The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

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  • ASUU Strike: Final year law student files suit against Buhari, governors, top politicians

    The ongoing dispute between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has taken another dimension with a suit by a final year law student, Soohemba Agatha Aker, asking the court to stop the salaries and allowances of President Mohammadu Buhari, the 36 state governors and of all political office holders in the country pending the immediate resolution and end of the strike.

    The applicant, a student of Benue State University, Markudi, is seeking similar order against the Chief of Staff to the President, Secretary to the Government, all senators and members of House of Representative, all ministers, all the permanent secretaries, all heads of parastatals & extra ministerial bodies of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, all the vice chancellors and the members of senate of striking universities, as well as the salaries and allowance of of said striking Universities and all the members of the ASUU.

    In the fundamental right enforcement suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1684/2022, the applicant who said she is currently affected by the ongoing strike, filed the action for herself on behalf of all students of public tertiary institutions currently affected by the nationwide ASUU strike.

    In the suit filed by his counsel, Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume, SAN, the applicant listed the respondents to include the Federal Government of Nigeria, Registered Trustees of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives and the Governor of Abia State (also sued in his own official capacity and in representative capacity for all the other Governors of the Thirty-Five States of the Federation).

    The rest are Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission(RMAFC); Federation of Account Allocation Committee (FAAC); Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF); the Attorney General of Abia State (also sued in representative capacity for all the other Hon Attorney-Generals of the Thirty-Five States of the Federation); the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Abuja (also sued in representative capacity for all the other Vice Chancellors and the Members of the Senate of both Federal and State Universities currently participating on the ongoing ASUU Strike) and Umar Faruk (President, National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS).

    The was filed pursuant to section 46(1), (2) and (3) of the 1999 constitution and Article 17(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Chapter A9 (Charter 10 LFN 1990) No. 2 of 1983.

    The applicant is equally seeking an order of mandamus compelling the defendants including members of Senate of the striking universities to return to the 1st Respondent their monthly salaries, allowances, and other benefits received individually or collectively from the day the industrial action of the 2nd Respondent commenced till date, pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.

    She further asked for an order of interlocutory injunction suspending the activities of 6th and 7th Respondent (RMAFC and FAAC) including payment of the monthly allocation funds to the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, 9th & 10th Respondents pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Suit.

    In a supporting affidavit, she deposed to the fact that the ASUU strike has and continue to affect her adversely as her plans of graduating this academic year 2022 and to apply for admissions into the Nigerian Law School have been thwarted.

    That her tuition fees paid for this academic year will go in vain as the academic year is almost lost if nothing is done.

    She stated further that her dreams of becoming a law graduate and a future lawyer are at the verge of collapsing as her sponsor had made it clear that this year was the last year to sponsor her in school.

    That her mates who are children of top politicians are currently taking their studies uninterrupted in private universities in the country or abroad.

    That some of her mates have gotten pregnant due to boredom and idleness.

    That she is going through severe mental stress and trauma each passing day as the strike prolongs with no concrete action taken by the stakeholders concerned towards ending it.

    She therefore asked the court to declare that refusal, failure or neglect of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th Respondents to put an end to the lingering industrial action (strike) of the members of the 2nd Respondent Union is wrongful, gross failure of duty to the future of Nigeria, act of negligence to their constitutional responsibilities and amounts to a gross violation of the Applicants’ constitutional rights to meaningful life, association, education and developed capacity to own functional intellectual cum physical property.

    A declaration that refusal, failure or neglect of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th Respondents to put an end to the lingering industrial action (strike) of the members of the 2nd Respondent Union (most of whose children are abroad attending the best universities) is a function of act of discrimination in the affording of educational opportunities to their children abroad and the neglected Applicant and teeming types all over the country.

    An order compelling the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th and 11th Respondents to immediately and forthwith inaugurate a Save the Future Think-Tank Committee of all parties herein, or their representatives and other key stakeholders from all tiers of government and segment of the Nigerian societies as to map out immediate steps as to end the ongoing strike by 2nd Respondent and ensure uninterrupted academic calendar in all Nigerian tertiary institutions even in times of any of the industrial disputes in the sector.

    (Sun)

  • CJN Ariwoola calls for constitutional amendment

    CJN Ariwoola calls for constitutional amendment

    The new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has called for constitutional amendment to stop some cases at the court of appeal.

    Appearing before the senate on Wednesday for a screening exercise, Ariwoola told the senate that the workload on the supreme court is too much when compared to the number of justices on the bench.

    The number of supreme court justices has dropped to 13 as against the maximum requirement of 21.

    “More justices need to be appointed as out of 21 needed in the supreme court, only 13 are left and for expeditious consideration of cases, some of the cases should be allowed to stop at the court of appeal through constitution amendment to that effect,” he said.

    “The national assembly should please help in this regard by carrying out required constitution amendments.”

