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Tag: threatens

  • Zoning threatens Niger PDP

    Discordant tunes have echoed among leading members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State over the party’s zoning arrangement for the 2015 general elections.

    Governor Babangida Aliyu promised that the state would obey the zoning arrangement, even if it was jettisoned at the national level.

    But a governorship aspirant and a former standard bearer of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP), Dr. Mustapha Abdulsalam, who is from Niger South Senatorial District – an unfavoured zone – said the policy was unconstitutional.

    He argued that the arrangement was not in the spirit and content of the party’s constitution.

    Aliyu, when he hosted the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Faruq Bahago during the Eid-el-Kabir at the Government House in Minna, said the zoning arrangement would be adhered to.

    The governor noted that it had been serving its purpose in the state.

    Though he decried attempts by some unnamed persons to subvert the arrangement in the state, Aliyu vowed that the party would ensure that the arrangement was followed to the letter.

  • ASUU: NUPENG threatens solidarity strike

    ASUU: NUPENG threatens solidarity strike

    The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has said it will go on a solidarity strike with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), if the Federal Government does not comply with the agreement it signed with the lecturers’ union.

    NUPENG accused the government of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.

    It noted that the way the government has been acting on the ASUU strike portrayed it as unconcerned about the nation’s suffering.

    NUPENG’s National President Igwe Achese spoke at the weekend in Lagos when he announced the union’s delegates’ conference which will hold on October 17 in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Achese noted that the “nation’s foundation is shaking because our future leaders and their children are not attending our local universities”.

    According to him, the Federal Government owes it as a duty to end the strike.

    The union leader urged the government to respect the agreement it signed with ASUU in 2009, adding that the government should see itself as an employer of labour.

    He said: “It is particularly shocking that the government has carried on as if everything is normal, without bothering about the fate of the students who have been marooned at home since the strike started. Perhaps this is because the children and wards of those at the helm of affairs are luxuriating in schools abroad, or because they are too comfortable to worry about their less-fortunate compatriots.”

    Achese attributed the incessant strikes in the country to the fact that the Ministry of Labour had not been performing its duties.

  • ASUU: Ex-lawmaker threatens to mobilise students, parents

    The Executive Secretary, Anti-Corruption Network and former lawmaker in the House of Representatives, Mr. Dino Melaye, yesterday threatened to mobilise students and parents to protest against the lingering Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

    He said he would do this if the Federal Government fails to call off the strike in the next one week.

    In a statement in Abuja, the ex-legislator warned the government to resolve the crisis or face the consequences.

    Said he: “We are giving the Federal Government one week ultimatum concerning the ASUU strike. By next Friday if the government refuses to resolve the ASUU crisis, we will mobilise parents and students across the country and protest to the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja where we will register our protest against an insensitive government.”

    Melaye described the industrial action as a reflection of bad governance.

    According to him, UNESCO and the United Nations have recommended that 24 per cent of the budget of every country should be for education.

    He said what the country has budgeted for education is less than three per cent “and N92 billion is what the Federal Government cannot provide for ASUU.”

    Melaye went on: “The same government budgeted N245 billion for subsidy and ended up spending N2.3 trillion, over N2 trillion above the budget.”

    The former lawmaker said when it is convenient for the Federal Government, it borrows money. He added that if it could secure a loan of $1.1 billion from the US, why is it difficult for the Federal Government to raise N92 billion to solve the problem of education.

    The statement reads: “Education is the bedrock of every development, it is the bedrock of any nation. It is shameful that the Federal Government is showing this lackadaisical posture towards the next generation.

    “If the Federal Government is serious, there is something in the parliament called the virement. There are lots of contracts that have been budgeted for in this dispensation that they have not even started.

    “What the Federal Government needs to do is for the President to write the National Assembly and seek a virement or even take a loan. They can spend money on frivolities, they can spend money on many unreasonable things. But the Federal Government cannot source N92 billion. It shows that it is not a responsible government.

    “The Federal Government as far back as 2009 went into an agreement with ASUU. Why would you agree to what you don’t intend to do? A gentleman will go into an agreement and then carry out the agreement to the letter. The agreement was made in 2009; why was there no budgetary provision for the agreement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013?

    “Why would the Federal Government enter into an agreement they don’t intend to implement? We are giving them one week of grace. If by next Friday, the Federal Government does not resolve its crisis with ASUU, we will mobilise students and parents to the streets to protest against this government.”

  • Enugu APC threatens court action

    The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Enugu State has said it will consider a legal action against the State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) on the imposition of ” outrageous fee” to be paid by aspiring chairmen and councillors in the November local government election.

