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Tag: PRESIDENCY

  • Buhari certificate saga is dead issue – Presidency

    •APC: Opposition party thrives on the trivial

    The Presidency and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday hit back at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the opposition party took President Muhammadu Buhari  to task over his Secondary School certificate .

    The Presidency dismissed the flak from the PDP as an indication of idleness on the part of those speaking for the party on the matter, while the APC branded the criticism trivial.

    “The certificate saga is a dead issue, only idle people will consider it,” the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Femi Adesina, told The Nation yesterday when contacted.

    “It is something that had been laid to rest before the 2015 general elections,” he added.

    “Those raising the issue (PDP and others) are idle and they have run out of ideas. They see defeat staring them in the face and they are desperate to cling to any straw. This issue was resolved before the 2015 election.

    “It is a matter of fact that when President Buhari and others joined the military, they took their original certificates from them. The military knew where they kept the original certificates of the President.

    “In fact, a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Alani Akinrinade corroborated that the military collected the original certificates of all its officers. The PDP believes it is going to lose the elections, and they will lose, and it is raising dust over a dead issue.

    “The military already said they lost the certificates. But does it mean that it did not exist that the President went to school, sat for examinations and passed; attended military courses and War College.

    “It does not change the fact that the President rose through the ranks to become a Major-General in the Nigerian Army and a Military Head of State.

    “Didn’t those opposed to President Buhari go to court over his certificate and lost before? They will still lose this time around. It is a dead issue.”

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Lanre Issa-Onilu, spoke along the same line of thought.

    His words: “It is a dead issue. When PDP has something new to say, Nigerians will be ready to listen to the party.

    “This certificate issue was thrashed in 2014. The President has the minimum qualification he ought to have to stand for election and he had more than the minimum.

    “PDP thrives on the trivial. We want to tell Nigerians what we have achieved in the last three years and why the President should be re-elected. Instead of engaging in meaningful discourse, PDP trades on the trivial.”

    Buhari had, in a sworn affidavit attached to his nomination form for next year’s election, said his certificate was in the custody of the military.

    But the PDP insisted that the certificate be produced  for the President to be believed.

    Buhari, in an attachment to the form his party  submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)  listed his   academic and military attainments as follows: Elementary School Daura and Mai Aduwa (1948-1952); Middle School, Katsina (1953-1956); Katsina Provincial Secondary School (now Government College, Katsina)-1956 to 1961; Nigerian Military Training School, Kaduna (1962-1963); Cadet Officer Course Aldershot, UK (October 1963); Platoon Commander Course, Nigerian Military College, Kaduna (1963-1964); Army Mechanical Transport  School, Bordan, England (1965); Defence Service Staff College, Wellington India (1973-1974); and United States Army War College (1979-1980).

    Lending credence to the affidavit of President Buhari, another presidential candidate, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha (rtd) of the Peoples Party of Nigeria (PPN) claimed that his credentials were still with the Nigerian Army.

    In his nomination form, Al-Mustapha said: “My entire personal documents including my certificates and awards were taken away by the then government in 1998. Formal complaints were registered before High Court of Lagos (2000-2001) and Federal High Court 3 (Lagos Division)-2004-2007 but the government refused to obey court orders till today.

    “However, Nigerian Army (my employer-1983 -2013, is in custody of the certificates this applicant is asking of.

    “I was a victim of persecution for 15 years (1998-2013) over trump up charges. I was however exonerated and freed of the wanton charges vide Court of Appeal ruling: “Major Hamza Al-Mustapha v, The State CA/L/469a/ 2012”-Judgment delivered on 12th July 2013.”

    Sections 130 and 131 of the 1999 Constitution provide eligibility guidelines for a presidential candidate.

    Section 130 of the 1999 Constitution says: “There shall be for the Federation, a President” and such “President shall be the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation and Commander- In –Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federation”.

    “Section 131 states: “A person shall be qualified for election to the office of President if –

    *He is a citizen of Nigeria by birth;

    *He has attained the age of forty – years.

    *He is a member of a political party and is sponsored by that political party; and

    *He has been educated up to at least School Certificate level or its equivalent.

    Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman Mahmood Yakubu  said on Friday that Nigerians who have an issue with the credentials submitted by candidates contesting next year’s elections are free to challenge such claims in court.

