September 2018 Archives

Presidency invites Davido to perform at Osun State Governor-elect’s party

In the wake of the Osun State re-run election that saw the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Mr Gboyega Oyetola emerge winner, the presidential media team has invited sensational singer, Davido to perform at the thanksgiving party of the new governor-elect. Davido who was in active support of his uncle and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Senator Adeleke had expressed his displeasure with the cancellation of the initial polls that took place last weekend with claims that APC planned to rig the governorship election hence the re-run.

The APC group however rubbished OBO’s claim calling him an ‘uninformed political novice’ who is inexperienced to dabble into political issues. Meanwhile, Mr Johannes Tobi, a member of President Buhari’s media team has extended an invitation to the ‘Assurance’ singer via twitter, asking for his willingness to perform at the forthcoming thanksgiving party of the governor-elect. “Would you be willing to perform for the people of Osun at Oyetola’s thanksgiving party?” he wrote to Davido via the social media app. Whether or not the DMW boss will honor the presidency’s invitation remains unknown.

APC holds governorship primaries in 27 states

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

The All Progressives Congress (APC) is conducting statewide primaries to choose its governorship candidates in 27 states this Sunday. Today will bring a verdict for hundreds of political gladiators who have been lobbying to get the party’s priced ticket to be candidates in the 2019 governorship election, which is part of the general election scheduled for February.

Due to widespread division amongst aspirants in several states over issues ranging from to zoning to potential imposition of candidates by some so-called godfathers, the party at the national level decided to adopt a flexible mode in conducting its primaries this year.

The adoption of direct and indirect primaries was the immediate solution the party could come up with. Although the party acknowledges its approach may not be perfect, the two options would go a long way in mitigating post-primaries crises that often characterise Nigerian elections.

The APC looked into existing disagreements at each of the 37 state chapters (including Abuja) and recommended either direct or indirect method, depending on which has a better likelihood of keeping members united after primaries.

The direct mode means individuals who have APC membership card would go to the primaries ground and elect who they want to be the party’s candidate. This exercise is seen as more transparent and inclusive because it gives members a say on who should be their party’s choice.

In indirect exercise, some individuals who have attained the position of delegates in party structure would choose the candidate. This method has been widely criticised for being too monetised over the years. Delegates are known to collect huge amount of cash from aspirants, sometimes at convention grounds, to elect a candidate, with the most lavish often emerging victorious.

While direct primaries could be considered cumbersome and time-consuming, the method is less prone to manipulation than indirect primaries, and all members share responsibility in the quality of leadership of whomever gets the party’s ticket.

Twenty-seven states will hold governorship primaries today. The remaining nine states include Bayelsa, Edo, Kogi, Osun, Anambra, Ekiti and Ondo, whose governorship seats are not up for contest in the upcoming general elections, and Lagos and Imo, whose primaries were postponed at the eleventh-hour last night.

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Eighteen states are conducting indirect primaries today, while the remaining nine opted for the direct method.

Below is a catalogue of all states where primaries hold today. PREMIUM TIMES will bring you live updates of activities at the venues from across the country.

S/No.	STATE	RESOLUTION ON MODE OF PRIMARIES TO BE ADOPTED
1.	ABIA	DIRECT PRIMARIES
2.	ADAMAWA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
3.	AKWA IBOM	DIRECT PRIMARIES

4.	BAUCHI	DIRECT PRIMARIES

5.	BENUE	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
6.	BORNO	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
7.	CROSSRIVER	DIRECT PRIMARIES
8.	DELTA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
9.	EBONYI	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
10.	ENUGU	INDIRECT PRIMARIES


11.	GOMBE	INDIRECT PRIMARIES

12.	JIGAWA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
13.	KADUNA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
14.	KANO	DIRECT PRIMARIES
15.	KASTINA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
16.	KEBBI	INDIRECT PRIMARIES

17.	KWARA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES

18.	NASARAWA	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
19.	NIGER	DIRECT PRIMARIES
20.	OGUN	DIRECT PRIMARIES


21.	OYO	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
22.	PLATEAU	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
23.	RIVERS	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
24.	SOKOTO	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
25.	TARABA	DIRECT PRIMARIES
26.	YOBE	INDIRECT PRIMARIES
27.	ZAMFARA	DIRECT PRIMARIES

LIVE UPDATES

In Kano, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje is the sole governorship aspirant of APC. The party has adopted direct primaries.