    Already, some cases that do not get to the apex court include matters from the national industrial court and court of appeal decisions from senatorial, house of representatives or house of assembly election petitions.

    In April 2021, a bill seeking to reduce the category of appeals that get to the supreme court suffered a setback in the house of representatives.

    The bill, titled “Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Fifth Alteration) Bill, 2020”, seeks to make all appeals filed at the supreme court go through leave, “that is, the court is to determine by way of application whether a particular case deserves its attention”.

    Leading the debate during the plenary session, Onofiok Luke, lawmaker from Akwa Ibom and sponsor of the bill, said the supreme court is overburdened by a large number of cases.

    Luke, who is the chairman of the house committee on judiciary, said the constitution grants unlimited jurisdiction to the supreme court to handle all cases, adding that this gives “litigants the unfettered right in most cases to approach the court on any issue”.

    “Some litigants and lawyers have exploited this loophole and filed all manner of undeserving and unmerited cases and interlocutory applications before the court,” he said.

    “It is in this vein that this constitutional alteration is proposed to limit appeals to the supreme court.”

    The bill was, however, rejected by majority of the lawmakers after it was put to a voice vote by Idris Wase, deputy speaker of the house.

    (Daily Trust)

  • Buhari guarantees credible elections at UN farewell speech

    Buhari guarantees credible elections at UN farewell speech

    President Muhammadu Buhari has assured theUnited Nations of credible elections in 2023 as the country goes to polls to elect a new president as well as governors and lawmakers across the 36 states.

    He stated this, yesterday, in what appeared a farewell speech to the 77th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) as he told his audience that by same time next year, Nigeria would have a new president representing it at the event.

    He, however, vowed to entrench a process of free, fair, transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians would elect leaders of their choices.

    “We believe in the sanctity of constitutional term limits and we have steadfastly adhered to it in Nigeria. We have seen the corrosive impact on values when leaders elsewhere seek to change the rules to stay on in power. Indeed, we are now preparing for general elections in Nigeria next February. At the 78th UNGA, there will be a new face at this podium speaking for Nigeria.

    “Ours is a vast country strengthened by its diversity and its common values of hard work, enduring faith and a sense of community. We have invested heavily to strengthen our framework for free and fair elections. I thank our partners for all the support that they have provided our election institutions. As President, I have set the goal that one of the enduring legacies I would like to leave is to entrench a process of free, fair and transparent and credible elections through which Nigerians elect leaders of their choice.”

    He recalled that he would have first addressed the gathering as military Head of State in 1984, but that he had his first opportunity in 2015, when he became Nigeria’s democratically elected president.

    Buhari thanked world leaders who have cooperated with Nigeria in efforts to tackle various challenges even as he highlighted the actions of the government in bringing peace and stability to the West African sub region.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to constitutional term limits and Nigeria’s efforts to promote rule of law and democracy in West Africa, citing the country’s support for The Gambia, Guinea Bissau, and Chad during their political impasses.

    He said in The Gambia Nigeria helped ensure the first democratic transition since independence and stood by the democratically elected government in Guinea-Bissau when it faced mutiny.

    He added that following the tragic death of President Idris Deby Itno of Chad in the battlefield, Nigeria joined forces with its other neighbours and international partners to stabilise the country and encourage the peaceful transition to democracy, a process which is ongoing.

    On the war in Ukraine, he warned that the danger of escalation further justifies Nigeria’s resolute calls for a nuclear-free world and a universal Arms Trade Treaty, which are necessary measures to prevent global human disasters.

    He demanded that world leaders must find quick means to reach consensus on the nuclear non-proliferation treaty with related commitments by nuclear weapon states.

    Buhari called attention to the use of social media to spread hate speech and divisive information, urging world leaders to come together to defend freedom of speech and uphold other values they cherish.

    (Sun)

  • ASUU rejects court order, vows to appeal, holds crucial NEC meeting

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has said there was no cause for alarm over the back-to-work judgment of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) and asked its members to remain calm.

    Justice Polycarp Hamman gave the order in his ruling on a suit filed by the Federal Government seeking an order for ASUU to call off its seven months strike.

    He said he was invoking section 18 the Trade Dispute Act, which allows the court to order an end to strike when national interest is at stake.

    Justice Hamman held that the application was meritorious and deserved to be granted by the court.

    The court dismissed the objections raised against the suit by ASUU on grounds that the strike action was detrimental to public university students that cannot afford to attend private tertiary institutions.

    “The balance of convenience tilts in favour of the applicant. I hold that this application is meritorious and this application is granted”, Justice Hamman ruled.

    The court, thereafter, issued an order, restraining ASUU, “whether by themselves, members, agents, privies or howsoever called, from taking further steps and doing any act in continuance of the strike action, pending the hearing and determination of the suit filed.”

