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Tag: PDP

  • PDP urges NJC to probe relocation of Osun election tribunal

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe the sudden relocation of the sitting of the Osun Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal to Abuja.

    In a statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, by its State Chairman Soji Adagunodo, the party said the tribunal was relocated without informing counsel to the petitioner.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in a statement on Saturday in Osogbo, the tribunal’s Secretary, Mr Adamu Aliyu, announced the relocation of its sitting to Abuja.

    The reason for the relocation of the sittings of the three-man panel to Abuja was not stated in the notice dated November 9.

    “This is to inform the general public that the sitting of the Osun State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal has been relocated from High Court of Justice Complex, Osogbo, to FCT High Court 24, Apo, Abuja,” the statement said.

    Contacted, Adamu told NAN that both parties in the matter asked the tribunal to relocate to Abuja for security reasons.

    He said: “Yes, it is true that the tribunal has been relocated to Abuja. Both parties (the All Progressives Congress, APC, and PDP) requested that the tribunal be relocated to Abuja for security reason.”

    But the PDP said the relocation of the tribunal was another sign that there was a desperate and evil plan by some forces to implement a pre-written script on the proceedings and outcome of its petition before the tribunal.

    Adagunodo said the decision to relocate the sitting was without any justifiable reason.

    The chairman added that there had been no reports that could have necessitated the action.

    He said: “It is very probable that those who took the decision without consultation with counsel of the petitioners did so partly to prevent the good people of Osun State from observing the proceedings of the tribunal.

    “We want to remind honourable members of the tribunal of the dictum of the eminent jurist Niki Tobi, JSC, that the true test of a fair hearing is the impression of a reasonable person who was present at the trial, whether from his observation justice has been done.

    “On our part as a party, we will continue to invite the attention of the National Judicial Council (NJC), leaders of thought and the international community to the happenings in Osun State and state what these portend for the 2019 general elections.

    “We are hopeful that the concerned persons and authorities will act speedily on this matter and restore the hope of the common man in Osun State in the judicial process.”

    Also, the Osun State chapter of the APC said it would abide by the decision to relocate the governorship Election Petitions Tribunal as long as it does not violate any law of the land.

    A statement yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, said: “We in the APC have no objection to the relocation of the state’s governorship Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja. It is a legal process permitted by the law of Nigeria. We support the movement, so long it dispenses justice fairly and without favour.

  • Emmanuel’s cousins dump PDP for APC

    Twenty maternal cousins of Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State from his Awa clan in Onna Local Government Area have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), apologising for what they called the governor’s non-performance.

    They joined APC on Friday during the reception of the strongman of Ini politics, Dr. Godwin Udo Udo (Mentor) into APC at Methodist School, Mbiabong Ikot Udofia, Ini Local Government Area.

    Two of Emmanuel’s cousins, Kingsley Ufang and Valentine Ufang, had defected to APC last year, advising the governor not to seek re-election to avoid disgrace at the polls because of his unpopularity even in his village, Awa Iman.

    Mr. Tony Ekwere, the leader of the latest set of defectors from the governor’s family, flanked by other members of the family, thanked Senator Godswill Akpabio for helping their cousin to become governor, adding, “We are not happy with the situation. We are sad. We stood by you (Senator Akpabio) to deliver our brother, Udom Emmanuel. And we are going to stand by you to deliver Obong Nsima Ekere and President Buhari. Without Godswill Akpabio, nobody would have known Awa Iman as a village and Awa as a clan in Onna. We want Godswill Akpabio to correct the mistake of 2015,” he said.

    Obong Nsima Ekere, the APC Governorship candidate, said by admitting and regretting the failure of their cousin, the defectors had demonstrated that they were a family with conscience.

    Archbishop Samuel Akpan, a former APC governorship aspirant from Onna who introduced the governor’s cousins at the rally, hailed them for coming to do “a send-off party” for Emmanuel.

    Also speaking, Mr. Felix Idiong, Governor Udom Emmanuel’s father-in-law, disclosed that the governor has not allowed his wife, Martha, to affect the lives of her family members in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

    “He has not allowed my daughter the privilege to impact on the lives of her family. We have become so disgusted, so disappointed at why he could behave that way. That is why I followed Godswill Akpabio.

    The family of Obong Sampson Udo Idiong, a former President of Ibibio State Union and former Paramount Ruler of Abak, Ukanafun and Oruk Anam, have come to support Senator Godswill Akpabio and Obong Nsima Ekere.”

