Labour kicks as police bar varsity workers from protesting in Abuja - Newstrends
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Labour kicks as police bar varsity workers from protesting in Abuja

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Labour kicks as police bar varsity workers from protesting in Abuja

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has lampooned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command for forcefully dispersing a peaceful protest organised by members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) in Abuja, yesterday.

The university workers under the platform of Joint Action Committee (JAC) had scheduled to hold a national protest to demonstrate their grievances over non-payment of their four months’ salaries.

But police operatives deployed from the FCT Command stopped the varsity workers from embarking on the protest and blocked access to the Unity Fountain venue, using an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and vans.

Commissioner of Police in FCT, Benneth Igwe, who led the security team, told the union leaders that they were not allowed to use Abuja streets for their protest without giving any reason.

Reacting, the NLC, in a statement by its spokesperson, Benson Upah, condemned the actions of the Police, saying it violated fundamental rights guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution and the international conventions on freedom of association and speech.

NLC demanded an immediate apology from the police for violating its members’ rights and warned of escalating industrial actions if their grievances continued to be ignored.

The statement read: “The FCT Police Command  Commissioner, Compol Bennett Igweh deservedly  earned our outrage and contempt by violently breaking up a peaceful protest at Unity Fountain on Thursday, July 18, 2024 by members of two of our affiliates, NASU and SSANU.

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“Compol Igweh, caused to be deployed to the venue of the protest, armoured tanks, assault dogs and police personnel in battle gear who broke up the peaceful protest using excessive force and other hostile means.

“The behaviour of the  police is an affront to the 1999 constitution (as amended), ILO Conventions 87 and 98 and African Charter on People and Human Rights  which guarantee freedom of association and speech; a violation of the Supreme Court ruling that citizens do not need the permit or approval of the police to  peacefully protest and an insult to the dignity of self-respecting and law-abiding  citizens.

“We need to let the powers that be, especially Compol Igweh and those who sent him that we are not in a Police State and if his intentions are to scare and intimidate workers protesting under the law, then they have picked on  wrong customers.

“We fought for this democracy and we will not fold our hands and allow intestinal-minded  people to destroy it. We are concerned that officers like Compol Igweh who should be inspiring  a new generation of officers away from the colonial traditions of policing are the ones leading the charge into the abyss.

“We want to assure him and his ilks that no one will bestow on him a medal for his unprofessional and disgusting behaviour.  However, in the event he finds himself as one of the beneficiaries of this  new bizarre bazaar of self-bemedalling, we say ahead of time that it is not a medal to wear with honour.

“Under Compol Igweh’s watch,  FCT has been  crawling with bandits, criminals and crooks (both in low and high places) even in the heart of the city. Life has never been this frightening for law-abiding citizens. Instead of training  the turrets of his armoured tanks on these social misfits, it is peaceful workers that are his victims.

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“Igweh does not need to go far for a refresher course on safe-guarding FCT. One of his predecessors who is now a DIG (who rid Abuja of crime and still related well with citizens) is only an ear-shot away at Louis Edet House.

“The reason for the  peaceful protest by NASU and SSANU  is very much in the public domain-non-payment  of their four-months withheld salaries after workers in other unions were paid for the same strike action.The two unions had exhausted all means lawful  over a long stretch of time including a warning strike as means for getting their salaries paid.

“But clearly, the government took their maturity and patience for granted. What the government failed to realise was that it was not only imperiling the tranquility in the university  education environment, it was acting in violation of the constitution which says no citizen should be discriminated against!

“If the government and the police are proud lawbreakers, what  moral justification do they have to expect others to be of good behaviour!

“In light of this, we demand an immediate police apology to NASU and SSANU members whom they violated.We also demand the immediate payment of the withheld salaries. We had had cause to write to the government as well as issued a press statement on this matter in the recent past.

“Government will be courting a major national industrial protest if it continues to ignore  our wise counsel.”

Labour kicks as police bar varsity workers from protesting in Abuja

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Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a sweeping ₦3.3 trillion power sector bailout aimed at clearing long-standing debts and stabilising Nigeria’s struggling electricity industry.

The intervention, implemented under the Presidential Power Sector Financial Reforms Programme, is designed to resolve liabilities accumulated between February 2015 and March 2025, following a comprehensive verification process.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga disclosed that the ₦3.3 trillion electricity debt settlement represents a full and final agreement to restore financial stability across the sector. He explained that the debts, largely driven by unpaid invoices, tariff shortfalls, and subsidy obligations, had significantly weakened liquidity in the power value chain.

Implementation of the power sector debt repayment plan has already commenced, with 15 generation companies signing settlement agreements worth about ₦2.3 trillion. The Federal Government has raised ₦501 billion so far to fund the initiative, out of which ₦223 billion has already been disbursed, while additional payments are ongoing.

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The Nigeria electricity sector bailout is expected to inject much-needed cash into the industry, ensuring that gas suppliers receive payments, power plants can sustain operations, and electricity generation becomes more stable. With improved liquidity, officials say the country could begin to see gradual improvements in power supply, reduced grid disruptions, and better service delivery.

