Labour Party (LP) members in Nigeria’s House of Representatives are reportedly contemplating defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), according to Etanabene Benedict, an LP lawmaker representing Delta State’s Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie Federal Constituency. This revelation comes in the wake of four LP lawmakers crossing over to the APC, citing alleged internal conflicts within the Labour Party.
Speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a Channels Television program, Etanabene acknowledged the growing likelihood of further defections. “There are still many others in the Labour Party that are thinking along that line too. So, if it happens tomorrow, I won’t be surprised,” he said.
The lawmakers who recently defected include Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo). They attributed their decision to internal discord within the Labour Party.
Despite these claims, Etanabene dismissed assertions of a leadership crisis within the LP. “There is no leadership crisis in the Labour Party,” he stated. He further argued that the defectors are individuals who have shown support for Julius Abure’s leadership, suggesting their departure was not genuinely linked to internal conflict.
He also predicted similar trends among other opposition parties, implying that political realignments in the legislature are not exclusive to the Labour Party.
In response to the defections, the Labour Party has threatened legal action and plans to petition the House leadership to declare the defectors’ seats vacant. The party’s stance underscores its commitment to preserving its representation in the House amid growing political uncertainty.
As the situation unfolds, the potential for further defections remains a critical concern for the Labour Party, with implications for its political influence and legislative dynamics. 9am News will continue to monitor and report on developments surrounding these defections and the party’s efforts to address them.
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