ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Government abolished the three-month preretirement leave for civil servants.

This was contained in a circular titled “Correct Interpretation of Public Service Rule 120243 on Pre-Retirement Activities,” issued by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Didi Walson-Jack, and addressed to top government officials, including ministers, permanent secretaries, service chiefs, heads of agencies, and other senior public sector administrators.

According to the circular, FG directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to immediately discontinue the practice of placing civil servants on what is commonly referred to as a mandatory three-month preretirement leave.

Walson-Jack argued that such a provision does not exist in the Public Service Rules, adding that several MDAs had wrongly interpreted the retirement notice period as an automatic leave period, leading to the premature withdrawal of officers from active service.

The Public Service Rule, according to her, only requires officers due for retirement to give three months’ notice before their exit date, attend a one-month pre-retirement workshop or seminar, and use the remaining period to regularise service records and pension documentation.

Nigeria’s federal civil service retirement framework is governed by the Public Service Rules and the Pension Reform Act.

Under the rules, civil servants retire upon attaining 60 years of age or after 35 years in service, whichever comes first.

The Head of Service’s directive seeks to standardise the implementation of the Public Service Rules across government institutions and to prevent manpower losses resulting from the early disengagement of experienced officers

“The so-called ‘mandatory three-month pre-retirement leave’ has no basis in the Public Service Rules,” Walson-Jack stated.
She explained that Rule 120243 establishes three distinct requirements: a notice obligation, attendance at a pre-retirement seminar during the first month, and completion of retirement-related documentation during the remaining two months.
“A retiring officer must give three months’ notice before their effective date of retirement. This is a notice requirement, not a leave entitlement,” the circular stated.

Civil Service Commission

She stressed that retiring officers remain public servants throughout the notice period and are expected to continue performing their official duties unless they are attending approved retirement workshops or have been granted leave under existing regulations.

“PSR 120243 does not exempt retiring officers from official duties during the notice period, except where they are attending an approved pre-retirement workshop or seminar, or are otherwise authorised to be absent under extant leave rules,” the circular added.

In view of the above, all MDAs have been directed to stop compelling retiring officers to vacate their posts before their official retirement dates.

Under the new directive, ministries and agencies must ensure that retiring officers continue to discharge their responsibilities, participate in approved pre-retirement programmes, and complete all pension and service record reconciliations before leaving service.
The latest circular seeks to end that ambiguity by affirming that the three-month period is primarily a notice and administrative preparation window, rather than an automatic absence from duty.
The circular further instructed permanent secretaries, directors-general, executive secretaries, chairpersons of statutory agencies, and chief executives of government organisations to bring the directive to the attention of all staff and ensure strict compliance.

The government said it believes the measure could improve service delivery by ensuring that retiring officers continue contributing their expertise until their official exit dates while simultaneously completing documentation required for pension processing.