metro
NLC kicks against FG palliative package, says Tinubu becoming dictatorial
NLC kicks against FG palliative package, says Tinubu becoming dictatorial
Fresh trouble appears in the offing between the labour and the Federal Government over the palliative package the latter announced for the poor and the humongous funds allocated to the National Assembly members.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Tuesday accused the Bola Tinubu-led administration of threading the path of dictatorship in unilaterally deciding the palliative amount to be allocated to the masses, federal lawmakers and the judiciary.
Tinubu last week wrote a letter to the National Assembly seeking approval of an $800 million loan to be disbursed to 12 million households in the portion of N8,000 each, designed to cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy.
Reacting to this palliative, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a press release, on Tuesday, said the Federal Government was already using dictatorship style to impoverish Nigerians.
He also condemned the latest hike in fuel price and warned that the labour could be forced to “take matters into our own hands” if the government failed to retrace its steps.
Ajaero further said the FG did not consider the plight of the Nigerian workers before making the decision on the palliative.
He said, “We have restrained ourselves from making further comments publicly on the vexatious issues around the recent but unfortunate unilateral hike in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in the guise of the so-called subsidy withdrawal which has unleashed predictably as we had earlier warned unimaginable and unprecedented hardship, sorrow, anguish and suffering upon Nigerian workers and masses.
“Our resolve is anchored on our strong and abiding faith in the outcomes of the processes of social dialogue and its mechanisms, especially within a democratic setting which fortunately all the major stakeholders in the nation’s socioeconomic framework pleads to at this particular point in time though some have demonstrably shown that it does not go deeper than the rhetoric.
“However, the government of Nigeria seems to have been misled into believing that resorting to impunity and imperiousness in governance in a democracy is a beneficial option as it pursues its stated and unstated objectives.”
He recalled, “The Federal Government had called for dialogue in the aftermath of its disastrous forlorn trajectory in the astronomical increase in petroleum product price and our subsequent call for a nationwide industrial action.
“We were also witnesses to the actions of the Federal Government in procuring an unholy injunction from the courts which were served us in Gestapo style by trucks laden with fully armed soldiers and policemen.
“In all of these provocations, we remained committed to the principles of the Rule of Law, good conscience and democracy so that we can continue to be the moral compass for leaders in the public space.
“This explained our decision to suspend action on the proposed strike.”
Ajaero said, “As it stands, rather than reciprocate the goodwill of Nigerian workers, the Federal Government has insisted on threading the path of dictatorship and seeking to impoverish the people further by taking steps that can only be described as robbing the (poor) people of Nigeria to pay and feed the rich.
“It is on this basis that the NLC strongly condemns the decision of the Tinubu-led administration to seek the approval of the National Assembly to obtain another tranche of external loans worth N500b from the World Bank for the purposes of carrying out a phantom palliative measure to cushion the effect of its poorly thought-out hike in the prices of Premium Motor Spirit.
“Remember that the $800 million which was already proposed before the devaluation of the Naira by this government was worth about N400 billion then but is now worth about N650 billion after devaluation.
“It is from this, it proposes to bring out N500 billion for distribution.
“The proposal to pay N8,000 to each of the so-called 12 million poorest Nigerian households for a period of six months insults our collective intelligence and makes a mockery of our patience and abiding faith in social dialogue which the government may have alluded to albeit pretentiously.
“The further proposal to pay National Assembly members the sum of N70 billion and the Judiciary N36bn is the most insensitive, reckless and brazen diversion of our collective patrimony into the pockets of public officers whose sworn responsibility it is to protect our nation’s treasury.
“We believe that this may amount to hush money and outright bribery of the other arms of government to acquiesce the aberration.
“It is unconscionable that a government that has foisted so much hardship on the people within nearly two months of coming into office will make a proposal that clearly rewards the rich in public office to the detriment of the poor.
“What this means all this while is that the government is seeking ways of robbing the very poor Nigerians so that the rich can become richer.
“There is no other way to explain the proposal to pay a misery sum of N8,000 Naira to each of the mysterious poorest 12 million Households for six months which amounts to N48,000 and pay just 469 National Legislators N70bn or about N149m each while the Judiciary that has about 72 Appeal Court Judges, 33 National Industrial Court Judges, 75 Federal High Court Judges and 21 Supreme Court Judges and a total of about 201 Judges receives a total of N35b or N174m each.
