The Labour Party (LP) has initiated legal proceedings to address a wave of defections among its members in the National Assembly, calling for the vacating of seats held by defectors.
In a statement issued by National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh, the LP expressed dismay over the defection of Alfred Ajang Illiya, the House of Representatives member for Jos South/Jos East, to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Illiya’s move brings the total number of LP lawmakers who have joined the APC to five.
The statement accused Illiya of betraying the trust of the people of Plateau State and violating constitutional provisions governing political party membership. Citing Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, the party argued that defectors must relinquish their mandates obtained under the LP banner.
The LP revealed it has filed a suit to compel the National Assembly to declare the defectors’ seats vacant and recover salaries and emoluments received since their defection.
Illiya, in his defection letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, attributed his decision to the LP’s internal crisis and his alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s developmental policies. The announcement sparked protests from opposition lawmakers, who demanded that his seat be declared vacant.
Former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong was present to witness Illiya’s defection to the APC.
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