LAHA Crisis: Again, Aggrieved 35 Lawmakers' Defection to LP Report Resurfaces—The Denial and Ironic Allegiance to Tinubu

By Dansu Peter  Once again, reports of mass defection within the Lagos State House of Assembly have surfaced, this time suggesting that 35 ...

By Dansu Peter 

Once again, reports of mass defection within the Lagos State House of Assembly have surfaced, this time suggesting that 35 lawmakers are planning to abandon the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Labour Party (LP). However, the lawmakers have swiftly dismissed the claims, reiterating their loyalty to both the party and its national leader, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe, the legislators described the reports as “baseless fabrications” aimed at causing unnecessary panic within the political landscape.

“This is not the first time such rumors have emerged,” Ogundipe noted. “During the recent leadership crisis in the House, a similar report falsely claimed that 27 members were on the verge of defecting to the Labour Party. That claim was unequivocally refuted, and now, another round of misinformation is being peddled.”

Reaffirming their allegiance to the APC, Ogundipe stressed that while internal disagreements are not uncommon in any democratic setting, the lawmakers remain committed to resolving disputes through lawful and party-based mechanisms.

“To avoid doubt, no APC member of the Lagos State House of Assembly is contemplating defection,” he asserted. “As true progressives, we acknowledge that challenges may arise, but we are determined to address them through democratic means. Our party leadership is fully engaged in ensuring unity, and any outstanding issues will be resolved amicably.”

In what some observers see as an ironic twist, given the alleged grievances fueling these rumors, the lawmakers also used the opportunity to declare their unwavering support for Tinubu, dismissing suggestions that their loyalty to him was wavering.

“We urge the public to disregard these misleading reports designed to create tension. We remain steadfast in our support for our party and its leadership,” the statement continued. “We also reaffirm our loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration, as well as our commitment to making laws that foster the development of Lagos State.”

As the political drama unfolds, it remains to be seen whether these repeated denials will quell speculation—or whether internal party tensions will continue to fuel further rumors of an impending defection.