President Muhammadu Buhari has once more called on the friendly nations, regional, continental and global organizations to rise up in unison to speedily overcome the continuing threat of terrorism to world peace and security. This is even as he assured President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and the people of Mali of the full support and solidarity of Nigerians as they mourn those who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack and strive to bring the surviving perpetrators to justice. A statement by special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Femi Adesina quoted Buhari as also extending condolences to the governments and people of China, Russia, the United States and Belgium whose nationals sadly lost their lives in the heinous and callous attack. “Against the background of persisting atrocities in Nigeria and other countries across the world, President Buhari calls once again for an intensification of international cooperation against all known terrorist organisations, their collaborators and sponsors.” The President reaffirmed that Nigeria, under his leadership, is committed to deploying all necessary resources to end Boko Haram in the home front. [myad]
Nigeria’s immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has put a lie to the claim by the former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo that he never worked to stay in office beyond the constitutionally allowed two-term of eight years.
Jonathan, in Washington DC said that he was aware as governor of Bayelsa state then that the former President agitated for a third term in office but failed to actualize it.
Jonathan who was a guest of the U.S National Democratic Institute (NDI) in the United States said that the strong resistance of the National Assembly at the time (between 2006 and 2007), made Obasanjo’s bid for the third term to fail.
“Of course, I was a governor at that time, but due to strong resistance from the National Assembly, the third term bid failed.”
Jonathan stressed that Africa needs strong parliaments to checkmate sit-tight presidents who influence parliaments to consider amendment to the constitution that would extend their stay in office.
“Changing constitutions to eliminate term limits in order to favour incumbents is inconsistent with democratic principles and reduces confidence in democratic institutions.”
He warned that repressive actions by some of these leaders are setting disturbing precedent for the region and continent, adding that it is not a sustainable path which he said has been the reason he is setting up a Goodluck Jonathan Foundation “to address these issues and mediate in the continent.”
The former President, who recently led an international observer delegation of the Commonwealth to the Tanzanian national elections, shared his views on the elections and their significance in the consolidation of democratic progress in Tanzania.
He said that the election in Tanzania was an improvement from previous elections held in the country and revealed that the only weakness is that once the electoral umpire has declared a winner, the loser cannot contest the results in a law court or election petitions tribunal. [myad]
A staunch member of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Ahmed Gulak, has described PDP as a party of impunity even as he dragged it to a Federal High Court in Abuja over alleged marginalization of the North East zone in its leadership.
He said that despite the constitutional provision of the party which zones the position of National Chairman to the North East, the acting Chairman of the party, Uche Secondus has deliberately kept the post vacant six months after the exit of Adamu Muazu.
Gulak also alleged that PDP lost the last general elections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a result of what he described as entrenched impunity and lack of internal democracy within the party.
He told journalists in Abuja that the continued vacant position of the National Chairman was unhealthy for the party, adding that the current rebranding efforts by the leadership of the party ahead of 2019 elections may be futile if it’s National Working Committee (NWC) is not properly constituted.
He also said that the North East zone which is supposed to produce the National Chairman of the party following the resignation of Muazu as the party chairman on May 29, 2015 has been marginalized by the Secondus led leadership of the party, saying that PDP may not make any impact in the next general elections if the right things are not done in time.
According to Gulak, Secondus and his committee members were working to extend their stay till next year against the party’s constitution even as he warned that such impunity which led to the colossal loss the party experienced in the last election is still reigning in the party.
“You are aware that on the 29th of May, 2015 the former chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu resigned his position as the party chairman and a vacancy was created by his resignation. By the constitution of the party, somebody from North East is supposed to replace Muazu.
“I have individually and collectively with the people of North East ?gone to the NWC under the acting chairmanship of Uche Secondus to present the demand of the North East geo-political zone and all our demands and claims fell on deaf ears.
“You can also remember that Senator Ken Nnamani led a group to NWC to tell them that the party organ especially the NWC and BOT must be properly constituted since there are vacancies created by the resignation of their former chairman. That also fell on deaf ears.
“I have to used all the internal mechanisms of the party to address the issue because as it is today by the constitution of the party the NWC is not properly constituted because there’s no national chairman and the resignation of Muazu created a vacancy in that organ and replacement from the constitution of our party must, come from the North East.