Special Adviser on Energy to the President, Olu Arowolo-Verheijen, said the programme is not just about clearing debts but rebuilding trust across the industry. She noted that restoring confidence is critical to attracting investment, maintaining consistent gas supply, and ensuring that power plants operate efficiently.

She further explained that the initiative forms part of broader power sector reforms in Nigeria, including nationwide metering improvements and the introduction of service-based tariffs that align electricity costs with the quality of supply. According to her, the government is also prioritising electricity supply to businesses, industries, and small enterprises, recognising that reliable power is essential for job creation and economic growth.

The Tinubu administration believes the electricity sector stabilisation plan will reduce reliance on generators, lower the cost of doing business, and improve productivity across key sectors of the economy. Analysts say resolving the sector’s liquidity crisis could unlock new investments and strengthen Nigeria’s overall economic performance.

President Tinubu also commended stakeholders for their cooperation in addressing long-standing challenges in the industry and confirmed that the next phase of the reform programme, Series II, will commence within the current quarter. The phase is expected to deepen structural reforms and ensure long-term sustainability of the electricity market.

Tinubu Unveils ₦3.3tn Electricity Bailout to Revive Nigeria’s Power Sector

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MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement

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Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Joash Amupitan

MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement

 

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate removal of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, describing him as a threat to religious harmony in Nigeria.

 

In a press release issued on April 6, 2026, and signed by its Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, the group accused the INEC chairman of authoring what it described as a “toxic 80-page legal brief,” allegedly used by the United States of America to indict Nigeria over claims of Christian genocide.

 

MURIC expressed dissatisfaction with what it termed the “graveyard silence” of the Federal Government over calls from Islamic organisations for Amupitan’s removal. According to the group, the government’s inaction reflects a lack of sensitivity to the concerns of the Muslim community.

 

The organisation further alleged that Amupitan’s continued leadership poses a risk to the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral system, claiming that a planned voter registration or revalidation exercise could disenfranchise Muslim voters.

 

“MURIC hereby declares a vote of no confidence in the current INEC boss,” the statement read, urging the Federal Government to replace him with what it described as a “tolerant Christian” to restore confidence and balance.

 

The group also accused the INEC chairman of failing to address the allegations against him, noting that his silence has raised concerns among observers. It argued that public officials in other countries often resign over similar controversies, citing examples of past resignations by international political figures.

 

MURIC warned that Nigeria’s progress could be hindered if individuals accused of misconduct remain in sensitive public offices, stressing that Amupitan’s continued stay in office represents what it called a “sit-tight syndrome.”

 

Describing the INEC chairman as an “electoral burden” and a “threat to religious harmony,” the group insisted that his resignation or removal is necessary to safeguard national unity and the integrity of the electoral process.

 

As of the time of filing this report, neither INEC nor the Federal Government had issued an official response to the allegations.

 

MURIC Demands Sack of INEC Chairman Over Alleged Bias, Calls for Replacement

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Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has pledged to defeat banditry, terrorism, and insecurity across Nigeria, promising continued investment in the country’s security architecture. He made the declaration while commissioning the Gateway International Airport and several other federal projects in Ogun State on Saturday.

Speaking at a reception following the inauguration, Tinubu said his administration will intensify efforts to protect lives and property across the nation. “We will win over banditry and defeat insecurity. We will continue to invest more to strengthen the security architecture of Nigeria,” he stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to national safety.

The president described the Gateway International Airport as the economic nerve center of Nigeria’s corridor, highlighting its role in boosting the aviation sector, trade, and socioeconomic development in Ogun State and the wider region. The airport is integrated with independent gas and energy infrastructure, ensuring sustainability and operational efficiency.

Tinubu also lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for using improved federal allocations to develop infrastructure capable of driving Ogun State to greater economic heights. He praised the state government’s focus on mobility, security, agriculture, and industrial development, noting that projects like the airport and new Gateway Airlines will enhance trade, logistics, and employment opportunities.

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Governor Abiodun, in his remarks, emphasized the transformative impact of the airport and related infrastructure on Ogun State’s economy. He noted that the state’s internally generated revenue has grown from ₦40 billion to over ₦250 billion annually, while its GDP increased from ₦4 trillion to ₦17 trillion over the past seven years. He added that the airport features a four-kilometre runway, modern control tower, advanced aviation systems, and cargo facilities, making it a centerpiece of the state’s emerging aerotropolis.

The ceremony also saw the launch of Gateway Airlines, operating Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft, alongside cargo services designed to expand trade and logistics capacity. Beyond aviation, Ogun State has invested heavily in roads, healthcare, and housing, including over 1,600 km of rehabilitated roads, more than 7,000 affordable homes, and 140 primary healthcare centers, according to Governor Abiodun.

The event was attended by prominent dignitaries including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, state governors, lawmakers, captains of industry, and traditional leaders. Both praised the collaboration between federal and state governments in delivering critical infrastructure, with Tinubu’s leadership highlighted as key to Nigeria’s development and security progress.

Tinubu emphasized that the federal government’s reforms and infrastructure investments are people-centered, aimed at improving daily life, fostering prosperity, and ensuring national security. He added that these efforts are designed to overcome violence and terrorism while positioning Nigeria for sustained economic growth.

Tinubu Commissions Gateway Airport, Pledges to Crush Banditry in Nigeria

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