Category: Daily Trust

Distinguished Senator Barau I. Jibrin, Deputy Senate President and First Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, infused political maturity and democratic realities into his primary constituency, his local root, Kano North Senatorial District. While his impact goes beyond original expectations. It is felt at both national and regional spaces.

Only blind observers can fault DSP’s efforts across the spectrum of our existence. Yes, as a legislator, his primary responsibility starts and ends with legislation process in the hallowed chamber of the Senate. Yet, he believes that influencing infrastructural development, among other efforts should also be encapsulated as part of his shopping list.

Believe it or not, road construction, building schools, clearing farmlands, etc, are responsibilities place on the shoulders of the executive arm of government. But still Senator Barau intervenes in these areas where he deems fit, with all visibility. You remember infrastructures he initiated and put on the soil of the newly established University of Science and Technology, Kabo. An institution he initiated, followed-up, lobbied, smoothened legislative process and gave birth to.

As governance generally is continuum, legislation follows suit in many respects. In his past days in the Senate, many infrastructures were lobbied to be revisited by the federal government. Gwarzo federal road, for example. In the ninth (9th) Assembly, DSP put almost all the structures of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) satellite campuses across all local governments of his constituency, Kano North. It was him who lobbied and influenced the establishment of those campuses in his constituency, local root. His attachment to knowledge, knowledge and knowledge, always sets him at the centrestage among most visible politicians across Northern Nigeria. So also his impact, cuts across states. National fruit.

DSP’s specific and special interest in human development places him above many politicians, legislators and non-legislators. While he believes in local and humble beginning, his yardstick is placed above his constituency. Why? Because, he understands what hegemony means to national development. Hence, his careful selection of intervention areas. He is an apt, genuine and high profile interventionist. Humility and patience in the face of any political ploys, fix him above many of his contemporaries.

Without any fear of mincing words, or acrobatic expression of realities, Deputy Senate President has become a Divine Sign (Ayah) divinely projected and protected against all political odds, ploys and unimaginables. Come to think of it, a Distinguished Senator of his caliber, who suffered political persecution, unjust marginalization and intended humiliation, is now one of the most respected politicians in the eyes of Nigeria’s political development. This signifies another stage of human existence.

Apart from thousands and thousands of students this gentleman, is sponsoring for undergraduate and post graduate studies across Nigerian universities and beyond, his clear understanding of approach and framework for national cohesion, peaceful entity and overall national development, opens more doors for him to be visible and relevant in the political development of West African states. Regional fruits.

Only daft and undeserving minds can begin to think that, DSP Barau has since left his lofty interventions in recent years. In less than ten days, his presence was in Bayero University, Kano, when one thousand (1,000) undergraduate students from his constituency were celebrated for being selected under his scholarship scheme. As the total sum of Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N800,000) was spend on each student.

In less than a week, another round of one thousand undergraduate students from Kano North, were gathered at Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University of Education, Kano, when the Senator assured them of his total and absolute support for their scholarship up to their graduation.

Similar events are coming up across all tertiary institutions in Kano, where young, promising and enterprising people coming from his constituency, would be addressed and provided with their scholarship interventions. Producing promising minds for national development. National fruits.

Those opening both sides of their mouth, blaming the Senator for being elusive and invisible towards the development of the state, recently, are either blind or lack proper sense to understand their utterances. Their reading between lines, is dwarfed by sentiment. It is also defeatist in nature, approach and expression.

In less than one week, he was in Kano and empowered ten thousand people across the state. As he spent over two hundred million Naira (N200m).

To cap it all, Distinguished Senator Barau, spent over Two Hundred Billion Naira (N200b) in his years as an examplary legislator from Kano North, on human development interventions. Across his constituency and the state in general. Local roots preparing for national fruition.

His firm belief in welfare state philosophy, informs his effort towards electrifying rural communities in his primary constituency. Hence his support for lighting up his people has been unwavering and genuine. No two ways about it.

