NLC suspends plan to protest 50% increase in telecom tariffs

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has suspended its planned nationwide protest against the 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.

This was the outcome of a meeting on Monday with the Federal Government representatives, with NLC President Joe Ajaero, saying the congress agreed to delay the protest planned for Tuesday (tomorrow) for two weeks.

A 10-member committee, consisting of five members from each side, was constituted to review the tariff hike and propose solutions to address the concerns of both telecom operators and consumers.

The delegation from the Federal government was led by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

According to a statement signed by the Director, Information and Public Relations in the office of the SGF, Segun Imohiosen, the meeting was aimed to maintain industrial harmony and to also protect the interest of Nigerians.

He disclosed that the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke on behalf of the Federal Government, said that the purpose of the meeting was to look into the study carried out by the NCC which led to the 50 per cent increase in the telecommunications tariff.

“The summary of it is that Labour, the Nigerian Labour Congress, specifically and the delegation of the Federal Government have set up a committee of five each.

“We are going to meet here continuously for the next two weeks. And at the end of the second week, we will now come up with a recommendation that we will give to government and the organised Labour for final consideration,” he said.

Anyanwu dares PDP govs, resumes as national secretary

The embattled National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Samuel Anyanwu, has resumed duty at the party’s National Headquarters despite the PDP Governors’ Forum endorsing Sunday Ude-Okoye as the party’s scribe.

On Friday, the PDP Governors’ Forum, led by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, confirmed Ude-Okoye as the National Secretary, citing an Appeal Court ruling. The governors also instructed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) to implement the judgment.

However, defying the endorsement, Punch reports that Anyanwu arrived at the PDP National Headquarters at Wadata Plaza shortly after noon, dressed in white, and proceeded straight to his office to conduct party affairs.

The PDP has been embroiled in internal crises before and after the 2023 general elections, leading to deep divisions within the party.

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Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum has come under fire from members who accuse him of failing to stabilize the party since taking over from former National Chairman Iyorchia Ayu.

The battle over the position of National Secretary has further complicated matters.

In 2023, the PDP’s South East zone nominated Ude-Okoye, a former National Youth Leader, to replace Anyanwu, who had become the party’s governorship candidate in Imo State.

The Appeal Court in Enugu ruled in favour of Ude-Okoye on December 20, 2024, and an official notification was sent to the party leadership on December 24.

However, on January 27, 2025, the Court of Appeal in Abuja issued a restraining order, allowing Anyanwu to remain in office until the Supreme Court makes a final ruling.

Tensions flared on Wednesday when Anyanwu’s supporters forcibly removed Ude-Okoye from a Board of Trustees meeting, prompting security intervention.

In response, PDP governors reaffirmed their support for Ude-Okoye during a meeting in Asaba, Delta State, distancing themselves from Anyanwu and urging the NWC to enforce the Appeal Court’s ruling.

Anyanwu, in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, the Supreme Court, and the Appeal Court, insisted that he remains the legitimate PDP National Secretary.

He described the governors’ backing of Ude-Okoye as a deliberate provocation and called for intervention to prevent further escalation of the crisis.

Anyanwu dares PDP govs, resumes as national secretary

Why Tinubu may not win next election – SDP Chairman Gabam

National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Shehu Gabam, says the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu will work against him in seeking re-election in 2027.

Gabam also warned that President Tinubu administration could witness more major protests by angry Nigerians as it happened during the Jonathan government.

He gave some of the unpopular policies of the Tinubu administration as the sudden removal of petrol subsidy, unification of forex rates, electricity tariff hike and telecoms tariff hike.

He spoke on Sunday during Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, a socio-political programme aired on Channels Television.

“I don’t see him surviving another election with the same kind of policies going on,” Gabam said.

The SDP boss said with less than two years in office, the demonstrations against the Tinubu government were similar to those against the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012.

“Protests against Jonathan started two years (into his administration), and he couldn’t survive it. And there will be no president in history who has spent money to be re-elected in the history of Nigeria like President Jonathan.

“So, if people are thinking that they will use money, they are mistaken. You will only rig while you are popular,” he said.

The SDP chair condemned the Tinubu government for its “hostilities” to opposition voices.

He said, “Nobody can talk to a governor, he will abuse you; he’s an emperor. You dare not talk to him; you dare not advise him. The same thing applies to the current government. The moment you advise them, they see you as an enemy.

“They forget that some of the political parties stood by INEC at the point of announcing the election (results) because we don’t want anarchy to ensue.”