At 11:28am, in Yalwa Primary School, the venue of Yalwa ward congress in Dala local government, less than 20 members of APC had arrived.

No election officials arrived yet.

A member of APC in the area, AbdurRahman Ibrahim, told PREMIUM TIMES that the reason for the low turn out of the people may not be unconnected with presidential primaries experience where people spent hours waiting for party officials who were responsible for conducting the primaries

Aspirants consider consensus candidate in Akwa Ibom
Cletus Ukpo

It’s 12:48p.m. The APC governorship primary is yet to commence in Akwa Ibom State.

A large crowd of party supporters are gathered at the state headquarters of the party, along Ikot Ekpene Road, Uyo, where the governorship aspirants are said to be holding last minute meeting on how to come up with a consensus candidate.

The Zamfara Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has shifted its governorship primaries to October 1, due to non arrival of the election committee from the National Headquarters in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement issued to journalists in Gusau on Sunday by the state publicity secretary of the party, Shehu Isa.

Meanwhile, the police command in the state has appealed to stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and abide by security measures during the primaries.

The State Commissioner of Police, Usman Belel, made the call at a security stakeholders meeting in Gusau.

This was contained in a statement in Gusau on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Muhammad Shehu.

Mr Shehu said the meeting was attended by heads of security agencies in the state, officials from Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the APC governorship aspirants.

“The meeting was aimed at taking proactive security measures for effective security coverage before, during and after the APC governorship primaries in the state,’’ he said.

(NAN)

APC Kano: 12:48 The election is yet to start at Filin Tudunwada in Nassarawa Local Government Area, the venue of Tudunwada ward primaries.

Former governor of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau, and sitting deputy governor Nasiru Gawuna are both from this local government area.

Mr Shekarau recently defected to the APC from the Peoples Democratic Party.

No consensus

1:10 p.m: It appears negotiation for picking a consensus candidate in Akwa Ibom has failed. Ata Etuk, media aide to one of the aspirants, John Udoedehe, told PREMIUM TIMES that the aspirants could not arrive at any agreement.

The party has started releasing election materials for onward movement to local government areas.

One of the aspirants, Bassey Dan-Abia Snr, told PREMIUM TIMES that APC members whose names are in the party register would vote without any form of identification. That was one of the agreements among the aspirants, he said.

Some All Progressives Party (APC) card-carrying members in Bauchi on Sunday expressed their disenchantment over the late commencement of the party’ s primaries in the state.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that they were told the exercise would commence by 10 a.m. prompt, and had gone to the polling units as early as 6 a.m., and that as at 11a.m., neither APC officials from Bauchi nor Abuja had visited the units to address them.

Nasiru Ibrahim who went to cast his vote at Baba Sidi polling unit in Bauchi said he was there since 6 a.m. and did not see any official.

“We were many and have been kept in the dark; nobody came to address us; we are suspecting something amiss,” he said.

Mairo Ishaku also told NAN at Birshi Fulani polling unit in Yelwa area of Bauchi metropolis that they had been at the unit since 7am.

“We are all confused here because we have not seen any official, except security agents who have no idea as to what is happenings,” she said.

Another female card-carrying member, Regina Solomon, told NAN that she cancelled a lot of her morning activities because of the primaries, only for her to kept waiting at the polling unit.

Others who spoke to NAN also expressed their disappointment over the delay, saying that such was an indication of the likely occurrence of unwholesome practice.

However, the Public Relations Officer of APC in the state, Adamu Jalla, told NAN that although the exercise was slated to commence 10 a.m., some issues later cropped up, necessitating a shift.

According to him, all material have been despatched to the polling units, but it was later discovered that some people would want to go to their farms and church in the morning hours.

