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  • APC seeks postponement of Rivers gov election

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Rivers state has asked the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to conduct the election in the state saying doing so will be handing the state to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate on a platter of gold.

    Reacting to a statement credited to INEC that the APC is not yet on the ballot, the party’s Director of Strategic Communications for the Tonye Cole Campaign, Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill said in a statement made available to The Nation in Abuja that conducting the election without the APC will be an exercise in futility.

    He said “Of course we are not yet on the ballot, it’s a process. INEC by now has received the first order and in another day or so, will receive the second one. Then their lawyers will advise them and at a meeting of the powers that be, a decision will be taken. That decision will be to obey the law. We expect nothing less. If they don’t, then it will be lawful to be lawless in a lawless society. There will be no elections in Rivers state.

    “We knew Wike had penetrated the judiciary, every day the signs are revealed. We know he has also penetrated some of our security agencies, but we do not want to believe he has penetrated our electoral body at the highest levels. We are soon about to find out. Let us be patient. These things take time. Our money, that he is using, will be traced to its last hiding place when he leaves office. We know a lot about who he is working with. Money leaves a trace. And in this government, corruption will always come with consequences.”

    Read Also: APC administration fair to all governors – Badaru

    While describing the PDP as an “accident waiting to happen” he advised all those with good conscience still sitting inside it, to jump for safety before the inevitable crash or hold themselves to blame.

    He said “Wike is a learner driver. He has no business driving the vehicle of Rivers state and everyone knows it. Even he knows it. He can use money to win awards, ascribe bogus titles to himself, get biased media coverage, even delay justice, but he can’t use our money to bribe God. Judgement is coming for him and it is coming soon.”

    Tonye said further that while being on the ballot was necessary, allowing the APC candidates time to go about their campaigns, as had been denied them; was only fair because their campaigns were gaining momentum before legal gymnastics stepped in.

    He said the “PDP should be very ashamed that after four good years, their candidate could not go from ward to ward to tell them what he has done. Instead he has stumbled from LGA to LGA headquarters with more people in his entourage than indigenes to receive him, only to drop sound bites and share two-two thousand Naira to willing takers.

    $His mate (even though we are yet to ascertain Nyesom Wike’s actual age), his mate and our candidate Tonye Cole, has gone from ward to ward in every LGA and had done 236 wards out of 319 before a judge, Magnus and Wike stopped him using the law. Magnus is not our focus. He is our lost brother whom we wish well. His room is there, if he returns. Our focus is Wike and nothing will distract us from demystifying his perceived grassroots’ appeal, his supposed strong man status and his recent Mungo Park like discovery of Spirituality.

    “Tonye Cole and others must be allowed to finish their campaigns. Anything short of that cannot be just and we will contest it. INEC should get ready for the Presidential elections, but State House of Assembly, National Assembly and the Governorship elections must be a separate exercise set aside for a special date.

    “All eyes are now on INEC as the fate of Rivers state now hangs in their balance. Will Wike be given a free ride back into Government house or will the never say die attitude of Tonye Cole emerge from the ashes of court judgements? Very soon, all will be revealed.“

  • Elections: SPU, CTU to protect INEC staff, NYSC members

    …May withdraw personnel attached to personalities

    The Inspector-General of Police has disclosed that the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) of the Force will be in charge of the protection of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff, National Youth Service Corp members and other Adhoc staff.

    The Ag. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu said this in Abuja during a meeting with Commanders of both units.

    To ensure full mobilization, the IGP also hinted that he may withdraw SPU and CTU operatives that are currently attached to certain categories of personalities.

    The IG while highlighting the roles both units will play during the election said: “The Counter Terrorism Unit was established as a specially trained strike Force with capacity to address the threat of terrorism and sundry insurgency threats to our national security, while the Special Protection Unit is a Police detachment that is dedicated to the provision of specialized security and escort duties for high-risk individuals and corporate organisations that may be under security threat.

    “The Two Units were established to complement the Police Mobile Force towards supporting the conventional police in addressing critical internal security threats and civil disorders.

    “By virtue of their training and expertise, personnel from the Counterterrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit are critical components of the broad election security plan of the Nigeria Police Force.”

    He continued: “Within this context of the Strategic Election Security Operational Plan of the Force, you shall be required to deploy your personnel to provide specialized protection for INEC staff, and NYSC and other ad-hoc personnel of the Commission that will be deployed for the elections and secure INEC facilities across the country.

