The leadership of the Labour Party (LP) has expressed its disappointment with the recent defection of six of its lawmakers to the All Progressives Congress (APC), calling them a liability and insisting their absence would not be felt.

According to the party, the defectors had not contributed meaningfully to the party’s development and would not be missed.

In separate statements on Friday, Umar Farouk, the LP National Secretary, and Kehinde Edun, the party’s National Legal Adviser, both rejected the defectors’ significance to the party.

Farouk also confirmed that the LP had initiated legal action to have the lawmakers’ seats declared vacant and demand the refund of all salaries and allowances they had received since assuming office.

The defection was triggered when Ajang Iliya, the lawmaker representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency in Plateau State, announced he was joining the APC.

This brought the total number of LP lawmakers to defect to the ruling party to six.

The other defectors are Tochukwu Okere (Imo), Donatus Mathew (Kaduna), Bassey Akiba (Cross River), Iyawe Esosa (Edo), and Daulyop Fom (Plateau).

Farouk, speaking on the matter, described the defectors as “paper-weight politicians” who had ridden to office on the LP’s platform, which offered them a chance at leadership but did not prepare them for true political responsibility.

He further stated, “They have never contributed a kobo to the party’s growth. Why should I care if they leave? We will pursue legal action to have them removed from their positions, and I’m confident the Speaker will take the appropriate action once the court rules.”

Farouk also expressed frustration that the lawmakers had defected despite the party’s efforts to reconcile with them and had extended an olive branch to any aggrieved members.

He suggested their move was motivated by personal gains rather than ideological differences.

“They’re after the benefits of being in the majority party, like access to powerful committees and positions,” he said. “Their actions are driven by self-interest, not the welfare of their constituents or the party.”

The LP National Secretary also lamented that the party had been lenient in addressing the misconduct of some members, which led to factions within the party.

He accused the defectors of being the architects of the crisis they blamed for their exit, emphasizing that their defection was about personal gain.

Kehinde Edun, the party’s National Legal Adviser, echoed Farouk’s sentiments, calling the defectors traitors.

Be further argued that the APC would likely not grant them tickets for the next election, stating, “These lawmakers owe their positions to the LP’s movement, which helped them secure victory. They weren’t capable of winning on their own. Their decision to join the APC is about avoiding accountability to their constituents due to their poor performance.”

Edun also predicted that the defectors would not succeed in the APC’s primaries, where stronger candidates would challenge them.

Meanwhile, the APC has called for caution regarding the defection trend.

Nze Duru, the APC Deputy National Organising Secretary, warned that encouraging mass defections could weaken the opposition and undermine the political system.

Duru emphasized that politicians should remain in their parties to strengthen their ideological positions rather than abandoning them at the first sign of internal challenges.

He stated, “Opposition must be nurtured and allowed to grow. Encouraging defections weakens the political landscape and undermines the development of party ideologies, which is essential for a healthy democracy.”

Duru suggested that any politician wishing to switch parties should resign their seat and seek a mandate from voters based on their new affiliation.

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi State, at the Kuje correctional center, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.

Bello was granted bail in the sum of N500 million, with two sureties who must each provide a similar amount in landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite emphasized that granting bail is at the court’s discretion, regardless of whether the application is contested.

The judge noted the defendant’s previous conduct, which led to the court’s decision to grant bail under strict conditions.

The terms include the verification of property documents by the chief deputy registrar and the submission of both the defendant’s and sureties’ passports and recent passport photographs to the court.

Bello will only be released once these conditions are met. The case was adjourned for trial to February 24, 28, and March 6-7, 2025.

Bello is facing 19 charges related to money laundering, breach of trust, and misappropriation of public funds totaling N80.2 billion, as filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His legal counsel, J.B. Daudu, apologized for previous legal challenges and assured the court that Bello, who served two terms as governor, would attend all trial sessions and not pose a flight risk.

EFCC counsel Kemi Pinheiro informed the court that the prosecution would withdraw a previous application seeking to shorten the arraignment date, which was no longer necessary.

Pinheiro did not oppose the bail request, despite having previously filed a counter.

In addition to this case, Bello faces another fraud charge of N110.4 billion before Justice MaryAnne Anenih at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

Following a procedural error, Anenih rejected his bail application in that case and ordered his remand at the Kuje correctional facility until the hearing of his bail application.

In the past week, the opposition parties in Nigeria faced significant setbacks as five members of the House of Representatives, including four from the Labour Party (LP) and one from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

This was followed by two more members from Plateau State also joining the APC, intensifying concerns about the weakening opposition in the country.

These defections, which the LP has contested, have compounded the challenges faced by the opposition, further diminishing their representation in parliament and limiting their ability to voice dissent.

Prior to these events, the opposition had already suffered several high-profile defections, including that of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, and former PDP gubernatorial candidate in Ebonyi State, Obinna Ogba.

Additionally, Labour Party member, Edward Nkwegu and Imo-East Senator Francis Ezenwa had also joined the ruling APC.

The opposition has also seen the departure of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, and former spokesperson for a PDP presidential candidate, Daniel Bwala.

This influx of defections has dealt a severe blow to the leading opposition parties—PDP, LP, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)—which are already grappling with internal crises.

Political analysts suggest that the opposition in Nigeria is experiencing one of its weakest periods, marked by a lack of unity and diminished presence in national discourse.

Despite widespread dissatisfaction with the current administration, critics argue that the opposition has failed to effectively challenge the government.

The absence of a strong, organized opposition is particularly notable in the legislature, where the ruling party is increasingly playing the role of holding the government accountable, a function traditionally reserved for opposition lawmakers in a democracy.

Following the inauguration of the current administration, the APC held 63 Senate seats, while the PDP had 34, LP had 5, and the NNPP had 2.

In the House of Representatives, opposition parties secured 181 seats, with the PDP winning 117, LP 35, NNPP 19, and other smaller parties claiming the remaining seats.

Despite their numbers, the opposition’s influence in both chambers of the National Assembly has been limited.

The challenges facing opposition parties are not only political but also financial, with most of these parties struggling to maintain strong internal structures.

Critics argue that many Nigerian political parties, especially opposition ones, operate more as vehicles for securing power rather than as platforms with clear ideologies and visions for governance.

This lack of a coherent ideological foundation has made it difficult for them to offer viable alternatives to the ruling party, and when they do gain power, they are often driven by patronage rather than a commitment to democratic principles.

Civil society organizations (CSOs) have pointed out that the weakness of opposition parties in Nigeria is a result of several factors.

Mark Amaza, Senior Communications Officer at Yiaga Africa, attributed this weakness to the way political parties are structured, often focusing on access to power and patronage rather than policy-driven agendas.

Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, Executive Director of the Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), noted that many politicians see themselves as relevant only when they are in power, which weakens the opposition’s resolve and contributes to its dysfunction.

Dr. Mufuliat Fijabi, Executive Director of the Sustainable Gender Action Initiative (SGAI), emphasized that self-interest within both politicians and parties is stifling the development of strong opposition movements.

Without a genuine commitment to good governance and nation-building, opposition parties remain ineffective in holding the ruling government accountable.

At the party level, the PDP has struggled to recover from the shock of its 2015 loss and the subsequent internal divisions following the 2023 elections.

The Labour Party, too, has been plagued by leadership disputes and factionalism, while the NNPP faces similar challenges regarding its leadership.

The Social Democratic Party (SDP), though less divided, still lacks the organizational strength to challenge the APC effectively.

Historically, Nigeria’s opposition was much stronger, especially during the Second Republic, when parties like the UPN, GNPP, PRP, and NPP formed coalitions to challenge the dominance of the ruling NPN.

The APC, during its formation, also posed a strong challenge to the PDP, organizing protests and pushing for change until it eventually unseated the PDP from power.

