Lawmaker blames opposition crisis for defections

Published

3 months ago

March 6, 2025

A member of the House of Representatives, Cyriacus Umeha, has blamed the wave of defections from opposition parties to the ruling party on a lack of leadership.

Umeha, representing Ezeagu/Udi Federal Constituency, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that opposition parties were experiencing a leadership crisis.

“Labour Party, which I belong to, is in crisis at both ward and national levels. The PDP and even NNPP are also facing leadership crises,” he said.

The lawmaker stressed the need for opposition parties to unite and speak with one voice, saying that only then would defections stop.

He emphasised that every politician was committed to working under a harmonised and united political party leadership.

According to him, the opposition lacks credible and united leadership, forcing members to seek stability in the ruling party.

Umeha regretted the leadership tussle within the Labour Party, saying it had caused divisions and weakened the party.

“The Labour Party was seen as a third force with great expectations from Nigerians. Unfortunately, it is now in crisis,” he said.

However, he reaffirmed his dedication to delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents through developmental projects.

He stated that he had provided water to rural communities and constructed rural roads to improve livelihoods.

Umeha also urged INEC to fulfil its duty of replacing vacant seats in the National Assembly without delay.

He criticised INEC’s failure to conduct elections within 90 days as required by the constitution, calling it unhealthy for Nigeria’s democracy.

NAN reports that there has been a wave of defections in the National Assembly, particularly from opposition parties to the ruling party.

NAN

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NTAC Hails Tinubu; Volunteers Ready to Positively Impact Nigerians

Published

9 hours ago

June 4, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) has commended President Bola Tinubu for funding the Technical Aid Corps (TAC) Scheme.

The Director General (DG) of NTAC , Dr Yusuf Yakub, made the commendation during a ceremony to receive five returning TAC volunteers from Zanzibar, Tanzania on Tuesday in Abuja.
The returning volunteers also expressed readiness to impact knowledge gained from participating in the programme on Nigerians.

TAC is a mechanism for Nigeria’s foreign aid and technical assistance to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries through the use of Nigeria’s abundant trained manpower.

Yakub lauded Tinubu’s visionary leadership and steadfast support for the TAC Scheme.

Welcoming the volunteers who had discharged themselves as worthy ambassadors in Zanzibar, the D-G thanked them for their patriotism, dedication to service and for making Nigeria proud on the international arena.

The NTAC boss highlighted the importance of knowledge-sharing, while announcing that certificates of completion will be presented to the volunteers in line with the noble objectives of the service.

He also emphasised the volunteers’ crucial role in passing on the skills and experiences gained in Zanzibar.

He expressed optimism that their efforts would positively impact the lives of Nigerians across the country and shape the expectations and service-delivery of future prospective volunteers.

Earlier speaking, Amb. Zakari Usman, the Director of Programmes for NTAC, expressed gratitude to the D-G for his unwavering support and provision for the volunteers throughout their service period.
He said that the volunteers had so delivered on the mandate of the agency that citizens of Zanzibar did not want them to leave their country.
Popoola Adegoke, the Team Lead and a Mathematics Instructor for the batch of returning volunteers, was full of gratitude to the Federal Government for providing them the opportunity to participate in the scheme.

Adegoke said that Nigeria, was well blessed and had the abundance of both human and natural resources to contribute meaningfully to the development of many countries of the world.

He said that the need to continue the TAC Scheme was not negotiable, owing to its high impact and results.

Mohammed Salisu, a Physicist, said that the experience had broadened his horizon as his orientation during the last 24 months in Zanzibar, especially on the cultural exchange.

He lauded the government for the scheme, saying that Nigeria is seen and perceived to be higher in all ranking, especially in the standard of living and educational system.

He also appealed to the government to sustain the scheme to close the gaps both the educational and professional systems in the African, Caribbean and the Pacific Countries.
NAN

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