Broom traders in Enugu State are recording brisk sales following the defection of Governor Peter Mbah from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mbah’s defection, which is expected to be formally announced on Tuesday, reportedly involved all his political appointees, who also resigned from the PDP after an extended cabinet meeting at the Government House on Monday.

A video posted by Mbah’s media aide, Dan Nwomeh, confirmed the mass defection as state officials were seen waving APC flags and chanting praises of both the governor and President Bola Tinubu. In the video, the excited appointees could be heard declaring, “We are now in APC, tomorrow is here; it is APC all the way; it is Jagaban all the way.”

According to a Leadership Newspaper correspondent who visited major markets in the state, the development has triggered a shortage of brooms — the official symbol of the APC — as demand surged ahead of the planned defection ceremony.

Traders said the rush for brooms began shortly after news of the defection broke, with many new sellers joining the trade to meet growing demand.

At the Kenyatta Market, a trader, Obinna Maduagwu, said he had been making significant profits since rumours of the defection began circulating. “Honestly, since the rumor started, we have been experiencing a boom in our business. I have been doing supply, and I have been making serious money,” he said.

Another trader, Mrs. Ifeoma Obigeri, confirmed that her entire stock sold out early Tuesday morning after PDP members reportedly bought up her remaining brooms.

Similarly, at Udi Market, Miss Ifeoma Ngene said members of the APC women’s wing cleared her entire stock on Friday, urging her to restock for future events.

At Artisan Market, Mrs. Grace Okeke said she had completely sold out as well. “How I wish this kind of political event would be happening in Enugu daily. As I speak with you, I don’t have a single broom because the APC people came to clear all the brooms for their event tomorrow,” she said.

The mass demand has created what traders are describing as a “broom boom” across Enugu State, coinciding with Mbah’s anticipated formal defection and rallying of supporters to the APC.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, has called for a comprehensive review of the disciplinary control system in Nigeria’s civil service to drive cultural change, value reorientation, and eliminate delays in handling disciplinary matters.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa made the call during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

“The Chairman called for holistic review of disciplinary control in the civil service to drive deep-seated culture change, value reorientation and reverse the delays handling of disciplinary in the service,” the statement partly read.

Olaopa likened the relationship between the two bodies to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both play critical roles in implementing policies, enforcing regulations, and providing leadership within the nation’s public service.

He explained that although their responsibilities overlap, open dialogue and collaboration are essential to prevent conflict and ensure efficient governance. “There was a thin line in the shared central governance responsibilities of the two offices, and there are bound to be some measures of conflict and tension around the boundaries of roles, jurisdictions and operations in actual practice,” he said.

Olaopa added that the retreat was organised to encourage open communication, co-creation, and joint problem-solving, fostering a partnership built on trust and mutual understanding.

The FCSC boss also underscored the need to align merit-based human resource practices, performance management, and the wage structure with competency standards, describing such reforms as crucial to restoring the Federal Government’s image as an “employer of choice.”

In her remarks, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Esther Walson-Jack, described the retreat as a renewed partnership between the two agencies. She commended Olaopa for his “unwavering support” and lauded the FCSC for introducing reforms such as the Computer-Based Test (CBT) for promotion examinations and merit-driven recruitment processes aimed at enhancing transparency and fairness.

The call for disciplinary reform comes amid concerns over bureaucratic bottlenecks, prolonged investigations, and weak accountability mechanisms within the public service. Stakeholders have repeatedly urged better synergy between the FCSC and OHCSF to address overlapping mandates and administrative inefficiencies that have long hindered effective service delivery.

Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, has emphasised the critical importance of water to Lagos’ economy, describing it as a natural resource, a blessing, an ally, and the future of human existence that must be carefully managed and protected.

Wahab made this known during the Fela Debates 17, held on Monday at the NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, as part of activities marking Felabration 2025.

He explained that the Lagos State Government recognises the delicate relationship between humans and water — not just as a force of nature but as an enabler of life and progress.

According to him, the theme of the event, “Water (No) Get Enemy,” is particularly fitting because, for centuries, water has shaped Lagos’ economy through trade, fishing, transport, and settlement. He added that water lies at the heart of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 6, 2, 11, and 13.

“The statement may sound simple, but it carries wisdom as old as humanity itself,” Wahab said. “Nobody can live without water, nobody can truly fight against it because water is life itself.”

He stressed that Lagos is a city that lives and breathes water, warning that fighting against it is “a battle already lost.”

The Commissioner highlighted the unique climate challenges facing the state, including rising sea levels, extreme heat, and recurrent flooding. He said this reality informed the government’s design of a comprehensive Drainage Master Plan to safeguard the city and mitigate flooding.

However, Wahab lamented that residents often act in defiance of environmental laws by building on floodplains, blocking drainage channels, and reclaiming wetlands. He said such actions, largely driven by personal gain, violate the Lagos State Environmental Management and Protection Law of 2017 and contribute to man-made disasters across the city.

He cited recent flooding incidents in Parkview, Banana Island, Osborne, Ikoyi, Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and other areas, describing them as preventable and a direct result of human negligence.

Wahab warned that the state government will no longer tolerate such violations, vowing to enforce environmental laws strictly to protect lives and properties. “There will be no hiding place for defaulters and saboteurs,” he stated, adding that the government would not fold its arms while a few individuals endanger the larger population for selfish reasons.

He further disclosed that beyond the ban on single-use plastics, the government remains committed to sustainable waste management solutions. According to him, Lagos recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Jospong Group to convert waste at the Olusosun dumpsite into wealth and replicate the initiative at the Epe landfill under the Harvest Waste programme.

Wahab added that in collaboration with C40 Cities, the state has launched a biogas facility at Ikosi Fruit Market, which converts 500kg of fruit waste daily into clean energy. He noted that the market now enjoys consistent street lighting, access to cooking gas, and phone charging stations — all powered by waste.