Another LP lawmaker dumps party

Rep. Dalyop Chollom, a member of the Labour Party (LP) representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency in Plateau State, has announced his defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection was disclosed on Tuesday by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajuddeen, who read Chollom’s resignation letter on the floor of the House.

In his letter, Chollom attributed his decision to deep reflection and the ongoing crisis within the Labour Party.

He stated that his priority is the political future and well-being of his constituents, which he believes can be better served under the APC platform.

However, the defection sparked controversy as the Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers), raised a Point of Order, citing Section 68 (1)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Chinda argued that the defection was unconstitutional and should be declared null and void. He urged the House to reject Chollom’s resignation letter.

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Rep. Chinda said, “We cannot continue to put the cart before the horse. That letter you read was not right”.

The Minority Leader added that the lawmaker should provide evidence of his resignation from the party, but the Speaker said he had seen everything and was satisfied with what the lawmaker presented.

But Chinda said if the Speaker is satisfied, then he should follow what the Constitution stated about the seat of a lawmaker who defected from his party and moved to another party.

He added, “If you say the letter he wrote is in order, you declare his seat vacant”.

However, the Speaker said, he had gone through what the lawmaker presented and ruled the Minority Leader out of order.

Similarly, Rep. George Ozodinobi (Anambra, LP) said the defection was disheartening because the LP had no crisis of any form.

Senator Samuel Bako Lalong was in the chambers to witness the announcement of the defection of the Plateau State lawmaker.

Recall that five lawmakers consisting of four Labour Party (LP) and one Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member defected to the APC last Thursday.

The four LP lawmakers who defected to the APC include; Rep.Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (LP, Imo), Rep. Donatus Matthew (LP,Kaduna), Rep. Akiba Bassey (LP, Cross River) and Rep.Esosa Iyawe (LP, Edo).

The daughter of the former governor of Delta State, James Ibori, Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu defected from the PDP to the APC.