The member representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom in the House of Representatives, Hon. Fom Dalyop Chollom, has decamped from the Labour Party (LP), to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Chollom who announced his defection on Tuesday in a letter read by the Speaker Tajudeen Abbas during plenary in the House, cited internal crises in the LP as the main reason for his detection, adding that he joined the APC to better serve his constituents and safeguard their political future.
However, the House Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda raised a Point of Order and quoted Section 68 (1) (d) of the Constitution and called the defection a nullity.
He prayed that the House reject the letter of defection sent by the lawmaker.
“We cannot continue to put the cart before the horse. That letter you read was not right,” Chinda stated, adding that the lawmaker should provide evidence of his resignation from the party to back his claim.
Chinda was however cut short by the Speaker who said he had seen everything and was satisfied with what the lawmaker presented.
Chinda however argued that if the Speaker is satisfied, then he should follow what the Constitution stated about the seat of a lawmaker who defected from his party and moved to another party.
“If you say the letter he wrote is in order, you declare his seat vacant,” he told the speaker.
However, the Speaker insisted that had gone through what the lawmaker presented and ruled the Minority Leader out of order.
