By Crystal Nwakanma
Fom Daniel Chollom, a member of the House of Representatives under the Labour Party, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, citing the Labour Party’s leadership crisis and his desire to support the President in national development.
In a letter read during plenary by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Chollom explained that the party’s internal conflicts had made it difficult for him to align with any faction, hindering his ability to deliver effective representation.
Reacting to the defection, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi criticized those leaving the Labour Party, labeling them as individuals lacking ideological commitment and urging that Chollom’s seat be declared vacant.
He said that he has reflected deeply on the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and came the conclusion that he will better serve the interest of his people within the fold of the All Progressives Congress.
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While appreciating the Labour Party for offering him to him the platform to contest and come to the House, he said he was joining the APC to team up with the President to deliver the dividends of democracy to the Nigerian people.
However, Minority Leader, Kingsley China said the member has failed to do the needful by first resigning from the Labour Party from his ward and present evidence or such resignation to the House before his letter is read.
Chinda said the House should not be putting the cart before the horse as members should first so the right thing before their letters of defections are read, stressing that in the alternative, the seat of the Lawmaker should be declared vacant.
Deputy Minority whip, George Ozodinobi said the rate of defection from the Labour Party to the APC was very disturbing, emphasising that there was no leadership crisis in the party.
He said the defecting Lawmaker used the platform of the party to deny the House the service of some quality lawmakers and yet failed to stay in the party for more than seven months.
Ozodinobi said: “Those defecting are people without ideology. I am worried by the rate of defecu when there is no crisis in the Labour Party. I am very sorry for these members and I am very sorry for the APC because you will not earn their trust.
“I want to say that his seat must be declarrd vacant and we will do everything possible to ensure that is done.”