LP Seeks Declaration Of Seats Of Defected Members Vacant

Labour Party, LP. is set to take legal action to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of defected Party lawmakers vacant.

This is contained in a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Obiora Ifoh in Abuja.

The statement says the suit will also seek the return of all salaries, emoluments, or privileges received from the date of defection.

According to the ststement, the party is dismayed at the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Iliya, 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 has now earned a place on the Labour Party’s “Hall of Shame” register, has dishonored himself with this action.” Ifoh states.

The statement while acknowledging that the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the party stresses that such right is qualified when it comes to political party membership.

It indicates that the law does not protect individuals who steal the mandate of the people and a political party, only to run into another party without first surrendering the mandate acquired.

“This defection, like others before it, is both unfortunate and condemnable. Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution is explicit on when a lawmaker, sponsored by a political party, can defect and what happens if they choose to jump ship”.

“It is unnecessary to probe why most defectors have chosen the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination, or why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, has refused to respect the provisions of the constitution by declaring their seats vacant”.

“However, it is the defecting politicians who should be pitied, as they have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward,” Ifoh emphasizes.

Georgina Humphrey