Outrage In House Of Representatives As Another Labour Party Lawmaker Defects
The House of Representatives erupted in controversy on Thursday after Hon. Ajang Iliya, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, announced his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Iliya’s defection, read out by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, cited internal crises within the LP and the need to align with the policies of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s APC-led government.
In his letter, Iliya explained that his decision was motivated by a desire to better represent his constituency and contribute to national development, which he felt could be more effectively achieved within the APC. He emphasized that his defection was not driven by personal gain but by the need for a stable political environment, in light of the challenges within his former party.
The defection sparked protests from opposition members, with calls for Iliya’s seat to be declared vacant. His switch to the APC brings the number of LP defectors in the House to six in just one week.
Deputy Minority Whip, George Ozodinobi, while not opposing the defection, commented that there was no crisis within the LP but expressed his hope that defectors would face the consequences of their decisions in the 2027 elections. “We will be waiting to meet them again,” he said.
Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, however, contested the validity of the defection, arguing that the lawmaker had not followed constitutional procedures and should first seek membership in the APC at the ward level before submitting a defection letter to the House.
In response, APC lawmaker Yusuf Adamu Gagdi stated that Iliya had met all necessary constitutional requirements. He further noted that seven of Plateau’s eight House representatives are now APC members.
PDP’s Mark Esset urged lawmakers to respect constitutional provisions to ensure they uphold the law, while former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wade defended the Speaker’s decision, stressing that accepting the defection letter was constitutionally sound.
