Defection of Five House Members to APC Weakens Opposition Base

The recent defection of five lawmakers from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party to ruling All Progressives Congress has further depleted the camps of the opposition parties in the country. Adedayo Akinwale reports

Although real politicking ahead of 2027 general elections is yet to take off at full speed, but last Thursday’s defection of five lawmakers in the House of Representatives from the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has further depleted the opposition parties in the country.

The latest development, though not unusual, has created doubt about the seriousness of opposition parties about their ability to mount a serious challenge to wrestle power from the All Progressives Congress .

While it is a known fact that Nigeria’s political ecosystem lacks ideology, however, the menace makes it easy for politicians to change political parties at will without any consequences.

Surprisingly but not unexpectedly, four federal lawmakers from the Labour Party  and another member from the PDP last Thursday defected to the ruling APC.

House Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas announced their defection during the plenary.

The lawmakers from the Labour Party are Hon. Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency), Hon. Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Hon. Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency of Cross River), Hon. Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo) and Hon. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu.

Hon. Abbas congratulated the legislators, saying they had “taken the right decision.”

Among the defected members is Hon Erithiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of a former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori.

The defected members, while giving reasons for defecting explained that the ideologies of the APC aligned with their own. They also cited faction, division, and crises within their previous parties.

The minority whip, Hon. Ali Isa, and the Deputy Minority Whip, Hon. George Ozodinobi, protested the defections. Ozodinobi, an LP chieftain, said his colleagues had no ideology.

“When people enter a political party without ideology, you see such levels of defection,” he said.

In recent times, LP and PDP have lost some legislators to the APC. In July, 2024, Ezenwa Onyewuchi, senator representing Imo East, defected from LP to the APC. In October, 2024, Chris Nkwonta and Sulaiman Abubakar left the PDP for the APC.

Giving his reasons for defection, Hon Iyawe said: “I am writing to formally tender my resignation as a member of Labour Party (LP), effective immediately. This decision was reached after careful consideration of my personal convictions and the alignment of my values with the political landscape today.

“My decision to resign from LP is as a result of the party’s inability to declare who should emerge as the legitimate Caretaker Committee from the National to State levels. More so, due to the incessant tussle rocking the leadership of the party and the numerous perpetual Court cases against the leadership of the party; myself and my supporters are in a state of confusion as to the party’s stability in leadership.”

Iyawe said with regards to his right to freedom of association as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, he decided to defect to APC whose ideas aligns with his political aspirations and ideology.

This, he pointed out, was after due consultations with his family and supporters. While he re-emphasised his resolve to continue his service and representation of his people as this decision would certainly improve his past performance at all levels, he thanked the leadership and fellow members of the Labour Party for the support, collaboration, and opportunities provided to him while he was a member.

Irked by the development, the PDP has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  to begin the procedure for conducting a new election to fill the Ethiope East/Ethiope West Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives.

The PDP in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, on Friday, stated that according to constitutional provisions and the clear interpretation by the Supreme Court, Ibori-Suenu has permanently forfeited her seat, rights, privileges, and recognition.

Ologunagba noted that Ibori-Suenu should cease presenting herself as a member of the House of Representatives, warning that continuing to do so would be considered impersonation with potential legal consequences.

Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) expressed strong opposition to the defection of four of its members in the House.

The Spokesperson of LP,  Obiora Ifoh,  described the move as “inconsistent with democratic norms,” vowing to pursue legal action. He said: “The defection, to us, is quite unfortunate and we condemn the action which is irrational, untenable, inconsistent and alien to all known norms for which democracy stands for.”

Citing Section 68(g) of the 1999 Constitution, which regulates defections, the LP noted that lawmakers can only justify leaving their party in cases of internal division or a merger.

The party also called on the Speaker to declare the defectors’ seats vacant, arguing their continued tenure violated constitutional provisions.

Ifoh added: “Though, the Labour Party leadership is undaunted by the defection, it has however, elected not to allow it slide and has therefore instructed its legal team to commence the legal actions against the defectors.

“And to also commence the process of regaining our mandates in line with the 1999 constitution and 2022 Electoral Act as amended. The party will also approach the Speaker of the House of Representatives to declare vacant the seats occupied by these former Labour Party members in line with the House Rules. It is inappropriate and unacceptable for these lawmakers to continue to function as representatives of their constituencies illegally.

“The party has also decided to open a ‘Hall of Shame’ register for these lawmakers or any lawmaker or elected officer of the party who engages in fraudulent acts of defection without first dropping the mandate gotten under the ticket of the party. The defected lawmakers will feature prominently in the register.”

It is almost impossible to get the seats of the defected lawmakers declared vacant according to the law considering the fact that the lawmakers defected to the ruling party.