Labour Party Loses Another National Assembly Member to APC, Reason for Defection Emerges

• Plateau federal lawmaker, Ajang Iliya, has dumped the Labour Party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)
• Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the defection of the lawmakers upon resumption of plenary on Thursday, December 12
• The LP lawmaker explained that he had hinged his decision on the protracted crisis rocking the opposition party presently

Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over 9 years of experience covering public affairs, governance, and politics.

FCT, Abuja - Ajang Alfred Iliya, a member of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the house of representatives, has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

As reported by The Punch, Iliya's defection was announced by Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house of representatives during plenary on Thursday, December 12, after he read a letter from the lawmaker.

The Nigerian Tribune also noted the defection.

In the letter, Iliya, who represents Jos South/Jos East federal constituency, Plateau state, cited the ongoing crisis in the LP as his reason for leaving.

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He is the latest member of the party to leave for the APC.

Furthermore, Iliya stated that he 'found it difficult to align with LP’s position on current issues'.

Legit.ng reports that after over 20 years of its formation, pro-workers political organisation, Labour Party made inroads into mainstream politics during the 2023 elections as the party secured six senate and over 34 house of representatives seats.

Compared to its phenomenal stride in the 2023 elections, the LP did not get a single seat in the 2019 national assembly elections.

With the party’s presidential candidate, Obi, impressively coming third during the 2023 general elections, many had thought that the LP would form a formidable opposition alongside the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the ruling APC but intra-party squabbles after the general elections have plagued the party.

Iliya’s defection to APC welcome development, party chieftain

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Meanwhile, an APC chieftain, Yemi Olaaje, hailed the defection of Iliya from the LP to the party, describing it as a welcome development.

The former house of representatives aspirant, in an interview with Legit.ng, said the Plateau politician made a bold move by joining the ruling APC.

He told Legit.ng:

“I congratulate Honourable Iliya. It is a welcome development, especially given the fact that he is leading the squad of his colleagues and other prominent northcentral leaders to fortify our great party."

5 LP house of reps members join APC

Earlier, Legit.ng reported that five LP house of representatives members had crossed the floor to join the APC as defecting federal lawmakers.

The members are Esosa Iyawe (Edo), Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).

Source: Legit.ng