By Mercy Adi
The member of the House of Representatives representing AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency of the Federal Capital Territory, Joshua Chinedu Obika, has defected from the Labour Party Nigeria to the All Progressives Congress, citing the lingering leadership crisis within his former party and the infrastructural development under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Obika announced his defection on the floor of the House on Wednesday, with the letter conveying his decision read by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly Complex shortly after the announcement, the lawmaker said the decision was driven by divisions within the Labour Party and his desire to attract more development to his constituency.
He said the Labour Party had been plagued by internal disputes and leadership tussles, making it difficult for members to function effectively.
“It is not a hidden story. The condition of the Labour Party in Nigeria today is characterised by legal battles and divisions. The party has been unable to put its house in order,” he said.
According to the lawmaker, politics is largely driven by local interests, adding that his primary responsibility is to the people of his constituency.
Obika commended President Tinubu for what he described as unprecedented infrastructural attention to the Federal Capital Territory and his constituency in particular.
“Since 1999, I don’t think there is any President that has done what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for my federal constituency in terms of infrastructure development,” he said.
He also cited the appointment of an FCT indigene into the Federal Executive Council as another milestone for the territory.
“For the first time in the history of Nigeria, somebody representing the FCT is in the Federal Executive Council,” he said, referring to the Minister of State for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Zaphaniah Jisalo.
Responding to concerns that the wave of defections to the APC could weaken opposition politics in the country, the lawmaker maintained that party affiliation remained a matter of personal choice.
“Political parties are associations, and everyone has the freedom to belong to any party of their choice. What matters is that the platform you belong to should serve the interest of your people,” he said.
Obika argued that the crisis in the Labour Party had left him without a viable political platform to pursue the interests of his constituents.
“How can you travel without a vehicle? The vehicle you use in politics is your political party. Today, Labour Party is uncertain. One day it is Abure, another day it is Nenadi. I cannot put the political interest of my constituency in jeopardy,” he added.
The lawmaker also dismissed claims that the recent Area Council elections in the FCT were manipulated, insisting that the victories recorded by the APC reflected the party’s growing grassroots support.
According to him, the APC’s electoral performance showed that his decision to join the ruling party aligned with the political direction of his supporters.
“Before the election, we moved with more than 70 per cent of the Labour Party structure. That is why the results showed that APC is the party to beat,” he said.
He expressed confidence that the ruling party would record even stronger performances in future elections in the territory.
Obika maintained that his defection was taken in consultation with his political base and was aimed at ensuring continued development for the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency.