The Labour Party also accused the ruling APC of fostering a culture of impunity. Ahanotu argued that some politicians believe joining the ruling party makes them “untouchable.”
Abuja, Nigeria – The Labour Party (LP) has raised concerns over difficulties in serving court papers to six members of the House of Representatives who recently defected from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The party has accused the lawmakers of evading service to frustrate its legal bid to have their seats declared vacant.
Speaking with The PUNCH on Thursday, LP’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, and the National Youth Leader, Kennedy Ahanotu, revealed the party’s plans to escalate the matter to the Clerk of the National Assembly. They also threatened to publish the names of the defectors in national newspapers as part of their legal strategy.
LP’s Legal Battle
The Labour Party is seeking to reclaim the seats of the six defectors and recover all salaries and allowances they have earned as lawmakers. Among those who defected is Ajang Iliya, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, who announced his defection to the APC in December 2024.
Other lawmakers who left the LP include Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).
Ajang Iliya cited internal crises within the LP and a desire to align with President Bola Tinubu’s policies and developmental initiatives as reasons for his defection.
Defectors Are ‘Insignificant,’ LP Says
Dismissing the defectors as “paper-weight politicians,” the Labour Party leadership claimed the lawmakers would not be missed by their supporters.
Ifoh expressed frustration over the lawmakers’ refusal to accept court papers, noting that the party had faced similar challenges in the past but succeeded in unseating a defector in Ondo State.
He stated, “We have taken a defector to court in the past, and he lost his seat. These lawmakers are only wasting their time by joining the APC, as over half of them will not secure return tickets. Even if they do, only a small fraction will win elections.”
Ifoh added that the party would welcome any returnees but on its own terms. “In politics, you don’t close your door, but reconciliation will be on our terms and conditions,” he said.
Judicial Delays Frustrating Justice
National Youth Leader Kennedy Ahanotu expressed concern over the protracted legal process, blaming the defectors for deliberately avoiding service of court documents.
“These people are running away from being served, and it’s prolonging the process,” Ahanotu lamented. “Our National Legal Adviser, Kehinde Edun, is on top of the matter, and we are confident justice will be served eventually.”
Ahanotu criticized the judicial system for its inefficiency, noting that delayed resolutions often allow defectors to complete their tenure before judgments are delivered.
“If our justice system were efficient, cases of defection should take no more than two to three months,” he said. “That would ensure re-runs are conducted promptly to elect new representatives for the party and their constituencies.”
The Labour Party also accused the ruling APC of fostering a culture of impunity. Ahanotu argued that some politicians believe joining the ruling party makes them “untouchable.”
“It’s unfortunate that those who fought against injustice decades ago are now perpetuating the same,” he said.
The Labour Party remains determined to pursue the case, emphasizing the need for judicial reforms to ensure swift resolution of political disputes.
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