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LP Reps Accuse Tinubu, APC of Choosing 2027 over Citizens’ Security, Welfare

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By Ubong Ukpong, Abuja

The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has accused President Bola Tinubu and his All Progressives Congress (APC) of prioritizing 2027 politics over the welfare and security of Nigerian citizens.

The caucus said this was insensitive, unconscionable and a clear example of questionable leadership.

It emphasized that while the President’s aspiration for re-election was legitimate, his priority should be addressing the pressing challenges facing Nigerians.

In a statement issued by the Labour Party Caucus leader, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, in Abuja on Sunday, the lawmakers reiterated that the primary duty of a government is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens.

However, they criticized the APC and President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing their 2027 reelection bid over these fundamental responsibilities. The statement expressed concern and bewilderment that while the nation grapples with insecurity, the ruling party is either ignoring the issue or offering superficial solutions rather than addressing the problem effectively.

These concerns were raised amid escalating insecurity nationwide and the administration’s struggles to fund budgets and demonstrate accountability. “The situation has led to prolonged protests by local contractors who remain unpaid for completed projects, sparking economic hardship, stalled development, and a dearth of new projects.”

 Recently, these aggrieved contractors have been holding vigils outside the Ministry of Finance, highlighting the government’s shortcomings.

The Labour Party representatives highlighted that the “Appropriation Act, a law governing budget allocation, has been consistently disregarded by the current administration.” They pointed out the irony of the government pursuing costly projects like the controversial multi-trillion naira coastal road without proper appropriation or procurement processes, while essential federal road infrastructure lies in disrepair. This has raised concerns among citizens, particularly those planning to travel during the festive season, who face not only difficult road conditions but also heightened insecurity.

Also of grave concern is the opaque expenditure of N17.5 trillion, in 2024 alone, on a pipeline-security contract, as revealed in the recently audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC.

“Nigerians would remember that over a 12-year period, the country spent about N18 trillion on subsidy (which benefitted everyone through affordable transportation and cheaper costs of foodstuffs), but on the excuse of lack of funds to sustain the subsidy regime, this Administration has clearly robbed Peter(Nigerians), to pay Paul(cronies), through a questionable pipeline-security contract whose executors are unknown.”

This statement paints a grim picture of Nigeria’s current state, highlighting concerns about the effectiveness of its government branches. “The executive is seen as underwhelming, the judiciary’s decisions are questioned, and the legislature is criticized for not having the moral fiber to hold the executive accountable.

“Our dear country, Nigeria has become a special economic zone: everyone and everything now has a price. Kidnappers and bandits now have prices on the heads of the citizenry; elected officials now have a price to look the other way; and opposition figures have prices to enthrone chaos in their own platforms. Even the clergy and ulamas are not spared the chicanery of the divisive effects of a gravely monetized polity.

“Pray, Nigerians, we’re in the 12th month of the year, 2025. In fact, across government owned enterprises, ministries, departments, and agencies of government, none can boast of 10 percent of execution of the capital component of the budget. In most cases, the scorecard reads nil.

“Yet everyone carries on, as though this has become the new normal.

Worse is the glaring impunity of relevant officials not bothering to explain to anyone where revenues meant for the implementation of the budget have ‘disappeared’ to.

“Nigeria is on a negative cruise; local contractors occupying the offices of the Federal Ministry of Finance, retired police officers taking over the gates of the National Assembly, while kidnappers freely choose where to strike every single day, yet the only response by government is to launch and distribute vehicles for a purported Renewed Hope Agenda.

So, while the country sits on the precipice, all Mr. President think about is to return to power in 2027.

“Mr. President, while your quest is a legitimate aspiration, please do well to attend to the current stark realities confronting Nigerians.

Besides the parlous state of Nigerian roads – which now ensures that a hitherto six hours journey, from either Lagos or Abuja to the South-South or South East, now takes an entire day to traverse – is the grim reality of possible kidnap which stares every road user in the face.

“Some lawmakers are reflecting on their roles and acknowledging that many are complicit, silenced by potential pecuniary gains. Many have described the 10th Assembly as the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history, reduced to puppetry and rubber-stamping, with no tangible benefits for citizens. They criticize the government for prioritizing economic interests over citizens’ welfare, labeling it “economic banditry.”

“We must not continue on this sorry path. Both the ruling party and opposition must put aside politics and prioritize the people’s welfare. Citizens are the backbone of democracy, and their interests should come above all else.”