    Citing Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act as amended, the INEC chair said: “Each candidate nominated by a political party is required to provide details of his/her personal particulars by personally completing the Form CF001 and to swear an affidavit at the Federal High Court, a High Court of a State or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Within seven (7) days from the close of submission of these documents, the Commission is required to publish the Form in the constituencies that candidates seek to represent as required by Section 31(3) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended).

    “This will give the general public the opportunity to view the affidavit of personal particulars of those who aspire to represent them.

    “Any person with reasonable ground to believe that any information on Form CF001 submitted by a candidate contains incorrect or false claims is at liberty to file an action against such candidate at the Federal High Court or the High Court of a State or the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

  • Presidency: nothing to fear over Kanu

    The Presidency has assured Nigerians that there is no reason to worry about the outburst by Nnamdi Kanu, the disputed leader of IPOB on returning to the country “with hell’’.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity gave the assurance in a statement in Abuja on Tuesday.

    The presidential aide restated that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari was strong enough to defend its territory against any threat.

    He said: “Instead, we see the re-enactment of his bizarre, episodic threat as a mere distraction which will not be allowed to detract from the existing cordial relationships between Nigeria and other countries.’’

    According to him, the Buhari administration is in constant touch with other friendly nations and has the best assurances that they would continue to reciprocate the respect Nigeria has for the sovereignty of their nations.

    “Nigerians have nothing to fear from this,’’ he added.

    Kanu had threatened in one of his recent appearances that he would return to the country with hell.

  • No cause for worry over Kanu’s outburst, Says Presidency

    The Presidency on Monday declared that Nigeria under President Muhammadu Buhari is strong enough to defend its territory against any threat.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, also assured all Nigerians that there is no reason to worry about the hollow outburst by Nnamdi Kanu, the disputed leader of IPOB on returning to the country “with hell’’.
    The statement added “Instead, we see the re-enactment of his bizarre, episodic threat as a mere distraction which will not be allowed to detract from the existing cordial relations between Nigeria and other countries.
    ‘The Buhari administration is in constant touch with other friendly nations and has the best assurances that they would continue to reciprocate the respect Nigeria has for the sovereignty of their nations.
    “Nigerians have nothing to fear from this.” it stated
    Reliable  sources disclosed that the British authorities have briefed the Nigerian government about the temporary travel documents they were about to issue to Namdi Kanu, who holds a Nigeria-U.K dual citizenship that they have the best intentions towards the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Buhari defends travel ban on 50 VIPs as row grows

    Buhari defends travel ban on 50 VIPs as row grows

    The Presidency was last night fending off blows over the controversial Executive Order 6, which imposes a travel ban on about 50 prominent citizens facing corruption and money laundering charges.

    Rights will be respected, the Presidency said, adding that the Executive order is neither political “nor is there any political gain behind its activation.”

    The clarification came amid the growing row over the Executive Order which President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to implement to the letter.

    The Atiku Campaign Organisation joined the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to castigate the action.

    The organisationn said the implementation of the Order could lead to capital flight and return the economy into recession.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised the governmet to withdraw the Executive Order and allow the courts stop suspected looters from travelling.

    Some lawyers have argued that since the court has okayed the Order, a travel ban under it is not out of place.

    The Alliance for New Nigeian (ANN) described the Ordeer as “dictatorial”, adding that there are enough safeguards in the constitution to take care of corruption with the guarantee for freedom of movement for citizens.

    But presidential spokesnam Garba Shehu said “this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption”, adding that “EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.”

    He explained that “the very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.”

    “These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven and 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

    “What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a position to sometimes compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

    “The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.

    “The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.

    “One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.

    On the list of the individuals affected by the ban, Shehu said: “I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.

    “These cases that are well known and to to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.

    “The Immìgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.”

    The Buhari Media Group (BMG) also rose in defence of the EO 6, saying it symbolises the efforts by the Presidency to re-invigorate the war against corruption through judicial process.

    BMG Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, in an interview last night, said: “I have seen a number of responses from the main opposition party. What exactly is the issue? Mr President has made pronunciation through Executive Order in emphasising the judicial process in limiting and containing corruption in Nigeria. The spirit of the Executive Order has a strong judicial intervention.