Some of the milestones proving the confidence repose in the Senator by his Distinguished colleagues in the Senate, was the Committees he led. He was Chairman Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation ; the similar Committee he chaired in the House of Representatives, during the late Speaker Ghali Umar Na’Abba, of blessed memory. He was also Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

National fruition at its best. Now he is the Deputy Senate President. He was assessed severally by observers from many professional angles and other respected association. For example, he was carefully and genuinely selected to get an award from the Senate Press Corps, tagged ‘2024 Highest Development – Driven Bills Award.’ A rare gem, reserved gentleman, peace loving legislator and focused political leader.

Few inches back before he became Deputy Senate President, he refused to be disillusioned due to all manner of humiliation he was subjected to. A political leader who clearly understands what harmless engagement brings to table.

Yes he started locally from his constituency, but his actions, efforts, visibility, contributions, know – how, impeccable character, noise-less engagements, proper public relations with colleagues and clear focus in official responsibilities, place him above many pretenders.

Part of the national fruits, different Committees he chaired in the Senate and the current position of Deputy Senate President, place him above local champions. Left to me, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) should fix him for national assignment, come 2027. Elected position at best!

In the configuration of political power, Kano is his local constituency, as his name rings bell in the national scheme of things. His legislative intervention cuts across many states of the federation. Let my reader go and search the number of Bills he initiated and toiled to see their passage and get Presidential assent across states. National fruits.

At the regional level, I mean ECOWAS affairs, DSP gives his best to the continued survival of the regional body. From the administrative to resource – based intervention, Distinguished Senator becomes a strong bridge and pillar between Nigerian government and ECOWAS. His smooth facilitation of the ECOWAS protocols and Nigeria’s proper assistance places him high in the eyes of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

His unwavering faith in the development of Africa, presents him to be an expert in foreign policy. He looks like a career Diplomat. All I know is, it is his commitment in Pan Africanism that opens these chances for him. He has been a progressive element since from his university days. Who was shaped by one of the dogged and leading stars of progressive politics in Kano. The former Governor of the old Kano state, late Muhammadu Abubakar Rimi, of blessed memory.

There are moments in history when governments prove themselves not merely negligent but spectacularly absent. Niger North, tragically, is living through such a moment. For three unbroken days, bandits turned Borgu, New Bussa, Ibeto, Salka, Atabo, and Magama into their playground-kidnapping lawyers, carting away citizens, looting cattle, and leaving entire communities traumatized. A war-like campaign, executed in broad daylight, without a whisper of interruption from those sworn to protect us.

And what did the federal and state governments do? Absolutely nothing. Not a statement. Not a condemnation. Not even the tired and recycled assurance of being ‘on top of the situation.’ For three days, silence reigned supreme-louder than the gunfire that echoed across villages.

Two lawyers of noble standing, Ahmed Mohammed Borgu and Isyaku Muhammad Danjuma, were among the abducted, just few days after a Magistrate and a Prison Warden were shot on the legs by bandits at the outskirts of Kontagora. If the abduction of legal practitioners, custodians of justice, does not stir the conscience of government, one wonders what possibly could. Or is it that the kidnappers have now joined the exclusive club of ‘untouchables’ in our nation’s political economy?

The Niger-North Senatorial Zone is not merely disappointed; it is outraged. Outraged that a government that swore to defend lives can maintain such robotic indifference while its citizens are dragged into captivity. Outraged that banditry has become so normalized that operations lasting more than seventy-two hours attract neither intervention nor alarm. Outraged that Niger North has been turned into a laboratory for insecurity, where citizens provide the specimens and bandits conduct the experiments. One might think this is satire, but it is not-it is Nigeria. In Shiroro, Tegina, Kontagora, Mariga, Magama, Ibeto, and Borgu, bandits now operate with the confidence of tax collectors. They determine who travels, who stays, who pays, and who vanishes. Meanwhile, the Government’s presence in these zones is limited to campaign seasons and ribbon cuttings. Security agencies? They arrive only when the damage is complete, to count the bodies and pose for press briefings.

This is not governance. This is abdication dressed in official uniforms. It is betrayal, broadcast daily, with citizens as the audience and victims alike.

The citizens must therefore raise their voice, not merely in protest but in thunderous condemnation. Government must be told, without equivocation, that this silence is complicity, and this inaction is endorsement. Citizens are not pawns to be abandoned on the chessboard of insecurity. They are human beings whose lives are sacred, whose dignity must not be traded for indifference.