    ENSEIC Chairman Boniface Eneh pegged the chairmanship fee at a non refundable N250,000. Those contesting for councillor are expected to pay N50,000.

    Speaking with reporters yesterday in Enugu at the end of a one-day sensitisation meeting for APC members in Enugu East, the convener, Dr. Ben Nwoye, declared that such a levy was unconstitutional.

    Nwoye insisted that the fee was totally unacceptable to the opposition party.

    “We are making some efforts through a legal team to challenge its imposition by ENSIEC.

    The APC chieftain argued that since such a levy was not part of the constitutional requirement for anybody to vie for the positions, the party would definitely challenge it, “because as far as we are concerned, it is not proper, it is pure exploitation”.

  • Baraje faction threatens Tukur with contempt suit

    Baraje faction threatens Tukur with contempt suit

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Bamanga Tukur got yesterday a disturbing notice – his time up.

    The Abubakar Baraje faction issued the notice, saying Tukur’s “reign of impunity and lawlessness has ended”.

    The faction also said it had mandated its lawyers to press contempt charges against Tukur, who announced on Wednesday that leaders of the Baraje faction could be expelled.

    But, the Chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, has warned warring factions in the party against provocative statements.

    The Baraje faction, which made its position known in a statement by its National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said Tukur’s threats pointed to “not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos”.

    It faulted the news conference addressed by Tukur in Abuja on Wednesday where he threatened to sack members of the National Assembly supporting the Baraje faction and arrest its officers.

    The statement said: “We have asked our lawyers to press contempt charges against Tukur because his statement was made in clear contempt of the orders of a Lagos High Court, which three days ago asked both sides to maintain the status quo. We will ask the court to commit him to jail for his disdain for the law and the judicial system.

    “We have always been saying it that Tukur represents everything that must not be seen in a democratic organisation. His statement demonstrates not just impunity but also lawlessness and crass ignorance of the tenets of the law and democratic ethos.

    “Tukur displayed his disdain for law and order with his threat to order the arrest of law abiding persons in a democracy.

    “We ask what powers he has under our laws to make that statement and what gave him the impression that Nigeria has become a police state where impunity reigns and citizens can be arrested at the whim of any power drunk Tzar.

    “Fortunately, our country is a democracy under the rule of law and not under the rule of man. The police and our other security agencies cannot be used to further such agenda as being nurtured in the dictatorial mind of Tukur.

    “Again, we believe only an ignorant person would threaten to sack elected Senators and Representatives for staying on the side of truth, justice and fairness. Tukur needs be reminded that members of the National Assembly were elected by the people of Nigeria and are not his appointees who he could dismiss like the minions in his private residence.

    “He called the Alhaji Baraje-led leadership of our party impostors and we ask him if he does not know that the endorsement of our cause by elected representatives of our people across all tiers of government has vindicated our position that what we represent in the party today is what the people want.

    “We challenge him to call out those who are with him in his clear journey to perdition even as we add that Tukur should come to terms with the reality of the end of his reign of terror, impunity, dictatorship and lawlessness in our party.

    “On our part, we reassert our commitment to the consolidation of democracy, peace, love, unity, people centred development and above all, the rule of law in our march towards progress and development.

    “More importantly, we assure our associates and well wishers that we shall conduct our party’s business with patriotism, resourcefulness, truth, justice and fair play as demanded of a political Organisation with a vision and mission.”

    Anenih yesterday asked PDP leaders and members to stop making inflammatory statements that are capable of undermining the ongoing efforts at reconciliation.

    Anenih, who made the appeal in a statement, titled: “A Call for Caution”, in Abuja, said making pre-emptive statements amid reconciliation was disrespectful to President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership at whose instance the reconciliation efforts are being made.

    The statement reads: “Following the walk-out staged by some aggrieved members of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), at the special convention of August 31, there have been genuine efforts by the leadership of the party, including the President himself, to reach out and reconcile with the aggrieved members, using the numerous mechanisms for conflict resolution that exist in the party.

    “A series of meetings have been held and more are scheduled to hold in the next few days.

    “It is unfortunate that while the reconciliation efforts are being made, some of our members are making inflammatory statements, intimidating one another and issuing threats of court actions. Such actions do nothing but harm the efforts at reconciliation.

    “As a good family, we must avoid open confrontation and allow the leadership of the party to effect genuine reconciliation.

    “Conflict is not new to the PDP and, as in the past, I am confident that, in spite of the differences, the current one will be resolved, with the party coming out even stronger and more united than ever.

