The Kaduna State Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Eld. Dr Yusuf Solomon Danbaki, has described the defection of Alex Mascot Ikwechegh as a significant boost for the party under its current leadership.
Ikwechegh, who represents Aba North/South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, recently resigned from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) before formally aligning with the Labour Party.
In a statement personally signed and released in Kaduna, Danbaki said the move marks the party’s first major gain since the leadership crises that trailed the 2023 general elections. He attributed the development to what he described as the stabilising influence of the National Chairman, Esther Nenadi Usman, and the Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti.
According to Danbaki, Ikwechegh confirmed his decision following a strategic meeting with Governor Otti, signalling alignment with the party’s “people-centred agenda”. He noted that the development represents a turning point for the LP, which had suffered significant setbacks amid internal disputes.
Reflecting on the party’s performance in the 2023 elections, Danbaki recalled that the Labour Party secured eight Senate seats and 35 seats in the House of Representatives, becoming the third-largest party in the National Assembly behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
However, he lamented that internal turmoil under former National Chairman Julius Abure led to a wave of defections, adverse court rulings and the loss of several lawmakers. By mid-2025, he said, the party had lost all eight senators and at least eight members of the House through defections and legal battles.
Danbaki maintained that the tide shifted following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Usman as National Chairman, a development he said restored credibility and stability. He praised her reconciliatory approach and the work of the National Caretaker Committee in promoting unity and merit-based politics.
He also highlighted Governor Otti’s policies in Abia State — including public sector reforms, education initiatives and social welfare programmes — as evidence of the party’s governance capacity.
Describing Ikwechegh’s defection as a symbol of renewed confidence, Danbaki invited former members to return, stating that the party is rebuilding and ready to prioritise workers’ welfare, anti-corruption measures and national development.
“This defection is more than a political shift; it is a testament to the Labour Party’s enduring appeal,” he said.