Until the government and security agencies wake up to their primary duty, Niger North will remain under the cruel authority of bandits. And if nothing changes, history will record this moment not as the era of banditry, but as the era when Government became a spectator while its citizens perished.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s push for a brighter future of filmmaking in Nigeria is yielding fruits as the state Sugar Factory Film Studios unveiled its first film – Ajuwaya Series.

The movie – 85 per cent of which was executed in the state-of-the-art studios – was financed by Nigeria’s First Lady Sen Oluremi Tinubu, who supported the facility with 350 million naira.

At a media briefing for the unveiling of the project in Ilorin on Tuesday, Managing Director of the Studios, Gbenga Titiloye, said the movie stands the chance of attracting direct foreign investment, ‘because this is the only functional film studio in Africa’.

He commended the Governor’s foresight and his administration’s resolve to create a platform that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality.

‘Today, we gather to celebrate a milestone that marks not just the completion of a facility, but the dawn of a new era in Nigerian cinema and cultural expression-the successful completion of the Ajuwaya project,’ he said.

‘This moment stands as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, perseverance, and collaborative effort converge for the common good. What the Governor has achieved here is foreign direct investment because this is the only functional film studio in Africa, and 85 percent of this movie was done in this studio.

‘His Excellency’s willingness to champion a film studio in Nigeria demonstrates not only a bold strategic mind but also a deep faith in our people and their talent. It is through that foresight and resolve that we have arrived at this moment: a state-backed endeavour that nurtures artistry, innovation, and economic vitality’.

Titiloye also appreciated Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her generous donation to the Sugar Factory Studios, adding that her gesture reflects the spirit of national renewal and investment in the creative economy.

‘This grant (from the First Lady) is more than funding; it is a signal, a beacon, and a pledge that Nigeria will not only tell its stories but export them with pride and excellence,’ he said.

Speaking on the lessons to gain from Ajuwaya, Titiloye said the movie exemplifies how national and regional efforts can combine to create durable infrastructure for culture and economy.

The press briefing was attended by Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor, Princess Olubukola Babalola; Commissioner for Communications, Hon Bola Olukoju; and General Manager, Sugar Factory Film Studios and Producer of the film, Grace Babasola.

Princess Babalola, for her part, urged the youth to take advantage of the Sugar Film Studios to tap into the creative industry, saying theatre work is a model to reflect modern society.

‘This studio is important to economic growth, development growth and projecting our state as a leader in the area of theatre and creative industry generally. So, let us talk to our youth so that they can find their feet in this industry,’ she said.

Olukoju described the production of the Ajuwaya Series as a big win for the state, saying it signals the beginning of a new ecosystem in the creative industry in the sub-national.

‘For us in Kwara State, the creative industry is a big ecosystem. In the time of shooting this film, 1,211 participated. People benefited a lot, we have fashion designers, caterers, transporters, artisans, among others, and if we can have this regularly, it is going to open up the ecosystem of the creative industry. Every part of the economy benefited in the course of producing the film,’ she said.

Babasola lauded AbdulRazaq for the creation of the studios that he noted represents more than just a building or a production house.

‘Governor AbdulRazaq is a leader whose belief in the potential of young creatives has opened new doors for the film and entertainment industry in Nigeria,’ she said.

‘Ajuwaya is just the beginning. It is proof that when opportunity meets passion, great stories emerge that inspire, entertain, and remind us of who we are.’

The National Council of State has unanimously approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presented Amupitan’s nomination to the Council on Wednesday to fill the vacancy created by the exit of Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who served as INEC Chairman from 2015 until October 2025.

The President described Amupitan as ‘a distinguished scholar and an apolitical figure from Kogi State,’ noting that he is the first person from the North-Central state to be nominated for the position.

In line with constitutional provisions, President Tinubu is expected to forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.

Below are things to know about Professor Amupitan

EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION

Born on April 25, 1967, in Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, Professor Amupitan attended Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin (1982-1984), before proceeding to the University of Jos, where he earned his LL.B degree in 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.

He obtained a Master of Laws (LL.M) from the University of Jos in 1993 and later completed a Ph.D. in Law at the same institution in 2007.

ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL CAREER

After his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State Publishing Corporation (1988-1989), Amupitan joined the University of Jos as a lecturer in 1989, marking the beginning of a distinguished academic career.

Over the years, he has served in several key positions at the university, including:

Head, Department of Public Law (2006-2008)

Dean, Faculty of Law (2008-2014)

Chairman, Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014)

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) – a position he currently holds.

In addition to his university duties, he is the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.

Amupitan became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.

PUBLIC SERVICE AND BOARD MEMBERSHIPS

Outside academia, Amupitan has held several national and corporate leadership roles. He served on the Council of Legal Education (2008-2014) and is a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies.

He has also served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited, Vom, and Riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996-2004).

PUBLICATIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

Professor Amupitan is widely published, with several influential works in Nigerian legal scholarship. His books include:

Corporate Governance: Models and Principles (2008)

Documentary Evidence in Nigeria (2008)

Evidence Law: Theory and Practice in Nigeria (2013)

Principles of Company Law (2013)

An Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014)

His areas of expertise span Company Law, Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, and Privatisation Law.

PERSONAL LIFE

Professor Amupitan is married and blessed with four children.

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been drawn into a challenging group alongside France, Germany, Korea, Philippines, and Colombia in the final qualifying phase for the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026.

The draw took place at the Patrick Baumann House of Basketball in Mies, Switzerland, conducted by German star Marie Guelich and former French captain Endy Miyem.

D’Tigress will compete in one of four qualifying tournaments to be held in France, Turkey, China, and Puerto Rico from March 11 to 17, 2026. A total of 24 nations have been divided into four groups of six teams each, battling for 16 spots at the World Cup Finals in Germany.

In each qualifying tournament, the top three teams will advance to the World Cup, along with one Continental Cup winner. However, in the group containing World Cup hosts Germany, only the top two teams will qualify automatically, joining Germany and a Continental Cup champion.

The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will feature 16 teams and take place from September 4-13, 2026, at two venues in Berlin, Germany.

Nigeria’s D’Tigress, four-time AfroBasket champions, will be looking to secure their third consecutive World Cup appearance and continue their rise on the global stage despite facing some of the world’s strongest basketball nations in the qualifiers.

Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have announced the arrest of the suspected armed robbers linked to the death of an ARISE TV staff member, Ms. Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu, and a security guard, Mr. Barnabas Danlami.

The duo lost their lives over the robbery incident at Unique Apartment, Gishiri Village, Katampe District, Abuja.

Our correspondent reports that the incident happened at about 3:30am, on September 29, 2025.

Ms. Somtochukwu reportedly jumped from the balcony of her apartment on the third floor of the building when the robbers invaded the estate. The suspects were identified as:

Shamsudeen Hassan ‘m’ from Malumfashi LGA Katsina state

Hassan Isah ‘m’, 22 years from Zaria kaduna State

Abubakar Alkamu a.k.a. abba ‘m’, 27 years from Musawa LGA katsina state

Sani Sirajo a.k.a. dan borume ‘m’ 20 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Mashkur Jamilu a.k.a. abba ‘m’ 28 years from Igabi LGA kaduna state

Suleiman Badamasi a.k.a. dan-sule ‘m’ 21 years from Malumfashi LGA katsina state

Abdul Salam saleh a.k.a. na-durudu ‘m’ from katsina lga katsina State

Zaharadeen Muhammad a.k.a. gwaska ‘m’ 23 years from chikun lga kaduna state

Musa adamu a.k.a. musa hassan ‘m’ 30 years from malumfashi lga katsina state

Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. baby ‘m’ 27 years from Sammaka LGA, Kaduna state 11.Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. abbati ‘m’, 25 years from Zaria LGA, Kaduna state

Musa Umar a.k.a. small ‘m’ 31 years from Maiduguri LGA Borno state.

In its statement on Thursday, the police said shortly after the incident, four of the suspects were arrested through the tracking of the phones stolen from the building.

The police said Shamsudeen Hassan, one of the suspects, confessed to have shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the building.