    “To make pre-emptive statements, while the process of reconciliation is still on, is disrespectful not only to the President but also to the party leadership.

    “Such statements undermine the party and the enormous efforts being made under the transformation agenda of Mr. President.

    “I, therefore, call on all members of our great party to exercise restraint throughout this trying period.”

    Anenih on Tuesday, said the aggrieved governors had sought for more time to consult widely on issues tabled at a peace parley at the Presidential Villa Sunday night.

  • Flood: Aliyu threatens to punish erring council chiefs

    Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu yesterday threatened to sanction local government chairmen who fail to prevent a recurrence of last year’s flood disaster in their areas.

    Heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) saddled with disaster management are also to avoid a repeat of last year’s sad experience, the governor warned.

    Aliyu spoke yesterday when he received the members of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, led by Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, in his Minna, the state capital, home during their Sallah homage.

    The governor said he would sanction any of the 10 local governments, where the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) had predicted that there would be floods this year.

    Aliyu said his warning was not limited to only the councils that the NIMET predicted would be flooded but also other relevant agencies.

    The governor stressed that the warning became necessary because his administration would not treat any act of negligence, which could lead to a repeat of last year’s sad experience.

    He said: “The state government will punish any local government or any relevant authority that allows flood to wreck havoc in the state this year.”

    The governor advised the traditional rulers to further educate their subjects on the impending flood.

    Aliyu said his administration would build eight guest houses in the state capital for the royal fathers, adding that two extra units would be built for thei guests.

    He hailed the royal fathers for maintaining peace and order in their domains.

  • APGA threatens to sue INEC over Imo rerun

    THE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) yesterday threatened to sue the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), if it conducts a fresh rerun election in Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, which it insisted it won.

    INEC declared the rerun inconclusive, following the cancellation of results in eight polling units.

    Speaking to reporters in his office in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the state chairman of APGA, Marshall Anyanwu, observed that contrary to INEC’s reason for the cancellation, “the rerun was the first time in the history of the state that election was conducted freely and fairly and under the watchful eyes of security operatives.”

    He said it would be political suicide for such election to be cancelled. “We will go to court if that happens. But we want the Attahiru Jega-led INEC to leverage on the little creditability it has garnered so far to allow the indigenes of Oguta have a representative in the House of Assembly.

    “Assuming that Jega and President Goodluck Jonathan are from Oguta and they don’t have a representative for eight years how will they feel? It will be inhuman to stall the election because of eight units. They must wake up and embrace justice.

    “If Jega said he needs assurance of safety before an election will be conducted, then it means no election should be conducted in 2015 in the Northern states, where we have the Boko Haram onslaught.”

    Anyanwu appealed to Jega to have a rethink and conduct election in the remaining eight units without delay so that Oguta can enjoy its right in the House.

  • Adamawa PDP faction threatens to expel Nyako

    A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State yesterday threatened to expel Governor Murtala Nyako.

    Nyako and PDP National Chairman Alhaji Bamanga Tukur are at daggers drawn.

    There are two executives of the party in the state – one loyal to Tukur and the other to Nyako.

    Nyako is also a member of PDP G-5 governors who are opposed to the running of the party by the current leadership. They are also unhappy about the way the PDP is handling the Rivers chapter crisis.

    The governors visited Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. They also took the matter to former leaders Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar.

    Yesterday, the Chairman of the Tukur faction of Admawa PDP, Chief Joel Madaki, gave Nyako and his loyalist 14 days to revalidate their membership of the party or be expelled.

    Madaki, at a news conference in Yola, said register had been opened at the ward; local and state levels for elected representatives to revalidate their membership. Failure to do so, he said, would lead to their membership being discarded.

    Nyako’s supporters and members of his administration are believed to have headed for the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

    Madaki said: “Failure on the part of the elected representatives to sign the register within 14 days from the date of this announcement will leave the party with no alternative than declare their seats vacant,” he said.

    According to him, the councillors are to revalidate their membership at their ward party offices. Council chairmen are to go to their local government Party offices and members of the House of Assembly and National Assembly are to revalidate their membership at the state party secretariat.

    He warned elected representatives of the party to defend their mandate by abiding by the revalidation programme.

    “We wish to assure all our elected representatives elected on the platform of the party that we shall take proactive measures to protect their mandates with all the might at our disposal as a political party,” Madaki said.

    “It is no pretence that Nyako has since instructed his loyalists to move to another party and maintaining that he is still in PDP,” Madaki added.

