Labour Party to open ‘Hall of Shame’ register for four defectors from the party in addition to legal action.
The House of Representatives witnessed a wave of defections on Thursday, with several lawmakers officially joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among the defectors was Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, who cited internal crises within her former party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as her reason for switching allegiance. Ibori-Suenu, who represents Ethiope federal constituency, was elected under the PDP platform.
Joining her were four lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP): Rep. Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Rep. Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Rep. Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Rep. Iyawe Esosa (Edo). Their defection letters were read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary, signaling their formal transition to the APC.
The defections were marked by the presence of prominent APC senators, including Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Ede Dafinone (Delta), Thomas Joel-Onowakpo (Delta), and Asuquo Ekpenyong (Cross River), who welcomed the new members into the party.
Opposition parties push back
The defections sparked immediate outrage among opposition lawmakers, with Rep. Ali Isa JC (PDP Gombe), the Minority Whip, calling on the Speaker to declare the defectors’ seats vacant, citing constitutional provisions. Similarly, Rep. George Ozodinoni (LP Anambra), Deputy Minority Whip, dismissed claims of internal crises within the Labour Party, accusing the defectors of tarnishing the party’s image for personal gain.
In a swift reaction, the Labour Party announced its intention to challenge the defections both politically and legally.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, the LP vowed to pursue legal action to reclaim the seats of its defected lawmakers.
“The party will approach the Speaker of the House to declare vacant the seats occupied by these former Labour Party members,” Ifoh said. “These lawmakers have demonstrated a grave level of character deficit by betraying public trust and violating the mandates given to them under the Labour Party’s platform.”
Labour Party Opens ‘Hall of Shame’
To address the issue, the Labour Party disclosed plans to open a “Hall of Shame” register, listing all defectors who, according to the party, betrayed their mandates. “This register will serve as a public record of those who abandon the party and engage in political ‘jumpology,’” Ifoh explained, referencing lawmakers who switch parties without valid justification under the law.
The party also cited Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which outlines the conditions under which lawmakers may defect and mandates the forfeiture of seats when a switch occurs without legal grounds.
“The Labour Party remains undaunted by these defections but will not let them go unchallenged,” Ifoh added. “We must isolate these political opportunists to safeguard our democracy and ensure accountability in future elections.”