    The Federal Government had through the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr.Chris Ngige filed the suit by way of referral to resolve the issue of the ongoing strike by ASUU.

    Counsel to the Federal Government, Mr James Igwe, SAN, counsel to FG in his submission had informed the court that the application for the injunction was dated September 12 and filed same date.

    Igwe added that the application was brought in pursuant to the rules of the NICN 2017 proceeding.

    But ASUU, in a statement by the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Adelaja Odukoya, quoted the National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, as saying, “our lawyer is filing an appeal and stay of execution of the judgment.”

    The statement titled: “NICN back to work order on ASUU: Be calm”, Prof. Osodeke urged members of the union to remain calm as there is no cause for alarm on the back-to-work order delivered earlier today (yesterday).

    “Members should remain resolute and strong. A people united can never be defeated. Solidarity without compromise,’’ he stated.

    No winner, no vanquished -FG

    The Federal Government has declared that nobody won or lost in the ruling.

    Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, made the declaration hen he received members of the Nigerian Association of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA) in his office.

    Ruling doesn’t end negotiations

    He also assured that the court ruling does not preclude further negotiation between the Federal Government and ASUU.

    “The ruling is in the best interest of the nation. It is a win-win situation for all of us- government, students, lecturers- all Nigerians indeed. I have just gotten the order of court asking ASUU to go back to work.It is a sound judgment. It is no victor, no vanquished. You doctors in academics are for now members of ASUU, but, you are here, even though you have dissociated yourself and you are working. We want to thank you for working and teaching your students.

    “The court ruling does not preclude us from going on with further negotiation and consultations. The pro-chancellors met Mr. President and made some demands, such as topping up government offer and seeing whether there could be some bailout. Mr. President said in considering it, he will consult stakeholders. So, he is going to consult everybody.”

    Hails Reps’ intervention

    Ngige commended the House of Representatives, saying he was happy the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said they were going to meet the president. He said the intervention was timely considering that the president must have also consulted some stakeholders, adding that whatever money to be put in would go into the 2023 appropriation where the National Assembly comes in.

    “If they have shown interest now, it is good and wonderful. When they bring that proposal, the Executive will not have any problem. ASUU should also know that this is a step in the right direction. And all these things have been promised them by the Minister of Education at their last meeting with him. For me, they should do the needful and get back to classroom.”

    He added that the government would order the vice chancellors to reopen the universities in compliance with the order of court.

    Reopen varsities, CONUA tells VCs

    The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has asked vice chancellors of public universities to re-open the institutions and commence academic activities in line with the judgment.

    A statement by the National Coordinator, Dr. Niyi Sunmonu, said: “This becomes imperative as the court is one of the recognised tools of democratic engagement in the country. Since CONUA members have not been on strike, re-opening the universities will make it possible to duly continue work, stem the restlessness among the students who have had their studies interrupted and facilitate the restoration of peace to the nation.”

    Black market judgment -NANS

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has described the NICN ruling as black market judgment.

    According to the National Public Relations Officer of NANS, Giwa Temitope, yesterday, the judgment betrayed equity because the Federal Government should not have dragged ASUU before the industrial court ab initio.

    He explained that the only solution to the strike is for government to meet the demands of the union, which they willingly entered into.

    “The court could have said that the Federal Government should go and pay rather than say that lecturers who are on strike should go back to classrooms.

    “We were expecting the court to have understood that lecturers are on contract of personal service hence they cannot be compelled to render a service they don’t want to render. The only remedy to this action is for the Federal Government to accede to the demands of ASUU which the government willingly entered into with them and properly fund education, ” Temitope stated.

    APC lauds NICN

    In its reaction, the All Progressives Congress (APC) commended the judgement.

    In a statement by the National Vice Chairman (North-West), Salihu Moh. Lukman, insisted that every step must be taken to enforce the judgement of Justice Hamman, lamenting that the last seven months have been traumatic for parents and innocent students.

    “The NIC judgment is a vindication of the position I expressed last year when NLC National leadership organised a so-called one-week warning strike against Kaduna State government and Resident Doctors led by National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) were also on strike, at the same time. Faced with clearly avoidable strikes.

    “Imaging that processes of mediation, conciliation and compulsory adjudication by Ministry of Labour as provided under the Trade Dispute Act immediately ASUU served notice of strike. Certainly, a judgement by either Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP) and NIC would have been obtained before the commencement of the strike.

    “Sadly, here we are, the same judgement that would have been delivered before the strike commenced on February 14 is only obtained about seven months into the strike.

    “Better late than never. However, the demand must be made clearly, never again should Ministry of Labour abdicate from its responsibility of arresting strikes based on ability to activate processes of mediation, conciliation and compulsory adjudication.