Despite the ongoing crises, the leadership of the PDP, LP, and other opposition parties insists they are fulfilling their roles.

Timothy Osadolor, a member of the PDP’s National Executive Committee, blamed the APC’s dominance and the government’s use of poverty as a political tool for the weakening of the opposition.

Labour Party spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, argued that the LP has been active in offering constructive criticism, particularly on issues like the subsidy removal.

Similarly, SDP National Chairman Alhaji Shehu Gabam defended his party’s opposition role, emphasizing its vocal stance on government policies.

In contrast, the APC has denied any involvement in destabilizing opposition parties.

Alhaji Bala Ibrahim, APC National Director of Media and Publicity, dismissed allegations that the ruling party is behind the crises in opposition parties, claiming that the opposition simply lacks the understanding of how to effectively challenge the ruling government.

The former presidential candidates from the opposition parties, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have attempted to sustain the opposition’s fight, voicing their concerns over government policies.

However, their inability to unite their factions has often diluted their effectiveness.

Political analysts fear that, given the current state of affairs, Nigeria could soon experience the reality of a one-party state.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has come to the defense of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as a man of peace, despite the criticism surrounding his recent actions, including the demolition of structures in Abuja.

Speaking at a Public Lecture and Book Launch to celebrate Wike’s birthday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Akpabio expressed disbelief that anyone would quarrel with the FCT minister, emphasizing Wike’s peaceful nature.

He recounted a conversation with a colleague, where he humorously remarked that Wike’s ability to quickly move past disagreements made him hard to stay mad at.

Akpabio joked that even if Wike raised his voice in frustration, he would forget it moments later and invite him over for lunch, highlighting the minister’s forgiving and amicable nature.

Wike, in his response, shrugged off the ongoing criticisms. He stated that as long as he knew what he was doing and had a clear plan, the opinions of critics did not bother him.

He reassured his supporters that he remained focused on achieving results for the public good, affirming his commitment to the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He further added that while he was aware of the criticisms, he didn’t let them distract him, as he didn’t focus on what people said behind his back.

The former governor of Rivers State expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support he had received from the crowd, dismissing the attacks as being orchestrated by his detractors.

Wike stressed that the best way to silence critics was to deliver results for the people and to prove that the president’s intentions were genuine.

The House of Representatives’ joint Committees on Finance and National Planning have raised concerns about the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission’s (NUPRC) annual expenditure of over N120 billion on personnel and overhead costs.

The Committees are seeking further clarification on the agency’s spending, which they consider excessive.

During an interactive session on the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP), the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Abiodun Faleke (APC, Lagos), demanded detailed information from NUPRC on oil production, crude sales, and other operations within the upstream petroleum sector.

Faleke questioned how the NUPRC could justify spending N88 billion on personnel, asking how many staff the organization employed.

He compared this to the National Assembly’s budget, noting that the total cost for all parliamentary activities is just N150 billion annually.

Faleke further expressed frustration over the 4% cost of revenue collection, arguing that the figure was disproportionately high given the agency’s spending levels.

“You are spending N88 billion on salaries and over N40 billion on overhead,” he remarked, demanding a comprehensive report on NUPRC’s revenues, expenditures, and operations, particularly those related to exploration activities in the country’s Frontier Basins.

Babajide Oluwole Fasina, NUPRC’s Executive Commissioner for Economic Regulation and Strategic Planning, who represented CEO Gbenga Olu Komolafe, had earlier presented the Commission’s revenue and expenditure figures.

He explained that NUPRC generates its revenue through oil and gas royalties, gas penalties, fines, levies, signature bonuses, and the renewal of licenses.

Fasina also disclosed that the 4% cost of revenue collection amounted to N114.84 billion in 2023, a slight increase over the previous year.

Despite the explanation, the committee remained unsatisfied with the figures and demanded further records, including detailed information on oil production and crude sales.

