In a significant political development, another Labour Party (LP) member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Daniel Chollom, representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chollom announced his defection during Tuesday’s plenary, citing the Labour Party’s leadership crisis and his desire to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to facilitate national development. His defection was formally acknowledged through a letter read by the Speaker, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.
Chollom explained that the prolonged leadership tussle within the LP made it difficult for him to determine which faction to associate with, hindering his ability to deliver effective representation to his constituents. He expressed gratitude to the Labour Party for the platform that enabled his election but emphasized that joining the APC would allow him to better serve his constituency and contribute to delivering democratic dividends.
However, the defection drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders. Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi, described Chollom’s decision as ideologically weak and insisted that his seat be declared vacant. Ozodinobi also dismissed claims of a leadership crisis within the LP, asserting that defectors lacked political commitment and credibility.
“The rate of defection from the Labour Party to the APC is alarming,” Ozodinobi remarked. “These individuals used our party to secure their seats, only to abandon it in less than seven months. This action undermines the trust of their constituents and the integrity of the democratic process.”
Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, also challenged the procedural legitimacy of Chollom’s defection. He argued that the lawmaker failed to follow due process, which requires formal resignation from his party at the ward level and the submission of evidence to the House before announcing a defection. Chinda called for adherence to legal protocols and stressed that defectors’ seats should be declared vacant if such protocols are not observed.
As tensions rise, the debate over party loyalty and political ideology continues to dominate discussions in the House. The Labour Party and its leaders are reportedly exploring legal avenues to address the wave of defections, which they say undermines the stability and growth of the party.
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