    “The Ministry of Labour must be reformed to discharge these functions effectively and efficiently. Democracy is about rule of law. At all times, laws must be activated to regulate conducts of citizens and government officials. “Every step must be taken to enforce the judgement of Justice Hamman. The last seven months have been traumatic for parents and innocent students. Everything must be done to bring to immediate end the sufferings and hardships being inflicted by the seven months strike,” he said.

    On what to do with the salary arrears, he said: “The debate about whether government should pay ASUU members for the seven months they are on strike should be treated based on the provisions of their employment contract. Anything to the contrary will amount to encouraging ASUU, and by extension other unions to engage processes of collective bargaining based on blackmail antics and show of crude power. This must be discouraged.

    Students to disrupt political campaigns, if…

    Students under the aegis of NANS have vowed to shut down the country in protest and disrupt political campaigns, if Federal Government failed to accede to the demands of ASUU within two weeks.

    The students gave the ultimatum at a press conference addressed by the Chairman of NANS National Taskforce on #EndASUUStrikeNow, Ojo Raymond, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    The students had in separate protests grounded activities on the major highways in the country in the past one week, including the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, on Monday in protests against the ASUU strike.

    The fresh threat is coming even as political parties are preparing for the commencement of election campaigns next week, ahead of the 2023 general elections.

    NANS reiterated that students would unleash their anger and frustration on the Federal government until public universities were reopened.

    “The leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) will continue to ground all the nation public assets from roads to airports, including Nigeria Ports Authority if the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Education and the Federal Ministry of Labour fail to resolve with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in no distant time.

    “Our blocking of access to public roads and ports is just a warning. If the government fails to conclude all the negotiation and agreement with ASUU within the frame of two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country.

    “They will also witness the annoyance, anger and frustration of Nigerian students who have been at home for the past seven months. As we promise them that we will not allow any political campaign to hold across the country until we are back to class.

    “This government has pushed so many students into depression. We say enough is enough; we can no longer bear the brunt from this avoidable crisis in our nation public ivory towers again”, Ojo said.

    He called on Nigerians to join in their struggle for the rescue of tertiary education from collapse.

    (Sun)

  • BREAKING NEWS: National Industrial Court Orders ASUU To Call Off Strike

    BREAKING NEWS: National Industrial Court Orders ASUU To Call Off Strike

    The National Industrial Court has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to call off the ongoing Strike.

    Delivering a ruling on the interlocutory injunction filed by the Federal government , Justice Polycarp Hamman restrained ASUU from continuing with the industrial action pending the determination of the suit.

    Justice Polycap who is a vacation judge ordered that the case filed be returned to the president of the Industrial Court for reassignment to another judge.

    This order comes a few hours after the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) threatened not to allow any political campaign hold across the country till students of public universities return to classrooms.

    Chairman, NANS National Taskforce, Ojo Olumide, announced this at a press conference in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on Wednesday, some days to September 28, the official date for candidates to kick-off campaign as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    “Our blocking of access to public roads and ports is just a warning. If the government fails to conclude all the negotiation and agreement with ASUU within the frame of two weeks, they will witness more protests and rallies all over the country, they will also witness the annoyance, anger and frustration of Nigerians Students who have been at home for the past seven months.

    “As we promise them that we will not allow any political campaign to hold across the country until we are back to class. This government has pushed so many Nigerians students into depression. We say enough is enough; we can no longer bear the brunt from this avoidable crisis in our nation public ivory towers again,” he said.

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on strike since February 14, 2022 as talks between the Federal Government and lecturers of public universities have not yielded a comprise upon which students can return to class.

    More details shortly…

    (Channels TV)

  • Insecurity worsens in Nigeria despite $670 million annual spending: CISLAC at UNGA77

    Insecurity worsens in Nigeria despite $670 million annual spending: CISLAC at UNGA77

    The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre’s (CISLAC) launch of Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 16 Shadow Report, 2022, Tuesday evening in New York, revealed that despite spending $670 million on security votes each year, the situ continues to deteriorates.

    According to the report, 5,067 Nigerians were killed owing to insecurity in 2021, and an average of 14 Nigerians were killed daily, adding that the findings show a 52.3 per cent rise in reported killings when compared to 2020 (Findings from The Cable Index and the Council of Foreign Relations).

    The report also captured the looming debt crisis, quoting an official data that showed that Nigeria had a revenue of N1.63 trillion in the first quarter of 2022, noting that the generated amount is not even enough to service (not pay) the debt of the country for that quarter which was at N1.94 trillion.

    It also expressed captured prevalence of vote trading in the country’s electoral process.

    Executive Director of CISLAC, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, who released the report on the side lines of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said it is the 5th edition of a series of annual shadow reports which seeks to measure Nigeria’s progress on SDG 16 specifically targets 16.4 which deals with anti-money laundering, 16.5 which looks at beneficial ownership and 16.10 which looks at access to information.