POLITICS

APC e-Registration Intensifies in Enugu as Nomeh Ward Flags off Exercise

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From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

Residents and political leaders of Nomeh Unateze Ward in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State have intensified the All Progressives Congress (APC) electronic membership registration exercise in the state.

The people also used the opportunity to endorse the party as their rallying point come 2027, throwing their full weight behind President Bola Tinubu, Governor Peter Mbah and all candidates of the APC in the forthcoming general election.

They made their stand known during the official flag-off of the APC electronic membership registration exercise in the ward, which turned into a rally of appreciation for the governor’s projects in the area and a declaration of loyalty to the APC.

Speaking at the event, the Special Assistant on Media (External Relations) to the Governor, Uche Anichukwu, said the massive turnout was a clear sign that the people were satisfied with the performance of the Enugu State Government and its alignment with the APC.

“The large turnout we witnessed here today clearly shows that the people of Nomeh Unateze are extremely happy with the Governor of Enugu State. It also shows that the people of Nomeh Unateze are happy with the APC. You could see the excitement. It was quite organic; it wasn’t manufactured,” Anichukwu said.

He pointed to several ongoing and completed projects in the community as the reason for the growing support for Mbah, President Bola Tinubu, and the APC.

“If you look up there, you would see the magnificent Smart Green School, completed and standing here in Nomeh Unateze, and as you drive down the road, you would see the Type-2 Primary Healthcare Centre. There is also the ongoing Nomeh–Mburubu–Nara Road and, of course, the Nomeh–Oduma Road under construction. The governor is also promising many other projects.

“After seeing these things, nobody should be surprised that our people are excited to join the APC. In fact, I got a lot of calls that we should send more people because they want more hands to help register them,” he said.

Also speaking, the Secretary of the Nkanu East Local Government Council, Rev. Felix Okoye, reminded the people that registering with the APC and obtaining their voter’s cards were the only ways of guaranteeing the continued execution of the numerous projects of the Mbah administration in Nomeh community and Enugu State.

He recalled that Mbah had revived or completed several abandoned projects in the state.

The Ward Councilor, Hon. Jonathan Orji, thanked the people for the overwhelming acceptance of the APC as the new political train in the state under Mbah’s leadership.

Chairman of APC in Nomeh Ward, Fidelis Mbah, said the e-registration in the ward, which used to be a Peoples Democratic Party enclave, marked the consolidation of the state’s recent political shift to the centre and APC.

“So, today is the official flag-off of APC membership registration in Nomeh Ward. We promised that wherever he goes, we will also go with him because of the great job he is doing. The turnout speaks volumes, but it is nothing compared to what you will see here on Election Day,” he declared.

APC Woman Leader in the ward, Victoria Ubah, said women in the community had unanimously decided to support the APC because of the governor’s development projects.

“The governor has done so much for us. He built a hospital for us, he built a Smart School for us, he is building roads and bridges for us, and he is helping the poor and the farmers. All the women in this community have decided to register with the APC, and we will vote for Mbah in 2027,” she said.

A member of the APC executive in Nkanu East Local Government Area, Nkechi Okafor, said the community had already made up its mind.

“Mbah has done a lot for the Nomeh people. You could see the projects yourselves. Because of that, you could also see nearly a thousand people here. We are all APC from the day Dr. Peter Mbah led us into the party. So, we are very happy. There is no vacancy, and it is APC all the way,” she declared.

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POLITICS

NNPP disowns planned protests against INEC

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The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has disassociated itself from a plan protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled for Tuesday.

National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson in a statement in Abuja on Monday said the attention of the party was drawn to reports of plan by NNPP to stage a protest at INEC head office in Abuja as well as across states of the Federation.

”The NNPP wishes to use this medium to dissociate the party from the illegal demonstration called by an illegal body claiming to be speaking on behalf of the NNPP,” he said.

Johnson said that those behind the illegal protest were not members of the party as established by the Federal High Court in Suit Number FHC/ABJ/CS/1354/2024 of April 18, 2024.

He said that Justice Emeka Nwite in the suit affirmed that they had ceased to be members of the party following their expulsion by the appropriate organs of the party.

”Up till today, they have not appealed the judgment, but instead, engaging in forum shopping looking for orders that have no foundations in law.

”As it is their trademark, they go to the courts hiding the facts of the matter, and once the courts hear the correct story, they discard them like pack of cards.

”NNPP wishes to reiterate that it is not involved in any protest slated for Tuesday, and state categorically that the persons behind the protest are impostors,” he said.

