- Defection to APC: Fom Dalyop Chollom, a Labour Party member of the House of Representatives, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
- Reasons for Defection: Chollom cited internal party crises and a desire to collaborate with President Bola Tinubu to advance the nation’s development.
- Reactions from Minority Leaders: Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi criticized Chollom’s defection, arguing that he failed to follow due process.
Fom Dalyop Chollom, a Labour Party member of the House of Representatives, has joined the growing list of lawmakers switching allegiance to the APC. Chollom, representing Barkin Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency of Plateau State, cited the leadership crisis within the Labour Party and his commitment to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s administration as reasons for his decision ¹ ².
Chollom expressed gratitude to the Labour Party for the platform that enabled him to secure his seat but emphasized that his move to the APC was motivated by the need to contribute meaningfully to delivering democratic dividends to Nigerians. However, his defection sparked immediate backlash from opposition members.
Criticisms and Controversy
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda argued that Chollom failed to follow due process, as he did not resign from the Labour Party at the ward level or provide evidence of such resignation before his defection letter was read in the House. Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi described the wave of defections from the Labour Party as troubling, accusing defectors of lacking ideological commitment and exploiting the party’s platform for political gains without loyalty to its vision ².
