The Lamidi Apapa wing of the Labour Party (LP) has raised objections to the Nigeria Labour Congress’s (NLC) appointment of an interim chairman for the party in Gombe State, labeling the decision unacceptable.

Additionally, the Julius Abure faction expressed ignorance of the appointment, citing the presence of an existing substantive state chairman in Gombe.

This development exacerbates the existing rift between the NLC and LP leadership, with recent tensions culminating in accusations from the NLC against LP National Chairman Julius Abure of unilateral control over the party’s affairs.

Under the leadership of its National Secretary, Chris Uyot, the NLC political commission intervened by endorsing Sani Abdulsalam, the former Gombe LP Chairman reportedly ousted by the Julius Abure-led National Working Committee for alleged anti-party conduct.

Uyot announced Abdulsalam’s appointment to oversee the party’s affairs until local government elections are held in the state.

A copy of the letter detailing this decision was sent to the Independent National Electoral Commission, Department of State Services, Gombe State Police Command, and the Secretary to the Gombe State Government.

The letter partly read, “To whom it may concern. We bring you fraternal greetings from the NLC political commission. We write to communicate the appointment of Alhaji Sani Abdulsalam as interim Chairman of LP in Gombe.

“His appointment is for the period up till the conduct of local government elections in Gombe State. Thereafter, a more substantive state transition committee of the Labour Party in Gombe State will be constituted.

“While we look forward to your cooperation, please accept the renewed assurance of our highest esteem.”

In a telephone conversation on Sunday, Abayomi Arabambi, the spokesperson for the Apapa faction, distanced themselves from the arrangement.

Arabambi emphasized that the NLC lacked the authority to enforce any individual on the party.

He stated, “The NLC political commission is not a party. We intend to take very drastic constitutional action against them. Already, we have warned them not to disobey the constitution of our party. They are merely a pressure group.

“No section of the LP constitution ceded the control of the party to the NLC or TUC. Furthermore, it is rather unfortunate that while some well-meaning members of the party are striving and making attempts to steer the ship of the nation on the path of growth and genuine development towards the repositioning of our party for victory in 2027, the NLC and its political commission are determined to destroy, tear down and demolish the party on the quest for personal aggrandisement.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, echoed similar sentiments.

He affirmed that the LP already had a legitimate state chairman in Gombe and revealed that the Abure-led NWC was not informed about the recent development.

Ifoh clarified that Abdulsalam, the endorsed figure, was previously removed from his position as state chairman due to alleged anti-party actions.

He stated, “We are unaware of this development as the Labour Party maintains its leadership structure in Gombe State. We have LP chairmen established in all 36 states and the FCT. In Gombe, we are already working with a chairman recognized by INEC.”

“Anybody can come out to claim he appoints somebody. Just like INEC, we are not aware of it. The so-called appointed person, Abdulsalam, was a former chairman disengaged by LP for anti-party activities.

“A new leadership was elected into office after his exit. But because of the conflict we had with the NLC, the same man went around to congress and they recognised him.

“However, I think it is a mere recognition and not an appointment in the true sense. But we are not interested in joining issues with anybody in the media. For now, we are gradually working towards resolving the crisis between LP and NLC.”

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has taken legal action against the governors of the 36 states of Nigeria and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for allegedly failing to disclose and publish the details of loans totaling N5.9 trillion and $4.6 billion obtained by their respective states and the FCT.

The lawsuit, filed under suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/592/2024, was lodged on Friday at the Federal High Court in Abuja by SERAP’s legal team consisting of Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi, and Valentina Adegoke.

In a statement released on Sunday, SERAP urged the court to compel the governors and Mr. Wike to provide an account of the loans and publish the loan agreements, as well as the locations of projects financed by the loans.

The lawsuit follows SERAP’s previous demand, outlined in a statement issued by the organization’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on March 31, 2024, which was directed to the 37 respondents.

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, expressed concern over the substantial debt inherited from his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, on May 29, 2023, stating that the state is now struggling to meet financial obligations such as salary payments.

