Labour Party member of the House of Representatives, Daniel Chollom, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress on Tuesday, citing internal crises within the Labour Party and a desire to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu to advance national development.
In a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary, Chollom explained that ongoing leadership tussles within the Labour Party had created confusion, leaving him uncertain about which faction to align with.
He stated that this situation had impeded his ability to effectively represent his constituents. After thorough deliberation, he decided that joining the APC would be in the best interest of those he represents.
“I appreciate the Labour Party for giving me a platform to secure my seat in the House,” Chollom wrote. “However, my move to the APC is motivated by a desire to contribute more effectively to delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians.”
Chollom’s defection drew sharp criticism from opposition leaders, who questioned the legitimacy of his move and its implications for democratic principles.
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda argued that Chollom had failed to follow due process. According to Chinda, a lawmaker intending to defect must first resign from their party at the ward level and submit proof to the House before officially defecting. He called on Speaker Abbas to declare Chollom’s seat vacant.
Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi was even more scathing in his remarks, accusing defectors from the Labour Party of lacking ideology and commitment to their party’s principles.
“It is disheartening that these members defect when there is no legitimate crisis in the Labour Party. Their actions are disappointing, and even the APC should be wary of trusting them,” Ozodinobi said. He further alleged that such defections undermine the Labour Party’s credibility and deprive the House of quality representation.
Ozodinobi also called for Chollom’s seat to be declared vacant and vowed to pursue all necessary measures to ensure this. He stated, “We cannot allow these actions to set a dangerous precedent in our democracy.”
Just last week Thursday, the Labour Party caucus in the House of Representatives lost four of its members to the ruling All Progressives Congress.
The lawmakers who defected were Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo).
Similarly, the daughter of former Delta State Governor, Mr James Ibori, Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu, also ended her relationship with the Peoples Democratic Party as she joined the APC.
Confirming the development, Matthew, who represents Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, said the decision to defect to the APC is based on conviction.