He also said that the APC officials from Abuja had yet to arrive Bauchi as at the 10 am slated for the commencement of the primaries, as such it was shifted to between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.

(NAN)

The party has started releasing election materials for onward movement to local government areas.

El-Rufai set to be endorsed as APC sole candidate in Kaduna

Thousands of All Progressives Congress (APC) delegates have gathered at the Murtala Square, Kaduna to endorse Governor Nasir El-Rufai to run for a second term.

Mr El-Rufai is the only candidate seeking the governorship ticket of the APC.

Ahmed Mohammed, a delegate who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES at the venue of the event, said there was no need for any challenger.

” As you can see, we are all here to endorse Governor El-Rufai. I am not sure any politician will want to challenge him in APC ,that is why he is the only candidate. And come 2019, he will surely beat whoever he is contesting against from other parties.

Mr El-Rufai had not arrived the venue of the event at the time of filling this report.

4,534 APC delegates to decide Benue governorship candidate

No fewer than 4,534 delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are set to elect a candidate that will fly its flag in the 2019 general elections in the state.

Mark Hanmation, the Organizing Secretary of the party, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Makurdi.

He said the number comprised both statutory and ward delegates; and added that the primaries would hold at the Precious Event Centre.

A correspondent of NAN who visited the venue of the APC primaries, reported that accreditation was yet to start as no official was present.

Meanwhile, the Benue Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Bemgba Iortom, told NAN that delegates were set for the primaries.

He, however, did not disclose the number of delegates to participate in the election but that all former and serving government’s appointees under the party were automatic delegates while three others were picked from the 276 council wards in the state.

Accreditation of delegates for the primaries was yet to commence in all three venues designated for it.

Meanwhile, the police said they have made massive deployments to cover the venues for the primates.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Moses Yamu, said special forces had been deployed to NcCarthy stadium, Aper Aku stadium, IBB Square and Aminu Isa Kontangora Arts Theatre.

He, also warned mischief makers to stay away from the venues and refrain from acts inimical to overall peace of the state or face the wrath of the law.

(NAN)

Gov Lalong delays commencement of Plateau APC primary

Late arrival of Governor Simon Lalong to the venue of the APC governorship primary is delaying commencement of the party primary.

PREMIUM TIMES correspondent who is currently at Crest Hotel where the primary is holding reports that delegates and thousands of party supporters have been left under the sun.

Many party supporters who arrived the venue of the event early were seen complaining.

Our reporter gathered that the party is awaiting the arrival of the governor who is the only governorship aspirant of the party.

As at the time of filing this report, no delegate has been accredited.

Kano: 1:30p.m

At Kwalli Quarters, the returning officer of Kankarofi ward in Kano Municipal LGA, Umar Sulaiman, announced that 10,161 party members had endorsed Governor Ganduje as APC gubernatorial candidate.

Another aspirant steps down in Oyo

As delegates are being accredited at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, one of the aspirants, Azeez Adeduntan, announced his withdrawal from the race.

The announcement was through a Facebook post by Olaoluwa Bilau, spokesperson of Mr Adeduntan’s campaign organisation.

“One of the last seven governorship aspirants under the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Oyo State will not be participating in the governorship primary on Sunday, September 30, 2018,” Mr Olaoluwa wrote on his Facebook timeline.

He did not state any reason for the withdrawal. “Dr Adeduntan will in due course provide clarification on the matter,” Mr Olaoluwa wrote.

Unlike Adebayo Alao-Akala, a former governor of the state who was also one of the seven aspirants cleared but has also stepped aside from the primaries, Mr Adeduntan is still present at the venue of the event.

There were chit chats among delegates that outgoing Governor Abiola Ajimobi wants to reduce the contestants to four and will either endorse Bayo Adelabu, former Deputy-Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, or Joseph Tegbe.

It was gathered Mr Alao-Akala has advised his supporters to stay away from the primaries.

“Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala wishes to state categorically and put the leadership of the party and the general public on notice that Governor Abiola Ajimobi has perfected plans to impose one Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe on delegates as he has sent his foot soldiers around to coerce and intimidate delegates to vote for the said Tegbe tomorrow at the party primaries against their free will.” Jeremiah Akande, spokesperson of Mr Alao-Akala’s campaign organisation said in a statement Saturday.

The remaining aspirants in the contest are Adebayo Adelabu, Joseph Tegbe, Olusola Ayandele, Adeniyi Akintola and Owolabi Babalola.

The All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship direct primary election scheduled to hold across the 236 wards of Ogun on Sunday has been postponed.

This was disclosed in a statement issued in Abeokuta on Sunday by the APC Chairman in Ogun, Derin Adebiyi.

“This is to notify all party faithful and stakeholders that the governorship primaries originally scheduled for Sunday has been postponed.

“Further announcement will be made upon receipt of firm clarification from the APC National Headquarters,” Mr Adebiyi said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that party faithful had gathered in some wards for the event before it was postponed.

(NAN)

At 3:25pm. Madatai primary school, the venue of Madatai congress in Kano Municipal local government, the returning officer Mahmud Habib said 11,421 delegates endorsed Governor Abdullahi Ganduje for second term.

agos 2019: Ambode finally dumped

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s dream of securing a second term ticket on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) may have been finally dashed.

Yesterday, one of the aspirants, Dr Femi Hamzat, who is from the Justice Forum, one of the prominent tendencies that influence the direction of things within the party in Lagos, withdrew from the race and endorsed Ambode’s main challenger, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who is from the Mandate Group, another influential group within the Lagos APC.

With the coming together of the two main groups, Ambode’s chances became slimmer as at press time yesterday.

This is even as his woes were also compounded after 36 out of the 40 members of the state House of Assembly yesterday rejected his candidature and endorsed Sanwo-Olu.

The lawmakers took the decision at an emergency session held at the Lateef Jakande Hall in the Lagos State House of Assembly complex, presided over by the Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

According to a statement by the chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Adefunmilayo Tejuoso, out of the 40 members of the House, 36 were present and all of them endorsed the decision and duly signed the statement announcing it.

The lawmakers stated that they were in agreement with the leadership of the party and the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC), which had earlier endorsed Sanwo-Olu for the governorship ticket.

“At the parliamentary meeting held on 29th September, 2018 at the Lagos State House of Assembly Complex, members do hereby unanimously resolve to support the position of the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) and the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State on the endorsement of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the APC gubernatorial candidate in the 2019 election,” the lawmakers said.

However, two APC lawmakers from the same constituency with Governor Ambode; Segun Olulade, Epe Constituency 2 and Abiodun Tobun, Epe Constituency 1 were absent at the meeting, while the third lawmaker, Sikiru Osinowo, Kosofe Constituency 1, was said to be out of town.

Also yesterday, major stakeholders of the party officially endorsed Sanwo-Olu as their preferred candidate.

But the emissaries mounting pressure on the National leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to reconsider his stance on Ambode, are still putting in last minutes efforts to save the governor.

It was gathered that one of the options being considered to give the embattled governor soft landing was to hand him the Senate ticket for Lagos East.

But it was not clear as at press time if the governor will be willing to take the ticket as he was still insisting on running for the governorship.

Addressing journalists at the Ikoyi residence of Sanwo-Olu, in Lagos yesterday, where he formally withdrew from the race, Hamzat, who until he signified interest in the governorship race, was a Special Adviser to Works, Housing and Power Minister, Babatunde Raji Fashola, urged his supporters to vote for Sanwo-Olu, in tomorrow’s primary election.

Describing Sanwo-Olu, a former Commissioner for Establishment, Training and Pensions, as a man of “integrity, great humility and extraordinary intelligence,” Hamzat also recalled that both of them had worked closely with former Governor Tinubu, his successor, Fashola, and Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

Announcing his formal withdrawal from the race, Hamzat said: “After due consultations with my numerous supporters and in deference to the wise counsel of those I consider my political mentors, I have resolved to step down from the governorship race in Lagos on the platform of our party and, instead, poll resources together with my brother and friend, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”

Hamzat, who had lost the ticket to Ambode in 2015, emphasised that “the loyalty of our party members should never ever be taken for granted,” adding that the way forward was for like-minds to close ranks and poll resources together, forge a formidable front and advance the ideas that can serve the larger interest of party members.”

