HON. BEN ATANABENE URGES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO DECLARE SEATS OF DECAMPED LAWMAKERS VACANT

     

HON. BEN ATANABENE URGES NATIONAL ASSEMBLY TO DECLARE SEATS OF DECAMPED LAWMAKERS VACANT

Ibrahim Kabir Umar Reporting Live from

Abuja, January 7, 2026

A member of the House of Representatives from Delta State, Hon. Ben Atanabene, has called on the leadership of the National Assembly to strictly enforce constitutional provisions by declaring the seats of lawmakers who have defected from their political parties vacant.


Hon. Atanabene made the call while speaking as a special guest speaker at the Labour Party (LP) 2026 New Year Solidarity Rally, held in Abuja on Tuesday.


According to the lawmaker, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria does not permit elected legislators to defect from the political parties that sponsored them into office and still retain their seats, except under clearly defined constitutional circumstances.


Hon Ben Atanabene Reps Member From Delta State 


“It is a violation of the Constitution for any senator or member of the House of Representatives to decamp and continue to occupy their position in the National Assembly,” Atanabene said. 


“Such actions amount to a constitutional breach, and the appropriate step is for the affected seats to be declared vacant to allow for fresh elections.”


He stressed that adherence to constitutional provisions is essential if Nigeria’s democracy is to mature and move to a higher level of institutional stability.


“If our democracy must grow beyond where it is today, the rule of law must be obeyed by everyone. 

There must be no exceptions,” he added.

The lawmaker also reaffirmed his loyalty to the Labour Party, describing it as a commitment rooted in democratic values rather than personal ambition.


Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed 
2023 Vice Presidential Candidate Labour Party 

“My loyalty to the party is based on the belief that political and democratic institutions must be strengthened in Nigeria. 

Unfortunately, instead of building institutions, we often build individuals who later turn themselves into little gods over political parties and aspirants,” he said.


The rally attracted top leaders of the Labour Party, including the National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, the National Secretary, Alhaji Umar Farouk Ibrahim, members of the National Working Committee (NWC), and members of the party’s National Executive Council (NEC).

ALHAJI UMAR FAROUK IBRAHIM 
National Secretary Labour Party 


Barrister Julius Abure
National Chairman Labour Party 


Also in attendance was the party’s 2023 Vice Presidential Candidate, Senator Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, who reiterated his commitment to the Labour Party.

“I will not abandon a political party that produced over six million votes in the 2023 presidential election for no justifiable reason,” Baba-Ahmed stated.


The 2026 New Year Solidarity Rally was organized to reaffirm party unity, loyalty, and commitment to democratic principles as the Labour Party prepares for future political engagements.

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