  • PDP: Fayose, Secondus clash over Ekiti leadership tussle

    There were strong indications that the immediate past Governor of Ekit State, Ayodele Fayose, and the National Chairman of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, may have begun a subtle political battle ahead of 2019 general election in the state. Our correspondent gathered that the leadership tussle that broke out between factions of the party in Ekiti State may be the cause of the rift between the duo.

    While Fayose is currently engaged in a fierce political battle for the control of the PDP in Ekiti State, there are feelers that Secondus may have thrown his weight behind those who plotted the alleged removal of the former governor as the leader of the party in the Southwest state following the loss of the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the gubernatorial election held last July.

    Party sources say the national leadership of the party’s decision to support those moving against Fayose is being rationalized as the provision of the PDP constitution which allegedly prescribed the most senior elective office holder in a state as the ‘leader’ of the party in any state. “This is where Secondus recognized Senator Biodun Olujimi as the leader of the party in Ekiti State,” a source explained.

    But ex-Governor Fayose is unfazed by such explanation. According to sources close to him, he is highly disappointed and embarrassed by what he reportedly described as the betrayal of trust meted out to him by Secondus. “Oga will ordinarily go to sleep and not worry himself over the circus show being led by Senator Olujimi. But when signs that the plotters may have the support of some people at the top started emerging, he saw a need to dig deep.

    “While it is still not confirmed where all these is coming from so soon after we left office, it is sad that the national chairman’s body language is encouraging the political rascality going on in Ekiti PDP today. Fayose is no push over in politics, especially in PDP where he has been governor twice. We will not allow anybody to dictate for us in Ekiti. The party members know their leader and they will not follow any regent,” our source, a close associate of Fayose’s said.

    Prominent chieftains of Ekiti PDP had last Saturday appointed the Senator representing Ekiti South, Mrs Biodun Olujimi, as the leader of the party in Ekiti State and the Southwest. The PDP stakeholders also passed a vote of no-confidence on the Chief Gboyega Oguntuase-led State Working Committee of the party in Ekiti, calling on Secondus to dissolve the executive and set up a caretaker committee to pilot the party’s affairs. They cited alleged financial recklessness as reason for their call for the disbandment of the State executive.

    The party leaders took the decision to install Olujimi as leader since she is the most top-ranking elected official in the state and the Southwest. A resolution, signed and read by the Protem Secretary of the PDP Stakeholders and former Assembly member, Bunmi Olugbade, also overruled the SWC on the suspension of former State Secretary of the party, Dr. Tope Aluko , saying he remains a bonafide member of the party. The leaders also resolved to back the candidacy of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in 2019.

    Reacting, Senator Olujimi said ex-Governor Fayose was excluded from the meeting because he had just been released from detention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial fraud. “We knew what he might have passed through by staying in detention and we know it might not be easy for him to attend this meeting, so there is no faction at all in our party. My being appointed the Leader does not mean there is crisis,” she said.

    A party leader, Titi Oluwatuyi, while commending the national chairman of the PDP for ‘standing firm on the side of the truth’  claimed that Section 30 of the PDP’s constitution allowed leadership change in the PDP, saying the leadership change was in order. The PDP chieftain who leads a group, Integrity Women in Politics, said Secondus has restated his support for the adoption of Senator Olujimi as the party’s leader in the state.

    She applauded those who spearheaded the announcement of the change in leadership of the party, saying it would “serve as a morale booster for women’s participation in politics.” Oluwatuyi also commended the former Governor Fayose for allegedly “respecting and standing by the decision of the stakeholders”, saying this was “party supremacy in action.” She contended that Senator Olujimi’s adoption was “in consonance with the party’s constitution and the rule of law” and that the action didn’t breach any law of the land.

    “We commend former Governor Fayose for standing by the party’s decision and he did this because he realised that the decision was in line with the party’s guidelines and constitution contrary to some disgruntled and faceless elements who are bent on fanning the ember of discord within the party. We charge the new leader, Senator Olujimi to, as a matter of urgency constitute a reconciliation committee that will further foster unity among party members with a view to presenting a formidable party that can guarantee victory for us in 2019.”

