Lagos Assembly opens up on alleged plan by 27 members to dump APC for Labour Party

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

The Lagos State House of Assembly has described claims that 27 of its members are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress, APC to Labour Party as “entirely false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.”

Ogundipe Stephen Olukayode
Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security
of Lagos House of Assembly said this in a statement on Wednesday while categorically denying the defection plans.

The speculations followed recent crises that trailed removed of Mudashiru Obasa as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.

But OluKayode, in the statement he issued on Wednesday described the report of impending defection of the lawmakers from the ruling APC in the state to Labour Party as “not only offensive but also riddled with inaccuracies and outright falsehoods that serves no purpose other than to sow discord and confusion within the Assembly and among the good people of Lagos State.”

He also said recent developments in the House, including the removal of the erstwhile Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, and the election of Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the new Speaker, are purely internal matters.

“These actions were carried out in accordance with the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as Ammended.

“These events in no way suggest any intention by members to leave the party. We emphasize, without any ambiguity, that no member of the Assembly is contemplating defection.

“We were elected under the Leadership of the Ruling Party, The ruling party remains united and focused on delivering its mandate to the people of Lagos State. The falsehood being spread originates from agents of destabilization who seek to create unnecessary tension and division within the Assembly.

“To our party leaders and supporters across the state, we assure you that all members remain committed to the party.

“Furthermore, we reaffirm that any internal disagreements within the House will be resolved amicably through peaceful and democratic mechanisms. There is no crisis that warrants any member considering defection.

“We also call on all media partners to uphold the ethics of journalism by verifying facts before publication and refraining from spreading unverified reports that could mislead the public,” Olukayode concluded in the statement.