By Emmanuel Ogbodo
The Labour Party (LP) has lost four members of its House of Representatives caucus to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The defections took place on Thursday during a plenary session at the Green Chamber, presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
The lawmakers who switched allegiance are Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo).
Donatus Mathew, representing Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, explained that his decision to defect to the APC was driven by personal conviction. Mathew, who gained attention in 2023 after securing his parliamentary seat as a commercial motorcycle rider, acknowledged the mixed reactions from his constituents regarding the move.
“You cannot solely rely on the opinion of constituents at the local level, as you’re dealing with individuals with varying perspectives,” he said. “Some believe this is the right decision, while others remain uncertain.”
The defections represent a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape as the APC continues to strengthen its foothold in the National Assembly.