    However, the secretary of the faction loyal to Nyako, Hon P.P Elisha, said the allegations of the Madaki group does not hold water and amounts to a nullity because the Madaki’s faction is not constitutionally recognised to embark on an illegal mission of revalidating party membership.

    According to him, Section 29 of the PDP Constitution stipulates that the National Executive Council (NEC) and the National Working Committee (NWC) are the only organs vested with the responsibility of conducting membership revalidation.

    Elisha said the Madaki faction was used to operating with impunity. “There is nowhere in the party Constitution that warrants someone to warn people and give them deadline to leave the party.”

    He said it was wrong for anyone to allege that Nyako and his men were trying to leave the party. “The problem with them is that they cannot understand simple English.”

    Elisha said what Nyako meant was that he would revive the party but if the National Secretariat insisted on doing illegality in the party he will help to bury the party. He maintained that Nyako and his teeming supporters are still in the PDP.

    The national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday took a swipe at Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako over what the chairman described as the governors insolence.

    Nyako, through the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government had called to question the leadership capability of the party chairman, saying his continued stay in office would kill the party.

  • PENGASSAN threatens strike over crisis in Rivers legislature

    PENGASSAN threatens strike over crisis in Rivers legislature

    The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has threatened to suspend operations over the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    PENGASSAN’s President Mr Babatunde Ogun, in a statement issued in Lagos yesterday,warned that if politicians cannot conduct themselves in a manner expected of them, the union would not hesitate to withdraw the services of oil workers to ensure their safety.

    He said: “The state of fear that pervades Rivers is a threat to the lives and safety of oil and gas workers and the entire industry.”

    It said the crisis was an indication that the government may not be able to guarantee security and protect the lives and property of the people.

    It condemned the violence in the assembly on Tuesday, describing it as ‘a slap on Nigeria’s democracy and the Constitution.’

    The statement said the crisis could lead to a breakdown of law and order that could affect not only the state, but other parts of the country if not nipped in the bud.

    The violence, it said, showed that some politicians lacked respect for the Constitution and elementary democratic decorum.

    “That is why we would not risk the lives of our members and may have to withdraw them until the situation is under control”, he said.

    The statement said it was regrettable to note that those trying to subvert democracy never fought for it.

    “Several people, especially labour leaders, died for our democracy to be achieved. Some of us were incarcerated during the struggle to attain this democracy.”

    The statement urged all those involved in the crisis to take cognisance of its root causes and pursue peace by reconciling their differences.

    A former member of the assembly, Mr. Chidi Amadi, yesterday described as hasty, the House of Representatives resolution on the matter.

    The House of Representatives passed a resolution on Wednesday, urging the National Assembly to allow it take over the legislative functions of the Rivers assembly immediately.

    Amadi, who represented Obio/Akpor constituency II on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Rivers from 1991 to 1993, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Port Harcourt that the House of Representatives should have allowed a committee it set up to investigate the crisis first.

    He said the lower chamber of the National Assembly should have monitored events in the Rivers assembly before passing the resolution.

    ”The events at the National Assembly, taking a cue from the first point of departure, the lower house, the House of Representatives, I want to say that the resolution of the House of Representatives was quite disappointing.

    “Yes, the lower house of the National Assembly, the House of Representatives, has every right to review the happenings in the Rivers State legislature.

    “But, not to say that, at the first attempt to look into this issue, a resolution was reached to take over the affairs of the assembly.

    “From all that happened, we were aware, we heard on the news – the former speaker of the assembly, Tonye Harry even affirmed that no one was removed and then asked the media to come the following morning that the assembly was going to sit.

    “From other members of the assembly, we also heard that the business of the day, which was to pass the motion from the executive arm as per the budget modification was taken,“

    Amadi said other members of the assembly assured that the business of the state legislative arm would go on.

    He hailed the Senate for exercising restraint on the matter and advised the legislators in the state to calm down and not ignore the issue of governance.

  • Nasarawa NULGE threatens strike

    The Nasarawa State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has threatened to go on strike from July 3, if the state government fails to meet its demands. The state NULGE had issued a 21-day ultimatum to the state government on May 24. It expired yesterday.

    But the union extended the ultimatum by seven working days after its executive meeting in Lafia on Tuesday.

    The union’s state President, Eladoga Adamu, and Secretary, Kosovo Aga, signed the statement, which was made available to The Nation yesterday in Lafia, the state capital.

    The statement said the union’s demands have been pending, following its notification to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Sani Yakubu, on May 24, during a courtesy visit to his office.