No fewer than 21 lawmakers have so far dumped the once-hailed Nigeria’s fastest-growing political movement, the Labour Party (LP), since the conclusion of the 2023 general elections.
The Labour Party (LP) is facing a major political setback as 21 lawmakers have dumped the party just over a year after its strong showing in the 2023 general elections.
Once hailed as Nigeria’s rising third force, the LP is now battling internal divisions, weak leadership, and mass defections. The first major exit came in July 2024, when Senator Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi (Imo East) defected to the APC—triggering a domino effect.
Since then, five House of Reps members, six Enugu State Assembly lawmakers, and prominent Senators Ireti Kingibe (FCT) and Neda Imasuen (Edo South) have exited. The majority of defectors joined the APC or PDP, citing leadership failure and lack of party direction.
In response, the LP has vowed legal action and is creating a “Hall of Shame” for defectors, blaming political opportunism—not party failure.
Analysts say the defections expose LP’s overreliance on Peter Obi’s 2023 momentum without building a real party structure. With fears growing over a possible exit by Obi or Governor Alex Otti, the party’s future remains uncertain.
21 Lawmakers Who Have Left Labour Party
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Sen. Ezenwa Francis Onyewuchi – Imo East
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Chinedu Okere – Reps, Imo
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Mathew Donatus – Reps, Kaduna
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Bassey Akiba – Reps, Cross River
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Esosa Iyawe – Reps, Edo
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Alfred Iliya Ajang – Reps, Plateau
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Dalyop Chollom – Reps, Plateau
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Ejike Eze – Enugu State Assembly
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Johnson Ugwu – Enugu State Assembly
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Pius Ezeuwa – Enugu State Assembly
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Amuka William – Enugu State Assembly
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Osita Eze – Enugu State Assembly
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Princess Ugwu – Enugu State Assembly
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Dennis Agbo – Reps, Enugu
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Chidi Obetta – Reps, Enugu
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Sunday Umeha – Reps, Enugu
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Malachi-Okey Onyechi – Enugu State Assembly
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Ireti Kingibe – Senator, FCT
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Neda Imasuen – Senator, Edo South
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Chimaobi Atu – Reps, Enugu
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Paul Nnanchi – Reps, Enugu