The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives faced a significant blow on Thursday as four members officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defecting lawmakers include Tochukwu Okere (Imo State), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna State), Bassey Akiba (Cross River State), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo State).
Additionally, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, announced her departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align with the APC.
In another development, Rep. Gideon Gwani, representing Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, confirmed his defection to the APC. Gwani cited “personal conviction and alignment with the APC’s vision” as reasons for his decision.
Addressing concerns about his move, Rep Donatus Mathew, who gained attention in 2023 as a commercial motorcycle rider turned lawmaker, said: “You cannot base your decision solely on the opinions of people at the constituency level because you are dealing with individuals of varying levels of understanding.”
He further elaborated: “I am taking this decision based on personal conviction. Whether you like it or not, there are people within the constituency who believe this defection is the right move for them. However, there are also those who remain skeptical, waiting to see how things unfold.”
Their letters of defection were formally read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas on the floor of the Green Chamber.