    He added that although the report captured Nigeria’s slight improvement from their previous reports on the fight against corruption, insecurity is now in every part of the country, while various media houses come under various sanctions from the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    Rafsanjani added that the report was prepared using a Transparency International global template which helps for cross chapter comparison amongst countries.

    He explained that the report produced by CISLAC as TI Nigeria under the project, seeks to improve democratic accountability of public institutions and anti-corruption deficits by Strengthening Accountability Networks among Civil Society (SANCUS) which is supported by the European Union.

    The CISLAC boss added that the report is an updated assessment of the previous editions of the SDGs Shadow Report published by CISLAC in 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

    “The aim of this report is to monitor and explore the progress within the agenda 2030 with the focus on the SDG 16 targets earlier mentioned (16.4; 16.5 and 16.10) which have been analysed in depth.

    “This research encompasses over 14 policy areas and 76 indicators distinctly developed as part of the global Transparency International project of ‘shadow reporting’ the official Voluntary National Reports (VNRs) prepared by the governments as a self-assessment against the SDG goals.”

    Rafsanjani said CISLAC in this year’s report, noted an improvement in two indicators as compared to three in 2021 and six in 2019.

    “This improvement which can be seen in the policy areas of money laundering and asset recovery, is attributed to the passage and assent into law of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Bill and Proceeds of Crime Management Bill in May 2022.

    “The Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 aims to strengthen the powers of relevant agencies in dealing with challenges posed by money laundering by expanding the scope of money laundering in the prevention, prohibition, detection, prosecution, and punishment of offenders. The Proceeds of Crime Management Act 2022 aims to better manage recovered assets through the establishment of a central database as well as the establishment of directorates to manage recovered assets in various jurisdictions amongst other measures.

    “However, the lack of progress on other indicators can be attributed to three major factors. The worsening insecurity across Nigeria has raised concern amongst citizens. In addition to this, there is a high level of corruption amidst an increase in national debt. As seen on to the 2021 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) released globally by Transparency International where Nigeria scored 24 out of 100 points which is its worst since 2012 when the methodology of the CPI was reformed.

    “Another area to be concerned about is Nigeria’s revenue generation problem which has led to an enormous increase in borrowing. Official data has shown that Nigeria had a revenue of N1.63 trillion in the first quarter of 2022 which was not even enough to pay the debt of the country for that quarter which was at N1.94 trillion.

    (Sun)

  • Obi imports majority of foreign products Nigerians consume: Gov Yahaya Bello 

    Obi imports majority of foreign products Nigerians consume: Gov Yahaya Bello 

    “Everyone knows (Mr Obi) has engaged in several businesses, including the importation of the majority of the products we consume today in the country.”

    Peter Obi, a presidential standard-bearer on the platform of the Labour Party, is the importer of “the majority” of the products Nigerians consume, says Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi.

    “Peter Obi – I respect him. A gentleman, one-time governor; a businessman who everyone knows has engaged in several businesses including the importation of the majority of the products we consume today in the country,” said the Kogi governor.

    Mr Bello was a presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress but was unsuccessful in his campaign to clinch the ruling party’s ticket. The governor noted that the Labour Party’s presidential candidate’s “online agitation” would not translate to grassroots mobilisation in politics.

    “He is doing well in his own right, but let me tell you: online agitation is different from grassroots movements and mobilisation,” the Kogi governor declared.

    Mr Bello, appointed as the Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima campaign council youth coordinator, disclosed this during an interview with Channels TV on Monday.

    Described as the importer of the “majority” of the foreign products Nigerians consume, Mr Obi has always campaigned that the country should focus more on production rather than consumption.

    “As a matter of urgency, Nigeria must stop borrowing for consumption but only borrow to invest in regenerative development projects and other productive ventures,” Mr Obi stated in August. “It’s ironical that states that received fiscal bailouts did not invest them properly; did not repay the loans and are still borrowing beyond their revenue earnings.”

    The Kogi governor dismissed polls and reports claiming that Mr Obi is a leading candidate ahead of the 2023 presidential election while vowing to mobilise Nigerian youths in support of the APC presidential flag bearer, Mr Tinubu.

    (Peoples Gazette)

  • PDP CRISIS: Wike’s camp withdraws from Atiku’s campaign, insists on Ayu’s sack

    The camp of Governor Nyesom Wike in the Peoples Democratic Party has officially announced its withdrawal from participating in the presidential campaign of the party for the 2023 elections.

    The group made its position known after a long meeting which started at about 7pm last night and ended by past 2am this morning at the private residence of Wike in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

    Members of the group said none of them will participate in whatever capacity in the campaign council unless the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, resigns for a southern candidate.