Johnson therefore called on NNPP members to remain calm even in the face of provocations by elements aimed at distracting the party from its stated objectives. (NAN)

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POLITICS

Nasarawa Lawmaker Donates Cash, Awards Scholarships, Others to Constituents

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By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Member representing Keffi West Constituency at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Nana, popularly known as Baba Ali and Wakilin Yamman Keffi, has demonstrated people-centred leadership, tagged: as a “Legacy of human capital development”.

The initiative aimed at empowering the constituents, promoting education, economic independence and youth development, the lawmaker donated a cash of N27 million , 58 motorcycles, 20 sewing machines, and fully funded university scholarships to 26 students to cover full course of their study at Nasarawa State University, Keffi (NSUK) with over total cost amount of N90 million.

The empowerment programme, unveiled over the weekend at the Emir’s Palace in Keffi, attracted traditional leaders, political office holders, community members and beneficiaries from the five electoral wards represented, and across Keffi Local Government Area.

In recognising Hon. Nana efforts, the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State Engr. Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by the commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Hon. Ibrahim Tanko, lauded the lawmaker’s foresight for designing such an impactful programme that not only addresses immediate community needs but also establishes a foundation for long-term, sustainable development.

The governor urged the people and beneficiaries to be law-abiding citizens and actively support the All Progressives Congress (APC) led-administration for better representation and democratic values. He emphasized the importance of the ongoing APC membership e-registration exercise, he stressed that the initiative is crucial for the party’s organisational strength and future electoral success.

He further explained that the e-registration exercise is to ensure every eligible resident becomes a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), to strengthen the party’s grassroots network across Nasarawa State and Nigeria at large. “Don’t hesitate to have your APC membership card” he advised.

Speaking during the presentation, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Nana (Baba Ali) expressed his deepest appreciation to the people of Keffi West for the trust and mandate bestowed upon him to represent them at the Nasarawa State House of Assembly. He described the opportunity to serve as a privilege and reaffirmed his continued commitment to delivering dividends of democracy that will genuinely improve the lives of the Constituents.

According to the lawmaker, his representation is firmly anchored on development, empowerment and inclusive growth, stressing that leadership must be measured by impact rather than words. He noted that every initiative undertaken by him since assuming office has been driven by the desire to reduce hardship, expand opportunities and strengthen the social and economic fabric of the constituency.

“As a representative entrusted with this mandate, I remain committed to sustaining meaningful development and empowerment programmes that will directly touch the lives of our people across Keffi West,” he stated.

Hon. Nana emphasized that education remains the backbone of societal progress and the surest path to producing responsible leaders and skilled professionals.

He encouraged the scholarship beneficiaries to take their studies seriously, reminding them that education equips individuals with the knowledge and discipline required to contribute positively to the society.

The lawmaker noted that he remains the first as house member to initiate such a comprehensive scholarship programme that supported students from entry level through graduation at the university, in Keffi LGA. “Education is the bedrock of every success. When we invest in education, we are investing in the future of our communities and our state,” he added.

Hon. Nana explained that empowering citizens with tools and resources is a practical way to reduce unemployment, curb social vices and stimulate local economic growth.

He urged beneficiaries to use the items judiciously, expand to their businesses and, in turn, empower others within their communities. “When we began this journey, we promised representation anchored on impact. Today, by Allah’s grace and with your support, we are witnessing that promise translate into reality,” he said.

The Executive Chairman of Keffi Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Idris Ahmad Damagani, also addressed the gathering, where he openly commended Hon. Nana for what he described as a historic and people-driven empowerment initiative. He praised the lawmaker for setting a standard of responsive and accountable representation within Nasarawa State.

Hon. Dr. Damagani urged the beneficiaries and residents of Keffi Local Government to continue supporting leaders who prioritise results over rhetoric. He emphasized that development-oriented leaders like Hon. Nana are assets that must be encouraged and retained for the sustained progress of Keffi and the state at large.

“We cannot afford to lose a representative like Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Nana. Leadership should be about results, not mere promises,” he stated.

Lastly, the beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt appreciation to the lawmaker for his generosity and dedication to community development, they described the support as genuine love for humanity and life-changer.

The beneficiaries collectively offered prayers for Hon. Nana’s continued success and assured him of their support in the 2027 electoral cycle. “We are deeply grateful for your developmental support. We assure you of our total support come 2027, and we pray that Almighty Allah rewards you abundantly,” they said.

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