- Safiu Kehinde
Labour Party has dragged lawmakers who defected from the party to court, seeking the declaration of their seats vacant.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiorah Ifoh.
Sequel to last week mass defection of Labour Party’s lawmakers at the House of Representatives to the All Progressive Congress (APC) the party also witnessed another batch of defection to the ruling party over the week with the latest being Hon. Akangbe Illya representing Jos South/ Jos East Federal Constituency.
While condemning Iliya’s defection, stated that he brought dishonour to himself as he joined the party’s Hall of Shame record.
Labour Party accused defectors of stealing the people’s mandate, stressing that they have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.
While noting that it is unconcerned with the their move to the APC, Labour Party however announced taking legal actions against the lawmakers as it called for the respect of the constitution’s provisions by declaring their seats vacant.
It also filed for the return of every salary, emolument or privileges received by the lawmakers from the date of defection.
The statement read in part; “The leadership of the Labour Party again received with dismay news of the betrayal of the people of Jos South/Jos East by Mr. Akangbe Illiya, a man whom the Labour Party and the people of Plateau State entrusted with their collective hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society through legislation.
“Hon. Illiya who just engraved his name on the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame’ Register has brought dishonour to himself through this action.
“While it is true that the constitution guarantees citizens the right to freedom of association, the constitution qualifies such rights regarding the membership of political parties.
“The law does not protect an individual who steals the mandate of a people and a political party to run into another without first surrendering the mandate he deceitfully acquired.
“This, defection like similar ones before it is quite unfortunate and condemnable.
“Section 68(g) of the 1999 constitution is emphatic on when to defect and what happens when a lawmaker sponsored by a political party decides to jump ship.
“It is unnecessary probing why most of the defectors chose the All Progressives Congress (APC) as their destination point and why the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abass has refused to respect the provisions of the constitution by declaring their seats vacant.
“However, those politicians who have chosen to abandon the people at this crucial time in their lives are the ones who deserve pity because they have exposed themselves as unworthy of our collective trust going forward.
“Meanwhile, the Party has since filled actions in the court to compel the National Assembly leadership to declare the seats of the defected Labour Party lawmakers vacant. The suit also seeks that every salary, emolument or privileges received, from the date of defection, be returned.”