    Other roles include: “To undertake patrols of the public space before, during and after the elections, act as reserve Forces that could be deployed for rapid response to crisis areas during the elections, provide specialized security for local and international election observers, escort sensitive electoral materials and provide specialized protection to critical national assets during the exercise.

    On the likely withdrawal of operatives, Adamu said: “In order to ensure full mobilization and deployment of personnel for these duties, we shall in the coming days prune down or order the withdrawal of SPU and CTU operatives that are currently on non-essential duties including those attached to certain categories of personalities.”

    He also assured the personnel that proper arrangements have been made for their welfare.

    “In performing your election security duties, let me assure you that adequate provisions have been made for your welfare. In return, we expect the highest possible level of professionalism from you, knowing that your conducts will be subjected to national and international scrutiny.

    “I am confident, on my part, that you have the professional depth, strength of character and strong sense of commitment to duty which is needed to guarantee your optimal performance and the success of the exercise.“

  • IDPs hunger protest: House Committee demands sanctions for officials

    The House of Representatives Committee on Internally Displaced Persons ( IDPs ), Refugees and North-East Initiatives on Wednesday faulted the recourse to teargas to disperse protesting hungry lDPs at Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri.

    It asked the Federal Government to intervene by ensuring immediate supply of the desperately needed food items by the displaced persons.

    It also demanded sanctions for the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the inhumane crime.

    It said the committee is ready to share vital information capable of fishing out the culprits no matter how highly placed.

    It, however, expressed regrets that 32,000 IDPs have crossed over to Cameroon between Mid-December 2018 and 31 January, 2019.

    The committee, in a statement by its chairman, Muhammed Sani Zorro, said massive consignments of these food and non-food items procured with state resources are either at varying stages of expiration or being shared (in the open) to highly-placed politicians for use as campaign tools.

    The statement said: “The House of Representatives Committee on IDPs, Refugees and North-East Initiatives wishes to express sadness over yesterday’s protest by Internally Displaced Persons (lDPs) at Teachers Village camp in Maiduguri, and the needless resort to the use of tear gas to disperse them by the police.

    “It is on record that the authorities concerned have continued to deprive the starving and desperate IDPs of food and non-food Items whose everyday complaints, pleas, and outcries only fell on the deaf ears of insensitive officials charged with their care.

    “Sadly, massive consignments of these food and nonfood items procured with state resources are now either at varying stages of expiration, or are being shared (in the open) to highly-placed politicians for use as campaign tools in the countdown to our general elections.

    “Evidence also abound of the age-old diversion and illegal sale of humanitarian assistance items in the open market. This is evil at its best, reprehensible and unacceptable to all men and women of conscience.”

    The committee appealed to the Federal Government to ensure immediate supply of food and essential items to the IDPs.

    Read Also: 2019: IDPs won’t vote in Niger – INEC

    The statement added: “The Committee urges the Federal Government to act as a matter of supreme urgency by ensuring immediate supply of the desperately needed items without further delay and punish the perpetrators and beneficiaries of the inhumane crime.

    “As part of its oversight functions, the committee is willing and ready to share vital information capable of fishing out the culprits no matter how highly placed.

    On the general election, it pleaded with the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) to allow the IDPs to vote wherever they are.

    “Such flexibility should be extended to affected victims in Zamfara, Katsina, Kaduna and any other state(s),” the committee pleaded.

  • Stop misleading voters, Kashamu tells Secondus

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State Senator Buruji Kashamu has urged the party’s national chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, to stop misleading voters.

    Kashamu, who was reacting to a letter written by Secondus and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Umaru Tsauri to INEC asking the electoral body to recognize Honourable Ladi Adebutu as the party’s governorship candidate, said the letter was a tissue of lies meant to blackmail INEC.

    He declared the ploy would fail.

    Kashamu, in a 4th of February, 2019 letter entitled, “Re: Final List of Nominated Candidates in Ogun State” addressed to the National Chairman, accused Secondus of twisting facts with a view to blackmailing INEC.

    According to Kashamu, the Secondus’ letter “drips with the usual lies and blackmail that you have always peddled to obfuscate obvious facts and issues that are glaringly in the public domain.”

    He added: “Ordinarily, I would not have responded since the Commission is aware of the issues and has the benefit of sound legal advice from senior lawyers and experts. However, since you are not tired of telling lies, I would also not be tired of telling the truth and exposing your lies to the whole world.”

