Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Opposition political parties, including the Peoples Democratic Party, New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Labour Party, have seen a wave of defections to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The PDP, NNPP, and Coalition of United Political Parties accused the APC-led Federal Government of exploiting state resources to coerce politicians into switching allegiance. Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and all party members in the state have officially defected to the APC, citing internal conflicts and other issues. Senator Kawu Sumaila has formally confirmed his defection from the National Peoples Democratic Party (NNPP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Sumaila cited his commitment to his constituents as his primary concern, stating that all politics is local. His departure has also sparked rumors that former presidential candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso may return to the APC. Oluwole Oke, a long-serving member of the House of Representatives, has also announced his resignation from the PDP. Meanwhile, LP Senator Neda Imasuen is on the verge of defecting to the APC, with efforts underway to strengthen the party's ranks nationally and in the state.

The battle for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party took a new twist on Monday in Abuja when loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, forcefully took over the party’s National Secretariat, Wadata Plaza, in the absence of governors elected on the party’s platform and their loyalists. Members of the National Working Committee, led by the party’s National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who have been enjoying the support of the PDP governors, were nowhere near the secretariat when the Wike-backed faction took over on Monday. It was not clear, as of the time of filing this report, what the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, intended to do in the interim, with Damagum appearing to have lost out in the power tussle. Earlier on Monday, a few minutes after 9 am, the Wike-led faction of the PDP headed by Mohammed gathered at the party’s Federal Capital Territory office.

The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has opposed the expulsion of several prominent party leaders during a convention in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was attended by over 3,000 delegates despite conflicting court orders. A ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja had instructed that the convention be suspended due to concerns over member participation and constitutional guidelines, while an Oyo State High Court allowed the event to proceed. The resulting division has left the PDP fractured between Wike's faction and those aligned with Governor Seyi Makinde. Following the convention, expelled leaders, including Abdulrahman Mohammed, claimed the proceedings were illegal, and many vowed to continue their roles in the party. The PDP’s Southwest zone commended Makinde for his leadership, asserting that the convention was a significant step towards revitalizing the party for future elections.

The House of Representatives has decided to create an ad hoc committee to investigate abandoned government-owned properties across Nigeria, estimated to be valued at over N20tn. This decision follows a motion by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda, aimed at recovering national assets and preventing resource wastage. A 2021 report highlighted around 11,866 abandoned federal projects, comprising 63% of initiatives since independence. Key properties include the Federal Secretariat Complex in Ikoyi, various buildings in Abuja and Niger State, among others. Chinda criticized the lack of final reporting from the Presidential Implementation Committee on Federal Properties, raising concerns of accountability. He called for public-private partnerships to restore these assets. The committee is tasked with verifying property statuses and recommending recovery strategies, with a report due in six weeks.

President Bola Tinubu has urged the House of Representatives to quickly pass the National Cocoa Management Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025, which aims to revitalize Nigeria’s cocoa industry. In a letter to Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, he emphasized that the bill would create a regulatory body to promote and coordinate cocoa-related activities. Tinubu stated that the board would enhance the cocoa value chain, improve quality standards, and bolster Nigeria's role in the global cocoa market. He reiterated his administration's commitment to agricultural reform and expressed confidence in the lawmakers to support this initiative.