    “The powers to pronounce forfeiture of assets and to ban suspects under investigation from travelling outside the country are simply within the confine of the court. Banning these 50 individuals from travelling is actually in consonance with the judicial process that is already being undertaken by the relevant agencies of the government.

    “What is apparent is that the corrupt ones have accepted the manipulation of judiciary and the judicial process, but now things are changing.”

    Akinsiju explained that one of the tools to limit the manipulation of the judicial process is the Executive Order.

    “When your assets are forfeited and you cannot travel outside the country, you will opt for a speedy trial instead of delaying it,” he said.

    he Presidency was last night fending off blows over the controversial Executive Order 6, which imposes a travel ban on about 50 prominent citizens facing corruption and money laundering charges.

    Rights will be respected, the Presidency said, adding that the Executive order is neither political “nor is there any political gain behind its activation.”

    The clarification came amid the growing row over the Executive Order which President Muhammadu Buhari ordered Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami to implement to the letter.

    The Atiku Campaign Organisation joined the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to castigate the action.

    The organisationn said the implementation of the Order could lead to capital flight and return the economy into recession.

    Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) advised the governmet to withdraw the Executive Order and allow the courts stop suspected looters from travelling.

    Some lawyers have argued that since the court has okayed the Order, a travel ban under it is not out of place.

    The Alliance for New Nigeian (ANN) described the Ordeer as “dictatorial”, adding that there are enough safeguards in the constitution to take care of corruption with the guarantee for freedom of movement for citizens.

    But presidential spokesnam Garba Shehu said “this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption”, adding that “EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.”

    He explained that “the very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.”

    “These high profile cases we are talking about have been ongoing for between seven and 10 years with no end in sight. These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one.

    “What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a position to sometimes compromise investigation, prosecution and trial. In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects.

    “The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.

    “The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean sheet. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.

    “One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.

    On the list of the individuals affected by the ban, Shehu said: “I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.

    “These cases that are well known and to to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media.

    “The Immìgration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the constitution.”

    The Buhari Media Group (BMG) also rose in defence of the EO 6, saying it symbolises the efforts by the Presidency to re-invigorate the war against corruption through judicial process.

    BMG Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, in an interview last night, said: “I have seen a number of responses from the main opposition party. What exactly is the issue? Mr President has made pronunciation through Executive Order in emphasising the judicial process in limiting and containing corruption in Nigeria. The spirit of the Executive Order has a strong judicial intervention.

    “The powers to pronounce forfeiture of assets and to ban suspects under investigation from travelling outside the country are simply within the confine of the court. Banning these 50 individuals from travelling is actually in consonance with the judicial process that is already being undertaken by the relevant agencies of the government.

    “What is apparent is that the corrupt ones have accepted the manipulation of judiciary and the judicial process, but now things are changing.”

    Akinsiju explained that one of the tools to limit the manipulation of the judicial process is the Executive Order.

    “When your assets are forfeited and you cannot travel outside the country, you will opt for a speedy trial instead of delaying it,” he said.

     

  • Executive order legal, constitutional, Presidency insists

    The Presidency on Sunday replied the critics of the execution order six insisting  that it is legal and constitutional.
    President Buhari on Saturday ordered for full implementation of the new order, with 50 persons already on the watch list.
    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, on Sunday also maintained that the new measure will speed up corruption cases in the country.
    He said “In the history of independent Nigeria, this is the first time any government is taking such a key decision to fight corruption. EO 6 is not only revolutionary to the efforts to rid Nigeria of corruption but a manifestation of systemic changes that are required to to make necessary adjustments as we carry on with the war against corruption.
    “The very essence of the order is to make for speedy trials and conclusion of graft cases. The order is not political and there is no political gain behind its activation.”
    He pointed out that the high profile corruption cases have been going on for up to 10 years with no end in sight.
    He said “These case were mostly originated by administrations other than this one. What is clear is that the access to these resources by the suspects has enabled them to be in a composition to sometime compromise investigation, prosecution and trial.
    “In most of the cases, the courts are held in a helpless position by legal acrobatics paid for from corrupt enrichment by the suspects,” Shehu stated
    He went on “The new measures put in place should compel everyone involved to make for a speedy conclusion of these cases. If it is your money, you have it back. If it belongs to the public, it goes back to the treasury.
    “The question of the constitutionality of the restriction order is answered by the fact that a court of the land has given government a clean chit. The Executive Order is legal and constitutional and therefore implementable.
    “One of the cardinal objectives of the government under our constitution is to fight corruption. Fighting corruption is a responsibility and obligation upon the government.”
    Denying issuing the list of 50 persons on the watch list in circulation, he said “On the so-called list you asked for confirmation, I want to confirm to you that we have not issued any list and we are not doing so.
    “These cases that are well known and to say this or that name is on it will open the door to further accusations, including trial by media. The Immigration Service and other security agencies have the mandate of the President to carry out enforcement and they will do so giving due respects to individual rights, in line with the the constitution.”