” I’m from the North East, having exhausted all internal mechanism to ensure that the constitutional provisions are adhered to and complied with and having also neglected, failed and refused to comply with the provision of the constitution, I decided to file an action in court. This is challenging the continued existence of ? NWC without being properly constituted. That is my case in court and it is on behalf of myself and the entire North East zone consisting of six states that have been excluded and ignored by the Uche Secondus led committee.
“We as a zone will not accept that we are not part of PDP, we as a zone cannot be ignored by Uche Secondus and his members. We as a zone like all other zones must be part of mechanism and operations of the PDP. The North East zone after the elections has two PDP states, South West has two PDP states, South South all PDP, the South East all PDP except Imo state, North West has no PDP and it is part and parcel of PDP because it has the National Treasurer and National Organising Secretary.
“The entire North East zone has nobody in the NWC? and as such the constitution does not envisage that. We should not be shortchanged, we should not be excluded.” [myad]
The apex Igbo socio–cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has described Igbos who are agitating for the Biafran Republic to be carved out of Nigeria as a group of mad people.
Chairman, Forum of State Presidents of Ohanaeze in the seven Igbo –speaking states, Dr. Chris Eluomunoh told newsmen at a news briefing in Awka, capital of Anambra state that no right thinking person would support what he called the madness of the group.
The chairman insisted that Ohanaeze has nothing whatsoever to do with the Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, and his cohorts in their struggle for Biafra agitation.
“You will notice that Ohanaeze has been very silent on the issue of Biafra insurgency, though the youth wing of Ohanaeze has been speaking on it. Ohanaeze, as the Igbo cultural group, cannot support Biafra and we dissociate ourselves from it totally.
“Igbo people have contributed much to the development of Nigeria and we cannot allow some people to jeopardize the lives and efforts of millions of Igbo residing in all parts of Nigeria.
“We believe that anybody who has any issue to settle with the Federal Government should use dialogue and that is why we participated in the last National Conference. No sane Igbo person would want to witness a repeat of the kind of thing that happened during the Civil War.
“(Chief Odumegwu) Ojukwu, who led the Biafra war, returned to Nigeria from exile and contested elections in Nigeria, which showed that he was fully integrated into Nigeria and was a full-fledged Nigerian before he died.”
Eluemunor denied the speculation that politicians of Igbo extraction were supporting the Biafran agitation, adding that their support came mainly from outside the country.
He, however, said that part of the reasons for the agitation was the dearth of infrastructure in Igbo land and pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to address the infrastructural decay in the area.
He called on Buhari to declare a state of emergency on the infrastructure problem in the South East by rehabilitating the federal roads that have become death traps due to neglect.
He said that doing so would help to correct the imbalances and marginalisation being suffered by the people of the area.
“We know the marginalisation was not caused by him, but we plead that he should look into the problems being complained about by the people of South East and South–South. He has won the election and we in Ohanaeze support him and will work with him for the unity of the country.” [myad]
Time Magazine of October 20, 1961 carried an opinion titled: ‘The Pride of Africa.’ The piece chronicled the 1st Foreign Affairs Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the late Jaja Wachuku of the Ngwa royal dynasty. With all due respect, the Nigerian Foreign ministry has since groped for direction and – with a few exceptions – has been largely unimpressive. What a time to be born! The Foreign affairs Minister ought to be the 3rd most powerful cabinet member as Jaja Wachuku was in the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa government. That’s also the case in countries after which we have modeled our democracy, such as the United States of America, where the Secretary of State – their own foreign affairs minister – comes only after the Vice President in Executive relevance. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, Foreign Ministry or diplomatic representative assignments are being allotted as some form of political compensation for election losers, mediated step-downers or some high stake game of political demystification – a form of exile for heavyweights possessing capacity to wrestle and control incumbent power structures. We don’t want him here – Send him abroad, Shikena! This is responsible for the number of unprepared and unserious diplomats this country has churned out in recent times. A story of a Nigerian Ambassador in an European Country was once told, and boy he was loved for the quality of parties or Owambes he threw. I am of the opinion that if our Foreign Affairs Ministry is properly leveraged can be more important than the Nigerian Petroleum Ministry as it holds the capacity to drive the Economy in terms of Trade, Investment and Infrastructure, uphold Nigeria’s Sovereignty by maintaining Peace and Security both internally and regionally, ensuring stability and prosperity, which is a must if Nigeria must succeed. The