    The Nation gathered that the Olujimi camp may have sought the understanding of Secondus and other party leaders before embarking on the move to change the status quo in Ekiti PDP. Reliable sources claimed that the move was initiated by a coalition of some prominent Abuja based Ekiti politicians and many more home based politicians, especially members of the Ekiti House of Assembly.

    “The event where Olujimi was announced as the replacement for Fayose as the party leader in Ekiti was the final outcome of series of meetings in Abuja and Ado-Ekiti. The decision was not just taken without consultations. That is why it has not been easy for Fayose to reverse the situation in spite of all the threats. Ekiti people and the leadership of the PDP in Abuja know the right thing to do in the current situation if the party is to survive this trying time,” a party official said.

    Speaking on the development, another aide of the ex-Governor flayed the silence of the national leadership of the party on the matter, saying those accusing Secondus of having a hand in the unfolding drama may not be totally wrong after all. “Why should anyone keep quiet while something like this is going on? This is not in the interest of the PDP in Ekiti, or even in the entire Southwest. Secondus better be told,” he said.

    While dissociating themselves from the Saturday meeting that installed Olujimi as state leader, PDP’s five House of Representatives members from Ekiti State expressed confidence in the leadership of the Oguntuase-led state leadership of the party. Representatives Kehinde Agboola (Ekiti North I), Thaddeus Aina (Ekiti North II), Ayo Oladimeji (Ekiti Central I), Segun Adekola (Ekiti South I) and Akin Awodumila (Ekiti South II), in a joint statement, reiterated their loyalty to Fayose.

    “There is no leadership vacuum in the PDP in Ekiti State those desperate for political leadership should wait for their time. While we agree that individuals or groups have rights to hold meetings, we are miffed that Senator Olujimi was taking her selfish agenda of collapsing the party structures to the extreme. We were not consulted before the meeting was held and most of those who attended the meeting were those who worked against our party in the July 14 governorship election,” they said.

    But a source at the national secretariat of the PDP told The Nation that it is wrong for anybody to read meaning to the silence of the national chairman. He explained that the matter came to the notice of the PDP leadership during the week and necessary steps are being taken to look into it. “We will not encourage discord anywhere. We will not support tyranny of any sort. We will always do what will promote the party, not an individual,” our source said.

  • No political gang-up can stop Sanwo-Olu – Lagos APC

    The Lagos State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday, said its governorship candidate, Mr Jide Sanwo-Olu, would defeat all opponents to win the 2019 election.

    The Assistant Publicity Secretary of the party in the state, Mr Abiodun Salami, told our reporters in Lagos.

    He was reacting to a statement by a group of opposition political parties on Friday, which that Sanwo-Olu was not a popular candidate and that he could not win the state in 2019.

    The Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the state, Mr Taofeek Gani, had recently said Sanwo-Olu was “unprepared and incompetent” and that he would not emerge in 2019.

    Reacting, Salami said no political gang-up could stop Sanwo-Olu as he enjoyed the support of residents to emerge as the next governor of the state.

    He said the governorship candidate was competent and prepared, adding that the people of Lagos state would vote for him to continue the development strides of the APC in the state.

    “Sanwo-Olu will emerge the next governor of Lagos by God’s grace. He is the choice of Lagos residents. He will be voted to continue the development strides of the APC.

    Read Also: Lagos APC to PDP: Sanwo-Olu is prepared

    “How relevant are those parties saying all sorts of things about our candidate. Can they win any ward let alone the entire state.

    “So, we cannot be joining issues with them.We don’t want to make them popular.

    ‘’The party to be is APC. Everybody is here. Sanwoolu will defeat PDP and those parties all together,” he said.

    Salami said the chapter had commenced reconciliation of members owing to the issues in the last primaries in the state.

    He said the essence of the exercise was to strengthen unity in the party, to ensure total rout of PDP and others in 2019.

    NAN

  • INEC releases names of nominated candidates for by-elections

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released names of political parties and their nominated candidates for by-elections in Kastina, Bauchi, Kwara and Cross River, scheduled for Nov. 17.

    The list was released in a statement signed by INEC National Commissioner, and Chairman, Information and Voter Education, Festus Okoye on Thursday in Abuja.

