Rep. Dalyop Chollom, a member of the Labour Party (LP) representing the Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal constituency in Plateau State, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, announced Chollom’s defection on Tuesday, reading a letter from the lawmaker on the floor of the House.
In the letter, Rep. Chollom explained that his decision to leave the LP and join the APC was the result of careful reflection and the ongoing crisis within the party.
He emphasized that his primary concern is the political future of his constituents, which he believes would be better served by being in the ruling party.
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However, the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), raised a Point of Order, citing Section 68(1)(d) of the Constitution. He argued that the defection was invalid and requested that the House reject the letter of defection.
Rep. Chinda said, “We cannot continue to put the cart before the horse. That letter you read was not right”.
The Minority Leader emphasized that the lawmaker should provide proof of his resignation from the party. However, the Speaker replied that he had reviewed all the documents and was satisfied with what the lawmaker had presented.
In response, Chinda argued that if the Speaker is satisfied, he should adhere to the Constitution regarding the status of a lawmaker who defects from their party and joins another.
He added, “If you say the letter he wrote is in order, you declare his seat vacant”.
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The Speaker stated that after reviewing the lawmaker’s presentation, he ruled the Minority Leader out of order.
Rep. George Ozodinobi (Anambra, LP) also expressed disappointment over the defection, noting that the Labour Party (LP) had no internal crises.
Senator Samuel Bako Lalong was present in the chambers to witness the announcement of the Plateau State lawmaker’s defection.
It is important to note that last Thursday, five lawmakers—four from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The four LP lawmakers who joined the APC are: Rep. Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (LP, Imo), Rep. Donatus Matthew (LP, Kaduna), Rep. Akiba Bassey (LP, Cross River), and Rep. Esosa Iyawe (LP, Edo).
Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, also defected from the PDP to the APC.
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