    Some members of the group were recently appointed as leaders and members of the campaign council for the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

    Present at this defining gathering at Wike’s residence in Port Harcourt include Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; former Governors Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, Ayo Fayose of Ekiti, Donald Duke of Cross River, Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe and Jonah Jang of Plateau, former Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke.

    Others at the meeting are elder statesmen, Olabode George, Jerry Gana; South-South Chairman of the PDP, Dan Orbih; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Chibudom Nwuche; Senator Suleiman Nazif, Nnenna Ukeje, among several others.

    After over seven hours of private meeting from 7pm on Tuesday, September 20 to past 2am on Wednesday September 21, they gather to briefing journalists on the outcome, with George stating the shocker.

    The decision of the Rivers governor’s camp comes some days to September 28, the official date for candidates to kick-off campaign as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

    More to follow…

    (Channels TV)

  • Enugu: Ugwuanyi builds 600 seater banquet hall for regional and international events

    Enugu: Ugwuanyi builds 600 seater banquet hall for regional and international events

    Enugu State Government says it has built a state-of-the-art 600-seater banquet hall for hosting sensitive and reserved state, regional, national and international events.

    This is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, Mr Louis Amoke to newsmen in Enugu.

    According to the statement, the hall is in advancement of Enugu state’s status and leading role as the historic capital of the South-East geo-political zone of Nigeria.

    It said that the banquet hall was situated within the premises of the remodelled Old Government Lodge, GRA, Enugu.

    “The banquet hall, which is one of the signature projects of Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration, has basement offices, meeting rooms, retaining walls, large parking lots, among other.

    “Besides, his administration, within the premises, also constructed 10 units of executive guest houses, 24 units of guest flats with a dining hall,” the statement reads.

    It said the essence of structure was to save cost of governance in respect of security and hotel accommodation bills as well as create a conducive atmosphere for decision making and other official engagements.

    “In furtherance of the above noble vision, Gov. Ugwuanyi’s administration equally constructed a similar befitting conference centre at Ede-Oballa, Nsukka,” It added.

    The statement said the one in Ede-Oballa comprised multiple halls, other indoor activity hubs and recreation facilities such as adult and children swimming pools and a lawn tennis court.

    It added that the hall was built for cohesion and proper coordination of state government activities at the zonal level.

    (NAN)

  • Fed Govt plans salary raise to cushion inflation effects

    Fed Govt plans salary raise to cushion inflation effects

    A pay raise is likely for workers in the public service to cushion the effect of the global economic downturn the Federal Government hinted yesterday.

    The government admitted that inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers who are on N30, 000 minimum monthly wage.

    Labour and Employment Minister Senator Chris Ngige dropped the hint at the public presentation of a compendium of ‘Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at 40’ publication titled: “Contemporary history of working class struggles,” in Abuja.

    He spoke after Trade Union Congress (TUC) President Festus Osifo noted that workers have been subjugated and oppressed by the ruling class.

    The minister said the adjustment had become imperative to reflect what is happening across the globe.

    Ngige said: “The inflation is worldwide. We shall adjust the minimum wage in conformity with what is happening and much more importantly, the 2019 Minimum Wage Act has a new clause for a review.”

    He added “that adjustment has started with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) because the stage they are with their primary employers, the Ministry of Education, there is Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

    There is concern however, that government’s consideration for the minimum wage review may be a hoax as it may be an exercise in futility because many states are not able to pay the existing wage. Of what use would be an upward review of the existing wage if workers will not benefit from it? some concerned workers are asking.

    “Under the principles of offer and acceptance, which is that of collective Bargaining, ASUU can say let’s look at the offer they gave us and make counter offer, but they have not done that. If they do that, we are bound to look at their offer. These are the ingredients of collective negotiations,” Ngige stated.

    The minister noted that Labour created the wealth of any nation as well as the wealth of any family, adding that “if you don’t work, you won’t eat.”

    Osifo lamented that the N30, 000 minimum wage was no longer feasible in the current economic circumstances, stressing that workers’ transportation fare to work for a month is in excess of their take home pay.

    The TUC leader said: “The value of the N30, 000 minimum wage has been eroded. It cannot take workers to work again.”

    Osifo, who noted that the Labour movement in the country is committed to protection of interest of workers, stressed that if not for the struggle of the founding fathers of the movement, the story would have been different today. He urged government to recognise the power of agreement.

    Former NLC President Adams Oshiomhole advised Labour leaders to interrogate those aspiring to be president on their policies and manifesto on the economy.

    Oshiomhole carpeted state governors who have failed to pay the N30, 000 minimum wage because of lack of funds.

    He said: “The other day I saw some councils’ chairmen in a state where the N30,000 minimum wage was not being paid, and I saw NLC chairmen in those states praising these governors, even giving them awards. Where is the conscience?

    “At the governors’ forum when we were debating the whole idea of whether N18, 000 was reasonable, or we should deregulate minimum wage and let every state pay according to its ability, we had a Labour Party Governor in the person of Olusegun Mimiko, who supported those who said minimum wage should be abolished, deregulated according to the ability to pay.

