By Christiana Ekpa
A member of the House of Representatives representing Abuja Municipal/Bwari Federal Constituency, Joshua Chinedu Obika, has defended his movement across political parties, insisting that his decisions were guided by political realities and loyalty to the “New Nigeria” movement championed by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
Obika, who moved from the Labour Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and later to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), said Nigerians should judge elected officials by their performance rather than their party affiliation.
Speaking amid criticism trailing his defections, the lawmaker blamed the internal crisis within the Labour Party for weakening the party’s structure and diminishing confidence among members and supporters.
According to him, the crisis became more pronounced after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) allegedly failed to upload some candidates during Area Council elections, creating uncertainty over the party’s future viability.
Obika said he initially resisted leaving the Labour Party out of loyalty to Obi, whom he described as his political leader, but reconsidered after the former Anambra State governor aligned with the NDC coalition.
He, however, expressed reservations about the coalition at the time, alleging that several figures behind the arrangement were long-time political allies of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“When we are preaching for a New Nigeria, we cannot use old wine to mix with new wine,” he said.
The lawmaker maintained that Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso remain the two politicians with the strongest organic support base committed to national transformation, stressing that both leaders must work together for Nigeria’s progress.
Obika disclosed that he temporarily joined the APC because the party appeared more stable while the Labour Party crisis persisted, but later moved to the NDC after Obi joined the coalition.
Defending his multiple defeions, he argued that politicians sometimes switch parties to remain politically relevant and pursue their objectives.
“Even Peter Obi has crossed several parties. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has also done same. What matters is identifying people who are committed to the betterment of the country,” he stated.
The federal lawmaker also accused political opponents of sponsoring attacks against him ahead of future elections, insisting that his stewardship and legislative contributions should be the focus of public scrutiny.
Highlighting his achievements in the National Assembly, Obika listed several bills targeted at addressing long-standing challenges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The proposed legislations include bills seeking to establish an Original Inhabitants Resettlement and Compensation Agency, an FCT Scholarship Board, an FCT School of Nursing and Midwifery, and an FCT Emergency Management Agency.
According to him, the compensation agency bill is aimed at addressing issues relating to demolitions, resettlement and compensation of indigenous communities displaced by development projects in the FCT.
He added that the scholarship board bill seeks to promote transparency in scholarship administration while reserving 30 per cent of scholarship opportunities for original inhabitants of the FCT.
On constituency projects, Obika said his office facilitated the construction and renovation of schools, restoration of boreholes in public schools, distribution of educational materials, and scholarships for students within and outside the constituency.
He claimed that over 5,000 school bags and 15,000 books had been distributed, while dozens of students secured scholarships at the College of Education, Zuba.
The lawmaker further disclosed that about 50 youths had secured foreign scholarships to study medicine, engineering and other courses in Russia through partnerships with international organisations and private individuals.
Obika also highlighted empowerment programmes involving the distribution of sewing machines, tricycles, block moulding machines, laundry equipment and other tools to more than 400 beneficiaries.
He added that rural roads within the constituency had been graded ahead of the rainy season, while a bridge linking a community in Kagini to a junior secondary school was nearing completion.
He urged politicians across party lines to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that Nigerians were more concerned about leadership and development than political platforms.
“The issue is not who crossed from one party to another. The issue should be what impact has been made on the lives of the people,” he said.
