Kehinde Fajobi
The House of Representatives witnessed heated debates on Thursday following the defection of Dachung Musa Bagos, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bagos’s announcement, which marked the sixth defection from LP to APC in one week, caused a stir among opposition lawmakers, who demanded that his seat be declared vacant.
The move was notably observed by Senator Simon Lalong, a former governor of Plateau State.
In his defection letter, read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Bagos attributed his decision to the internal crisis in LP and his desire to align with the policies of the APC-led federal government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He explained, “I find it difficult to align with LP’s approach to national issues due to the ongoing crisis in the party.
“My decision to defect is not for personal gain but to contribute to national development and offer effective representation to my constituents.”
Bagos also expressed his commitment to peacebuilding in Plateau State and emphasised his alignment with APC’s developmental initiatives.
Reacting to the defection, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi said, “There is no crisis in LP, but I wish those defecting good luck. We will meet again in 2027, and the end will justify the means.”
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda argued that Bagos’s defection did not comply with constitutional provisions, stating, “He should first join the APC at his ward level before presenting his letter to the House.”
Chinda accused the House of bypassing due process, asserting that the move disregarded constitutional requirements.
However, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) countered, citing Section 40 of the Constitution, which allows freedom to join any political party.
He noted that seven out of eight House members from Plateau State are now APC members.
Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) cautioned lawmakers against violating the Constitution, stating, “As parliamentarians, we must show Nigerians that we uphold the law.”
Former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase defended Speaker Abbas Tajudeen’s decision to accept the defection letter, emphasising that the procedure was in line with parliamentary rules.