Sani disclosed that his administration inherited a total of $587 million, N85 billion, and 115 contract liabilities from the previous governor.

In its latest statement, SERAP called upon the court to compel the governors and Mr. Wike to involve the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission in investigating the expenditure of all loans acquired by their respective states and the FCT.

In the suit, SERAP is arguing that “it is in the public interest to grant the reliefs sought. Nigerians have the right to see and scrutinise the loan agreements and know the details of how the domestic and external loans obtained by the governors and FCT minister are spent.

“Opacity in the spending of the loans obtained by the governors and Mr. Wike would continue to have negative impacts on the fundamental interests of the citizens.”

The statement highlighted concerns that numerous states, including the FCT, allegedly utilize public funds, potentially including loans, to finance unnecessary travel, purchase luxury vehicles, and support extravagant lifestyles of politicians.

It further asserted that there are purported mismanagement issues regarding public funds, including both domestic and external loans obtained from various institutions and agencies.

SERAP stressed the necessity of transparency in loan spending, emphasizing its significance in enhancing accountability, curbing corruption, and fostering trust in democratic institutions, ultimately aiming to bolster the rule of law.

The statement also emphasized that state governors and the FCT minister cannot use the excuse that the Freedom of Information Act does not apply to their jurisdictions.

It asserted that legal obligations to disclose the requested information are imposed by both the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Although no hearing date has been set for the suit, SERAP lamented that the country’s high poverty rate, underdevelopment, and lack of access to public goods and services are attributed to years of alleged corruption and mismanagement of public funds, including loans obtained by states and the FCT.

SERAP cited the Debt Management Office, stating that the combined public domestic debt of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory amounts to N5.9 trillion, while the total public external debt stands at $4.6 billion.

However, SERAP expressed concerns that both domestic and external loans obtained by states and the FCT are susceptible to corruption and mismanagement.

As a result, the respondents are urged to prioritize transparency and accountability in the utilization of these loans to mitigate the risk of corruption and mismanagement.

APC members are reeling from the tragic death of Alaba Abe, also known as Excel, a coordinator of the Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC) in Akoko South-West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

According to a statement by LACO-FSIC’s State Information Director Kayode Fasua, Excel was fatally shot in front of his residence in Supare town on Saturday, April 27th.

He characterized the deceased campaign coordinator as “resourceful,” further noting that the news has stunned members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the council.

The statement reads “The Lucky Aiyedatiwa Campaign Organisation Foot Soldiers Independent Council (LACO-FSIC) on Sunday decried the gruesome murder of one of its ward coordinators in Akoko Southwest Local Government area of Ondo State, Mr. Alaba Abe Excel, with an appeal to the police authorities to protect its members against implacable opponents.

Fasua quoted Mr. Nurudeen Kazeem, the LACO-FSIC Director of Information and Online News for Akoko Southwest, expressing that the incident was a rude shock to APC members in the local council, who were dedicated to the governor’s election in November this year.

In response, Hon. David Ajobiewe, the Director-General for the LACO-FSIC in Akoko Southwest Local Government, also echoed the sentiment, describing the incident as a rude shock.

He said “Excel had been a resourceful coordinator for the Aiyedatiwa campaign organisation in Ward 10 of Supare and was never known to be violent and never had any history of local or domestic dispute.

“We urge the police authorities to step up investigations into his gruesome murder and bring the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.”

Meanwhile, the Convener of the LACO-FSIC, Dr. Oladipupo Okeyomi, also known as Carry Go, along with Co-convener Prince Biyi Poroye, conveyed heartfelt condolences from Governor Aiyedatiwa, the campaign group, and the APC leadership in Ondo State on the tragic loss.

Similarly, the State Director-General of the LACO-FSIC, who also serves as the state Commissioner for Sports and Youth Development, Mr. Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, denounced the incident as terrible and unnecessary, expressing sympathy for the family, friends, and associates of the late Excel.