Etanabene Benedict, a member of the House of Representatives from the Labour Party (LP), has revealed that several of his colleagues are considering defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Benedict, who represents the Okpe/Sapele/Uvwie federal constituency in Delta State, made this statement during an appearance on the Politics Today program on Channels Television on Friday.

His comments follow the defection of four LP lawmakers to the APC on Thursday. The defectors cited ongoing crises within the Labour Party as their primary reason for the move.

In response, LP officials condemned the defections and threatened legal action, including a request to Speaker of the House Tajudeen Abbas to declare their seats vacant.

Benedict explained that the defections were part of a broader strategy as lawmakers aimed to strengthen their political position ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, many LP members are concerned about their chances of reelection under the party’s current trajectory.

He emphasized that the defections were motivated by the belief that they would not be well-positioned to secure re-election within the LP framework.

Benedict further dismissed claims of an internal crisis within the party, calling them mere excuses used by the defectors to justify their actions.

He noted that while some lawmakers have already made the decision, many others in the LP are also contemplating similar moves.

“If it happens tomorrow, I won’t be surprised,” Benedict said, referring to the potential for more defections in the near future.

Ad hoc staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Ondo State, who were involved in the November 16 governorship election, have expressed frustration over the non-payment of their allowances, threatening to stage a protest if the issue is not resolved soon.

The affected staff, numbering over 17,000, had undergone technical training before the election and were deployed to various roles throughout the election process.

Despite the passage of more than two weeks since the election, many of these staff members have yet to receive their promised allowances.

Speaking from Akure, the state capital, several staff members voiced their grievances, revealing that INEC had initially assured them of payment on the election day itself.

Some of the staff, preferring to remain anonymous, claimed they were told they would receive less than N20,000 each, but payments have still not been made.

One Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO) expressed frustration, saying, “We never expected to be left unpaid for this long. INEC is not responding to us, and we are left in the dark. It’s very disappointing, especially since we were promised payment on the day of the election.”

Another staff member, accusing INEC of “using and dumping” them, called on Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other stakeholders to intervene and ensure the payment is made.

The worker also confirmed that there is growing anger among the ad hoc staff, with plans for a peaceful protest at the INEC office if the allowances are not paid by Tuesday.

“I’m ready to join the protest if we don’t get paid soon. It’s been over two weeks, and we feel like we’ve been forgotten. There’s no reason for INEC not to pay us,” the staff member said.

However, Dr. Temitope Akanmu, the INEC spokesperson in Ondo State, denied the claims, stating that payments had already begun.

He explained that some delays were due to issues with the financial institutions involved. Akanmu assured the staff that any remaining payment issues would be addressed promptly.

“We’ve already paid most of the staff, but there are a few who are still facing banking issues. We’re working closely with them to resolve these problems, and the payments will be completed shortly,” he said.

“The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oluwatoyin Babalola, is aware of the issue and is closely monitoring the situation to ensure a swift resolution.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned the public to ignore a fake list of ambassadorial nominees circulating on social media.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry clarified that no such appointments have been made.

It emphasized that the power to appoint ambassadors lies solely with the President of Nigeria.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises the public to disregard the fake list of ambassadorial nominees currently circulating on social media,” the statement said.

“It is important to note that the appointment of ambassadors is the exclusive responsibility of the President, and no appointments have been made at this time. The circulated list should therefore be ignored.”

Nigeria maintains a network of 109 diplomatic missions, including 76 embassies, 22 high commissions, and 11 consulates worldwide.

On September 2, 2023, President Bola Tinubu ordered the recall of all Nigerian ambassadors—both career and non-career—operating in the country’s global missions, embassies, and consulates.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the recall, which was communicated through a statement from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023.

These ambassadors included 41 non-career and 42 career ambassadors initially appointed by former President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2020.

However, despite the recall, over a year later, the appointments of new ambassadors have yet to be made and the diplomats have not been redeployed to their respective missions.

Dr. George Moghalu, a former Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, has pledged to address insecurity and rebuild public trust if elected governor of Anambra State in 2025.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja, Moghalu, who is also a former director-general and National Auditor of the All Progressives Congress, expressed his concerns over the rising insecurity, including cult-related violence and kidnappings, in the state.

He attributed the situation to the failure of the current administration and a loss of confidence among the people.

Moghalu emphasized that the primary duty of any government is to safeguard the lives and property of its citizens, and when it fails in this regard, it signals a breakdown of trust between the government and the people.

“I am not seeking this office for personal gain but to serve the people and to allow God to use me to bring about meaningful change,” he said. “My first priority will be to restore the people’s confidence in their government. Right now, there is a serious lack of trust. The average person no longer believes in the political class, or that the government can provide solutions to their problems.”

