Drama in LP over leadership, defection in Enugu state Assembly

Leadership tussle in the Labour Party amidst party defection of it’s members to PDP in Enugu state assembly.

New alliances have occurred at the Enugu State House of Assembly as six members of Labour Party (LP) on Thursday, defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during plenary.

Following this development, the PDP now holds the majority with 18 house members, while the LP finds itself in the minority with six members.

The lawmakers made their defection known on Thursday during plenary at the state House of Assembly complex via a letter read by the speaker, Hon. Uche Ugwu.

The individuals who switched parties include: the chief whip, member representing Igbo-Eze North constituency 1 in Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon Ejike Ezeh; Member representing Nsukka East, Pius Onyekachi Ezugwu; Deputy chief whip, member representing, Enugu South Rural, Princess Obiajulu Ugwu; member representing Oji River, Osita Eze; member representing Igbo-Etiti West, Engr. William Amuka; and member representing Enugu North Urban, Johnson Ani.

Stating the reasons behind the defection, the speaker said the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters,” was the reason for the defection.

Adding that “Regrettably, the party has evolved into a state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

“The Labour Party, once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas, has regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of the electorate”.

OrderPaper recalls that the week was marked by escalating confusion and crisis within the Labour Party, as the Board of Trustees (BoT) asserted its control over the party’s operations.

The announcement followed a controversial party convention held in Nnewi, Anambra, on Wednesday, where Julius Abure was re-elected as national chairman.

The BoT in a statement issued late on Wednesday, March 27, 2024 by its Chairman, Comrade S. O. Z. Ejiofor said it did not recognise the national convention.

“Following the expiration of the tenure in office of the immediate past National Working Committee of the Labour Party headed by Mr. Julius Abure, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in line with the Labour Party Constitution, has stepped in to steer the affairs of the Labour Party.

“This step is to avoid any leadership vacuum in the Labour Party. Furthermore, the Board of Trustees of the Labour Party, in consultation with major stakeholders in the Party, will soon communicate the processes for the conduct of an all-inclusive and expansive National Convention of the Labour Party,” the statement partly read.

In another development the Chief Press Secretary to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Mr Rotimi Oyekanmi has disowned the party’s Convention in Anambra saying the convention was not monitored by INEC.