    Going into the genesis of the crisis, Kashamu said, “The indubitable fact is that the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos had on the 24th of June, 2016, delivered a judgment in which it directed the PDP and INEC to deal exclusively with the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Executive.

    “This same judgment was reaffirmed by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris on the 9th of February, 2018.

    “These two judgments formed the basis of the 12th of April, 2018 letter written to you by the Commission in which it informed you of its decision to comply with the terms of both judgments.”

    Kashamu said despite the judgments and INEC’s position, the PDP leadership under Secondus opted to act contrary to the position of the law by supporting an illegal executive in the state.

    “If you chose to disobey the law and INEC decided to obey the law, how can you blame me for your misfortune?” Kashamu asked Secondus.

    Read Also: Secondus to APC: Don’t kill Buhari with undue pressure

    The letter reads further, “Contrary to your claims, I wish to remind you that in its guidelines for the 2019 general election dated the 4th October, 2019, INEC expressly stated that notwithstanding its requirements for the National Chairman and National Secretary to endorse the Commission’s Nomination Forms (not PDP’s nomination forms), it added in Item 6.1 that, ‘Political Parties are to note that where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order.’

    “Now, in the Ogun State PDP case, there are three subsisting judgments of the High Court and two rulings of the Court of Appeal. In its 25th of October, 2018 letter to you, the Commission referred to three suits, namely FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017 and FHC/AB/CS/114/2018.

    It was the interlocutory orders in one out of the three suits (i.e. FHC/AB/CS/114/2018) that were determined by the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan on the 18th of December, 2018, leaving the final judgments in the two other cases (FHC/L/CS/636/2016; FHC/L/CS/1556/2017) that came first-in-time subsisting and valid till date.

    “The only appeal against one of the two subsisting and final judgments was dismissed by the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos on the 4th of May, 2017. A further attempt to relist it was struck out on the 11th of July, 2018.

    “The second judgment by the Honourable Justice M.B. Idris (now of the Court of Appeal) was not appealed at all.

    “It is inconceivable that the same person who deliberately flouts valid and subsisting rulings and judgments of court could turn round to blame the Commission for his contemptuous acts against the court and the whole judiciary.

    “Mr. Chairman, you are the one choosing and picking the judgments to obey. You lack the moral right to accuse the Commission of what you are known for.

    “If the National Chairman and National Secretary of the PDP willfully refused to sign forms that were duly submitted to them in spite of subsisting court judgments directing them to accord recognition to the Engr. Adebayo Dayo-led Ogun State PDP Exco and its activities, including the conduct of congresses/primaries, how can they hold the judgment creditors or the Commission liable for their disobedience?

    “It was based on the valid and subsisting judgments of court (not only the interlocutory orders of the FHC, Abeokuta) that Engr. Adebayo Dayo, as the Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Exco, presided over the congress (es) where candidates were elected in line with Section 25(1) of the Peoples Democratic Party Constitution 2017 (as amended) which states: ‘There shall be a State Party Congress which shall consist of: The State Chairman who shall be the Chairman.

    “’Section 25(2C) states further: ‘The function of the State Congress shall be to: (c)     Elect Governorship candidates of the Party’, among others.’

    “It is from the congress chaired by the State Chairman that the list of candidates to represent a Party can be generated and submitted to the Commission.

    “The role of the national leadership or its representatives is merely nominal and observatory. More so, such roles are subject to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act and the PDP Constitution.  It does not give the national leadership of the Party the latitude to act irresponsibly or illegally compile list of candidates.

    “When the INEC guidelines say the National Chairman and National Secretary are to sign the Commission’s Nomination Forms, it never envisaged a situation where the leaders of a political party would not obey valid and subsisting judgments of court. Thankfully, the Commission gave the proviso that, ‘…where there is a Court Order in respect of the nomination of any candidate, the Commission shall be guided by such Order’.”

    Kashamu added: “It is also misleading and mischievous to claim that the Commission based its decision to accept, process and publish the list of Ogun State PDP candidates on the ‘judgment of the High Court (Abeokuta’s Division)’.

    “As stated above, INEC’s decision was based on three suits. The Federal High Court order that was set aside is just one out of the three suits cited by the Commission.

    “Two final judgments of court of competent jurisdiction are still valid, binding and subsisting. Even the order said to have been set aside had been overtaken by events.

