Defection: Labour Party loses another Rep to APC

By Christiana Ekpa

Another member of the Labour Party, (LP), in the House of Representatives, Sunday Umahia, on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

Umehia, representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency of Enugu State, said he was leaving the Labour Party because of the elongated crisis that has given rise to three different factions laying claim to the leadership of the party.

The lawmaker, in his letter of defection read at plenary by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, said Senator Nenadi Usman, Barrister Julius Abure and Alhaji Lamidi Apapa have continued to lay claim to the leadership of the LP, while members are at a loss as to who they should defer to.

The lawmaker said he has resolved to join the APC and team up with the President to provide leadership for the country and the South-East in particular.

However, Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda said the constant defection of legislators is making a mockery of democratic rule in Nigeria, saying the practice in the parliament appears confusing.

According to him, the time has come to take another look at the constitutional provision on defection and amend it to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

Chinda asked the Speaker to exercise his constitutional power and declare the seat of the defectors vacant.

The minority leader stated further that the Supreme Court has put to an end to the leadership crisis in the Labour Party and therefore the said crisis can no longer be relied upon for defection.

He also drew attention of the House to its standing order especially as it deals with the leadership of House Standing Committees, which provides that leadership of committees are appointed on party basis.

He said those who have defected should be made to vacate their leadership position in committees.