Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Labour Party (LP) Enugu State chapter is currently in turmoil following plans by seven members of the House of Assembly elected on the platform of the party to dump the party.
Although it is still unclear what prompted the LP lawmakers to ditch the party, Ikengaonline understands that the members are planning to defect to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Sources said that the defection party has been slated to take place inside Enugu State Government house at a later date.
It was gathered that one of the defectors, Honorable Osita Eze, representing Oji River State Constituency had already written to his LP ward chairman concerning his planned defection.
Other members include Honourable Ejike Eze, Igboeze North 2, Honourable Pius Ezugwu, Nsukka West Constituency, Honourable Chukwu Ani, Enugu North constituency.
In his reaction, a Labour Party legislator and chairman of house committee on information, Honourable Harrison Ogara, said he was not aware of the planned defection by his colleagues as none of them had confided in him.
“I have heard it but to me it is still in the realm of rumours because there is no crisis in the house to warrant them defecting.
“As for me am still where I am. I was elected on the platform of LP and there I remain,” he said.
Barrister Casmir Agbo, State Chairman of LP in his reaction said those planning to defect would have their seats declared vacant.
Agbo said that the party would approach all levels of the courts in the country to ensure that the seats of rhe defectors were declared vacant.
The chairman blamed the situation on personal ambition of the legislators rather than the collective good of their respective constituents..
According to him, after the party lost two cases at the appeal court the number of LP legislators reduced to eleven while that of PDP increased to twelve.
“So, LP legislators holding positions now feel threatened should there be any change in the leadership of the house hence decided to join the PDP to retain their positions,” he said.
