Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has responded to the recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a statement released on X on Friday, the 2023 presidential candidate of the PDP, said it is important to state clearly that “freedom of association and expression are core democratic rights — not privileges”.

“Let me be unequivocal: freedom of association and expression are not optional in a democracy — they are fundamental rights,” he wrote.

“Alongside these stand the pillars of a just and functional democratic society: the people, the rule of law, credible elections, and accountability. Undermine any of these, and democracy itself begins to crumble.”

On Wednesday, Sheriff Oborevwori, the incumbent governor of Delta, left the PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC), while Ifeanyi Okowa, his immediate predecessor, is set to join the ruling party soon.

Oborevwori succeeded Okowa as the governor of Delta after winning the 2023 election on the platform of the PDP.

In recent weeks, the PDP has lost several members to the ruling APC, with other governors and key party members also reportedly planning to defect.

Abubakar said any attempt to erode these values is a direct threat to the survival of democracy in Nigeria.

He said that defections and political alignments are part of the country’s evolving democratic culture, and must not be seen as betrayal.

“As someone who believes deeply in democratic ideals, I bear no ill will towards anyone who chooses a different political path,” he said.

“Politics will always involve shifting alliances — we’ve seen them in the past and we’ll see more in the future.”

Abubakar also addressed criticism that trailed his recent visit to former president Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna.

Earlier this month, the ex-VP led a delegation, including Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna; Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto; and Isa Pantami, former minister of communications, to Buhari’s residence.

The former vice-president said his visit was delayed due to his obligations in Adamawa, where he had taken part in Sallah celebrations.

Days after the visit, the move drew widespread criticism, particularly from within the PDP, with many labeling it as unacceptable and a show of anti-party activity.

However, Abubakar dismissed the outrage as hypocritical, citing past instances when opposition leaders consulted former presidents without backlash.

“It is not a sin to visit Buhari,” he said.

“During the 2013 opposition merger talks, key political figures made visits to Obasanjo and Babangida — so why is it now sacrilegious to visit Buhari?”

Abubakar questioned why some PDP leaders are applauded for meeting President Bola Tinubu, yet his own engagements are labelled suspicious.

“When PDP leaders drink tea with Tinubu and cut power-sharing deals, it is called ‘strategy,” he said.

“But when I greet Peter Obi, meet Nasir el-Rufai, or visit Buhari, it becomes a national scandal.”

He also described the reactions as driven by double standards, warning that Nigeria’s politics is becoming riddled with “selective outrage”.

Abubakar said the real issue before Nigerians is not about political parties anymore, but about the failure of the current administration.

“This is no longer APC vs PDP or Labour Party vs APC,” he said.

“It is Nigerians vs a regime that has plunged the nation into misery.”

He blamed the Tinubu administration for a collapsing economy, surging inflation, growing joblessness and increasing youth agitation.

“Nigerians are not just tired — they are angry,” he said.

Abubakar called for unity against what he described as a government bereft of vision and performance.

He urged Nigerians to reject ethnic, religious or regional distractions, noting that such tactics are meant to divide and confuse the populace.

“The Tinubu government has nothing to show — no policy wins, no achievements,” he said.

“All it has is confusion and division. That’s the only thing incompetence knows how to offer.”

Abubakar warned that mismanagement at the top poses grave danger to all Nigerians, regardless of background or party affiliation.

“An incompetent captain doesn’t just sink his ship; he puts everyone on board at risk,” he added.

The President of the Nigerian Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, has lamented the impact of inflation on the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the President Bola Tinubu-led Nigerian government.

He shared his thoughts while speaking at the quadrennial delegates conference of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Abuja.

While speaking, Ajaero lamented that electricity tariffs and taxes were well above the approved minimum wage.

“This is a period where the tax on your salaries is almost higher than the minimum wage increase on the salaries. It is a period we need to sit and reflect on our survival.

“What are those things that affect us most? The social safety nets that are obtainable in some developed economies of the world, and we need to fight for them.”

He noted that there remains a pressing need to examine how the minimum wage was implemented.

“Very important, the cost of living index. We need to look at it. How does it affect an average worker? How was the minimum wage the NLC, TUC, and others fought for implemented?”

He also lamented the rising cost of living throughout the country.

“The landlords and transporters have taken it all. The electricity tariff is more than our minimum wage, and the tariff on telecom is increasing by the day.”

He added that there is a need “for the organised labour unions to stand united and review their relationships with Nigerians and players in the civil society space, to collectively fight the numerous issues affecting workers.”

“It is a period we need to reenact our relationship with not just the trade union movement, but our civil society allies and the Nigerian masses.

“The NLC is extending its hand of fellowship to the TUC for us to work together hand in hand for the interest of the Nigerian people and workers,” he stated.

Nigerians generally have lamented the high cost of living under Bola Tinubu.

Many have argued that the value of the approved N70,000 has been significantly diminished due to inflationary tendencies.

NAFDAC noted that the banned substances are not only highly toxic but also pose serious health risks including carcinogenic effects, respiratory failure, and damage to the liver and kidneys.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), said it seized banned pesticides worth over N800million in major raids its officers carried out across several states in the South-West region  of Nigeria.

NAFDAC said that it conducted a series of coordinated raids across Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, targeting shops involved in the illegal distribution of banned agrochemical products.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the agency, the operation, which spanned several days, resulted in the inspection of over 16 outlets and the seizure of 551 cartons of pesticides containing hazardous substances such as Chlorpyrifos (banned effective November 1, 2024), Paraquat (banned since January 1, 2024), and Atrazine (to be banned by January 1, 2025).

“Over 16 outlets were inspected, resulting in the seizure of 551 cartons of banned pesticides, estimated at over N800 million. These hazardous chemicals are known to be carcinogenic and can cause respiratory failure, liver and kidney damage, among other severe health issues,” the statement read.

NAFDAC noted that the banned substances are not only highly toxic but also pose serious health risks including carcinogenic effects, respiratory failure, and damage to the liver and kidneys.

Their continued use in agriculture also threatens Nigeria’s international trade standing, as traces of these chemicals in exports have led to the rejection of Nigerian agricultural products abroad.

The agency said, “In addition to posing serious public health risks, the presence of these substances in agricultural exports contributes to the rejection of Nigerian products in international markets. Safer alternatives such as Flushout, Sharpshooter, and Best are available and recommended.”

NAFDAC therefore urged the public to remain vigilant, verify the sources of agrochemical products, and report any suspicious or unauthorised sales to the nearest NAFDAC office.

The agency reaffirmed its commitment to upholding regulatory standards and ensuring the health and safety of Nigerians through continuous monitoring and enforcement actions.

“NAFDAC urges the public to remain vigilant by verifying product sources and reporting suspicious activities to the nearest NAFDAC office.

“The agency remains committed to regulatory standards and protecting the health of Nigerians through continued monitoring and enforcement,” the statement stressed.