The recent wave of defections by Labour Party (LP) lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not a reflection of any internal crisis within the LP but a clear betrayal of the people who voted for them because of Peter Obi’s influence. These lawmakers were elected on the strength of Obi’s popularity and the promise of a new political direction, yet their defection reveals that their primary interest lies in retaining personal power rather than serving their constituents.
The Labour Party’s remarkable performance in the 2023 general elections, largely driven by Peter Obi’s candidacy, saw it become the third largest party in Nigeria, winning six Senate seats, over 34 House of Representatives seats, and the governorship in Abia State. Voters entrusted these lawmakers with their mandate to bring about change and challenge the entrenched political establishment.
However, many of these elected representatives have since abandoned the party for APC or PDP, undermining the hopes of their constituents. The defections are often justified by claims of internal party crises, but this narrative ignores the fact that these lawmakers owe their victories to the people’s trust in the LP and Obi’s vision. Their defection is a political convenience aimed at securing their political survival rather than advancing the interests of the electorate.
List of Labour Party Lawmakers Who Defected
Among the notable LP lawmakers who have defected are:
- Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Federal Constituency, Imo) – to APC
- Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency, Kaduna) – to APC
- Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Cross River) – to APC
- Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency, Edo) – to APC
- Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (Imo East Senatorial District) – to APC
- Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (Imo) – to APC
- Donatus Matthew (Kaduna) – to APC
- Bassey Akiba (Cross River) – to APC
- Hon. Dalyop Chollom (Plateau) – to APC
- Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (Delta) – to APC
- Valentine Ozigbo (Anambra) – to APC
- Obetta Chidi (Nsukka/Igbo-Eze South Federal Constituency, Enugu) – to PDP
- Dennis Agbo (Igbo-Eze North/Udenu Federal Constituency, Enugu) – to PDP
These defections have significantly strengthened the APC’s majority in the National Assembly, with the ruling party now holding 265 seats across both chambers, while opposition lawmakers have been reduced to 202.
A Disservice to the Electorate
This mass defection is a grave disservice to the millions of Nigerians who voted for the Labour Party as a genuine alternative to the established political order. The voters’ mandate was clear: they sought change, accountability, and a break from the status quo that the APC and PDP represent. By abandoning the LP, these lawmakers have disregarded the trust placed in them and aligned themselves with the very parties many Nigerians rejected.
Critics argue that these defections are motivated by personal ambition and the desire to cling to power rather than ideological conviction or the welfare of their constituents. This trend exposes the fragility of party loyalty in Nigerian politics and the ease with which elected officials prioritize self-interest over public service.
The Road Ahead
The defection of these lawmakers raises urgent questions about the future of Nigeria’s democracy and the strength of its opposition parties. It underscores the need for voters to hold their representatives accountable and demand that political officeholders honor the mandates given to them.
As the 2027 general elections approach, Nigerians will have the opportunity to judge whether these defectors have truly served their interests or merely pursued political expediency. The hope remains that the electorate will reaffirm its commitment to genuine change and support leaders who prioritize the people over personal gain.
In conclusion, the defection of Labour Party lawmakers to APC and PDP is not a symptom of party crisis but a betrayal of the people’s trust-a stark reminder that political office should be about service, not survival.