Sani Sirajo, another suspect reportedly said he held the victim from falling off the storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

‘Operatives of the scorpion squad led by ACP Victor Godfrey acting on actionable digital and reconstructive intelligence provided by Giga Forensics, a subsidiary of EIB STRATOC, have successfully arrested twelve (12) of the armed robbers that were involved in that operation.’

‘During interrogation, Shamsudeen Hassan confessed that he shot the security guard when he attempted to prevent them from gaining access to the apartment.

‘Sani Sirajo confessed to have tried to hold Somtochukwu Christella Maduagwu from falling off the three-storey building but was overwhelmed by her weight.

‘Shamsudeen further confessed that he drove the white Honda CR-V jeep out of the apartment after the operation. The four suspects admitted that they each received ?200,000 from the proceeds of the crime.

‘Recovered exhibits include: one (1) fabricated AK-47 rifle; thirty-six (36) rounds of 9mm live ammunition; one (1) locally made pistol; one (1) pump-action gun; two (2) live cartridges; four (4) mobile phones of the victims; two (2) sharp knives; one (1) cutlass; nine (9) torchlights used during the operation.’

The Federal Government lost a total of 13.5 million barrels of crude oil worth $3.3 billion to theft and pipeline sabotage between 2023 and 2024, the Nigerian Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), has disclosed.

Executive Secretary of NEITI, Dr. Ogbonanya Orji, disclosed this in Lagos at the 2025 Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria (NAEC) conference in Lagos on Thursday.

He decried the lack of transparency and accountability that had bedeviled the oil and gas industry, saying there was the need for openness, transparency and innovation in driving the oil and gas value chain.

He spoke on the theme, ‘Nigeria’s Energy Future: Exploring Opportunities and Addressing Risks for Sustainable Growth.’ Orji noted that the lost revenue could have supported a full year of the federal health budget or provided energy access to millions of households.

He further disclosed that its 2021-2022 Oil and Gas Industry Reports indicated that Nigeria earned $23.04 billion in 2021 and $23.05 billion in 2022 from the sector.

In addition, it stated that N1.5 trillion were owed to the Federation by some companies and government agencies, saying the funds could have supported the provision of energy infrastructure and healthcare to the people.

This is why transparency and accountability are not optional but necessary conditions to guarantee a more sustainable energy future for Nigeria, he stated.

The ES stated that NEITI is committed to ensuring that every barrel of crude produced is duly accounted for, noting that the secrecy in the value chain remains a matter of concern.

According to him, there is the need for reliable data in the industry as ‘data build trust, trust drives investment, investment generates revenues and revenues deliver impact.

He said, ‘Over the past decade, NEITI has evolved from an auditing agency to a governance reform institution.

‘We have institutionalised regular audits of oil, gas, and solid mineral sectors, tracking production, payments, and remediation; developed Nigeria’s Beneficial Ownership Register, unmasking the true owners of over 4,800 extractive assets, and helping the government combat corruption and illicit financial flows; and launched the NEITI Data Centre-a national open-data infrastructure that provides real-time public access to industry information.

‘We have also strengthened partnerships with NUPRC, NMDPRA, and NCDMB to promote transparency in licensing, metering, and host community trust management and introduced the Just Energy Transition and Climate Accountability Framework to ensure that Nigeria’s shift to cleaner energy is transparent, inclusive, and fair.’

The Department of State Services (DSS) has warned Nigerians against dealing with Barry Donald, who has been dismissed from the agency.

In a statement, the secret police said the dismissed official had been using the agency’s name to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

The agency cautioned members of the public to avoid any form of dealings with him, adding that anyone who needs clarification or wishes to make an enquiry should contact the DSS directly.

‘The Department of State Services (DSS) hereby alerts members of the public of the activities of one Barry Donald, a dismissed staff. He is reportedly engaging in unscrupulous activities, including using the name of the Service to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.’

‘Members of the public are therefore advised to desist from any dealings with him. For requests, enquiries or complaints the Service can be reached on 09088373515 or via email: dsspr@dss.gov.ng,’ the statement read.

The House of Representatives has resolved to review the existing university admission age policy while pledging continued support for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and other examination bodies to enable them to effectively discharge their mandates.