    “On the so-called implications of the judgment of the Court of Appeal sitting in Ibadan, I challenge you to quote a part of the judgment that validated your claim or declared Adebutu as the Ogun State PDP governorship candidate.

    “For the umpteenth time, I would refer you to the findings of the Court of Appeal at page 12 of the judgment wherein the Court held, ‘The action instituted at the Lower Court is also not in respect of selection or nomination of candidates to represent the 1st Appellant at an election nor is it a complaint against any election, decision or activity of the INEC (10th Respondent). It is in my view, simply an inter-party (sic) dispute between two factions of the party as to which of the factions is the legitimate State Executive of the P.D.P in Ogun State. This appeal is therefore not in respect of a pre-election matter.’

    “The findings and decision of the Court of Appeal in the Judgment of 18th December, 2018, clearly shows that the subject of the said appeal was neither related to pre-election issues nor the nomination of candidates to represent the Ogun State PDP at the election.

    “Therefore, since the said appeal and judgment do not relate to the list of candidates that would represent the Ogun State PDP at the February 16 and March 2, 2019 elections, the Court of Appeal could not have pronounced on the list of candidates from Ogun State.

    “What is more, as can be clearly seen on the face of the appeal, Adebutu was not a party to the appeal. So, how can anyone claim that he is a beneficiary of the judgment?

    “It was when you and Adebutu realised that the appeal court judgment did not enure in your favour that you hurriedly and surreptitiously went to the FCT High Court to file a suit meant to ambush me and my associates.

    “You wanted the court to declare Adebutu as the governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State without joining me as an interested party or someone who would be affected by the outcome of the suit. It was by providence that I got to know of the suit and applied to be joined in the matter.

    “Again, the devilish move backfired when the court found that you acted in flagrant disobedience of subsisting judgment (s), refused your prayers and dismissed the suit.

    “The FCT High Court expressly held on the 14th of January, 2019 that since all the actions of the national leadership of the Party were done in defiance of valid and subsisting court judgments they could not stand.

    “So, what is all the lies and blackmail against INEC about? The Commission has acted rightly – in line with its avowed commitment to be law-abiding and rein in political parties when they act illegally and irresponsibly as in this case.”

    Kashamu advised Secondus to desist from dragging the name of the party in the mud and support him for PDP to win in Ogun State.

  • 2019: IDPs won’t vote in Niger – INEC

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Niger state, Professor Sam Egwu has disclosed that there will be no Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) voting in Niger state because INEC does not recognize any IDP camp in the state.

    Egwu stated this while interacting with newsmen at the Niger state INEC office in Minna.

    He declared that INEC did not include Niger state among the states captured for IDP voting adding that no preparation had been done to that aspect.

    “IDP voting will not take place in Niger state. We have never recorded any official IDP camp in the state, so none has been recognized so far. Those who were said to be displaced have returned back to their homes where they can vote. ”

    Read Also: INEC commences deployment of sensitive, non-sensitive materials to states

    The Resident Electoral Commissioner then said that only 6,436 out of 22,839 who requested for transfer of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) had collected their PVC calling on others to ensure they collect their PVC before the close of collection by INEC.

    He added that there are over 2.39 million eligible voters in Niger state who are expected to vote on the forthcoming elections.

    He declared the preparedness of INEC in the state to conduct the forthcoming elections adding that they are gradually overcoming the logistical challenges they envisage may crop up.

  • INEC commences deployment of sensitive, non-sensitive materials to states

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) has commenced the deployment of sensitive materials and non-sensitive materials to states ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

    Sensitive materials are the ballot papers, result sheets and others.

    Besides, the commission said it has taken a decision on APC Rivers.

    Read Also: ‘INEC should postpone Rivers elections’

    According to Barrister Festus Okoye, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) state officers have started receiving the sensitive materials

    On the burnt Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), Okoye said the commission would look at the possibility of printing new ones for those affected.

    Besides, INEC has directed its offices in the states to beef up security.

    Details shortly…

  • ‘INEC should postpone Rivers elections’

    • Wike: we are set for polls •It’s not yet Uhuru, says Abe

    Rivers State deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Victor Giadom has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the February 16 and March 2 elections in Rivers, following the Court of Appeal’s ruling.

    He said Governor Nyesom Wike was jittery after confirming that APC candidates would participate in the elections.

