JUST IN : Top Labour Party senator resign, Joins APC

In a significant political development, Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi, representing Imo East Senatorial District, has officially resigned from the Labour Party (LP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move was announced during a plenary session of the Nigerian Senate, where Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Onyewuchi's resignation letter aloud, marking a pivotal shift in the political landscape of Imo State and the broader South-East region.

Reasons for Defection

Senator Onyewuchi cited "intractable division and crisis" within the Labour Party as the primary reason for his departure. In his letter, he invoked Section 68(1g) of the Nigerian Constitution, which allows a lawmaker to change parties if there is a division in their original party. He stated, "This decision is due to the intractable division and crisis in the Labour Party that sponsored my earlier election into the Nigerian Senate."

The senator also expressed his intention to support the development initiatives of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State. He emphasized that Imo State and the entire South-East region remain united under Governor Uzodimma's leadership.

Political Implications

Senator Onyewuchi's defection reduces the number of Labour Party senators in the Nigerian Senate to five. Notably, all three senators representing Imo State are now members of the APC, aligning with Governor Uzodimma's political affiliation.

The senator's move is part of a broader trend of defections from the Labour Party to the APC, reflecting shifting political alliances and internal challenges within the LP.

Labour Party's Response

In reaction to the defection, the Labour Party has issued a three-day ultimatum to Senate President Akpabio to declare Senator Onyewuchi's seat vacant. The party argues that the senator's mandate was given by the LP and the Imo East electorate, and therefore, he should not retain the seat after switching parties. The LP has threatened legal action if the seat is not declared vacant within the stipulated time.

Conclusion

Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi's resignation from the Labour Party and subsequent alignment with the APC underscores the dynamic nature of Nigerian politics. As political parties grapple with internal challenges and shifting allegiances, such developments continue to shape the country's legislative landscape.