Chairman of the House Committee on Basic Examination Bodies, Rep. Oforji Oboku, gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja when members of the committee visited the venue of the ongoing examination for exceptional underage children seeking university admissions.

Rep. Oboku commended the exceptional performance of the young candidates participating in the examination, describing them as a source of pride to the nation.

‘The performance of these underage students shows that our educational system is moving in the right direction. We are very proud of JAMB, and we will continue to support and encourage them to do more,’ he said. On the issue of the age limit for university admission, Rep. Oboku clarified that the policy originated from the Federal Ministry of Education, not JAMB, but assured that the House will review it as part of broader educational reforms.

‘The issue of age limit is not JAMB’s decision; it’s a government policy. JAMB is only implementing what the Ministry of Education has approved. However, we will look into it and, if the need arises, take the necessary legislative steps,’ he added.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has moved closer to achieving a two-thirds majority in the Senate as its membership rose to 72 following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu (Enugu East) from the Labour Party (LP) and the swearing-in of Senator Joseph Ikpea (Edo Central).

Senator Kelvin Chukwu, representing Enugu East, formally defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the APC on Wednesday. His defection letter was read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary.

Also, Senator Joseph Ikpea was sworn in as senator for Edo Central after winning the recent by-election held to fill the seat vacated by Senator Monday Okpebholo, who became governor of Edo State in 2024.

Similarly, Emmanuel Nwachukwu of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) was sworn in to represent Anambra South. He replaces Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died in 2024. With the Senate comprising 109 members, two-thirds mathematically equals 72.66. However, legislative practice dictates rounding up to 73 because constitutional provisions requiring ‘not less than two-thirds’ must meet the next whole number. This interpretation aligns with Sections 143 and 188 of the 1999 Constitution, which set the same voting threshold for presidential and gubernatorial impeachments.

The APC’s new strength of 72 senators now puts it a single seat away from that constitutional majority. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has 28 senators, the Labour Party 4, APGA 2, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) 2, and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) 1.

Analysts warn of democratic imbalance as Akpabio mocks opposition

Meanwhile, analysts have warned that if the APC secures a two-thirds majority, it could pass executive bills and requests without opposition support, undermining the legislature’s independence.

Political scientist Professor Gbade Ojo described the development as ‘deeply concerning,’ saying it could lead to ‘a subtle dictatorship.’

‘When a ruling party controls the parliament to the extent of holding a two-thirds majority, it erodes the principle of checks and balances,’ he said. ‘The National Assembly risks becoming a rubber stamp for the executive, compromising its oversight role.’

He also criticised the weakness of opposition parties, saying internal disunity and ideological vacuum had worsened their decline. ‘The opposition has failed to put its house in order. Everyone is fighting for survival, not principles,’ he added.

Moments after Chukwu’s defection letter was read, Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) hailed the move, saying more lawmakers were joining the APC ‘because the APC-led government is working.’

He argued that the Labour Party’s internal disarray forced Chukwu’s defection, while Senate President Akpabio mocked opposition parties, describing them as ‘tattered’ and urging them to ‘put their houses in order.’

‘I want a vibrant opposition. But the opposition is tattered. Please, put your houses in order, ‘he said.

After mocking the opposition, Akpabio asked Senator Moro, the Minority Leader to speak. In his remarks, Moro said the remaining opposition senators would remain strong till 2027.

He said, it was sad that Senator Chukwu defected to the APC. Moro said despite claiming in his letter that he had consulted widely before his defection, he (Moro) was not consulted.

He said, ‘He (Senator Chukwu) came here on sympathy vote’ after his brother was killed before the 2023 election.

To Akpabio, Senator Moro said, ‘The house (APC) is becoming too full, it should worry you.’

In his letter to the Senate, Chukwu blamed his decision on ‘internal wrangling, leadership crisis, and lack of focus’ within the Labour Party.

‘Recent developments within the Labour Party, including lack of cohesion and direction, have made it increasingly difficult for me to effectively discharge my duties,’ he said.

Chukwu added that the APC, under President Bola Tinubu, offered ‘a more stable, progressive, and inclusive platform’ for achieving national unity and good governance.