    The by-elections are for Kankia/Kusada/lngawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State, Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State, Ekiti/lrepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara, and lkom ll State Constituency of Cross River State.
    According to INEC, four political parties submitted nominations for the Kankia/Kusada/lngawa Federal Constituency of Katsina State by-election, as at Nov. 6, which was the last day for the submission of Forms CF001 and CF002.
    The parties and their nominated candidates are Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Nasiru Kankia; Yes Electorate Solidarity (YES), Abdullahi Umar; Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) , Abdussamad Abdullahi; and the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Kusada.

    Read Also: INEC begins display of voters’ register in Borno

     

    The Commission also disclosed that two political parties submitted nominations for Toro Federal Constituency of Bauchi State by-election.

    These are PDP with Shehu Umar as its candidates, as well as the APC with Yusuf Nuhu as its candidate.

    For Ekiti/lrepodun/Isin/Oke-Ero Federal Constituency of Kwara, the Commission said five political parties nominated candidates including the Labour Party, Femi Ana-Ara; and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Olaniyan Ayorinde.

    Others are PDP, Jimoh Damilare; Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) Ajayi Bidemi; and the APC, Olawuyi Tunji.

    Okoye also disclosed that only the PDP nominated candidate, Egbong Nkoro, for the by-election in the lkom ll State Constituency of Cross River State.
    “The by-elections will hold as scheduled on Nov. 17. To this end, all arrangements have been made for the successful conduct of the elections.
    “The Commission implores all participating political parties and their candidates to cooperate with it to ensure peaceful and successful elections,” he said.

  • 2000 PDP supporters joins APC in Edo

    Over 2000 members of the People Democratic Party (PDP), in Okada Ward, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo, have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). 
     
    Okada Ward is the hometown of the lawmaker representing Ovia Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Omosede Igbinedion.
    She got the nomination ticket of the PDP to return to the National Assembly.
     
    The defectors, led by one Jamiu Deinde, said they were leaving the PDP because of the inability to access their incumbent lawmaker.
    Jamiu said Omosede who hail from the ward, and a daughter of the Esama of Benin, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, neglected the people that worked
    “We have suffered untold neglect, even as the promises to attract federal presence to the area, have not be met.
    “Biggest of our pain lies in our inability to reach our lawmaker every time we try to, especially against the backdrop of her unfulfilled campaign promises.

    Read Also:  Lagos APC, PDP warming up for National Assembly elections

    “With all these and many others, we took the decision to align with the APC and support its candidate for the Ovia Federal Constituency, Dennis Idahosa, whom we have always known for his philanthropic work in the area as well as the state in general,” he stated.
    Receiving the defectors,  leader of the APC in Ovia and APC’s candidate for Ovia, Mr. Dennis Idahosa. commended the defectors for having the courage to move from the opposition party.
    Idahosa urged the former PDP members not to see themselves as new comers, as they would be accorded same rights as the members of the party they met on ground.
    He further urged them demonstrate their commitment to the party by being fully involved in the campaign activities for the 2019 general elections.
    According to him, “It’s not just to join the party but remain committed to its  course. You have come to join us to enjoy the dividends of democracy and that is what you will get.
    “You are not going to be treated as a new comer or an outside, our party is not like the one (PDP) where monkey dey work bamboo they chop.
    “Just as you have come to join us, we will also be committed to your course, and together, we will sail and produce sometime great.”

  • Buhari declares state of emergency on water, sanitation sector

    President Muhammadu Buhari has declared a state of emergency on Nigeria’s water supply, sanitation and hygiene sector.

    Buhari made the declaration at the inauguration of the National Action Plan for Revitalisation of Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector at State House Conference Centre on Thursday in Abuja.

    He directed governments at all levels to intensify efforts and work towards meeting the nation’s water supply and sanitation needs.

    Buhari warned that henceforth Federal Government’s support to state governments would be based on their commitment to implementing the National WASH Action Plan in their respective states and to end open defecation by 2025.

    The president said the declaration had become critical to reduce the high-prevalence of water-borne diseases in different parts of the country, which has caused preventable deaths.

    He described statistics on open defecation, access to piped water services and sanitation in the country as ”disturbing”.

    “Access to piped water services which was 32 per cent in 1990 has declined to seven per cent in 2015; access to improved sanitation has also decreased from 38 per cent in 1990 to 29 per cent in 2015.

    “Our country now ranks number two in the global rating on Open Defecation as about 25 per cent of our population are practicing open defecation.

    “WASH services at the rural areas are unsustainable as 46 per cent of all water schemes are non-functional, and the share of our spending on WASH sector has been declining from 0.70 per cent of the GDP in 1990 to about 0.27 per cent in 2015, which is far below the 0.70 per cent at the West African regional level,” Buhari said.