most important thing for Geoffrey Onyeama, the new man in charge of Foreign affairs is to protect the dignity and rights of a Nigerian citizen on foreign soil; this includes the various embassies and visa processing centers in Nigeria where our citizens are being disrespected and dehumanized on a regular basis. I get upset reading and hearing stories of extra-judicial murders, wanton arrests based on suspicions and profiling, maltreatment and exploitation of Nigerian students and workers in the diaspora – all of these without intervention or corresponding action by our foreign representatives. This nonchalance is attributable to the widespread belief that ‘Nigerians are unruly’ and deserve to be treated so, except of course ‘you be big man pikin’. Nigeria will never attain any meaningful progress on the foreign front without recognizing and demanding respect for the least of its citizenry. The recognition of this observation was the beginning of the rise of the Philippines diplomacy. The story of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina domestic helper in Singapore who was hanged on unproven suspicions of murder by the Singaporean government led to the enactment of the Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995 which revolutionized their diplomacy forever, making it a worthy reference for any country in our context that is desirous of Change in approach to diplomacy and respect. This must be backed by a strong statement of purpose and circulated to our citizens as well as missions of other States. The last time the Nigerian government proved worthy was unfortunately because the South African Immigrations seemingly harassed a Nigerian Senator. And I have heard a lot of reports of exploitation and disrespect to Nigerians by their consulate. Secondly, the Nigerian Foreign affairs ministry must engage the Nigerians in Diaspora more strategically. As currently structured, engaging the Nigerian Diaspora through a very politicized NIDO (Nigerians in Diaspora Organization) is not the best approach. An audit of Nigerian groups in the diaspora from Faith, to Scholastic fora and Student bodies, Ethnic Support unions, or Amala, Akpu and Suya food spots must be conducted and key contact data collected and mainstreamed. Nigeria cannot afford to overlook the Diaspora in National Development. According to a Word Bank report, the Nigerian Diaspora in 2010 sent $20 billion back home. This remittance represented a greater GDP than over 30 African countries with a peerless 26% annual growth rate. There are three categories of our diaspora: The Economically empowered settler, the settled but economically struggling, the unsettled either empowered or disempowered – they all in one form of the other contribute to the economy – efforts could be made to aid return and reintegration, urge economic assistance over non impactful handouts with business support initiatives, Skills transfer and inclusively managed diaspora fund raising initiatives (Bonds, Philanthropy) for infrastructural and socioeconomic development. Thirdly, Nigerian soft power must be leveraged. I grew up convinced by the falsehood that we are the giants of Africa. I am sorry we are not and we need to see ourselves more as Davids than the Goliaths on this continent. We don’t need spears; we have our stones and sticks. The Foreign affairs minister must be obsessed about the Nigerian Culture – I mean to say the Hip culture, which dominates Africa through Nollywood and the Nigerian Music Industry. He must be obsessed about the Nigerian Faith – not juju, our unique form of religion that is attracting adherents from all over the world – The Adeboyes, Oyedepos, Oyakhilomes of this world. He must work directly with these ones to leverage their influence and presence on the continent. I believe with such followership they can drive the adoption of Nigerian food, fashion and style, ideas and taste, writings and art, etcetera. We all can imagine what potentials this holds for Nigerian businesses and our ‘imperialism’. You can start to imagine the Nigerianization of our Products. At an African store in the UK – I once saw packaged Ghanaian Jollof, imagine that! Hides from Kano tanneries are labeled Moroccan Leather in the global commodities market. This has to stop before Togo claims our Ofada. Nigerianization must begin now. So much can be said about Economic soft power such as matching our aid, grants, loans and assistance to economically disadvantaged neighbours to our advantage but this is a topic to be discussed another day. Finally, our missions do not portray Nigeria rightly, not at all. This has to change. I can’t but agree with President Buhari on the need to close some Nigerian Missions, especially if considered unviable. The few ones left must be effectively equipped, funded and rehabilitated aesthetically. We are not a war torn county. We want investments not aid. However, a proximal presence for our well-dispersed citizens must be guaranteed. Nigeria should explore designating proven foreigners as our honorary consuls in these regions where our missions are to be scrapped as well as parts of the world where Nigerians are present but our government is not. I wish our new foreign affairs minister a good time in office and if I may ask; will you rock native wears, will our missions use Innoson cars? Follow this writer on Twitter: @eadewunmi. [myad]
With the election of governor coming up tomorrow in Kogi state, the aggressive campaigns embarked upon by the major parties in the race have exposed the strengths and weakness of the parties in each of the zones across the state.
