Four members of the Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria's House of Representatives, including Tochukwu Okere, Donatus Mathew, Bassey Akiba, and Iyawe Esosa, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Also, Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Governor James Ibori, joined the APC, signaling a major political shift.
In a significant political development, four lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) in the Nigerian House of Representatives have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors include Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), and Iyawe Esosa (Edo). Alongside the lawmakers, Erthiatake Ibori-Suenu, the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori, also made the move to the APC, ending her relationship with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Confirming the defections, Donatus Mathew, representing the Kaura Federal Constituency in Kaduna State, explained that his decision to join the APC was driven by conviction. Mathew, who made history in the 2023 parliamentary election as a commercial motorcycle rider, asserted that his decision reflects the needs of his constituency, even though some members remain skeptical. He emphasized that the choice was made with a firm belief in the APC’s vision for the country.
The defection letters were read on the floor of the Green Chamber by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, on Thursday. This move is seen as a boost for the APC, especially as political dynamics shift ahead of upcoming elections. While the defectors' actions have drawn mixed reactions, their decisions underscore the fluid nature of Nigeria's political landscape, where party allegiance can often change rapidly.
