The Labour Party has frowned at the defection wave that has hit the party hinting that it had approached the court to declare seats of all the defected lawmakers vacant.
A statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Obiora Ifoh, was against the backdrop of recent defection of five federal lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The latest was Akangbe Illiya representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives who dumped the party for the APC a few days ago.
The party expressed dismay particularly at Illiya’ defection, describing it as a betrayal of the people of Jos, who “entrusted” the lawmaker “with their collective hopes and aspirations for a just and equitable society through legislation.”
The party said “Hon. Illiya who just engraved his name on the Labour Party ‘Hall of Shame’ Register has brought dishonour to himself through this action.”
The party argued that “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.”
The statement noted “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.”
The party emphasised that “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.”
It said the Party has “since filed 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.”