    Giadom, who spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt, boasted that all candidates of APC would be victorious in the elections.

    He, however, maintained that postponing the election would ensure that no one was disenfranchised.

    The Appellate Court, presided over by Justice Ali Gumel, granted a stay to Justice Kolawole Omotoso’s judgment on the fielding of candidates by AP in Rivers.

    Giadom said: “Wike is jittery because of the strength of APC in Rivers State. That is why he teamed up with some enemies of democracy to ensure that our party is not on the ballot, but God has put them to shame.

    “Wike and his allies must stop their propaganda and futile fight, but prepare to meet APC candidates in the field. APC will win 80 per cent of votes cast in Rivers State  because the people are tired of Wike’s failed promises.

    “I urge Rivers people to believe in APC because the difference is clear. We will continue to ensure quality leadership that will transform the state and ensure that lives and property are protected.”

    Giadom berated factional APC governorship aspirant, Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast), for misinterpreting the court judgment. He accused Abe of mischief.

    According to him, Abe was being economical with the truth. He insisted Abe should not speak differently from the ruling.

    But Commissioner for Information and Communications Emma Okah, who doubles as director of Information and Communications of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Council, maintained that Wike and other candidates were neither afraid nor jittery having campaigned extensively, and were prepared for the polls.

    But Abe urged Cole not to jubilate yet as his victory in the Appeal Court would not restore his name and that of others with him to the ballot papers, despite the granting of their request by the Appeal Court.

    Abe, who spoke through his lawyer, Henry Bello, said even if the Court of Appeal granted the stay of execution to Justice Kolawole Omotoso’s order, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would not return their names and logo to the ballot papers until the October 10, 2018, High Court judgment is challenged and vacated.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, the Appeal Court has not set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court; what the judgment did was to stay execution of the judgment of the Federal High Court.

    “However, the State High Court judgment of October 10, 2018, has not been stayed, it is still valid and subsisting. And as of today, APC has no candidate in Rivers State.”

     

  • NLC vows to resist sale of NNPC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday that it will resist any attempt to sell the nation’s refineries or privatize the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    It asked the government to immediately invoke the relevant sections of the law and revoke the Privatisation of the power sector.

    The Congress also said it will mobilize Nigerian workers to demand the composition of governing board for the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund and other agencies of government whose boards are yet to be inaugurated and are being run by the Ministers as sole administrators.

    President of Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba who spoke at the 12th delegates conference of the NLC in Abuja said evidence abound across the country that Privatization has not done the nation any good as majority of government owned enterprises privatized are now comatose.

    Wabba said what has happened in the past the enterprises are under prices and sold to friends and associates who strip them of the assets, leaving them comatose and unproductive.

    He emphasized that “since the privatization of electricity distribution, Nigerians are yet to see the fulfilment of promises of efficient service delivery. Instead, the electricity situation has gone worse with chronic failures by DISCOs to supply prepaid meters, exploitation of Nigerians through estimated billings and reluctance to attend to basic complaints.

    “Even with N39 billion bailout funds from government, the supposed private entrepreneurs have failed to turn anything around except maybe their pockets, unfortunately, at the expense of Nigerians. This must stop. We call on government to reverse the power sector privatisation because it has failed.

    “Privatization of public utilities has not generally proven to be the correct thing to do in most countries even developed ones. According to a study released by Public Services International.

    Read Also: NLC insists on N30, 000 minimum wage

    “Why Public Private Partnerships don’t work; the many advantages of public alternative authored by David Hall privatizing public utilities has been a wreck in most countries. Example form Spain, France, India, South Korea, UK, Australia among others show how public/state guarantees and loans to private sector for the utilities sector have resulted in failures on delivery of services as well as repayment in most cases”.

    On the promise by one of the Presidential candidates to privatize the NNPC, Wabba said the Congress will not accept any attempt to sell National assets under any guise and will do everything possible and within legal means to stop such an attempt.

    He said that “the crisis of industrialization and manufacturing in Nigeria is best exemplified by the chaos in our downstream petroleum industry where we have been unable to manage our vast natural carbon resources for national development and the prosperity of our people. Our four national refineries are almost under lock and key as we depend on the importation of refined petroleum products for our energy needs.”

    He condemned the non-inauguration of the boards of some government agencies especially those within the Labour circle, saying such action had made the process of collective bargaining difficult, adding that the Congress has decided to take up the issue and would soon engage the relevant authorities over the issue.

