Mass Defections Loom In Enugu Labour Party

The wrangling rocking the Labour Party in Enugu State has assumed a dangerous dimension following alleged plans by more elected members of the party to defect to other parties.

The Labour Party took everybody by surprise when it won majority of the House of Representatives seats in Enugu and two out of the three senatorial seats in the state during the 2023 general elections.

The party also won majority of the seats in the state house of assembly, a development that forced many to believe that it would be a party to beat in future elections.

But investigations by our correspondent revealed that the party is seriously engulfed in internal wrangling over the decision of some of its elected members to defect to other parties.

Already, six members of the Enugu State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Labour Party have officially announced their defection to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

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The lawmakers announced their defection on the floor of the house during plenary last Thursday.

The defectors stated that their defection was as a result of the “existence of irreconcilable division, incessant crisis within the Labour Party at the national level and across all the state chapters.

“Regrettably, the party has evolved into state of perpetual discord with various factions embroiled in legal battles thereby undermining its ability to effectively serve the interest of the people.

“The Labour Party once a beacon of hope for progressive ideas have regrettably become synonymous with internal squabbles, thereby reducing its capacity to fulfil the aspirations of electorate.”

They cited the cases of Abure and Apapa factions as well as the national treasurer as some of the divisions within the party.

They expressed hope that the PDP would give them the platform to continue to serve the interests of their people and thanked the leaderships of Labour Party for their supports.

It was gathered that those that announced their defection include the Chief Whip of the house and member representing Igboeze North I, Hon Ejike Eze; The leader of the house and member representing Enugu North, Hon Johnson Ugwu and the member representing Enugu South Urban, Hon Princess Ugwu.

Ohers are member representing Nsukka West, Hon Pius Ezeugwu; Member representing Igbo-Etiti East, Hon Amuka Williams and member representing Oji River, Hon Osita Eze.

The motion for their defection to be accepted was moved by Rt Hon Iloabuchi Aniagu and was seconded by Rt Hon Jane Eneh.

Reacting to the defection of the six members, the spokesman of the Enugu State House of Assembly who was elected on the platform of the Labour Party, Harrison Ogara said thoughts they have freedom of movement, they should know that there is a section of the constitution that stated that any member of a political party that defects to another political party without fulfilling the constitutional provisions for defection will automatically loose his or her seat.

Although the chairman of the party, Barrister Casmir Agbo has severally warned that they would approach the court to declare the positions of defectors vacant, investigations revealed that more elected members of the party both at the National Assembly and state assembly are planning to decamp to other parties.