Responding, after raising his hands up for the symbolic endorsement, Sanwo-Olu, flanked by his wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, his campaign DG, Mr Tayo Ayinde and Otunba Lekan Osifeso, thanked Hamzat for endorsing him.

He also described him as a “good friend, compatriot and comrade in progress.”

With Hamzat’s withdrawal, if Ambode insists on fighting till the end, the battle for the ticket will now be a straight one between him and Sanwo-Olu.

It was also gathered that the APC as a party in the state had met yesterday and foreclosed the possibility of Ambode running for next year’s governorship on its platform, following its official endorsement of the candidature of Sanwo-Olu.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Asiwaju Tinubu, GAC members, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa and other major APC stakeholders were said to have met by 10:00 a.m yesterday at Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence to deliberate on the endorsement. But Governor Ambode was reported to be absent at the meeting.

After the meeting, which lasted for over three hours, a member of GAC, Senator Anthony Adefuye, announced the decisions that were reached at the party’s state secretariat.

He said: “After a long meeting which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, our national leader, Bola Tinubu, GAC members, the Speaker of the state Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, and other stakeholders, we decided to shift the governorship primary to Monday, October 1, 2018.

“We also decided to endorse Babajide Sanwo-Olu as the governorship candidate for the 2019 governorship election in Lagos State. We also announced that one of the governorship aspirants, Obafemi Hamzat, has graciously agreed to step down and has endorsed Sanwo-Olu for governor.”

Sources within the APC revealed that part of the negotiations was that Hamzat, a former Commissioner for Works in the administration of Fashola and his close ally, would emerge as Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, an indication that the factions within the state APC may have been resolved.

Saraki breaks silence on victory of APC’s Oyetola over PDP’s Adeleke

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

President of the Senate and Chairman of the PDP Campaign Council on Osun State, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has reiterated that the recently-conducted supplementary election in Osun State was a charade and an embarrassment to Nigeria’s democracy.

His position was contained in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu.
Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated Senator Ademola Adeleke of the PDP with 482 votes in the rerun poll conducted on Thursday.

Oyetola scored a total of 255,505 while Adeleke scored 255,023.

In his reaction to the final outcome of the governorship poll, Saraki said: “Yesterday, we witnessed another display of the subversion of the will of the Osun people during the re-run gubernatorial elections in the State. The election was characterised by widespread voter intimidation, violence and harassment. Accredited observers were denied access to polling units and duly registered voters were prevented from participating in the electoral process by thugs and compromised security agents..

“Like I said a few days ago, this needless re-run election was only designed as an avenue for the ruling party to perpetrate electoral fraud. The nature of these elections is an embarrassment to our democracy and casts an alarming pall on the institutions responsible for protecting the will of the Nigerian people as stated through their votes. That was why for more than ten hours the INEC could not collate and announce results in just seven polling units with just over 2000 votes.

“It is surprising that the election in which on Saturday, the two leading candidates were running neck to neck with the PDP candidate having an edge, four days later, as a result of manipulations and impossible conditions, the APC candidate is now being credited with all the votes and some paltry number of votes were being recorded for the PDP candidate.

“It is important for Nigerians and the international community to insist that the hands of the clock should not be turned back in terms of the achievements we recorded in the last general elections. We should not make a mockery of democracy by conducting elections in the manner that the Osun Polls were conducted. The Osun election is a clear indication of how the 2019 election will be conducted. It demonstrates that if we cannot conduct free, peaceful and fair elections in seven polling units spread across four local government areas of a state, then the conduct of the general elections in 774 local government areas across 36 states of the country is already endangered.

“I therefore call on the government, INEC, security agencies and development partners to ensure a radical change in the way and manner the next set of elections will be conducted. Osun 2018 Polls is a very low point in our electoral system.

