The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas has warned that wealthy individuals are turning political parties into personal investments, undermining the democratic process.

Speaking at a technical workshop on the Political Parties Bill (HB1862) in Abuja, Abbas highlighted the absence of ideological foundations in Nigerian political parties, describing them as vehicles for power control rather than democratic institutions.

The workshop, organised by Yiaga Africa and The Kukah Centre with funding from the European Union, focused on addressing gaps in political party regulation.

Represented by Rt. Ishaya David Lalu, Abbas stressed that democracy cannot thrive without internal democratic processes for candidate selection.

“In Nigeria, political parties are not founded on any principle or ideology,” he said, noting that they often serve as platforms for power-sharing among elites rather than promoting public interest.

The proposed Political Parties Bill aims to enhance transparency and accountability by establishing an independent body to regulate party activities, including campaign financing.

Abbas argued that such measures would curb the influence of “moneybags” who hijack parties or impose candidates during elections.

He cited the United States’ Federal Election Commission and the United Kingdom’s Electoral Commission as models for effective regulation, contrasting them with Nigeria’s current system, where the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) lacks robust legislative backing to oversee party funding.

In his welcome remarks,Hon. Zakari Dauda Nyampa, Chairman of the House Committee on Political Matters, echoed Abbas’ concerns, noting that unregulated primaries often lead to crises within parties.

“This bill is key to ensuring accountability, transparency, and proper regulation of political party funding,” he said, underscoring its importance for Nigeria’s evolving democracy.

In his goodwill message,Samson Itodo, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, emphasised Nigeria’s strategic importance in African politics, warning that weak political parties undermine democracy.

“Our parties are built around individuals, not institutions, making them easily captured,” Itodo said, advocating for stronger systems to ensure ideological coherence and public participation.

Also at the event,Alhaji Yusuf Dantalle, National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), called for greater public engagement with the bill, noting that it has yet to be uploaded online for scrutiny.

He stressed the need for stakeholders to thoroughly assess the legislation to ensure it reflects citizens’ aspirations. IPAC plans to convene a General Assembly to discuss the bill and present its position to the National Assembly.

On his part ,Fr. Atta Barkindo, Executive Director of The Kukah Centre, described the bill as a timely opportunity to strengthen internal democracy and institutionalise overdue reforms.

“The quality of political party operations directly impacts the integrity of our elections,” he said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has criticised a former Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, over what he described as his “disparaging comments” about Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu, in a post on his X handle on Monday, accused Obi of making “unflattering remarks” about Nigeria and the administration of President Bola Tinubu, while speaking at an event at Johns Hopkins University, USA.

Obi had in a post on his X handle on April 25, said that the failure of a nation depends largely on its political leadership, as nations could achieve sustainable growth and development with competent, capable and compassionate political leadership, with integrity.

The former Anambra governor decried the level of poverty in Nigeria, saying that the country has more poor people than China, Indonesia and Vietnam combined.

He said, “In the area of poverty, Nigeria with about 50 million poor people, had the least number of people in poverty in 1990 than any of the three countries.

“While China had about 750 million people living in poverty, Indonesia and Vietnam had 85 million and 60 million poor people, respectively.

“China alone had about 15 times the number of poor people than Nigeria. Today, however, Nigeria has more poor people than these three countries combined.

“The question then is, what exactly did these countries do to be able to achieve the desired growth and development? That is where political leadership comes in.”

However, the Lagos governor said he found Obi’s “pattern of behaviour disturbing”.

He said, “I also find Mr. Obi’s pattern of behaviour disturbing. When prominent Nigerians go overseas, they ought to project Nigeria positively. They do not have to do that for the government.

“But we all owe a duty to market Nigeria on the global stage rather than de-market her. That is what true patriotism is about,” he added.

The governor also accused the LP leader of contributing to the increase in poverty in Nigeria.

Sanwo-Olu said, “Because Mr. Obi focused on poverty and said that the current administration’s policies are making Nigerians poorer, I will concentrate on that.

“Now, I find it somewhat ironic that a man like Mr. Obi, who did not build a single school or a stand alone hospital throughout his eight-year tenure as Governor of Anambra or sustainably provide credit facilities, would criticise the Government of Nigeria, which is actively doing that.

“Under Peter Obi as a two term Anambra Governor, poverty in Anambra increased. It did not reduce.”

The Lagos governor further stated that the poverty rate in Anambra jumped from 41.4% to 53.7% after Obi’s two years in office as a governor.

He added, “But the interesting thing is that five years after Peter Obi left office, his successor, Willie Obiano, reduced the poverty rate in Anambra from almost 60% to 14.8%.

“As such, I am not sure that Mr. Obi is morally well placed to make the alarming claims he made about Nigeria at Johns Hopkins. Being that that is the case, who should criticise who?”

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered Aisha Achimugu to appear before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, to answer questions regarding an ongoing investigation.

The judge also directed that she must appear before the court on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the order was made in a ruling in respect of a suit filed by Achimugu against several law enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, the Department of State Services, DSS, the EFCC, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Immigration Service, NIS.

In its response to Achimugu’s application, EFCC’s Counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, informed the court of a counter-affidavit deposed to by one of its investigators, Chris Odofin, outlining the circumstances leading to her invitation.

In the affidavit, Odofin disclosed that Achimugu is under investigation for alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, money laundering, corruption and possession of property reasonably suspected to have been acquired through unlawful means.

The Commission noted that Achimugu had initially honoured its invitation on February 12, 2024, during which she made a written statement and was subsequently granted administrative bail through her lawyer and surety, Darlington N. Ozurumba.

However, she allegedly failed to report as agreed, choosing instead to file a fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Commission. The affidavit further revealed that Achimugu, in her statement, explained the inflow of N8.71 billion into her corporate bank accounts as an “investment fund” for the acquisition of an oil block.

She claimed the funds were transferred to the Federal Government’s account through her company, Oceangate Engineering Oil and Gas Limited, referencing documentation from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, NUPRC.

Further investigation in the affidavit, however, indicated that Achimugu’s company actually acquired two oil blocks, Shallow Water PPL 3007 and Deep Offshore PPL 302-DO at the cost of $25.3 million.

Investigations showed that the payments were allegedly made in cash via bureau de change operators and that the ultimate sources of the funds could not be traced to any legitimate business income or partnerships.

The Commission also alleged that the acquisition process was fraught with corruption. It added that despite the acquisition, neither of the two oil blocks had commenced exploration or production as of the time of investigation.

The EFCC stressed that Achimugu’s current suit is a calculated attempt to frustrate the ongoing investigation, despite a previous court decision in suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/451/2024 dismissing her claim of fundamental rights violations.

“Following the dismissal of the earlier suit, the EFCC continued its investigation by dispatching inquiry letters to various banks and the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, the Federal Inland Revenue Services, Land Authorities, Special Control Unit against Money Laundering, Central Bank of Nigeria to gather more evidence. As more responses were received, the team analysed them while further responses are being awaited.

“The affidavit also shows the applicant operates a total of one hundred and thirty-six (136) bank accounts across ten different banks both in her personal and corporate names.

“The case continues on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 with Achimugu expected to report to the EFCC on Tuesday as directed by the court.”