    The president restated that the provision of potable water supply, adequate sanitation and hygiene were primarily the responsibilities of State and Local Governments.

    Read Also: Drama as suspected placenta thieves trade blame

    According to him, water supply and sanitation are not being given the required attention judging from the high prevalence of water-borne diseases that are being reported in different parts of the country.

    He said that the stakeholders could not and would not continue to allow the preventable occurrences to decimate Nigeria’s population.

    Buhari said that he was aware that Nigeria did not meet the MDG targets for Water Supply and Sanitation that ended in 2015.

    “The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets (6.1 and 6.2) for WASH are even more demanding as they require WASH services to be provided in adequate quantity and quality on premises at affordable prices.

    “This cannot be achieved if we continue with ‘a business as usual’ approach.

    “It is on this premise that I fully endorse the decision taken at the meeting of the Federal Executive Council in April this year to declare a State of Emergency on our WASH Sector.

    “I call on all state governments to complement this effort by according the sector similar recognition to enable us work together to achieve the SDG targets for WASH by 2030.’’

    At the federal level, Buhari pledged that his administration would continue to place priority on infrastructure development including those of water supply, sanitation and hygiene services towards ensuring a better life for Nigerians.

    According to him, the commitment is being demonstrated through faithful implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) – which is the present administration’s blueprint for infrastructure and economic development.

    “From the inception of this administration, we have demonstrated serious commitment to the development of the Water Sector by preserving the Ministry of Water Resources and subsequently approving the 15-year roadmap developed for the sector.

    “The transformation being witnessed in the sector since then is highly commendable.

    “I have no doubt that the on-going initiatives including the implementation of the Partnership for Expanded Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene (PEWASH) in the Ministry will take the water sector to improved performance and supply, thereby meeting the national aspirations as well as the SDGs,” he said.

    The event was attended by representatives of state governments and development partners.

  • Buhari Mourns Sunny Odogwu

    President uhammadu Buhari has described the late Ide Ahaba of Asaba, Chief Sunny Odogwu as an accomplished business man and industrialist whose contribution to nation development serves as a source of inspiration to several Nigerians.

    In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina said the President is pained by the exit of Chief Odogwu and commiserated with the Odogwu family on the death of Chief Sunny Odogwu.

    The President also extended his heartfelt condolences to the good people of Asaba and the Government of Delta State on the passage of their illustrious son and respected elder statesman.

    Read Also: Policeman found dead in pit in Delta

    The Presidenr sais he also joined the and the people of Delta State in honouring the memory of the versatile businessman, who remarkably contributed to the socio-economic development of his immediate community, state and the nation, drawing from his extensive experience as an accomplished industrialist, entrepreneur, publisher and philanthropist.

    The President affirmed that through his vast business networks, range of skills and perspectives, the late Chief Odogwu demonstrated deep understanding and commitment in empowering indigenous businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and creating thousands of employment opportunities for Nigerians.

    He prayed the almighty God to comfort the family, friends and business associates of the deceased, and grant his soul eternal rest.

  • Assassination: Ekweremadu threatens to release video clip

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, on Wednesday threatened to release video clips of how his house was invaded by alleged assassins on Tuesday.

    Ekweremadu said that he may be forced to actualize his threat to release the video clip if the Police fail to withdraw its claim that what happened in his house was a mere case of burglary.

    The Senate resolved to ask the Police to do a thorough investigation of the alleged assassination attempt on Ekweremadu, his wife and son in the early hours of Tuesday.

    The upper chamber said that the conclusion that the incident was a case of burglary appeared to be hasty.

    Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (Abia South), who raised the issue, prayed the Senate to condemn the hasty conclusion by the Police that the invasion of Ekweremadu’s residence was a mere burglary case.

    Abaribe lamented that “For the police to quickly without interviewing the very person for whom this incident happened to, come out and determine that it was a burglary, actually burgles the mind. We know in this country that Bola Ige was killed in his home. We know and also it is a fact the former gubernatorial candidate, Funsho Williams was also killed in his home”

    “Our fear today is why is the Police engaging in a cover up? Why is the police continually at any time that it concerns people that do not have presidential oversight or cover, they quickly come out and have a report” Abaribe queried

    Ekweremadu, in his remarks said that a deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations visited his house with the Commissioner of Police for the FCT on Tuesday afternoon to sympathizie with him.

