mandate. The law is clear on this matter, and the Labour Party will not hesitate to invoke its full provisions to reclaim what rightly belongs to it.”
The Labour Party reiterated its commitment to upholding democratic principles and protecting the integrity of its mandates. The party stressed that the defection of its members was unjustified and a violation of the trust reposed in them by the electorate.
The Speaker’s announcement regarding the defectors attributed their move to internal crises within the Labour Party, but the party leadership has firmly denied this claim, asserting that it remains united and functional.
This legal challenge by the Labour Party is rooted in the provisions of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the 2022 Electoral Act, which stipulate that lawmakers cannot defect from their political parties unless there is a faction or division within the party that justifies such a move.
The outcome of this legal action will likely set a precedent for handling cases of party defections in Nigeria, particularly in situations where the defection is seen as undermining electoral mandates.