  • Presidency: Obasanjo, Atiku will lose together

    THE Presidency last night said former President Olusegun Obasanjo and his anointed candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, will lose together in next year’s presidential election.

    Reacting to Obasanjo’s endorsement of Atiku, the Presidency said President Muhammadu Buhari would not be distracted by the endorsement.

    In a statement, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu said the Presidency was not surprised by the development.

    Shehu said: “The Presidency has received the news of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s predictable U-turn and somersault on the endorsement of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, at a meeting on Thursday, and to say that we are the least surprised by the well-rehearsed theatre.

    “They will lose together. Listening to the prepared statement of the former president after the meeting showed the usual ego trip and ‘I know it all’ character of Chief Obasanjo.

    “In the first place, we dare to say that a pompous statement from the former president advising Nigerians on a vote against President Buhari is the best recommendation that can come at this time.

    “It also betrayed a lack of understanding of today’s politics which is about good governance.

    “The country voted for change in 2015 and a leader that ensures good governance which only President Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) can provide.

    “Bent on these laudable goals, we will not allow ourselves to be distracted.”

    The administration, Shehu said, was busy on various national issues including the restructuring and the diversification of the economy, fighting corruption, terrorism and other threats to national security; increasing the availability of electric power, improving education, health, and providing long-delayed infrastructure – roads, rail, airports and so forth.

    Stressing that many governments have come and gone, he noted that they did not care about some of the projects.

    He said: “We were talking about these things for 16 years under the PDP and nothing was done.

    “President Buhari is proud of his record because his achievements are verifiable, while that of the PDP is manifested by the devastating social and economic impact of large scale corruption during their governance.

    “The President will not relent in the war against corruption because the ordinary people are the ultimate victims if we surrender to corruption and let its perpetrators go unpunished.

    “Abandoning the war against corruption is not an option. President Buhari is in this battle against graft because he cannot allow a few, rapacious, and selfish class of the elite to divert the resources meant for the well-being of the ordinary people to their private pockets.

    “Nigerians trust President Buhari in this effort because they are convinced he is not in government for personal financial benefits, or for an ego trip. It is just 11 years ago that the former president and vice president in their ugly fight for power accused each other of corruption. Nigerians are yet to forget all that.”

     

  • Presidency, lawmakers set to clash over N189.2b approved for INEC

    THE Senate yesterday approved N189.2 billion for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    A sharp disagreement may have broken out between the Presidency and the upper chamber over the source of funding for the INEC budget.

    The Senate refused to approve that the N189.2 billion for INEC should be sourced from the Constituency Intervention Fund to fund the 2019 general elections.

    The upper chamber resolved that the fund should be sourced from the Special Intervention Programme, as provided in the Service Wide Votes of the 2018 Appropriation Act.

    President Muhammadu Buhari, in a letter addressed to the Senate President in July, requested the Senate to vire over N242 billion from the N500 billion the National Assembly inserted into the 2018 budget as its Constituency Intervention Funds.

    The fund, Buhari said, was to enable the INEC and security agencies to conduct the 2019 general elections.

    But, the Senate failed to approve the request due to its annual break in July.

    The joint Senate and House of Representatives Committee on INEC and Electoral Matters, held a series of meetings with INEC officials to address some grey areas in the INEC request.

    Chairman of the committee Senator Suleiman Nazif said members resolved to ask the Presidency to find other sources of funding for the conduct of the 2019 general elections.

    The lawmakers refused to approve the reduction of funds meant for their constituency projects to fund the 2019 general elections.

    In another letter addressed to the Senate President, which was read on Wednesday, the President was silent on the source of funding for INEC election budget for 2018 elections.

