George Ibezimako Ozodinobi Condemns Defections from Labour Party to APC
The Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, George Ibezimako Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra), has strongly criticized the decision of several Labour Party (LP) lawmakers to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking shortly after the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, announced the defections during Thursday’s plenary, Ozodinobi expressed disappointment and predicted that the defectors would regret their actions.
In his reaction, Ozodinobi made it clear that the lawmakers who switched parties would have no future in the APC. He emphasized that their move was not in their best interest and would ultimately lead to negative consequences.
The four Labour Party lawmakers who defected to the APC include Esosa Iyawe (Edo), Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Matthew (Kaduna), and Bassey Akiba (Cross River). Additionally, a lawmaker, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu (Delta), left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the APC.
The defectors cited internal divisions within their former party as the primary reason for their decision. However, Ozodinobi, in his comments on the House floor, dismissed these justifications and likened the situation to a biblical story. He referenced the story of Jesus’ journey to Calvary, where Veronica wept, and Jesus advised her not to weep for him, but for herself. Drawing a parallel, Ozodinobi told the defectors, “You will continue weeping for yourselves because where you have crossed over to, you don’t have a future.”
His comments reflect a broader dissatisfaction within the Labour Party regarding the defections and what Ozodinobi perceives as a betrayal of the party’s ideals. The Deputy Minority Leader’s statement highlights the tension within the House and the potential consequences for the political careers of those who have left the Labour Party for the APC.
