Labour Party’s Hon. Alfred Iliya, representing Jos South-Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), making him the sixth member who has cross-carpeted in two weeks.
Hon. Iliya announced his defection, leaving the Labour Party with only one representative from Plateau State, Daniel Asama of Bassa/Jos North Federal Constituency.
The Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajuddeen, read Iliya’s defection letter during Thursday’s plenary, citing “intractable crisis” as the lawmaker’s reason for leaving the Labour Party. The announcement sparked protests from opposition lawmakers.
Hon. Mark Essien, a member of the opposition, argued that the defection violated constitutional procedures. He stated that the Constitution clearly outlines the steps to be followed when a lawmaker leaves the party that sponsored their election.
However, former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase (APC, Plateau) countered the objection. Quoting Section 68 of the Constitution, Wase asserted that the lawmaker’s reason for defection was valid and dismissed claims of illegality.
“Everyone in this country knows Labour Party has two conventions,” Wase remarked, defending Iliya’s decision to join the APC.