    It was, however, believed that Buhari still wanted the fund to be sourced from the Constituency Intervention Funds.

    The Senate Committee on Appropriations, which met on Wednesday to conclude work on the president’s request, submitted its report yesterday.

    The appropriation committee adopted the position of the INEC and Electoral Matters Committee that the fund should be sourced from the Service Wide Vote.

    The report of Appropriations Committee, adopted by the Senate, said N144.746 billion should be vired from the Special Intervention Programme (Recurrent).

    It vired another N44.260 billion from Special Intervention Programme (Capital) – a total of N189.2 billion as requested by INEC.

    Chairman of the committee, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, while presenting the report, said: “The sum of N189.2 billion requested for the funding of the 2019 general elections should be vired from both recurrent and capital components of Special Intervention Programme captured in the Service Wide Votes of the 2018 Appropriation Act and be added to the sum of N45.5 billion provided for INEC in the statutory transfers.

    “This will bring the total budget of INEC in the 2018 budget to N234,507 billion.”

  • Buhari never authorised El-Rufai to punish Shehu Sani – Presidency

    The Presidency has distanced President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter in circulation, which alleged that the President had authorised Gov. Nasir el-Rufai to “deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Sen. Shehu Sani.

    Malam Garba Shehu, the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Sunday.

    According to the presidential aide, the president is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member.

    The statement read: “The presidency wishes to distance President Muhammadu Buhari from a letter currently in circulation, which alleges that the President had authorized a governor or anyone else for that matter to deal with traitors and disloyal members of APC, especially Senator Shehu Sani.

    “We wish to confirm that the president is not aware of any such letter, let alone authorising anyone to deal with any party member.

    “Given President Buhari’s record, it is inconceivable that he would usurp the role of the party leaders and instruct anyone to punish a party member.

    “In the light of above, we would like to appeal to the general public, especially members of the press, to ignore false or unauthorised information intended to attribute to the president any action which is not in line with his character.’’

    It would be recalled that Gov. El-Rufai of Kaduna State had last week visited the Presidential villa twice over political developments in his state.

    El-Rufai, who vehemently opposed the decision of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to clear Sen. Shehu Sani as the sole candidate in the race for APC-Kaduna Central, said the fate of the senator “lies in the hands of the party delegates in the state”.

    The national body of the APC had on Sunday reiterated that Sani remained its only senatorial candidate from Kaduna Central.

    The Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr Yekini Nabena, confirmed this in an interview with the NAN in Abuja.(NAN)

  • Presidency steps up moves to end NLC strike

    The Presidency yesterday stepped up efforts to convince labour unions in the country to call off their strike following the earlier meeting at which the government accepted their demand to reconvene the tripartite meeting on the proposed new national minimum wage.

    A statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the meeting between the labour leadership and the representatives of the employers of labour is now scheduled to reconvene on Thursday, October 4.

    He said: “By its tripartite nature, the committee is made up of persons from the public sector (federal and state governments) and the private sector made up of the largest private employer group and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

    “Other members include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES).

    “Invitation letters have since been dispatched to all the participants.

    “At the moment, the Presidency understands that the combined leadership of the unions, having met and deliberated on the position of the government, have now set in motion a process of consultations with their constituent members to determine their next line of action.” he said

    He said that the Presidency wished to assure that the federal government is taking every step necessary to get the unions to call off the strike.

  • Presidency steps up efforts to end strike action

    The Presidency on Friday stepped up efforts to convince labour unions in the country to call off the strike action following the earlier meeting at which the government accepted their demand to reconvene the tripartite meeting on the proposed new national minimum wage.

    A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, noted that the meeting between the labour leadership and the representatives of the employers of labor is now scheduled to reconvene on Thursday 4th October.

    He said “By its tripartite nature, the committee is made up of persons from the public sector, (Federal and State Governments) and the private sector made up of the largest private employer group and the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA).

    “Other members include the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) and Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES).

    “Invitation letters have since been dispatched to all the participants.

    “At the moment, the Presidency understands that the combined leadership of the unions, having met and deliberated on the position of the government have now set in motion a process of consultations with their constituent members to determine their next line of action.” he said

    He said that the Presidency wished to assure that the federal government is taking every step necessary to get the unions to call off the strike.