The Labour Party (LP) has raised concerns about the democratic principles of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in relation to leadership decisions within the legislative branch. This follows the removal of Senator Ali Ndume from his position as Senate Chief Whip.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, July 17, Senate President Godswill Akpabio read a letter from the APC leadership calling for Ndume’s removal. The APC also urged Ndume, known for his outspoken criticism of President Bola Tinubu, to resign and consider joining an opposition party.
In a statement, Obiora Ifoh, the LP’s National Publicity Secretary, condemned Ndume’s removal, suggesting that it reflects a broader trend where speaking truth to power is becoming punishable in Nigeria. Ifoh described the Senate’s actions as a move towards dictatorship.
“The crime of Senator Ndume was his bold expression of concerns regarding the escalating cost of living and food scarcity in Nigeria. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu has chosen to ignore the acute starvation being witnessed in the country,” Ifoh stated.
Ifoh also referenced the recent suspension of Senator Abdul Ningi, who had exposed alleged budget padding by the Senate leadership and executive collaborators. He argued that such actions intimidate senators from fulfilling their representative roles.
Highlighting the economic crisis, Ifoh noted that the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported a 40.66 percent rise in food inflation. He criticized the government for spending about N150 billion on a presidential jet and infrastructure projects that do not address the country’s economic issues.
“This is clearly a tyranny of a cabal against legislative autonomy. Nigeria is gradually descending into dictatorship. We urge citizens to be vigilant and defend against the administration’s use of starvation as a weapon,” Ifoh concluded.