    “I showed them round and of course they were very sympathetic of what happened”

    He also informed Senate that he was shocked “when I wake up this morning to hear Police saying that what happened in my house is a mere case of burglary. I am at a loss because as we speak, they have not taken any statement from my son who was hospitialised, they have not gone to the hospital to find out what exactly happened to my son. They have invited security personnel attached to me who reported yesterday some are still reporting this morning.

    “They (the Police) looked at the CCTV tapes operated by the DSS and a staff of my house, apparently they were not able to figure it out. So it was easy for them to quickly dismiss what really happened”

    Ekweremadu noted that he has been able to figure out the correct picture of what happened and disclosed that he now has the video clip.

    Read Also: Policeman found dead in pit in Delta

    “Unfortunately for them, later yesterday evening a technician came and was able to figure out and was able to produce the CCTV footage, including how they gained entrance into my house and how they got a way into my room and the fight between them my wife and my son and all the efforts we made to save our lives. I am happy that we have that in our custody which the police is not aware of. I am sure that Nigeria will be shocked on what transpired and all the efforts made to save our lives. Now that the police appears to have concluded the case, unless they withdraw the statement that it is a mere case of burglary, I may now be forced to release those footage to the media, international communities so that Nigerians and ordinary people judge whether it was a case of burglary or attempt to kill me or whether they just want to come to my house to have a breakfast or have a handshake with me.”

    Ekweremadu added, “It appears to me that the man who said it was a mere case of burglary does not know what burglary is about. He doesn’t need any teaching he just needs to go into the internet and find out what burglary is really about. He can compare if it is the same with what happened in my house.”

    He also said he might be forced to accept offers by some concerned Nigerians who wanted to offer free security in his house.

    “I also want to appreciate those who said they want to come to my house and provide security service for me with their machetes and Dane guns if the police have failed to do that. If they fail to withdraw so I have to accept those offers but I don’t want that to be our portion”

    Senator Dino Melaye, in his contribution said,

    “The police adopted a very myopic, porous and intellectually stagnant approach to a very serious matter. To start with, burglary is not mere. Anyone who is engaged in burglary has satanic intention. It is burglary that leads to assassination.

    “To come out and say its mere burglary shows that the Nigeria Police has identified some individuals that no matter what happen, we will not get their service.

    If this has happened to one of the faithfuls of Mr President, this will not be the reaction of the Inspector-General of Police. If this has happened to one of the close friends of the villa, this will not be the reaction of the IGP.” he added.

  • Minimum Wage: Nigerian workers deserve a better deal—Victor Oye

    Dr Victor Oye, National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) on Wednesday in Awka said Nigerian Workers deserve all that they could get due to their contributions to development of the country.

    Oye, made the assertion in an interview with our reporter, said the economic reality of the country had made workers the “weeping boys” of the system.

    He urged the Federal Government to not only enhance their pay but improve on their working conditions.

    The APGA chairman commended the quality of negotiations between government, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Organised Private Sector that led to aversion of the threatened industrial action.

    Oye commended the Anambra Government for paying salaries on the 25th every month and for being among the first states to offer to pay N30, 000 minimum wage

    “Nigerian workers deserve a better deal considering the harsh economic atmosphere in the country; they have always been at the receiving end.

    “That the Federal Government is able to avert the strike brought a huge relief to Nigerians and averted what would have come with consequences of embarrassing proportion.

    “APGA urges the federal and state governments to take the welfare of workers seriously.

    “They must come up with a programme on how to develop the cognitive and latent talents of workers to make them more productive,” he said.

    Read Also:I’m committed to new minimum wage – Buhari

    On his part, Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, said he considered the N30,000 a meager amount that could not lift any home out if poverty.

    Umeh argued that governors could pay the amount the NLC was asking for if they could appropriate the state resources efficiently and be more innovative.

    “Nigerian workers do not have a living wage; we cannot continue to pretend and say there is no money when a lot of people are living in affluence.

    “They deserve living wage, even the N30, 000 they are demanding is not a living wage, government should know how to manage its resources to enable it pay workers,” he said.

    Umeh thanked workers for suspending the strike that was to begin on Nov. 6 and expressed the hope that all parties would respect the terms reached during the negotiations.