On Tuesday, another member of the House of Representatives under the Labour Party, Rep. Fom Daniel Chollom, announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Rep. Chollom attributed his decision to a leadership crisis within the Labour Party and a desire to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu for national development.
In a letter of defection read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, Chollom stated that the unresolved factional disputes in the Labour Party had made it difficult for him to align with any group. This, he explained, hindered his ability to provide effective representation for his constituents.
The Plateau lawmaker expressed gratitude to the Labour Party for the opportunity to serve but maintained that joining the APC would enable him to better contribute to national progress.
He said, “I have reflected deeply on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and concluded that I can better serve my people’s interests within the APC.”
Reacting to the defection, Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda argued that Chollom had failed to follow due process by not first resigning from the Labour Party at the ward level and presenting evidence of resignation before submitting his defection letter.
Chinda emphasized that the House should ensure procedural compliance before accepting such letters, adding that Chollom’s seat should be declared vacant.
Deputy Minority Whip, Rep. Ozodinobi raised further concerns about the trend of Labour Party members defecting to the APC, insisting there was no genuine leadership crisis in the Labour Party.
Rep. Ozodinobi, criticized the defection, describing those leaving the Labour Party as individuals lacking ideology. He insisted that their seats be declared vacant.
He said, “The rate of defection is alarming, especially when there is no crisis in the Labour Party. Those defecting are people without ideology. I feel sorry for them and even more for the APC because these defectors will not earn their trust.”
Ozodinobi concluded by calling for Chollom’s seat to be declared vacant, pledging to take all necessary steps to ensure this is done.