    He said “as we gather in this Conference, almost four years down the line the following critical labour market institution boards are yet to be inaugurated. They are the NSITF, Michael Imoudu Labour Institute and PENCOM. This is not only a violation of the Act establishing these bodies but a denial of the critical role of social partners in the management of these boards.

    “Also, the National Labour Advisory Council has not been constituted thereby denying any avenue for tripartite consultation. No reason is good enough for this unhealthy development.”

    Speaking on the 2019 elections, Wabba said “As we approach the 2019 general election, we call on the election management body – Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – and in deed all stakeholders to ensure that we have a peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in February and March, 2019.

    “Congress will continue to hold both the players and the referee in this very important election to account on their words and conduct. Nigerians must rise above partisan interests and become the winners of this election – not political parties and their candidates.

    “The truth is that we do not have any other country other than Nigeria to call our own and we must therefore stop the politicians from using the elections as a pretext to throw the country into crisis.

    “In defending and promoting the cause of Nigerian workers, our focus is to build workers’ power through organizing. We have worked tirelessly to promote causes that can enhance the quality of life and improve the income cum other working conditions of workers. We have paid close attention to workers’ education through our increasingly improved education programmes especially the Rain and Harmattan Schools.”

    On the economy, Wabba said “Our national economy given its vast potentials, amidst diverse challenges, showed some promises in recent times. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 1.81% (year-on-year) in real terms in the third quarter of 2018.

    “This is slightly better than the growth of 1.17% achieved in the third quarter of 2017. The recent GDP growth and increase in internally generated revenue are signs of the steady recovery of our economy from recession.

    “Despite these results, our economy remains largely import driven and dependent. The growth in the size of our economy – the biggest in Africa – is still non-inclusive as the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen. Though described as mixed, our economy is essentially rent seeking and still suffers from systemic distortions.

    “The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report for the third quota of 2018 indicates that the general number of persons unemployed in the country has increased by 3.3 million. The report further indicates that the combined rate of unemployment and under-employment rose from 40.0% in the 2017 third quarter to 43.3% in the third quarter of 2018.”

    He said Nigerians and the government should be worried that the increased pool of graduates, skilled and unskilled youth in the unemployment market especially rural unemployment is a time bomb, adding that attempt to sack workers under any guise as it happened in Kaduna State will complicate the situation.”

    He stressed that the over dependence of our economy on crude oil revenue and the mismanagement of our vast oil wealth through corruption perpetrated by successive governments continue to expose the nation to severe shocks from price fluctuation in the international crude oil market, saying “this was how we landed in the last recession.

    “While we commend the efforts of the current government on economic diversification particularly through agriculture, we are not unmindful of serious structural issues that undermine the progress being made, deeply limit inclusive growth and impact negatively on sustainable development. We will therefore continue to call on government to pay serious attention to these issues.

    Wabba informed the delegates that efforts were being made to reposition the Labour Party and make it a truly Democratic party that all workers will be proud of.

    He said “Your mandate to us to recover and reposition the Labour Party has been met with significant commitment and efforts. We have been able to secure a High Court order that has recognized the NLC as the custodian of the Labour Party. This success has made the task of recovering and repositioning the Labour party a lot easier.

    “Consequent upon the reconciliatory moves by this leadership and other stakeholders, we have agreed to hold an all-inclusive national convention of the Labour Party in order to elect genuine leaders that will translate into reality our shared aspirations to reposition the Labour Party as the numero uno political party in Nigeria.

    “We will intensify current initiatives to settle all the differences within the rank and file of the Labour Party and reconcile the warring factions. We will keep our focus on ensuring that the proposed all-inclusive National Convention of the Labour Party takes place sooner than later.”

  • APC seeks postponement of Rivers gov poll

    • Says Wike is jittery

    The deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Rivers State, Chief Victor Giadom, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the February 16 and March 2 elections in Rivers in view of Monday’s ruling of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt on stay of execution.

    He also accused Rivers Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike of being jittery upon confirmation the governorship candidate of APC in the state, Pastor Tonye Cole and other candidates that emerged through indirect primaries supervised by members of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, would participate in the elections.

    Giadom stated these Tuesday in Port Harcourt in an exclusive interview with our reporter.

    While assuring Cole and other candidates of APC would emerge victorious in the polls, he maintained that postponing Rivers elections would ensure the candidates and the electorate were not disenfranchised.

