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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives was thrown into political realignment on Tuesday as 13 lawmakers formally announced their defection from various political parties, while former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, stepped down from his leadership position following his move to the ruling APC.

The defections, announced during plenary, were conveyed through letters read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, with the affected lawmakers citing internal crises, leadership disputes and the need to better represent their constituents.

Among those who switched parties was Gaza, who moved from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the Labour Party (LP), with the defection taking effect from May 2026.

Similarly, Alex Ehnona left the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), assuring colleagues that the change in political affiliation would not affect his commitment to legislative duties.

In another notable move, Esosa Iyawo announced his second party switch in less than a month, dumping the APC for the National Democratic Congress (NDC). He blamed persistent disagreements within the Edo State chapter of the APC and what he described as the party’s failure to address concerns raised by members. He also formally withdrew an earlier letter dated May 12, 2026, while reaffirming his dedication to democratic ideals.

Also exiting the APC were Sani Lawal and Shehu Tafoki. Lawal said his decision, which took effect on May 4, was intended to reposition himself for more effective service to his constituents. Tafoki, who joined the PDP, said extensive consultations informed his decision and that the move would enhance his ability to deliver representation.

A major shift occurred in Oyo State, where six PDP lawmakers crossed over to the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). The lawmakers — Adebayo Adepoju, Adedeji Stanley Olajide, Ojo Sunday, Najeem Oyedeji, Folajimi Oyekunle and Abbas Adigun — attributed their departure to protracted leadership crises, internal divisions and unresolved disputes within the PDP.

According to their letters, the decision followed broad consultations with constituents and political stakeholders and was necessary to ensure effective representation.

The PDP also gained a new member in Etanebene Benedict, who defected from the Labour Party. Benedict cited the dissolution of the party’s executive structure, which he said left members without recognised officials to engage during nomination processes. He further alleged that several party leaders were openly backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, making it increasingly difficult for him to remain in the party.
Meanwhile, Auwalu Gwalabe of Bauchi State also left the PDP for the APM, with effect from May 4.

In a related development, Chinda formally resigned as Minority Leader following his defection from the PDP to the APC and his emergence as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State.

Speaker Abbas read Chinda’s resignation letter on the floor of the House, in which the lawmaker announced that he was relinquishing the position with effect from April 23, 2026.
In the letter, Chinda expressed appreciation for the opportunity to lead the opposition caucus.

“It has been a profound honour and privilege to serve in this capacity, representing the collective interest of the Minority Caucus and contributing to the legislative work of the House. I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked under your leadership and alongside distinguished colleagues in advancing democratic governance and national development,” the letter read.

Despite leaving the leadership position, Chinda assured lawmakers that he would continue to play an active role in parliamentary affairs.

“I remain fully committed to my duties as a member of the House and will continue to support the work of the legislature in every way possible. Please accept the assurances of my high esteem and continued regards,” he stated.

His resignation marks the end of his tenure as Minority Leader and is expected to spark consultations among opposition lawmakers over who will succeed him as the leader of the minority caucus in the Green Chamber.

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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday assured protesting teachers and civil society organisations in Abuja that security agencies are intensifying efforts to secure the release of abducted teachers and students, while cautioning against the politicisation of security challenges.

Addressing demonstrators who staged a protest in front at the Federal Capital Territory Adminstration (FCTA) Secretariat demanding the immediate rescue of victims of recent school kidnappings, Wike said the Federal Government remained committed to ensuring the safe return of those in captivity.

According to him, security agencies are actively working to rescue the victims and restore confidence in the country’s security architecture.

“We are all concerned about this security situation. The government is on its toes to ensure that those who are kidnapped are rescued,” he said.

The minister expressed confidence in the capacity of the nation’s security institutions to secure the release of the abducted teachers and students, stressing the need for prompt action.

“I have that confidence that the security system will do all they can to make sure the teachers and the students that are being kidnapped are rescued, and let it be prompt,” he added.

Wike, however, warned against turning security concerns into political issues, arguing that insecurity affects all parts of the country and should be approached as a collective national challenge.

He noted that incidents of teacher abductions had occurred in other states without attracting similar protests in the nation’s capital, urging citizens to adopt a more unified response to security threats.

“We are all concerned, but let us not politicise issues. That is what I will not support. We are all concerned about the security situation and how the teachers and students should be released,” he said.

The minister further disclosed that security agencies were operating within established protocols and had made significant progress in efforts to secure the victims’ freedom.

According to him, no responsible government would deliberately allow its citizens to remain vulnerable to criminal elements, adding that authorities were working under challenging circumstances to protect lives and property.

“There is no government that will deliberately say let citizens be kidnapped, but we know where we found ourselves and we know that everything possible is being done,” he stated.

Calling for national solidarity, Wike said insecurity should not be viewed through regional or political lenses, stressing that an attack on one community ultimately affects the entire country.

“What concerns you concerns everybody, and what concerns Abuja also concerns everybody. We are all looking at how people should rise up with the same dedication,” he said.

The protest followed growing public concern over recent school abductions in parts of the country, with teachers’ groups and civil society organisations calling on authorities to strengthen security around schools and ensure the safe return of victims.

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By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Habitat has granted the management of the MOFI Real Estate Investment Fund (MREIF) a one-week extension to appear before lawmakers as part of an ongoing investigation into the fund’s operations, performance and administration.

The committee had initially summoned MREIF Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Armstrong Ume Takang, alongside members of the fund’s management team, to appear on Tuesday, 2 June 2026, for a comprehensive review of the initiative and several petitions submitted against it.

The Committee Chairman, Rep. Abdulmumin Jibrin, said the investigation was aimed at ensuring the fund was operating in line with the objectives set by President Bola Tinubu and delivering on its mandate.

According to him, the exercise seeks to determine whether the administration and performance of MREIF are meeting public expectations while also addressing concerns raised in petitions before the committee.

However, in a letter addressed to lawmakers, Dr Takang acknowledged receipt of the summons and expressed the fund’s willingness to cooperate fully with the National Assembly’s oversight responsibilities.

He explained that he was outside Abuja on an official engagement that had been scheduled before the committee’s invitation was received and requested a new date for the hearing.

The MREIF chief also assured lawmakers of the organisation’s readiness to engage constructively with the committee.

Responding to the request, Jibrin said the committee had agreed to postpone the hearing by one week in the interest of fairness and cooperation.

He stated that the session had now been rescheduled for Tuesday, 9 June 2026, stressing that the extension was granted specifically to allow the managing director to appear in person.

The committee maintained that Dr Takang’s personal appearance was crucial to its inquiry and could not be delegated.

Jibrin reiterated the committee’s determination to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the management of the fund, which was established to expand access to affordable home ownership for Nigerians.

He said the committee remained committed to addressing all issues raised in the petitions before it while ensuring transparency, accountability and effective implementation of the housing initiative in line with the vision of the Tinubu administration.

The lawmaker further stated that the committee expects Dr Takang and the entire MREIF management team to appear before it on the new date without fail.