By Gloria Ikibah
The Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives has criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing it of focusing on political calculations for 2027 rather than addressing the urgent welfare and security needs of Nigerians.
The lawmakers described the ruling party’s stance as insensitive, unacceptable and reflective of flawed leadership priorities. 
While acknowledging that any president has the right to seek re-election, the caucus argued that the government’s immediate responsibility is to tackle the harsh realities citizens are facing across the country.
In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the leader of the Labour Party Caucus, Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, reminded the administration that the foremost duty of any government is the protection and wellbeing of its people. He noted that the APC and President Bola Tinubu appear to be placing their 2027 ambitions ahead of these core obligations.
The lawmakers said it was troubling that, at a time when insecurity continues to spread across the nation, the ruling party seems either unwilling or unable to confront the issue meaningfully.
They expressed concern that the country is left to cope with flimsy or surface-level responses instead of a thorough and strategic handling of the crisis.
They linked these criticisms to the broader economic and governance challenges confronting the nation, pointing out that the government is struggling with budget financing and transparency.
According to the caucus, “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.”
In recent weeks, these contractors have resorted to staging vigils outside the Ministry of Finance, drawing attention to what they view as the government’s failure to meet its obligations.
The Labour Party members also raised alarm over the administration’s handling of the national budget. They argued that the “Appropriation Act, a law governing budget allocation, has been consistently disregarded by the current administration.”
They highlighted the contradiction in embarking on major expenditures, including the multi-trillion-naira coastal road project, without adherence to appropriation or procurement rules, even as key federal roads remain dilapidated.
This has fuelled public anxiety, especially for those preparing to travel for the festive period, who now face a combination of poor road conditions and increased security threats.
The caucus further noted what they described as a disturbing lack of clarity surrounding public expenditure. They pointed specifically to the recently audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), which disclosed that N17.5 trillion was spent in 2024 alone on a pipeline security contract. They regarded this as an issue of serious concern.
The lawmakers stressed that until the government redirects its focus to the welfare and safety of Nigerians, public trust will continue to decline, regardless of political manoeuvrings ahead of future elections.
“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 thinks 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”, the statement further read.