Although 22 political parties have been recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to participate in the battle for the Lord Lugard House as the Government House is called, only four parties have so far shown considerable desire to be taken seriously for the election.
They are the PDP, whose candidate is the incumbent, Captain Idris Wada from Dekina Local government Area in the Eastern Senatorial zone of the state; Abubakar Audu of the APC, from Ofu LGA also in the Eastern flank of the state while the candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Philip Omeiza Salawu is from Ihima in Okehi LGA and his kinsman Enesie Emmanuel Ozigi of the PPA, is an Okene man from the Central flank of the state.
The western zone of the state seems not to be interested in the governorship race but comfortable with the deputy governorship slot zoned to the area by the two major parties. The PDP has the incumbent Deputy Governor, Architect Yomi Awoniyi while Hon Abiodun Faleke of the APC is working hard to snatch the position. However, the center of election gravity is going to be fiercely fought on the soil of the Eastern zone, where the two dominant parties – PDP and APC had picked their governorship candidates.
Wada hails from Odu in Dekina LGA, one of three traditional Divisions in the Kogi East. Analysts believe that since the defeat of Audu of the then ANNP in 2003, PDP has never lost governorship elections in these local government areas from the zone considered and referred to as traditional base of the PDP.
These council areas known as home of the PDP include Omala, Ibaji, Bassa, Idah, Igalamela and Dekina, not forgetting Ankpa LGA which was ceded to the PDP with the transmutation of a political juggernaut and strategist, chief Ibrahim Linco Ocheje, from the ANPP to the PDP which was believed to have given victories to the party in both the 2007 and the 2011 governorship elections.
But the fortune seems to be waning with the sacking of Ocheje by the leadership of the party, who at the time of the rise of PDP in Ankpa was the zonal vice chairman, East and had to defect to the APC for the electoral defeat of the PDP in the two House of Assembly seats of AnKpa LGA, House of Representatives seat for Ankpa/Olamaboro/Omala Federal Constituency and senatorial ticket for the zone.
Hitherto, the PDP enjoyed comfortable support from the aforementioned LGAs before the Buhari presidential and National Assembly tsunamis that altered the party’s traditional support base, losing the lone senatorial slot and two House of Representatives seats but struggled to retain Idah Federal Constituency by the whiskers.
Observers believed that the hullabaloo generated towards the conduct of the PDP governorship primary election in which the major stakeholders were divided in their support for Wada and Jibrin Isah Echocho had caused a major crack in the party, paving the ways for the APC to infiltrate the traditional support base of the PDP in the nine local government areas of the zone.
However, with the return of the Baba Kogi and political generalissimo, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris to the forefront of Wada’s campaign train, the peoples’ confidence was believed to have started to incline across the districts and the state at large, with possible marginal win in the zone on the November 21, 2015 gubernatorial poll.
Meanwhile, Audu and his APC, although with different names in the previous elections had enjoyed unalloyed support of Olamaboro LGA, his mother’s origin; Ofu his country home and Ankpa, which has considerable residents of the Ogugu clan.
According to commentators on Igala politics said, as far as Audu’s governorship election is concerned, it would always attracts sizeable supporters from the “Ogugwu clan” scattered across the five out of the nine LGAs that made up the zone. They noted that in a free and fair election involving Audu and his party, he always commands some degree of followership from Ankpa, Dekina, Ofu, Olamaboro and Igalamela which has pockets of Ogugu settlers.
Audu, who has contested all the governorship elections held in the state since the state was created 24 years ago, hopes to reclaim the office he vacated 12 years ago with the help of his party at the centre. He seems to believe that with the whirlwind of the Buhari election, the state could re-enact the feat to actualise his stunted aspiration, committing his energy and resources with the determination to prosecute the rescue mantra even as he has concentrated his struggle on the Eastern zone, which commands superior population above the other zones.
Meanwhile, the belligerent parties have had their best moments in the western zone before Buhari’s election altered the political equation. Although the PDP has also had considerable influence on the zone since 1999, the presidential and National Assembly elections had wreaked havoc on the party as Dino Melaye, who once represented Yagba Federal Constituency on the platform of the PDP, used the APC to humble former Senator Smart Adeyemi out of the senate, sources believe might join forces with the deputy governorship candidate of the party, Faleke to cause some upset in the election.
