Politics
Yahaya Abdullahi Slams Tinubu Govt On Budget Execution
Yahaya Abdullahi, senator representing Kebbi north, says the federal government’s handling of the 2024 budget has “eroded” public trust.
Speaking on Tuesday at the senate plenary, Abdullahi criticised the executive for failing to implement the budget and allegedly stalling payments to contractors, saying the situation poses a threat to national stability.
Abdullahi was contributing to a debate on a bill sponsored by Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun west, which seeks to amend the 2024 appropriation act by extending its capital component to December 31, 2025.
“The second reading that has been rendered on this issue by our chairman of appropriation, to me, is quite interesting,” Abdullahi said.
“First, it’s interesting because I believe that the national assembly is not being taken into confidence by the executive arm of government on this very serious matter.
“This budget should have been implemented and everything done by December 31, 2024. We extended it by another six months to the end of June this year. Right now, what is going on is that activities of the government are being stalled.”
He claimed that the situation has left contractors stranded and ministries paralysed.
“Contractors who have even succeeded in completing their projects have not been paid,” he said.
“The system that they have adopted in getting payment done centrally from the office of the accountant-general of the federation has woefully failed.”
Abdullahi added that despite the national assembly’s efforts to alert the ministry of finance and other relevant agencies, no meaningful change has occurred.
“People have committed their resources, conducted government work, did everything, but up to now their payments have been stalled,” he said.
“There are so many projects, some ministries where even no work has been done in terms of going through the appropriation processes. So I think we need to know what really is happening.
“Some people are saying that there is a cash flow problem or whatever. I mean, the credibility of this government is getting very, very down.
“Workers whose salaries have been increased — we say we are giving them N35,000 additional money, we have created minimum wage, N70,000 — nobody has seen anything.
“So I think for the purpose of its own credibility, this government has to come to explain to Nigerians what is happening.”
He urged the leadership of the national assembly to take the matter directly to President Bola Tinubu.
“I think the leadership of the national assembly should engage, even if it means going to the Mr President because the country is financially bleeding,” he said.
“People are losing confidence in the capacity of the government to deliver on its own projects and promises.”
Abdullahi, who served as senate leader in the ninth assembly, said the situation was unprecedented in his legislative experience.
“This is the third session of my presence in this national assembly. We never had this. It has never happened like this,” he said.
He also criticised the return of a “cumbersome” and centralised payment system, which he said is starving ministries of funds and crippling project execution.
“The 2024 budget — we might forget about it. It has not even started,” he added.
The bill was, however, passed after the senate suspended its rules to fast-track first, second, and third readings.
ABDULLAHI’S DEFECTION TO APC
His comments come just six weeks after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Abdullahi was one of the Kebbi senators who defected from the PDP to the APC on May 13.
The others are Adamu Aliero, senator representing Kebbi central; and Garba Maidoki, Kebbi south senator.
Thecable.ng
Senator Ipalibo Banigo has officially dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Banigo’s defection letter was read on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
As reported by The Punch, the federal lawmaker said her decision to join APC is to advance development in Rivers State and President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Banigo, representing Rivers West Senatorial District, said her decision is intended to align politically with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“The decision follows extensive consultations with my constituents, my political associates, and critical stakeholders across my senatorial district, given the prevailing internal divisions, protracted leadership disputes, and ongoing litigations within the People’s Democratic Party, which have adversely affected cohesion.
“This decision is also predicated on my resolve to join my political mentor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in supporting President Bola Tinubu, to actualize his re-election bids and enable the President to continue his evident economic reforms, which have significantly improved the economic situation, enhanced currency stability, and driven numerous infrastructural developments across our dear nation.”
Zamfara state deputy governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, has announced the defection of the state’s leadership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The news means President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has further consolidated his political grip across Nigeria following the defection of the Zamfara state government to the APC.
In a video that has gone viral, the announcement was made by Zamfara Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal, confirming that the state leadership had formally aligned with the ruling party.
The move widens Tinubu’s influence at the subnational level, with the APC now governing more than 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states. The development reinforces the party’s dominance as 2027 general elections draw near.
Barely any last minute change, Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State and his Oyo State counterpart Seyi Makinde will quit their membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, before April, DAILY POST reports.
It has been a tumultuous period for the PDP as its key leaders continue to defect following the protracted leadership tussle bedeviling the opposition platform.
A credible source familiar with developments in the party told DAILY POST weekend that while Bala Mohammed is on his way to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Makinde has concluded plans to join the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The source, who spoke anonymously, told our correspondent that “all the PDP leaders are leaving. Bala Mohammed is already in APC, Makinde is on his way to ADC”.
How governors resigned from PDP
Since 2023 general elections, no fewer than 9 PDP governors have left the party, citing an irreconcilable crisis in the opposition party.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State was first to dump the party for APC in April 2025.
Subsequently, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom joined the ruling party in June 2025, followed by Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who also decamped to APC in October 2025.
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri joined APC in November 2025, followed by the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who also defected to the ruling party in December 2025.
In January this year, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, Agbu Kefas of Taraba State and Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State all dumped PDP for the ruling party.
Only Ademola Adeleke of Osun State defected to the Accord Party in December 2025.
Meanwhile, Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has indicated interest to dump PDP for APC.
DAILY POST gathered that Governor Dauda will be officially received into the party immediately after the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Both federal and state lawmakers are not left out in the gale of defections from the PDP to the ruling APC.
According to a tracking by the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre up to January 2026, 66 PDP federal lawmakers have defected to APC since the 10th National Assembly began in June 2023.
No fewer than 19 senators and 47 House of Representatives members dumped PDP for APC
Defectors move to beat INEC deadline
Politicians planning to defect to another party are under pressure to conclude their plans before April following the new election timetable recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
In the new timetable, INEC fixed January 16, 2027 for the presidential and National Assembly elections, while governorship and state houses of assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
However, the conduct of party primary elections, including resolution of disputes arising from primaries, will commence on April 23, 2026 and end on May 30, 2026.
DAILY POST reports that under the revised schedule, political parties are required to submit their membership register to the electoral body between April 1, 2026 and April 21, 2026 in line with Section 77(4) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The electoral law requires registers to be submitted “not later than 21 days to the conduct of party primaries.”
Similarly, political parties must conduct their primaries latest May 30, 2026 to enable them “democratically nominate candidates for the election as required by Section 84 of the Electoral Act, 2026,” said INEC.
Tinubu Makes 2 Fresh Appointments, Senate Takes Action
JUST IN: Top Female Senator Dumps PDP For APC, Details Emerge
BREAKING: Tinubu Issues Nationwide Message to Nigerians , “We Will Never Surrender”
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