    “And I said to him: ‘When you are buying your Toyota bulletproof car, you pay the same price as Lagos. You probably will pay more depending on how much you mark it up.

    “Nothing can be more humiliating to you as workers than somebody who is elected on your platform, taking a position that is completely in conflict with what you stand for.

    “And that is why I will conclude by saying that all of us should look carefully. I have even told APC candidates. If you pursue absolute market forces, you don’t have me on your side because what brought us to this situation, talking about history, we must document the characters of government we interface with.

    “So, if you say you do not want market forces, say so now to those who want to be president. I want you to use this moment to know that there is no such thing as a good person in government or a bad person – or a short person and a tall person. What will determine your fate are the policy choices that those in government consciously make.”

    Oshiomhole, a former national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), he could not condemn the Labour movement if it had decided to protest against the high price of diesel in the country.

    He said the privilege of office as a former governor of Edo State was not enough for him to forget his Labour background.

    He said: “If I was a coward, I won’t be removed the way I was removed as National Chairman of APC,” advising Labour leaders to stop agonising and start organising.

    Oshiomhole urged Labour leaders to seek for the payment of wages equivalent to the dollar.

    He said: “We must teach our younger generation to understand the other side of the argument. There must be more than one way to bail us out from where we are.

    “Sunday, I had the opportunity to address the APC youth leaders and I told them we are not just interested in building a great country with a huge Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the largest GDP in Africa, but the GDP should reflect in our living standard.

    “We should have well paid people and more prosperous people. We don’t just want to say that we have the largest GDP in Africa. We want to be able to say that our people are better off than people in any other African countries. If not, then, there is a crisis of description and we cannot be progressive.

    “If we post two contradictory indexes, the human index is going down and then, the economy index is going up, something is going wrong.

    “I want you to know that what makes us different as Labour leaders is that if you are grounded on those core values of Labour, nothing in life will make you change.

    “I said this before even on national television that the fact that the children of the poor are at home, is not featured in conversations on television. It’s all about politics, this is wrong. It is not an act of God. We have to fix it.”

    Former NLC Chairman Hassan Sunmonu, who decried the neglect of the university sector, queried: “Why is it different in this particular country? Name one university anywhere in the world where vice chancellors have to ask for the permission of the Head of Service before they recruit a Professor.

    “Name any university in the world where professors and lecturers are paid through the Accountant-General’s Office. Where in the world is anything akin to IPPIS being forced on any university?

    “The most patriotic Nigerians are those at the federal universities. Why should a senior lecturer have the salary of a sergeant in the army? If we don’t take education seriously it will be to the detriment of our present and future.”

    Sunmonu said he “ would like to congratulate the leadership of the NLC for this feat. I am very proud of you people.

    “The IMF and World Bank want to make Nigeria a poor and undeveloped country forever. Our policy makers are not talking. Most of them were put there by the IMF and World Bank.

    “We don’t have secrets in Nigeria. Our secrets are in Washington, London and Co.”

    The need for salary adjustment is a fallout of the spiralling inflation being experienced in Nigeria and across the globe. In Nigeria, inflation has been on the rise since after the COVID-19 pandemic.In the last three or four months, food inflation has been trending upward from a little above 16 per cent in June, to well over 20 per cent according to the inflation data for August released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The resultant effect of this development is that food prices have more than tripled in local markets.

    Most noticeable in this spiral price jump are most Nigeia’s staple foods, such as garri, rice, beans, tomatoes, provision and the whole gamut of the common ingredients used for cooking.

    In addition, prices of fruits have joined the fray. Water melon, carrots, oranges and pineapples that used to be common features of diets, have all vanished from most tables. The cost of meat and fish and other proteinous items have vanished from the cooking pots of many households, as their prices are now at the roof tops.

    Also noticeable, and in increasing dimension, is the incidence of open solicitations by families who are longer able to cater for their households.

    In the build industry, there is palpable lamentation by builders who bemoan the astronomical rise of building materials almost on a daily basis. Some builders who interacted with The Nation said they have to put their building projects on hold because of cost overruns, others have expressed concern that they would let their properties at the rate prices of building materials have sky rocketed.

    (The Nation)

  • National Industrial Court to rule on ASUU Strike Wednesday

    The National Industrial Court (NICN) is to deliver a ruling in an application filed by the federal government seeking an order of the court to direct the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its ongoing strike.

    Justice Polycarp Hamman adjourned the matter after listening to the arguments of the counsel on behalf of the parties.

    J.U.K Igwe, counsel to the federal government, in his submission, informed the court that the application for the injunction was dated 12 September and filed on the same date.

    He added that the application was brought in pursuant to the rules of the NICN.

