Focus On Performance, Not Party – Obika To Electorate

A member of the House of Representatives, Joshua Chinedu Obika, has defended his movement between political parties, saying voters should judge elected officials by their performance rather than their party affiliations.

Obika, who represents Abuja Municipal Area Council/Bwari Federal Constituency, has faced criticism for moving from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress and later to the National Democratic Coalition.

Speaking with Newsmen in Abuja on the controversy, Obika said his decisions were shaped by political realities and loyalty to the “New Nigeria” movement associated with the former presidential candidate Peter Obi.

He blamed internal divisions within the Labour Party for weakening its structure, citing challenges during the area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory, including the failure of the Independent National Electoral Commission to upload some candidates.

According to him, the crisis created uncertainty among members who questioned the party’s viability ahead of future elections.

Obika said he initially resisted leaving the party out of loyalty to Obi but began considering other options after Obi aligned with the NDC coalition.

He said he had concerns about the coalition, alleging that many of its key figures were long-time associates of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He said some supporters were afraid that Obi might not secure the coalition’s presidential ticket, a situation he warned could divide supporters.

The lawmaker also said Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso have strong grassroots support and should work together in the interest of national unity.

Obika said he briefly joined the ruling APC due to its relative stability before later moving to the NDC after Obi formally aligned with the coalition arguing that party defections are common in Nigeria’s politics, noting that both Obi and President Bola Tinubu had previously changed political parties.

Obika also accused political opponents of sponsoring attacks against him ahead of future elections, adding that public debate should focus on the quality of representation.

Highlighting his legislative work in the 10th House, Obika listed bills including establishment of an Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Compensation Agency, an FCT Scholarship Board, an FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery, and an FCT Emergency Management Agency.

He said the proposed compensation agency would address demolitions and resettlement affecting indigenous communities in the FCT, while the scholarship bill aims to improve transparency and reserve 30% of opportunities for original inhabitants.

On constituency projects, Obika said his office has supported school construction and renovation, rehabilitated boreholes and distributed educational materials.

He said more than 5,000 school bags and 15,000 books had been provided to students, while others received scholarships at the College of Education, Zuba.

He added that about 50 youths had secured scholarships to study courses including medicine and engineering in Russia through partnerships with international organizations.

Obika also said his office had distributed vocational tools, including sewing machines and tricycles, to more than 400 beneficiaries, and carried out road grading projects in parts of his constituency.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji