The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Labour Party

  • Former Benue NUJ Chairman wins LP ticket

    Mr Kris Atsaka, former  Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Benue Council has emerged the Labour Party (LP) candidate for 2019 State House of Assembly election .

    The former NUJ Chairman will contest election  and if elected, will represent the Benue Makurdi South Constituency.

    Announcing the results of LP primaries, Mr John Odoh, the Electoral Officer for Makurdi South State Constituency said Mr Kris Atsaka pulled 28 votes to defeat Matthew Chameh who scored 4 votes.

    Read Also: AbduSalam to NLC: You’re not the owner of Labour Party

    He said the total number of delegates and votes were 32, adding that the “process was free, fair and credible “.

    In his acceptance speech, Atsaka promised a fair representation for the growth and development of the state,if elected in 2019 election.

    He thanked all members of the public, his colleagues in Journalism and unionists for their support.

    Atsaka, from the Voice Newspaper, Makurdi, was NUJ Chairman from 2011 -2018 where he served for two terms.

    NAN

  • 2019: Oyo deputy speaker, Eight others defect to ADC

    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.

    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.

    Read Also:Oyo AD opposes inauguration of caretaker committee

    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.

  • Mimiko declares for presidency

    The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has declared his interest to contest for Presidency in the 2019 general election.

    Mimiko made his declaration at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party with all LP National Executives and smaller political parties present in Abuja.

    The two-term former Governor is contesting under the platform of the Labour Party.

    He vowed to frontally attack corruption, end killings, injustice and restructure the country with great support from the youth.

    Read Also: My presidential ambition a rescue mission – Donald Duke

    According to him, “Restructuring is not about about North vs South, Muslim vs Christian. Restructuring will empower every parts of Nigeria. Development will be unleashed in every part.”

    He added that, “There is enough landmass to feed Africa.”

    Mimiko assured women of inclusion and promised to work with any other party willing to join his political ambition.

  • Updated: Mimiko Declares for Presidency

    The former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has declared his interest to contest for Presidency in the 2019 general election.

    Mimiko made his declaration at the National Headquarters of the Labour Party with all National Executives and smaller political parties present in Abuja.

    Read Also:2019: APC faction, Oyinlola, Mimiko meet Ladoja for merger talk – News

    The two-term former Governor is contesting under the platform of the Labour Party.

    He vowed to frontally attack corruption, end killings, injustice and restructure the country with great support from the youth.

    According to him, “Restructuring is not about North vs South, Muslim vs Christian. Restructuring will empower every parts of Nigeria. Development will be unleashed in every part.”

    He added that, “There is enough landmass to feed Africa.”

    Mimiko assured women of inclusion and promised to work with any other party willing to join his political ambition.

  • Ondo youths dump LP for APC

    Scores of youths from the six local government areas in the Southern Senatorial district of Ondo State have defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The youths were received by the State Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, who was at the venue in Irele, headquarters of Irele Local Government area.

    The chairman represented by his deputy, Agabra Atili, congratulated them for taking a wise decision, and assured them of proper integration.

    Adetimehin urged them to put their request into paper and send it to the State Secretariat for consideration.

    He explained that President Muhammadu Buhari was laying sound infrastructural and economic foundation for a better and prosperous future, adding that same was being replicated in Ondo State, under Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

    The exercise was facilitated by the representative of the senatoral district at the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly, Senator Yele Omogunwa.

    The decampees decried what they called “gross neglect” by the LP, which they adduced as the crux of their annoyance, and subsequent defection.

    Read Also: Sallah: 14 passengers cheat death in Ondo

    Facilitator of the defection, Omogunwa said he had the opportunity of meeting and discussing with leaders of some of the groups and observed they are vibrant and articulate.

    Omogunwa said “There is the need to integrate as many as possible into our Party, to ensure electoral success in the next general elections. Mimiko is a deft politician, so the more we are able to pull out of the Labour Party, the better for us in 2019”.

    The Coordinator of the Aviary Youth Vanguard, Coastal Region, Oluwarotimi Omoge, said they decided to join the APC because of the sincerity of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Omoge, appealed to the State leadership of the party to concede to members of the groups  councillorship positions in their respective political wards.

  • 2019: Labour Party pledges 16m votes for Buhari

    National Chairman of the Labour Party Dr Mike Omotoso on Thursday said the party will deliver about 16 million votes to President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 elections.
    Dr Omotoso, 2015 governorship candidate of the party said this on Thursday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital at the launch of canvassers for President Buhari’s reelection in next year presidential election.
    Earlier, Minister of Information and Culture Lai Mohammed hinted that the president’s reelection would be boosted by no less than 16 million votes through the administration’s feeding programme for school pupils.
    The Labour Party chairman said the party was on discussion with the All progressives Congress (APC).
    He added that the time to salvage the time from one man’s rule is now, assuring that the party would deliver workers’ votes to the president.
    He added that “no man is God. This is the time to bail our people out of the political bondage.”
    “However, our terms with APC must align with the ideals of the workers, as the party is that of the downtrodden and the masses,” he said.
    Also speaking interim Caretaker chair of APC in the state Hon Bashir Bolarinwa urged all to sincerely queue behind Alhaji Lai Mohammed as he is the current leader of the party in the state.
    He added that “with that we capture power from a hegemony that had over the years held us hostage.
    “We must not allowed ourselves to be deceived by the blackmails and lies against President Muhammadu Buhari against his reelection.
    Prophets are not respected in their homes. What happened in 1985 when he was overthrown must not happen in 2019.”

  • Labour party aspirant canvass support for Buhari

    A Labour Party governorship aspirant in Borno State, Captain Ibrahim Mshelia has canvassed support for the re- election of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Mshelia said his support for Buhari was predicated on the persona of the President, which has earned him respect in his drive to transform the country.

    Speaking in an interview at the weekend in Lagos, the pilot turned politician said Buhari’s developmental ideology has put the country on the right track.

    He said: “A nation or person with no ideology is not going deliver social justice to its people. look at the work done quietly by Buhari, it’s because he does not collect kickbacks or bribe that’s why contractors dare not to deliver. Look at the railway from Warri to Abuja, go and see roads abandoned in Abuja now all completed if not near completion.

    “We cannot afford to continue to allow men with no ideology to run the affairs of a country with beautiful ideology like Nigeria. See how evidently the politicians have shown themselves by the series of defection and counter defections; it’s all about them and not the country. We are wiser now and God has used Buhari to show us that indeed development is easily achieved if you elect a leader and that will not take bribe.

    Read Also: Mimiko’s return excites Labour Party

    “Let us therefore not continue to allow the mismanagement of our dear country by people who have had inferior patriotism, knowledge and ideas to take it forward.

    “Everyone needs to pool together and save our country and if every good person sits on the sidelines, the country will not get saved.”

    On his aspirations as governor of Borno State, Captain Mshelia said his ambition was borne out of the selfless reason to change the narrative in his home state of Borno, especially with the current humanitarian situation there.

    He said, “Borno has a lot to give and it would take ideas, dexterity and a hands-on approach to ensure that the state becomes viable again through its agrarian resources and trade. If harnessed right we have a comparative advantage in farm produce and we can tap into that and utilise it to develop the state.

    “This   is one of the reasons I have thrown my hat in the race under Labour Party.

  • Executive, Legislature feud undermining democracy – Aremu

    Labour Leader and governorship aspirant of the Labour Party in Kwara State, Comrade Issa Aremu has said that conflicts between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government is capable of undermining good governance and democracy in the country.

    Aremu said rather than engage in brinkmanship; both the legislators and the executives must embrace statesmanship as a precondition for sustainable democratic process in Nigeria.

    Read Also:Senate invasion, injury to Nigeria’s democracy – Aremu

    Aremu who is a member of the National Executive Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress said Nigeria’s uninterrupted democracy in the last 20 years needed quality people who would stand for fundamental state principles of good governance as contained in 1999 constitution in place of what he called “politicians desperate for immediate pursuit of power and money”.

    Reacting to recent drama at the National Assembly, Comrade Aremu said the survival of the “smartest politicians” must give way to the survival of democratic process in Nigeria.

    He said democratic forces who fought for democracy must not allow the democratic process undermined by “selfishness and cheap carpet crossing”, adding that it was time Nigeria implemented the resolutions of 2014 conference with reference to code of conduct for political parties, political party office holders on carpet crossing.

    He said section 68 (8) of the Nigerian Constitution (as amended), should be further amended to “indicate that any elected official, executive or legislative, who carpet-cross, regardless of the reasons for such, shall automatically forfeit their seat. Such officials are however, free to contest for the position or indeed any other position on the basis of their new political party.

    Meanwhile, former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Abdulkadir Balarabe Musa has endorsed Comrade Issa Aremu for the post of governorship of Kwara state citing his commitment to struggle for social justice and development in Nigeria. Speaking when Aremu visited him, Musa said “I support Comrade Aremu 99 per cent. I would have supported him 100 per cent if he runs on PRP. But Labour Party he chooses is part of progressive families committed to socialist transformation of Nigeria”.

    Comrade Aremu disclosed that he was inspired by the progressive record of Alhaji Balarabe as the first executive governor of Kaduna state adding that “am an ideological and political son of Alhaji Balarabe Musa right from my university days”.

