News
Commotion in Reps as Another Labour Party Member Defects to APC
By Gloria Ikibah
There was chaos in the House of Representatives on Thursday during plenary, as opposition members protested the defection of another Labour Party (LP) member to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The lawmaker, representing Jos South/Jos East Federal Constituency of Plateau State, announced his defection, prompting opposition members to demand that his seat be declared vacant.
Naijablitznews.com reports that this defection, brings the total number of Labour Party members joining the ruling APC to six within a week, witnessed by former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong.
In his letter of defection, read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, the lawmaker cited internal crises in the Labour Party and his desire to align with the policies and developmental goals of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led APC government.
He stated, “I believe my decision to offer effective representation to my constituency can be better achieved within the APC. My defection is not for personal gain but to contribute to national development and peacebuilding.”
Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi, while not opposing the defection, remarked, “Even though there is no crisis in the LP, I don’t want to repeat myself. I wish those defecting good luck. We’ll meet again in 2027, and the end will justify the means.”
Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, however, rejected the defection, stating, “The letter of defection should not be accepted because the lawmaker has not fulfilled constitutional provisions. He should first join the APC at his ward level before submitting his defection letter to the House and facing the consequences.”
Chinda accused the House of accepting the defection prematurely, and said, “The House is putting the cart before the horse by accepting the letter without following constitutional procedures.”
In response, Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC, Plateau) defended the defection, arguing that the lawmaker had fulfilled all constitutional requirements. He added, “Section 40 of the Constitution allows anyone to form or join a political party. Out of the eight House members from Plateau State, seven are now in the APC.”
Mark Esset (PDP, Akwa Ibom) urged lawmakers to uphold the Constitution, he said, “As parliamentarians, we must show Nigerians that we respect the law by correctly applying its provisions.”
Former Deputy Speaker Ahmed Idris Wase supported the Speaker’s acceptance of the defection letter, cautioning against using inappropriate language in Parliament.
He said, “The Speaker acted within the law in accepting the letter.”
The session ended without resolving the dispute over the legality of the defection.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Federal Government of Nigeria has extended its heartfelt congratulations to the State of Qatar on the occasion of its National Day, celebrated on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Nigeria’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, conveyed fraternal greetings to Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
The statement highlighted Qatar’s commitment to promoting global peace and its significant contributions to humanitarian services worldwide.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria commends the commitment and strategic efforts made by the State of Qatar in the promotion of global peace; and more so, the excellent contributions to humanitarian services in different parts of the world,” it read.
Ambassador Tuggar emphasised the strong and growing relations between Nigeria and Qatar, expressing satisfaction with the collaborative efforts to strengthen ties for the mutual benefit of their citizens.
He wished Qatar peace, prosperity, and progress, reaffirming Nigeria’s enduring friendship and support.
This underscores Nigeria’s recognition of its diplomatic relationship with Qatar and its shared commitment to global cooperation and development.
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has called for the removal of the National Examination Council (NECO), University of Ibadan (UI), Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, and 21 other federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) from the 2025 budget.
This recommendation follows their repeated failure to account for previous allocations and internally generated revenue.
During an extraordinary session on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Committee resolved that these MDAs should be excluded from the budget until they comply with its directives.
Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, stressed: “The Financial Regulation empowers the National Assembly to exclude any Ministry, Department, or Agency (MDA) that fails to account for their previous appropriations. As such, the listed MDAs should be excluded from the 2025 budget until they appear before this constitutional committee.”
The decision was prompted by the consistent non-compliance of these MDAs despite multiple summons issued by the Committee to scrutinize their financial operations.
Prominent institutions among those recommended for delisting include hospitals, universities, and federal development agencies. Some of the affected MDAs are:
- Federal Medical Centre, Bida
- Federal Ministry of Labour & Employment
- Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
- Nigeria Police Force: Department of Information and Communication Technology
- Federal College of Education (Technical), Asaba
- Federal College of Education, Yola
- Federal Polytechnic Ekowe, Bayelsa State
- Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi
- Federal University of Technology, Minna
- Cross River Basin Development Authority
- Nigeria Office for Trade Negotiation
- National Examination Council (NECO)
- Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil
- Presidential Amnesty Programme
- Galaxy Backbone
- Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals
Others include the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority, National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Cooperative College (Ibadan), Upper Niger River Basin Development Authority, University of Lagos, University of Ibadan, and Federal School of Survey, Oyo State.
The Committee unanimously recommended that the MDAs in question be delisted from the 2025 budget until they comply with the request for documentation and provide necessary financial clarifications.
Nigeria Congratulates Qatar on National Day
Reps Recommends Delisting NECO, UI, Labour Ministry, 21 Others From 2025 Budget
Reps Call for Revival of NAPAC to Boost Transparency, Accountability
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