Politics

Lagos Labour Party factionlised as new Exco emerges

Published

3 years ago

July 30, 2023

Lagos Labour Party factionlised as new Exco emerges

The crisis rocking the Labour Party (LP) is yet to fizzle out as a faction of the party in Lagos State under the leadership of Omoba Adesoyin Olumide on Friday disowned Pastor Dayo Ekong-led Executive Committee (Exco), stressing that its tenure had elapsed and, therefore, should not parade itself anymore.

Chairman of the faction, Omoba Olumide, stated this at a press conference in Ikeja attended by all his exco members, noting that the Ekong-led exco was no longer recognized by law, following the sack by the court of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party under Barr. Julius Abure, who appointed it into office.

According to him, it is public knowledge that Abure was suspended by members of his ward in Edo State in April 2023, the reason Alhaji Bashiru Lamidi Apapa was called upon to take over the leadership, being the next in line, to rescue the party, recalling quickly that the embattled Abure “appealed his suspension at the Appeal Court but lost and the case is now listed in the Supreme Court awaiting proceedings and judgment.”

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Olumide posited that it was based on the court judgement that he and his team were given a letter by the Acting Chairman, Alhaji Apapa in April this year to act and perform as the executive committee of the Labour Party in Lagos State for three months period in consonance with the constitution, noting that the three months period expired this month of July and had since been renewed by the party’s national body.

“After the restraining order on our party national chairman, Abure, on matters bordering forgery, perjury and criminal conspiracy in April 2023, myself and my team were given a letter by the authority of the now Acting Chairman, Lamidi Apapa, in April to act and perform as the executives of our party in Lagos State for three months in consonance with the constitution.

“The three months period expired this month of July and has since been renewed by our national body,” he said.

The party chieftain said notwithstanding the party’s laid down rules and regulations, among others, the Ekong-led exco had been “going about parading themselves as the state executives of the party in manners that is rather alien to our party’s constitution,” adding that the need to maintain Labour Party’s respectable name made his exco-led to approach an Ikeja High Court to put them in check.

Olumide warned members of the public to be wary of their dealings with the Abure-led body, saying that courts of competent jurisdiction in both Benin and Abuja had warned Nigerians that anyone still having any dealings with them, does so at his or her own peril.

“It has become necessary to warn members of the public to be wary of their dealings with them as courts of competent jurisdiction in both Benin and Abuja have warned Nigerians that anyone still having any dealings with them, does so at his or her own peril,” he warned.

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Olumide also used the opportunity to debunk claims in some quarters that Apapa and his group were working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), even as he insisted that there was no faction in Lagos LP as, according to him, his Exco remained “the authentic one that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will deal with.”

This was just as he assured that the LP would win the forthcoming House of Representatives bye-election in Surulere 1 Constituency of the state, which date is yet to be fixed.

On the anti-people policies of the Federal and state governments which were obviously and negatively affecting the welfare and well-being of Nigerians, the LP chieftain urged the tiers of government to urgently look at ways of reversing them, saying that the Lagos State government should revisit the Light Blue Rail Project to ensure ease of public transportation all over the state.

Besides, Otunba Olumide tasked the Lagos government to urgently consider addressing the regular harassment of motorists, especially by LASMA, VIO and other agencies, even as he sadly noted the decay in the infrastructure of the inner streets in Lagos metropolis which “has become alarming and requires the urgent attention of the state government and major stakeholders.”

“In addition to the above the Federal and state governments should reconsider the hike in tuition fees for Unity Schools and that of the universities, polytechnic and colleges of education as education is the bedrock of any society.

“We’ll advise the state government to adequately compensate the families of Lagosians who lost their lives during the #Endsars crisis and tender a public apology to their relatives,” Olumide said.

Lagos Labour Party factionlised as new Exco emerges

Politics

Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano

Published

8 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Murtala Sule Garo

Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano

A political pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Emerging Progressives Leaders’ Forum, has commended Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, for appointing Murtala Sule Garo as Deputy Governor, describing the move as strategic and capable of reshaping the party’s political fortunes in the state.

In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Hafiz Idris, the forum said the appointment reflects a clear understanding of Kano’s complex political dynamics and the need for experienced leadership to strengthen governance and party cohesion.

The group noted that Kano remains a critical political battleground in Nigeria, making leadership choices within the state highly consequential for both governance and future electoral outcomes.

According to the forum, Garo’s selection underscores a deliberate effort to stabilise the political structure and foster unity among stakeholders amid ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The forum highlighted Garo’s extensive public service record, pointing to his previous roles in Kano’s political landscape, including his experience in legislative and executive positions, as well as his reputation as a grassroots mobiliser with deep connections across communities.

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It described him as a loyal party stalwart whose contributions to the growth of the APC in Kano have been significant over the years.

“Hon. Murtala Sule Garo is a grassroots politician with vast experience and deep connection with the people. His choice will not only consolidate governance but also reposition the APC for greater strength and unity in Kano State,” the statement read.

The group further expressed confidence that the Yusuf-Garo partnership would promote inclusiveness, improve coordination within government, and enhance service delivery across the state.

It added that the appointment could help bridge internal divisions within the APC, encouraging reconciliation among party factions and strengthening the party’s structure at both the state and grassroots levels.

Observers say the endorsement reflects broader efforts by political actors within the APC to reposition the party in Kano following recent electoral shifts and internal challenges.