They specifically asked for data on the daily oil production per well, as well as weekly or daily shipment details and the corresponding revenue.

The committee also inquired about NUPRC’s Frontier Exploration activities and how these initiatives align with the agency’s financial reports.

Faleke instructed the agency to return with detailed records on the Frontier activities, including expenses and oil sales, by the scheduled meeting on the 18th of the month.

Fasina also acknowledged that personnel costs, which accounted for 70.19% of NUPRC’s total expenditure, had increased significantly by N11.46 billion, or 10.83%, in 2023.

He also noted a decrease in the Commission’s non-tax remittance, which fell from N3.67 billion in 2022 to N1.77 billion in 2023.

In addition to addressing NUPRC’s concerns, the committee directed the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading (NBET) agency to clarify discrepancies in invoicing between Generation Companies (Gencos) and Distribution Companies (DisCos).

NBET had explained that discrepancies arose due to timing differences in invoicing, which led to the inclusion of additional components like interest and True-Up charges in GenCo invoices.

The inclusion of off-takers, such as Ajaokuta Steel Company, further complicated the invoicing process.

The position of Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Emereuwa, Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, is under serious threat, with reports indicating a growing move to impeach him in the next sitting.

The Speaker’s tenure is facing significant challenges, and unconfirmed reports suggest that tensions between Emereuwa, the state governor Dr. Alex Otti, and some members of the House of Assembly have contributed to the unfolding crisis.

Sources say that as of Wednesday night, at least 21 signatures from Assembly members had been gathered in support of the Speaker’s impeachment, signaling a serious threat to his leadership.

The reasons behind the alleged discontent within the House remain unclear, but insiders suggest there is a lack of harmony between the Speaker and both his colleagues and the state executive.

A critical meeting between the members of the Abia State House of Assembly and Governor Alex Otti is scheduled for Sunday to attempt to resolve the issues threatening to destabilize the Assembly and Emereuwa’s position as Speaker.

One of the points of contention is the identity of a potential successor to Emereuwa, with two Labour Party members representing Aba Central and Umuahia East State Constituencies emerging as possible candidates.

Despite the swirling rumors, there has been no official confirmation from the Abia State House of Assembly regarding the impeachment plot.

However, Hon. Lucky Nweke Johnson, the representative of Isuikwuato State Constituency and a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has dismissed the claims as false.

Johnson, in a statement, categorically rejected the notion of an impeachment move, labeling the reports as “unfounded lies.”

He reassured the public that there were no plans to remove Emereuwa from office, urging Abians to focus on issues that foster unity and progress in the state rather than giving attention to what he described as “misinformation.”

Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared a N150,000 Christmas bonus for all state civil servants in 2024.

This announcement was made during a state banquet held at the Government House in Abakaliki in honor of the visiting British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Gill Lever.

The 2024 Christmas bonus represents a N50,000 increase from the previous year’s bonus. Governor Nwifuru expressed his gratitude to the state’s workers for their dedication and understanding, especially during the recent strike action.

He praised their commitment to their duties and their response to the government’s appeals during the industrial action.

The governor emphasized that the bonus would be paid out to all workers before the end of business on Tuesday next week.

In an earlier meeting with the British Deputy High Commissioner at the Ochoudo Centenary City in Abakaliki, Governor Nwifuru sought the British Government’s support in key sectors such as water, health, education, power, and agriculture.

He highlighted the state’s ongoing efforts to boost industrialization, including progress in projects like the Ebonyi Pipe Production Company, the Ebonyi State Fertilizer and Chemicals Company, and the Ebonyi State Hatchery in Nkaliki.

The governor also mentioned the state’s rice production and its goal to increase exports, while urging further collaboration with the UK.

Governor Nwifuru also noted the state’s advancements in water and sanitation, citing the revival of the Oferekpe Water Scheme, which now has the capacity to produce 100 million cubic liters of water daily.

He acknowledged the continued support of the UK Foreign Office and other development partners in Nigeria’s growth.