Hon. Dalyop Chollom, a member of the House of Representatives representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency in Plateau State, has officially defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chollom’s defection was announced during Tuesday’s session of the House of Representatives, with Speaker Abbas Tajuddeen reading his letter of defection.
Citing internal party crises as the main reason for his move, Chollom said he joined the APC to serve his constituents better and safeguard their political future. His defection follows a trend of similar moves by other lawmakers in recent weeks.
House Minority Leader Rep. Kingsley Chinda (PDP, Rivers) challenged the defection, invoking Section 68 (1)(d) of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits lawmakers from switching parties unless there is a division within their original party. Chinda called the defection a “nullity” and demanded evidence of Chollom’s resignation from the LP. He added that, if the Speaker found the defection valid, the seat should be declared vacant in compliance with constitutional provisions. However, Speaker Tajuddeen ruled Chinda out of order, stating satisfaction with the documents presented by Chollom.
Other lawmakers, including Rep. George Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra), expressed disappointment, with Ozodinobi asserting that the Labour Party is not experiencing any internal crisis. Senator Samuel Bako Lalong was present in the chamber during the announcement.
This defection comes shortly after four other Labour Party representatives and one PDP lawmaker defected to the APC last Thursday, continuing a pattern of political realignments in Nigeria’s legislature. Among those who recently defected are Rep. Tochukwu Chinedu Okere (LP, Imo), Rep. Donatus Matthew (LP, Kaduna), Rep. Akiba Bassey (LP, Cross River), Rep. Esosa Iyawe (LP, Edo), and Rep. Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (PDP, Delta), the daughter of former Delta State Governor James Ibori.
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