    Earlier the President of NUTWN, Comrade John Adaji had disclosed that the 40th anniversary of the Union would hold from Tuesday 16th to Thursday 18th October 2018. Activities include Anniversary Rallies, Lectures, Exhibitions, fashion parade and gala nite/Anniversary Awards in major textile cities of Kano, Kaduna and Lagos. National Union of Textile, Garment and Tailoring Workers (NUTGWN) is one of the registered twenty-nine industrial unions, which came into existence after the amalgamation of scores of house unions in 1978.

  • Ex-Ondo CJ, Kumuyi joins LP

    A former Ondo State Chief Judge, Chief Olasehinde Kumuyi has formally joined the Labour Party (LP)as one of political admirers of former Governor Olusegun Mimiko.

    He said the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) including the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), LP and Social Democratic Party(PDP) is one of the major strategies to unseat the ruling APC during the 2019 general election.

    At a political meeting in his home town, Ogbagi-Akoko, Kumuyi who retired in 2017, noted that the coalition would only work if selfish political gladiators dropped their unnecessary ambitions for national interest.

    The former CJ now a traditional Chief in his community said he joined politics on the MP’s platform after his retirement in order to rescue the downtrodden and to facilitate development to Akoko area of the state.

    According to him,the area is the most marginalised and backward part of Ondo state.

    Kumuyi who noted that over 1500 PDP and APC stalwarts including a PDP House of Assembly Aspirant for Akoko Northwest Constituency-2, Oyebode Awe had defected to the LP in Akoko North West local government area, noting that Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu’s administration had failed to live up to expectations.

    He said “Nobody will come from another place to rescue our area that has been neglected, see roads in Akoko, that is why am now going into politics on the labour party platform to give our people better direction”.

    Kumuyi said no single political party can defeat APC in 2019, stressing that the idea of coalition by major opposition parties is very good for our democracy.

    The former CJ who however said he had no immediate plan to contest political office, explained that marginalisation of the four local government areas in Akokoland in terms of deplorable condition of roads and other social services, informed his decision to venture into politics.

    Former governor Olusegun Mimiko represented by his ex-deputy, Alhaji Lasisi Oluboyo described revival of the LP in the state as a major step towards restoring the lost glory of Ondo state.

  • Aremu unfolds governorship ambition in Kwara

    Former Deputy National President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Issa Aremu has declared intention to contest for the governor of Kwara State under the Labour Party (LP).

    Addressing party supporters, he said Kwara was lacking in development, adding that he would ensure the people enjoy dividends of democracy when voted to office.

    Aremu said that he would address the uncertainly in state, noting that the people were weighed down by poverty and mass hunger.

    He said: “With God guidance and your support, I hereby offer myself to lead the electoral process in liberating our hitherto promising Kwara State from underdevelopment, mass hunger and poverty.

    “I am honoured and humbled with your sacrifices to make today a reality. I am indeed delighted and grateful that we all turn out because of the legitimate concern we have for the development of our dear state and Nigeria

    “Today seems uncertain, God willing, tomorrow can and will indeed be better. Despite lack of money and pervasive income poverty, you have taken various means of transport like Okada, Keke and unworthy taxis through the notorious Ilorin roads to this place.’’

    Aremu said the government seems to legitimize wage theft especially of local government employees, contrary to the stipulation of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) work conditions.

    He maintained that the bail outs offered by President Muhammadu Buhari had not been judiciously reflected in the condition of the people.

    Aremu said: “In spite of the legitimate worries you still have time to come. Many appreciatively turn up at the shortest notice. I salute your patriotism and remarkable commitment towards a better Kwara, better Nigeria and better Africa.

    “All our worries about poor governance in Kwara call for action. Let’s get out of slumber and murmurs. Let’s organise and stop agonising.

    “The state was created on 27 May 1967, we are proud to be part of the first generation of states which include Rivers, Kano and Lagos states. Last year, first generation states celebrated 50th anniversary. Lagos and other states celebrated 50 with upbeat signature projects.

    He added: “But Kwara at 50 was ‘marked’ almost unnoticed by leaders who paradoxically celebrate their personal birthdays and weddings of their children like days and months long.  At 50 Governor Ahmed Fatai led administration listed unity, peace and development as the achievements of Kwara at 50.

    “Other listed achievements include the Federal, State and private universities, industries, an emerging aviation hub, advanced health facilities, modern recreational facilities, and comparatively good infrastructure. Why then the “low-key”  celebration?

    “Our state urgently begs for development and salvation from bad governance. The 2019 governorship election offers a unique historic opportunity to reclaim our dear state. I offer to lead my dear Kwara state through selflessness, statesmanship, entrepreneurship, compassion, managing diversity, equality, inclusiveness, sense of justice and fairness.”