The deputy minority whip of the House has said that those defecting from Labour Party are people without ideology
The House of Representatives witnessed a heated debate on Tuesday following the defection of Rep. Fom Dalyop Chollom, representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom federal constituency of Plateau State, from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chollom cited the leadership crisis within the Labour Party and his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration as the reasons for his decision.
His defection was witnessed by Senator Simon Lalong (APC Plateau South), who was allowed in to the green chamber after suspending it’s rules.
In a letter read by Speaker Rep. Tajudeen Abbas (APC Kaduna) during plenary, Rep. Chollom explained that the factional struggles in the Labour Party had created challenges that hindered his ability to represent his constituency effectively.
He expressed gratitude to the party for giving him a platform to win his seat but said he believed he could better serve his constituents by joining the ruling APC to “deliver the dividends of democracy.”
However, the announcement sparked immediate backlash from opposition members, with the minority leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP Rivers), arguing that Chollom had failed to follow due process.
Chinda pointed out that Rep. Chollom did not resign from the Labour Party at his ward level or provide evidence of such resignation before his defection letter was read in the House.
He called on the speaker to declare the lawmaker’s seat vacant, emphasising that proper procedures must be followed in defection cases.
Interjecting the minority leader, the Speaker Abbas said “what gives you the right to say that, I have the right to read what I choose because the letter was addressed to me on behalf of the House.”
Deputy Minority Whip Rep. George Ozodinobi (LP Anambra) added his voice to the criticism, describing the wave of defections from the Labour Party as troubling. He accused defectors of lacking ideological commitment and exploiting the party’s platform for political gains without loyalty to its vision.
“Those defecting are people without ideology,” Ozodinobi said. “I am worried by the rate of defection when there is no leadership crisis in the Labour Party. These members have denied the House the opportunity to have committed lawmakers and have failed to stay in the party for even seven months. I am very sorry for the APC because these defectors will not earn their trust.”
He further insisted that Chollom’s seat must be declared vacant, vowing to take necessary steps to ensure this is done.
Chollom’s defection adds to the growing list of Labour Party lawmakers switching allegiance to the APC since the 2023 general elections. While some have justified their moves as strategic alignments with the ruling party to support national development, critics argue that these defections undermine the principles of party loyalty and weaken the opposition’s stance in the national assembly.