“If these other two arms are projected to receive this, what members of the Executive Council will receive is better left to the imagination of Nigerians. Perhaps, the balance of N150bn will go to them.
“These proposals are not just unacceptable to Nigerian workers but are also dictatorial and thus undemocratic.
“It is not a product of social dialogue which would have produced collectively negotiated outcomes by critical national stakeholders.”
The labour leader also queried the often quoted 12 million Nigerians as poorest households.
He stated, “We reiterate that we do not have confidence in how the data for the never changing 12m poorest households was generated neither do we have confidence in the mechanisms being pursued for the distribution of the cash transfers.
“The history of such transfers especially the school feeding programmes even while the children were at home due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Trader Moni saga fills Nigerians with trepidation, reminding us of the continued heist of our collective resources by those in public office.”
“If the government does not want to stop these fortuitous actions that it is pursuing in the name of palliatives, we will be forced to constructively review our engagement with the government on this vexatious issue and take matters into our own hands,” Ajero stated.
metro
Kano Gov Yusuf, Sanusi linked to Eid killings
Kano Gov Yusuf, Sanusi linked to Eid killings
A coalition of civil society organizations under the Global Initiatives for Good Governance (GIGG) has urged authorities to launch an immediate investigation into the deaths that occurred during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in Kano.
In a statement released on Monday, the coalition, led by Malami Abubakar Yahaya Capenta, attributed the unfortunate events to the failure of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to enforce the ban on the Durbar festival.
Expressing concern over the situation, the coalition questioned why the governor and the emir allegedly disregarded the directive issued by the Kano State Police Commissioner on the eve of Sallah, which was intended as a precautionary measure to protect lives and property.
The group further criticized what it described as a pattern of reckless governance, citing the state administration’s controversial demolitions of properties shortly after assuming office. According to the coalition, these demolitions led to the deaths of more than 25 innocent citizens, with another round of demolitions in Rimin Zakara recently resulting in further casualties.
READ ALSO:
- ‘I was offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara’
- 2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
- How they murdered my Kano-bound passengers in Edo
It also condemned Governor Yusuf’s reported lack of remorse for these actions, stating that his public remarks reflected a troubling disregard for accountability and empathy.
While commending security agencies for their professionalism in managing rising tensions, the coalition insisted on urgent measures to ensure that both the governor and the emir are held responsible for their roles in the tragic incidents.
The group stressed that justice must prevail to rebuild public trust and prevent future instances of what it described as abuse of power.
Encouraging Kano residents to remain alert and demand responsible leadership, the coalition reiterated its commitment to advocating for justice, stating: “Our state deserves governance that prioritizes the welfare and safety of its citizens over political grandstanding and reckless displays of authority.
“The Coalition stands firm in demanding: Accountability – A full investigation into the deaths and injuries caused by these unlawful actions. Justice – Prosecution of all officials involved in violating the police ban and endangering lives. Transparency – A public explanation from the Kano State Government on its repeated disregard for human lives. We will not relent in our pursuit of justice and good governance. The people of Kano deserve better.”
Kano Gov Yusuf, Sanusi linked to Eid killings
metro
‘I was offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara’
‘I was offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara’
The political tension in Rivers State has taken a new twist as Edison Ehie, the Chief of Staff to the suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, has made a shocking revelation about an alleged bribery attempt aimed at impeaching his principal.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Ehie claimed that he was offered a staggering sum of N5 billion to coordinate the impeachment of Governor Fubara.
He further stated that he possesses concrete evidence of the bribe offer, which he has stored on his phone.
“I can also open my phone to show you, in the beginning of October 2023, when they approached me with a bribe of N5 billion. It is here in my phone,
“It was for impeachment. It’s here. I have it and I have printed it and distributed it, in case, in their evil imagination, they decide to attack me. I already have a son and a brother,” he said.
Ehie said the offer was made while he was serving as the majority leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The Chief of Staff also denied claims that he orchestrated the October 30, 2023, bombing of the Rivers Assembly complex on Fubara’s orders.
READ ALSO:
- 2027 election: Shehu Sani declares bid for Kaduna central senatorial seat
- How they murdered my Kano-bound passengers in Edo
- Adeleke threatens to dethrone monarchs over communal crisis
The allegation was made by a former Head of Service in the state, George Nwaeke, during a press conference last Friday.
