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George Ibezimako Ozodinobi Criticizes Colleagues for Defecting to APC, Says They Will “Weep” for Their Decision

Published by Tope Fakinlede on December 6th, 2024.

George Ibezimako Ozodinobi Criticizes Colleagues for Defecting to APC, Says They Will “Weep” for Their Decision

A dramatic moment unfolded at the House of Representatives on Thursday when four lawmakers from the Labour Party (LP) announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The four defectors—Chinedu Okere (Owerri Municipal/Owerri North/Owerri West Constituency), Mathew Donatus (Kaura Federal Constituency of Kaduna), Akiba Bassey (Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Constituency), and Esosa Iyawe (Oredo Federal Constituency of Edo)—shared their reasons for leaving the LP in a letter read by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas. They cited internal divisions and leadership crises within the party as their primary motivations for joining the APC.

In his letter, Akiba Bassey explained that the Labour Party is currently divided, with two factions at the national level battling for control. He also pointed out that this division has reached the state and local government levels, where there are parallel executive committees engaged in legal disputes. He lamented that the party’s internal conflicts had rendered it ineffective in fostering unity and stable governance.

Esosa Iyawe, another defector, expressed frustration with the party’s failure to resolve its leadership disputes, particularly in terms of determining legitimate caretaker committees at both national and state levels. He noted that the ongoing leadership battles and court cases left him and his supporters uncertain about the party’s stability.

“I am exercising my constitutional right to freedom of association by officially notifying you of my defection from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party whose ideals align with my political vision,” Esosa declared in his letter.

However, the defections did not go unchallenged. Shortly after the letters were read, Deputy Minority Whip George Ibezimako Ozodinobi (LP, Anambra) rose to speak against his colleagues’ decision. He criticized them for lacking political ideology and denied the claims of a crisis within the Labour Party.

In a passionate speech, Ozodinobi declared that the defectors would regret their decision, predicting that they would “weep” for their actions. Drawing on a biblical reference, he compared their situation to the moment when Veronica wept for Jesus on his way to Calvary, reminding them that their future in the APC was uncertain.

“To those who have left, I say, ‘Weep for yourselves.’ You have crossed over to a place where your future is bleak. The Labour Party is united, and we have no crisis. Unlike those who jump between parties without any clear ideology, we remain steadfast,” he said.

Ozodinobi also refuted claims that the LP was divided, asserting that the party had no factions and was united in its goals. He expressed confidence that the LP, as the true party of the people, would reclaim its position in the 2027 elections and offer the defectors a chance to return with “their rightful ticket.”

“We don’t trust people who lack ideology. Whether they are in the APC or PDP, they are not to be trusted. And as for the defectors, we will welcome them back when the time comes, but they will be weeping for their choices,” he added.