“In the 2015 elections, Nigeria witnessed several gains in its electoral process. The process was transparent and people’s votes counted. These gains made it possible for the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) to win at the centre and in many states of the nation. That election highlighted a fine moment in Nigeria’s democracy.”

NAF Jets Crash In Abuja

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

The Nigerian Air Jets involved in the on going rehearsals for the 58th independence day celebration has crashed in Abuja. The director of public relations and information Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola confirming the report said no live was lost. “I wish to confirm an air incident involving 2 Nigerian Air Force aircraft taking part in the rehearsals for the 58th Independence Day Celebrations. Thankfully no lives were lost. Details will be communicated later. Thank you,” he said

FRSC disowns fake appointment letters in circulation

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has disowned the fake employment letters of appointment into the corps currently in circulation in the country, describing it as a scam.

This is contained in a statement signed by the agency’s Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.

NAN reports that the FRSC had on May 28, asked interested applicants to upload their application forms on the FRSC recruitment portal.

NAN also report that the FRSC on Sept. 13 issued a statement distancing itself from such fake appointment letters and scheduled its screening and physical fitness assessment on recruitment for Sept. 24 to Sept. 29 across all the states.

Kazeem said that the screening of applicants by the FRSC had commenced transparently nationwide and the process will climax with an aptitude test to be conducted by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.

“There will also be an interview for all successful applicants after the aptitude test.

“So, the purported employment letter in circulation is a scam,”he said.

He advised applicants and Nigerians to be wary of swindlers and mischief makers.

“We hereby further warn applicants not to fall for these fake employment letters, “he said.

He attributed the circulation of the fake appointment letters to the handiwork of fraudsters aimed at defrauding unsuspecting applicants or for the purpose of discrediting the Commission.

The FRSC spokesman said that the fake employment letter had surfaced before the commencement of the screening exercise and was promptly disclaimed by the FRSC.

He reminded the applicants that the Corps Marshal does not sign appointment letters, as was done in the letter in circulation, saying the format also does not conform to FRSC standard.

“The contact number or name of our staff is never included in employment letters.

“The name of the Deputy Corps Marshal mentioned in the said letter was wrongly spelt.

“The wordings and language of the letter clearly showed that it did not and cannot emanate from a world class organisation like the FRSC,”he said

New Minimum Wage: Governorship aspirant backs NLC’s warning strike

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

The governorship aspirant of the Labour Party (LP) in Kwara, Mr Issa Aremu, has declared support for a new minimum wage and warning strike called by the Organised Labour.

Aremu told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja that the delay in implementing the new minimum wage was deliberate by the Federal Government.

Aremu said it was not too late to avert industrial crisis, if the Federal Government could offer leadership and conclude the year-long negotiation before the expiration of the deadline given by labour union.

He said if the Federal Government failed to do the needful, the labour union would not hesitate to mobilise its members in the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for strike.

Aremu added that the mass protest by the organised labour would enjoy the support of all stakeholders unless the Federal Government goes back to the negotiation table.

According to the governorship aspirant, economic recovery would always elude Nigerians until the country put an end to what he called “persistent crisis of compensation of the working class.”

He said that workers must be compensated through enhanced purchasing power, which was only possible through prompt and adequate payment of minimum and living wage for the employed workforce.

The Kwara State LP governorship aspirant said the key to sustainable development is improved labour productivity in both public and private sectors.

This, he said, could only be made possible through motivated and well paid workers at work and after work through adequate pensions.

NAN reports that the organised labour had issued 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government from Sept. 12 or embark on strike if their demands were not met.

The NLC had demanded that the Tripartite Committee on the new National Minimum Wage should conclude its work within the stipulated time frame.

The oganised labour had concluded arrangements to commence strike from Midnight Wednesday, Sept. 26, following Federal Government’s failure to honour its ultimatum on the new minimum wage.

Court discharges man charged with causing hurt, assault

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

A Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday discharged a 30-year-old man, Emmanuel Nwachinedu, charged with causing hurt and assault.