Experts reckon that with the deputy governorship position of the parties occupied by the two hostile federal constituencies of Okunland, it might attract sympathy votes to the son of the soil.
But with Adeyemi throwing punches at Faleke from Ijumu Federal Constituency and the reinforcement through an uppercut from the PDP deputy standard bearer, Awoniniyi, Olusola Akonmode, General David Jemibewon and T. J. Faniyi, could midwife victory for the PDP.
For Lokoja/kotonkarfe Federal Constituency, the combined forces of the Director-General Wada/Awoniyi Campaign Organisation, Senator Tunde Ogbeha and the former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Musa Ahmadu, who had oiled their political machinery to extinguish the flames from Buba Jibrin and another former House of Assembly member, Alhaji Salifu Akawu Seidu of the APC, could do the magic.
The second epicentre of the Ides of November 21 is the central Senatorial district, which is reputed with the highest turnout of votes during elections, but which may experience voters’ drought this time around as none of their politician is fielded by the two dominant parties (PDP and APC).
But with the consolatory entry into the race of a former deputy governor, Philip Salau of the Labour Party (LP) and the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA), Mr. Enesi Ozigi might change the impending voters’ apathy, observers believe.
Philip Salau from Ihima district of Okehi LGA, analysts contend might have been drafted into the race by one of the dominant parties to whittle down the rising influence of the opponent.
A politician from the area, Itopa Salifu noted that the former deputy governor has taken a wrong step to waste his money on a venture he knew might not yield. Salifu was quick to add that the candidate of the Labour Party might have been contracted to play a spoiler’s role, saying the antecedents of Salau as deputy governor is a snag to his ambition.
Although the relatively unknown candidate of the PPA, Enesi Ozigi from Okene and from one of the vociferous and populous clans in the area has to contend with the political maestros of the moment, Hon. Yahaya Karaku, supported by the chairman of the LGA Hon. Ahmed Ogembe and other notable PDP politicians, his hope of having a good support base may be forlorn.
The lackluster support from Senator Mohammed Ohiare, foremost APC governorship aspirant, Alhaji Yahaya Bello and former Senator Salihu Ohize for Audu’s candidature and the inability of President Buhari to attend the recent APC rally at Okene for the presentation of flag to Audu may spell doom on the votes from the zone.
In addition, the resilience of the kingmakers, who have largely remained intact since the PDP took over power in the state in 2003, could also be an albatross for Audu’s governorship dream. In all, the speculations would be laid to a final rest from tomorrow when the elections would have been conducted and a winner announced. Until then, all eyes on Kogi. [myad]
The Lagos State Government has apologized to the people in the state for the discomfort and inconveniences caused during the disruption of water supply in the last few weeks This is even as it informed the people that the Water Corporation has resumed production and water supply across the State. A statement by the State’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Steve Ayorinde today said: “the government sincerely appreciates the patience and understanding displayed by the general public as our unrelenting efforts are geared towards ensuring quality, improvement and safety of water supply for the benefit of the residents of Lagos State.” Ayorinde said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has empowered the Lagos Water Corporation to ensure a smooth and safe discharge of its duties. “We sincerely regret the disruption and assure the general public of safe and regular potable water supply.” [myad]
Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State on Thursday brought to an abrupt end the day’s sitting as a result of excessive heat. Ayo-Emmanuel said he needed to suspend the sitting because the courtroom was too stuffy. Just before the day’s first case was called, the judge had announced that if the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company failed to restore electricity, the court session would end with the first case. Consequently, at the end of the first case, the judge rushed out of the courtroom to his chamber. The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the court had to suspend its sittings on a number of occasions due to epileptic power supply. The acute scarcity of fuel in the state had further compounded the problem as it had become increasingly difficult to power the generating set. Some lawyers and litigants, who spoke with NAN on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration at the current development. The respondents implored IBEDC and other relevant agencies to ensure normalcy in electricity distribution. [myad]
Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Anifowoshe Abiola has observed that the city is acclaimed to be growing faster that New York and Los Angeles in the United States of America, thereby making it mandatory for any plans to ensure the welfare of the people to be elaborate. According to him, Lagos, unlike any other city in Nigeria, requires adequate planning considering its limited landmass and its ever increasing population. The population he emphasised, is considered to be growing faster than that of the states of New York and Los Angeles in the United States of America. Abiola spoke today at a Stakeholders’ Forum themed “Keying into Benefits of City Development for Urban Sustainability” at Ojo Town Hall with professionals in the building industry, traditional rulers, members of Community Development Associations, artisans, market men and women in Ojo area of the State. He made it clear that the state government would not compromise the development of the Badagry Development Master Plan in view of the economy viability of the axis and its importance to the growth of the State economy. He said that the state government is determined to open up the axis for more government presence as well as improve the welfare and wellbeing of residents in the area. This was even as the General Manager of Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, LASPPPA, Toyin Abdul said that the State Government had embarked on the expansion of Lagos-Badagry Expressway into ten lanes including BRT lanes as well as the provision of Light Rail, in view of the strategic location of Badagry. He emphasized that the developmental plan for the area will pave way for more key projects such as Alaba new mixed development area, Alaba International Market (Electronics), Linear Park Stations and upgrading of various schools in Ojo and its environs, adding that other upgrades will include health facilities and waterfront development in addition to the proposed Deep Sea Port and Refinery for the area. Abdul underscored the need for public involvement in every segment of planning, hence the periodic stakeholders’ forum as an avenue for public participation and stakeholders’ involvement in the entire developmental plan. “Achieving sustainable physical development requires collective and active participation of residents, Community Development Associations, Real Estate Property Developers, Land owners, traditional rulers, and professionals in the built industry as well as functionaries at State and Local Government levels. These interactive forums are necessary for successful implementation of physical development plans, planning laws and regulations so that collectively we can protect and safeguard our environment”, the General Manager said. Similarly, State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, said that construction work is set to commence on two major roads, Okuta road and Deji Aladejobi street, in Bariga Area of the State. The Commissioner, who spoke at a meeting held today between the Ministry and the residents/stakeholders on the rehabilitation and upgrading of the two roads, solicited for the cooperation and support of the residents in achieving the desired goal of transforming the infrastructural landscape of the area. Engr. Johnson, represented by the Director, Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Engr. Saliu Adeyemi, said the State Government is investing heavily on the provision of roads through regular maintenance, rehabilitation, upgrading and reconstruction with the ultimate goal of opening the socio-economic potentials of the affected communities. He stated further that the choice of the two roads followed the completion of Igi-Olugbin street, coupled with the fact that their rehabilitation and upgrading will decongest the traffic in the area by serving as a major by-pass from Ikorodu road to Gbagada Expressway. In their own remarks, the representatives of the community suggested the provision of accessible and motorable alternative routes during the rehabilitation of the two roads and the employment of youths in the area for the construction works. They also called on the State Government to provide more standard roads for the community. [myad]
The Rivers State branch of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUCN) has warned Nigeria Governors’ Forum not to tamper with the N18,000 minimum wage for whatever reason.
The labour union, which was reacting to the statement by the governors that they might not be able to pay the N18,000 minimum wage again owing to dwindling resources, insisted that workers would not take it kindly if the minimum wage is tampered with..
The TUC said that while it could be agreed that the Nigerian economy is in bad shape due mainly fall in oil price from $115 per barrel in June 2014 to less than $48 per barrel now, the issues of poor governance and corruption by the political class accounted for inability to pay workers as and when due.
The statement by the Rivers State Chairman of the TUC, Comrade Hyginus Chika Onuegbu, added: “for instance, the political leaders at all levels did not stop the industry scale oil theft of some 400,000 barrels of oil per day; refused to diversify the economy away from oil and gas; refused to pass the PIB; made no savings for the rainy day such that the excess crude account is just $2bln, external reserves is below $30bln and Nigerian Govt debt is over $63bln etc.
“The situation becomes clearer when you juxtapose Nigeria with Saudi Arabia that has a smaller population but external reserves in excess of $900bln.
“We want to state very categorically that this is not a time for any unilateral action by any level of government as such will be resisted by the workers and the Unions that represent them including TUC Rivers State. We therefore appeal to the Nigerian Governors’ Forum to dialogue with NLC and TUC with a view to co-creating acceptable win-win solutions to the current economic crises rather than making vexatious pronouncements that are capable of deepening the economic crises and overheating the polity. For the avoidance of doubt ,workers will not accept any reduction in the meagre N18,000 minimum wage.” [myad]
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President Muhammadu Buhari has once more called on the friendly nations, regional, continental and global organizations to rise up in unison to speedily overcome the continuing threat of terrorism to world peace and security.