The forum also urged party members and supporters to rally behind the new deputy governor, stressing that unity, discipline, and collective commitment are essential to achieving the party’s long-term objectives.

With political activities gradually building ahead of the next election cycle, the group maintained that strategic alliances such as the Yusuf-Garo pairing could play a decisive role in shaping Kano’s political direction in the coming years.

Garo’s Appointment as Deputy Sparks Optimism for APC in Kano

Politics

Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC

Published

14 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC

The political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections intensified on the floor of the Senate as the Senate Minority Whip representing Enugu West, Osita Ngwu, officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises within his former party.

His defection letter was formally read during plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, confirming his exit from the opposition caucus and entry into the ruling party.

In a similar development, Senator Aliyu Wadada, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, also announced his defection from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) to the APC. His decision further strengthens the ruling party’s numerical advantage in the upper chamber.

Following Ngwu’s departure, the Senate announced Senator Tony Nwoye as the new Minority Whip, marking an immediate reshuffle within the opposition leadership structure in the chamber.

The defections add to the growing wave of political defections in Nigeria’s Senate as lawmakers continue to reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 elections. Analysts say the trend reflects internal crises within opposition parties and the increasing consolidation of power by the APC.

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With the latest defections, the APC has further strengthened its numerical advantage in the Senate, continuing a pattern of steady gains from opposition parties, particularly the PDP and SDP.

Political observers say the development underscores a broader shift in Nigeria’s legislative politics, where lawmakers are increasingly aligning with the ruling party ahead of election cycles.

In a related development, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu forwarded a ministerial nominee, Muttaqha Darma, to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

The President also requested the confirmation of Lamido Yuguda as Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), a key institution responsible for monetary policy and financial stability.

The requests were read by the Senate President and subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole for legislative consideration.

The latest defections and executive nominations come amid heightened political activity in the National Assembly as parties reposition for the 2027 general elections. Analysts warn that continued defections could weaken opposition parties further and reshape legislative balance, potentially giving the APC even greater control over lawmaking and political negotiations.

As the election season approaches, more realignments are expected across both chambers of the National Assembly.

Senate Minority Whip Osita Ngwu, Aliyu Wadada Defect to APC

Politics

2027: Mass Defections Hit PDP and NNPP as Lawmakers Join APC, ADC

Published

15 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Trends Admin

2027: Mass Defections Hit PDP and NNPP as Lawmakers Join APC, ADC

The wave of defections ahead of the 2027 general elections has intensified in the House of Representatives, as six lawmakers elected on the platforms of the New Nigeria Peoples Party and the Peoples Democratic Party officially dumped their parties for the ruling All Progressives Congress and the African Democratic Congress.

The latest realignment, announced during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, comes less than 24 hours after a similar political shift in the chamber, underscoring rising instability and shifting loyalties within Nigeria’s lower legislative house.

NNPP Lawmakers Dump Party for ADC

Four lawmakers from Kano State elected on the NNPP platform announced their defection to the ADC, citing internal leadership disputes and prolonged factional crises within the party.

Leading the group, Adamu Wakili, representing Minjibir/Ungogo Federal Constituency, said his decision was driven by “persistent leadership crisis in the NNPP resulting in internal divisions,” adding that he needed a platform that guarantees inclusion and stability.

Other defectors include Umar Zakari, Umar Datti, and Abdulhakeem Ado, all from Kano State. The lawmakers said unresolved disputes at both state and national levels of the NNPP had made their continued membership untenable.

Their move further boosts the ADC’s growing presence in the National Assembly, especially as the party continues to absorb dissatisfied politicians from smaller opposition blocs.

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PDP Loses Lawmakers to APC

In a separate development, two lawmakers elected on the PDP platform also announced their exit.

Ahmadu Kabiru, representing Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency in Zamfara State, defected from the PDP to the APC, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the opposition party. He said his decision was also influenced by his support for the federal government’s policy direction under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Similarly, Chinedu Martins, representing Ahiazu/Ezinihitte/Mbaise Federal Constituency in Imo State, confirmed his defection from the PDP to the APC, stating that his alignment with the ruling party had been in place at the ward level since March 2026.

APC Strengthens Dominance in House of Reps

With the latest defections, the APC has further consolidated its dominance in the House of Representatives, increasing its numerical strength to about 282 seats.

The PDP has now been reduced to about 30 seats, reflecting a sharp decline in its parliamentary influence.

The ADC has emerged as a fast-growing third force with 24 seats, largely benefiting from defections by disaffected opposition lawmakers. Other parties in the chamber include the Labour Party with 10 seats, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) with five, Accord Party with four, and both the Action Peoples Party (APP) and Social Democratic Party (SDP) holding two seats each. The NNPP is now left with only one seat.

Political Implications for 2027 Elections

Political analysts say the ongoing defections reflect broader 2027 election realignments in Nigeria, driven by internal crises in opposition parties, leadership disputes, and strategic positioning ahead of the next general elections.

The APC’s continued control of federal power has made it an attractive destination for lawmakers seeking political stability and re-election support, while the ADC is increasingly becoming a refuge for opposition politicians unwilling to join the ruling party but eager to exit troubled platforms.

Observers warn that if the trend continues, opposition parties may struggle to mount a coordinated challenge in 2027, especially if internal disputes remain unresolved.

As the election cycle draws closer, more defections are expected, further reshaping the balance of power in Nigeria’s National Assembly.