The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has accused President Tinubu and APC of prioritising 2027 re-election over addressing Nigeria’s security and welfare of citizens
The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise the welfare and security of Nigerians over preparations for the 2027 general elections, warning that the country is sliding deeper into crisis.
The caucus, led by Rep. Afam Victor Ogene, expressed disappointment and concern in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja, accusing the APC-led administration of focusing on re-election politics while Nigerians grapple with rising insecurity, economic hardship and poor governance.
While acknowledging that President Tinubu’s desire to seek a second term is legitimate, the lawmakers stressed that addressing the nation’s pressing challenges should be paramount.
“The primary duty of any government is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizens,” the caucus stated, describing the ruling party’s focus on 2027 politics as “insensitive, unconscionable and a clear example of questionable leadership.”
They lamented that insecurity continues to worsen nationwide, even as what they described as “superficial solutions” are offered instead of concrete action. According to the lawmakers, the situation has been compounded by the government’s inability to adequately fund the budget or demonstrate accountability.
“The situation has led to prolonged protests by local contractors who remain unpaid for completed projects, sparking economic hardship, stalled development, and a dearth of new projects,” the statement noted, referencing recent vigils held by contractors at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The LP caucus also accused the Tinubu administration of disregarding the Appropriation Act, alleging that budgetary provisions are routinely ignored. They questioned the prioritisation of large-scale projects such as the controversial multi-trillion-naira coastal road, which they said lacks proper appropriation and procurement processes, while critical federal road infrastructure remains in disrepair.
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According to the lawmakers, these conditions pose grave concerns for Nigerians, especially as the festive season approaches, with road users facing both deteriorating highways and heightened risks of kidnapping.
Of particular concern, the caucus cited what it described as opaque spending of N17.5 trillion in 2024 alone on a pipeline security contract, as revealed in audited accounts of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
“Nigerians would remember that over a 12-year period, the country spent about N18 trillion on subsidy, which benefitted everyone through affordable transportation and cheaper costs of foodstuffs,” Rep. Ogene said. “But on the excuse of lack of funds to sustain the subsidy regime, this administration has clearly robbed Peter (Nigerians) to pay Paul (cronies), through a questionable pipeline-security contract whose executors are unknown.”
The statement painted a bleak picture of governance, criticising all arms of government. The executive was described as underwhelming, the judiciary as questionable in its decisions, and the legislature as lacking the courage to hold the executive accountable.
“Our dear country, Nigeria, has become a special economic zone: everyone and everything now has a price,” the caucus said, alleging that kidnappers, elected officials, opposition figures and even religious leaders have been drawn into what it called a “gravely monetised polity.”
The lawmakers further alleged poor budget implementation across ministries, departments and agencies, claiming that as of December 2025, most could not boast of even 10 per cent execution of capital projects, with some recording zero performance.
“Nigeria is on a negative cruise,” the statement read, pointing to unpaid contractors occupying government offices, retired police officers protesting at the National Assembly and daily kidnappings across the country, while authorities focus on launching vehicles under the renewed hope agenda.
The caucus warned that worsening road conditions and insecurity have turned what were once six-hour journeys from Lagos or Abuja to parts of the south-south and south-east into day-long trips fraught with fear of abduction.
They also criticised the 10th National Assembly, with some lawmakers reportedly describing it as the worst in Nigeria’s democratic history, reduced to “puppetry and rubber-stamping” and offering no tangible benefits to citizens.
Calling for an urgent change of direction, the LP caucus appealed to both the ruling party and the opposition to put politics aside.
“We must not continue on this sorry path,” the statement concluded. “Both the ruling party and opposition must prioritise the people’s welfare. Citizens are the backbone of democracy, and their interests should come above all else.”