He further stated that it was crucial to change the current narrative, and he was ready, prepared, and experienced to lead the state and bring about positive change.

Moghalu expressed his deep concern over the state of insecurity in Anambra, calling it a grave issue that needed immediate attention.

He highlighted the negative impact of insecurity on the state’s economy, stressing that without peace, attracting investment or creating jobs would be impossible.

“The government must address the issue of insecurity urgently. If the government fails in this duty, it has failed in its primary responsibility,” he said.

“Insecurity is hampering the state’s economy. No one would want to invest in an environment where their safety is at risk.”

Moghalu vowed that, if elected, he would take swift action to restore security and build a more stable and prosperous Anambra.

Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the immediate past Governor of Ekiti State and former Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, has extended his congratulations to John Mahama, Ghana’s President-elect, following his victory in the country’s recent presidential election.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Mallam Ahmad Sajoh, Head of Fayemi Media, the former governor praised Ghana’s electoral process, calling it a shining example of democratic practice in Africa.

Fayemi also commended Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the New Patriotic Party’s presidential candidate, for his dignified concession speech.

“Dr. Bawumia’s acceptance of the election results in a spirit of peace and unity represents the best of African political leadership,” Fayemi said, recognizing Bawumia’s political maturity and respect for the democratic process.

Fayemi, who considers himself a friend of both Mahama and Bawumia, expressed his pride in Mahama’s victory, which he described as a clear reflection of the trust the Ghanaian people have in Mahama’s leadership and vision for the country.

He emphasized the significance of Bawumia’s concession, noting, “Dr. Bawumia’s choice to prioritize Ghana’s interests over personal ambition exemplifies the values of democracy and political maturity, serving as a model for political leaders across the continent.”

Fayemi urged African leaders to take note of Ghana’s example, highlighting the importance of respecting the electorate’s will and ensuring that democratic institutions function freely and independently.

“As Africans, we must learn from Ghana’s experience. The people’s will is the foundation of democracy, and the desire to serve must always align with the mandate given by the electorate, not through manipulation or force,” Fayemi stated.

He further praised Ghana for setting a high standard, emphasizing that the country has demonstrated that democracy can flourish in Africa when political institutions are allowed to operate independently and leaders prioritize the collective welfare over personal interests.

Fayemi called on African politicians to emulate the actions of both Mahama and Bawumia, noting that their conduct has strengthened Ghana’s democratic culture and reaffirmed its status as a beacon of hope for the continent.

“As Nigeria and other African nations work to fortify their democratic systems, Ghana’s experience offers a blueprint for conducting free, fair, and peaceful elections that reflect the true will of the people,” Fayemi concluded.

Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), commended Ghana’s electoral system following the country’s 2024 presidential election, citing its innovations and political stability as key contributors to the successful conduct of the election.

On Saturday, December 7, 2024, former President John Mahama won the presidential race, after Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, his main rival, conceded defeat.

Bawumia, in a statement, confirmed that he had called Mahama to congratulate him, acknowledging the will of the people: “The people of Ghana have spoken, and they have voted for change at this time. We respect this with all humility.”

The official results are expected to be announced by the Ghanaian Election Commission by Tuesday, according to AFP reports.

Yakubu, who observed the election, praised the political stability in Ghana, noting the country’s consistent party structures and voter loyalty as essential factors.

He pointed to the perseverance of political leaders like former Vice President Mahama and President Nana Akufo-Addo, who contested multiple times before eventually securing success.

“In Ghana, it’s rare for people to switch parties in every election cycle. This consistency provides stability, both for the parties and their supporters, who remain loyal regardless of whether their party is in power or opposition,” Yakubu said.

The INEC Chairman also highlighted Ghana’s improvement in managing election results, particularly at the constituency level, which was inspired by Nigeria’s system.

Previously, all parliamentary and presidential results in Ghana were sent to the Electoral Commission’s headquarters in Accra for announcement.

However, the country has now adopted a decentralized system, allowing constituency-level officers to announce parliamentary results locally while presidential results are still sent to Accra.

Yakubu elaborated, saying, “Ghana learned from Nigeria’s approach, where results for parliamentary elections are announced by returning officers at the constituency level, while only presidential results are sent to the headquarters. This system has made the process more efficient, allowing for quicker declarations of results.”

Expressing his satisfaction with the election process, Yakubu stated, “The election has been conducted smoothly, and the outcome has been commendable. We continue to offer our support to Ghana’s Electoral Commission.”

The election results mark the end of two terms in power for the New Patriotic Party under President Akufo-Addo, whose tenure was marred by Ghana’s severe economic crisis, including soaring inflation and a debt default.