    Mr Igwe further stated that it was predicated on 11 grounds and supported by a 21-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Okechukwu Wampa, a legal adviser in the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Attached to it were three exhibits and an undertaking deposed to by Mr Wampa, the lawyer said.

    He also urged the court to grant the prayer sought and proceeded to adopt in its entirety the written address. He added that the claimants had met all the requirements to enable the court to grant the injunction.

    He said the claimant’s action was not ‘apprehensive.’ Regarding damages, he said the lost time of seven months of the strike could not be regained.

    He concluded by saying that going by the provision of Section 18 (1) (e) of the Trade Disputes Act (TDA) 2004, which states that a worker should not embark on strike when a matter is already before the court, the court should grant the injunction.

    ASUU opposes injunction

    Femi Falana, counsel to the defendant, stated that he had before the court a nine-paragraph counter-affidavit filed on 16 September and deposed to by the president of ASUU.

    He added that attached to the affidavit were eight exhibits accompanied by a written address. He adopted the same as his argument in opposition to the interlocutory injunction.

    Mr Falana also argued that the minister lacked the power to order the court in the referral to direct ASUU to call off its strike.

    He said that once a referral was before a court, no party could go outside of it.

    Mr Falana in his argument also pointed out that the claimants did not follow due process in part 1 of TDA 2004 that stipulated that only an individual has the right to approach the court as a trade union will first need to go to the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), before coming to the court.

    He said a union can only approach the NICN to appeal the decision of IAP.

    Mr Falana also said that the letter that accompanied the referral had the name of the Attorney-General of the Federation as a party in the suit, but the application filed before the court was without the name.

    He also said the referral asking for an accelerated hearing was not necessary as there was no urgency in the matter as the strike had lasted for seven months.

    He said the balance of convenience was not on the side of the claimants and that the conduct of the claimants in the prayer for the court to interpret the 2009 Agreement should be discountenanced.

    He finally urged the court to dismiss the application or direct parties to the IAP.

    Mr Igwe in response submitted that the minister did not order the court and that the letter attached to the referral was not a legal document as the notice of referral superseded the letter.

    The News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) reports that earlier, the court had ruled in favour of the claimants after Mr Falana had argued that the defendant’s preliminary objection over the jurisdiction of the court should be taken before any other application.

    However, Mr Igwe had argued that the court in its decision on 16 September slated Monday for a hearing.

    Mr Igwe in addition stated that the defendant’s objection will not be prejudiced as it can be adopted and taken with the substantive matter at a later date.

    He also argued that the preliminary objection was not ripe for hearing as it was just served on him about 14 minutes before the proceeding for the day.

    The court had upheld Mr Igwe’s argument and directed counsel to proceed with the application for an interlocutory injunction and the counter-affidavit opposing the application.

    NAN also reports that the Minister of Labour and Employment on behalf of the federal government had filed the matter before the court by way of referral to resolve the issue of the ongoing strike by ASUU.

    (NAN)

  • Kanu’s health is deteriorating in detention -Lawyer

    Kanu’s health is deteriorating in detention -Lawyer

    The lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Monday said that the detained leader of, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu’s health condition has continued to deteriorate in the detention facility of the Director of State Services, DSS.

    Ejiofor stated this to newsmen in Owerri, after they visited Kanu, at the DSS, detention centre, in Abuja.

    He alleged that efforts made by his doctor Kanu, to address his medical issues were allegedly prevented by the DSS personnel.

    According to Ejiofor, “The Court-Ordered routine visit to our indefatigable Client – Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has just been concluded, at the DSS Headquarters Abuja, where Onyendu is still being held in solitary confinement for over 14 months.

    “Highlight of today’s visit was to review other pending litigations initiated against the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN) for their grave violation of International Laws and Treaties in their criminal abduction and extraordinary rendition of Onyendu, sanctions and reparation arising from this act of state terrorism.

    “The visit also allowed us to review the overall welfare of Onyendu, as well as the level of the DSS compliance with existing Court Order in the management of Onyendu’s health condition.

    “For the records, it is pertinent to reiterate that for the umpteenth time, the lawless DSS has continued to treat with greatest contempt/disdain, the existing Court Order, which specifically directed that Onyendu should be allowed access to his Medical Doctor for an independent review/investigation of his current health status. This is following the continued depletion of his potassium level.”

    “Regrettably, this Court Order is gravely flouted with impunity by the DSS, as efforts made by Onyendu’s personal doctor to see him at the DSS facility where Onyendu is currently being detained were rebuffed/rejected by the DSS.

    “Presently, Onyendu is experiencing gastro intestine disorder, which requires regular intake of antacids and other availing medical solutions, following persistent heartburn. Unfortunately, the DSS has denied him the least of the prescribed pain killer tablet that could provide momentary relief,” he said.

    (Vanguard)