Defection: Labour Party asks court to declare seat of lawmakers vacant

The leadership of the Hon. Tajudeen Abass has indicated that it has since taken legal action to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected Labour Party lawmakers vacant.

The suit also seeks the return of all salaries, emoluments, or privileges received from the date of defection.

These were contained in a Statement issued by the Party’s National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh on Thursday in Abuja.

According to him, the party once again expressed its dismay at the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Illiya, 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.”

While acknowledging that the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the Labour Party asserts that this right is qualified when it comes to political party membership.

Obiora indicated 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 they deceitfully acquired.

This defection, like others before it, he observed is 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,” he said.

“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, Hon. 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.”