Nwaeke had alleged that he witnessed a bag of money being handed over to Ehie at the Government House to execute the operation, though he admitted he did not know the amount inside.
Dismissing the claims as false and politically motivated, Ehie said, “It is very important to clarify that I had no hand and was not part of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“Like everyone else, I woke up in the early hours of 30th of October 2023 to hear of the burning down of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Ehie stated that he had instructed his lawyers to file a lawsuit against Nwaeke for criminal libel.
“I will not join issues completely with Mr. George Nwaeke because I have already instructed my lawyers to file an issue of criminal libel against him, and I hope he is very prepared to substantiate his claims and his allegations,” he said.
He further alleged that Nwaeke had sought financial assistance from him on the same day he resigned as head of service.
Rivers State has been in turmoil since Fubara’s fallout with his predecessor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike.
On March 18, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state and suspended both the governor and his deputy.
Subsequently, on March 26, the sole administrator of Rivers State, Ibok-Ete Ibas, suspended all political officeholders in the state.
‘I was offered N5bn bribe to impeach Fubara’
metro
How they murdered my Kano-bound passengers in Edo
How they murdered my Kano-bound passengers in Edo
The lone survivor of the tragic lynching of 16 travelers in Uromi, Edo State, has recounted his terrifying ordeal, refuting allegations that the attack was driven by tribal tensions.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday when the victims, identified as hunters from Kano State, were traveling from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Kano for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration. They were reportedly stopped by a local vigilante group in Uromi, leading to the fatal attack.
In a viral video, the truck driver, whose identity remains undisclosed, shared his version of events. He explained that he was transporting goods for the Dangote Group to Obajana, Kogi State, when he encountered the hunters at Elele.
The group requested a ride north, which he willingly offered, unaware of the impending danger.
“I initially refused to give them a ride because it was against my company’s policy. But after driving for about two kilometers, I felt guilty for abandoning them. After all, they are my fellow Northerners from Kano State, so I went back and picked them up,” the driver said.
READ ALSO:
- Adeleke threatens to dethrone monarchs over communal crisis
- ‘Killing of Democracy’ comment: Reno Omokri disagrees with Dele Momodu
- FG to close Independence Bridge in Lagos for repairs from April 1
According to him, the journey was peaceful until they arrived at Uromi, where they were stopped by a vigilante group. The leader of the vigilante allegedly questioned the driver about his cargo and the identity of his passengers. Despite presenting the waybill for the goods, the vigilante commander reportedly expressed suspicion about the hunters, particularly due to their weapons and dogs aboard the truck.
“He said he (Vigilante Leader) didn’t trust them and demanded they come down. As soon as the crowd saw their guns and dogs, they attacked us,” the driver narrated. “The commander told the crowd that we were kidnappers and Boko Haram, and they started beating us mercilessly.”
The driver, alongside two others identified as Haruna, an older man, and a younger man, was reportedly handcuffed by the vigilante commander and taken to a nearby police station. The vigilante informed the police that they had captured suspected kidnappers, leading to their immediate detention.
“By the time he went back to the scene, the mob had already killed 16 people,” the driver revealed, his voice filled with anguish.
He, however, categorically dismissed suggestions that the incident was a tribal clash. “This was not a tribal clash. The vigilante are solely responsible for this attack. They are the ones that caused our people to be murdered in cold blood,” he emphasided.
The tragic event has drawn widespread condemnation nationwide, with calls for a thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
How they murdered my Kano-bound passengers in Edo
-
Uncategorized2 days agoBreaking: Moon sighted in Saudi, UAE, others, Eid-Fitr holds Sunday
-
metro2 days agoRamadan ends in Nigeria, Sultan announces March 30 as Eid-el-Fitr
-
metro3 days agoFubara reacts as Ex-HOS, Nwaeke accuses him of bombing oil pipelines, Rivers Assembly
-
Opinion3 days agoBarbaric mass burning of innocents in Edo, by Farooq Kperogi
-
metro3 days agoEmbrace environmental sanitation during Eid-Fitr, LAGESC boss tells Lagosians
-
metro3 days agoEx-Rivers HoS wife cries for help over husband’s safety
-
International21 hours agoIn pictures: Eid celebrations around the world
-
metro3 days agoNatasha: Emmanuel Uduaghan threatens to sue Senator Nwaebonyi