    Rivers Commissioner for Information and Communications, Emma Okah, who doubles as the Director of Information and Communications of PDP Campaign Council, however maintained that Wike and other candidates of the ruling party were neither afraid nor jittery of main opposition APC’s candidates or candidates of other political parties, having campaigned extensively and fully prepared for the polls, thereby emerging victorious.

    The appellate court presided over by Justice Ali Gumel granted the stay of execution of the judgment of Justice Kolawole Omotoso of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt on the fielding of candidates by the APC.

    Giadom, the immediate past Deputy National Secretary of APC, said: “Wike is jittery, because of the strength of APC in Rivers State. That is why he teamed up with some enemies of democracy to ensure that our party (APC) is not on the ballot, but God has put all of them to shame. Wike made all efforts, including outside the law, to stop APC from fielding candidates in Rivers State.

    “Wike and his allies must stop their propaganda and futile fights, but to prepare to meet candidates of APC in the field. APC will win 80 per cent of the votes cast in Rivers State in all the elections, because Rivers people are tired of Wike’s failed promises.

    “I expect Wike and other members of PDP in Rivers State to enjoy the healthy competition of political context, so as to know who are the choices of the people of Rivers State, as against the attempts by Wike to shut the doors against APC.

    “While thanking the judges of the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt for granting the stay of execution of the judgment of Justice Omotoso, we urge INEC, as a law-abiding institution, to do the needful by postponing Rivers elections, to ensure a level-playing field and in order to allow candidates of APC to adequately campaign as their counterparts in other political parties, who have been campaigning round Rivers State’s 23 LGAs for over two months. The postponement will be in the interest of Rivers people, especially APC members.

    “I wish to urge Rivers people to believe in the APC, as the difference is very clear. We will continue to ensure quality leadership that will transform the entire Rivers State and ensure adequate protection of lives and property, thereby making the state a destination for investments.”

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    The deputy governorship candidate also berated a governorship aspirant on APC platform, Senator Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) for misinterpreting the ruling of the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt, accusing him of mischief.

    Giadom declared that Abe, from the same Bera-Ogoni in Gokana LGA of Rivers, was being economical with the truth, stressing that the former Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG) in the administration of Rotimi Amaechi, now Transportation Minister, ought not to speak differently from what was contained in the ruling of the appellate court.

    He urged Nigerians to avail themselves with the ruling, in order not to be misled by individuals or groups, while calling on APC members and supporters in Rivers to take advantage of the ruling and return to active campaigns, so as to ensure victory in all the elections.

    The deputy governorship candidate assured that members of Rivers APC were ready to receive President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his campaign team in Port Harcourt next week.

    He said: “Rivers people should continue to support APC. We should ensure peaceful elections in Nigeria, especially in Rivers State. When Cole becomes governor and I as deputy governor, by God’s grace, Rivers State will experience massive transformation in all sectors. There will also be peace, security and commensurate development. We will bring back the lost glory of Rivers State.

    “The Federal Government is doing a lot in Rivers State, particularly the construction of Bodo-Bonny Road, Ogoni clean-up, completion of the international wing of Port Harcourt International Airport and massive construction of roads through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), among others. Wike’s propaganda should be ignored. Wike’s abysmal performance will end on May 29, 2019.”

    Giadom also called on Nigerians to continue to support the Buhari’s administration and come out en-masse on February 16 to vote for him and other candidates of the party in all the elections.

  • Despite attacks, INEC vows to conduct elections in Madagali

    The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC ) in Adamawa says the Monday night attack by suspected insurgents in Madagali Local Government Area (LGA) of the state, will not deter it from conducting elections in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that there was an insurgent attack in Kirchinga and Shuwa villages of Madagali LGA.

    Mr. Kasim Gaidam, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) told NAN that the commission was committed to conducting elections in designated areas in Madagali.

    “The Independent National Electoral Commission, the good people of Madagali and the entire Adamawa State have resolved to ensure election is conducted in Madagali.

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    “No amount of threats, intimidation and sabotage would stop INEC from conducting the elections,” Gaidam said.

    The REC said the commission, with the support of security agencies and other relevant stakeholders, would ensure the successful conduct of in the area; and Adamawa in general.

    Gaidam, who noted that there were more than 81,000 registered voters in Madagali LGA, assured the electorate that INEC would not disenfranchise them.