecting lawmakers 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.
Supporting the position of the Minority Chief Whip, 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.