The judge, Alhaji Inuwa Maiwada, discharged the defendant following an application by the prosecutor, Mrs Ukagha Ijeoma, who told the court to strike out the case because the parties had settled.

“Having heard the prosecution’s application to strike out the suit as a result of settlement reached by both parties in the matter, the case is hereby struck out.

“The defendant is also discharged of all criminal charges,” he said.
Nwachinedu of Apo Resettlement, Zone C Abuja, was arraigned on a two-count charge of causing hurt and assault, offences he denied committing.

The prosecutor had told the court that Saidat Abimbo and one Jacob Maurice reported the matter at the Uatko Police Station on Sept. 6.

Ijeoma said on the same date at Berger round about, the complainants were driving behind the defendant and suddenly he stopped his car and claimed that Abimbo smashed his car.

Ijeoma said that the defendant came out from his car and started insulting Abimbo, while Maurice came out to check the car.

She said that the defendant went into his car, brought out a horsewhip and violently flogged Maurice for no reason.

The prosecutor said that Maurice sustained serious injury, while the offence contravened Section 246 of the
Penal Code.

Deputy Speaker, Eight Others Defect

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

Latest update as Nine members of the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday announced their defection from the party on whose ticket they won their seat to a new party.

According report the defection which saw five members of the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) dumping the party for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), three members of the Accord party and one member of the Labour Party also joined the ADC.

The defectors were led by the Deputy Speaker, Mr. Abdulwasi Musah with their letters of defection read on the floor of the assembly by the Clerk of the house, Mr Paul Bankole during plenary.

Other members who defected include Mr Lukman Balogun (Labour Party to ADC), Mr Bolaji Badmus (APC to ADC), Mr Azeez Billiaminu (Accord to ADC) and Mr Ganiyu Oseni (APC to ADC).

Others are Mr. Olusegun Olaleye (APC to ADC), Mr Samson Oguntade (Accord to ADC) and Mr. Muideen Olagunju (Accord to ADC).

With the defection of the nine members the ADC now have 12 members against the ruling APC whose membership strength stands at 18 members and the People’s Democratic Party left with 2 members in the house.

Also during Tuesday plenary, the house appealed to the Oyo state government to urgently come to the rescue of the state owned institutions with bailout funds and upgrade of subventions released to the institutions.

The appeal followed the discussions on a motion brought to the plenary by Mr Olaleye (Ibadan North 2 state constituency) entitled “financial bailout and improved subvention to Oyo state territory institutions.”

Hon Olaleye said the speedy approval of bailout fund to state tertiary institutions in the state will prevent them from total collapse.

In their separate contributions, the speaker Mr Olagunju Ojo and some members emphasized the need for government to take proactive steps by improved subvention given to the tertiary institutions for the advancement of education sector.

Also the Chairman parliamentary council Mr Olusegun Ajanaku presented a motion on the need to renovate the Obafemi Awolowo stadium for improved services.

The motion co-sponsored by Mr. Olusegun Ajanaku and Mr Fatai Adesina enjoined the federal government to hand over the management of stadium to the state for proper restoration and maximum utilization for promotion of sporting activities.

The house in their unanimous decision urged Federal government to allow state to manage the maintenance of the stadium.

Former PDP Governor decamps to APC

By Egwuda Joshua 9 months ago in News

A Former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda has dumped the Green Pary of Nigeria, GPN for the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Chairman of the GPN Party, Sani Mohammed Bura, confirmed this to newsmen, saying;

“I can authoritatively confirm to you that former governor, Yuguda has left for APC, even though other GPN supporters followed him to APC, people like me and other executives are still in GPN and as I’m speaking to you on the phone, I am heading to Enugu state to attend the party’s NEC meeting”.

Yuguda has confirmed to his supporters in GPN of his exit to APC, saying the doors are opened for those interested to do so to enable them contest in other platforms” Sani said.

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Former PDP Governor decamps to APC

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LIVE UPDATES

Latest update as Nine members of the Oyo State House of Assembly on Tuesday announced their defection from the party on whose ticket they won their seat to a new party.

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