News

DESOPADEC Contractors’ Crisis: Oborevwori’s Salience Disappointing -Rights Group

Published

1 year ago

January 18, 2025

Editor

A human rights group, the Ijaw People’s Development Initiative, IPDI, has called on Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, to intervene in the ongoing crisis between Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) and its Indigenous Contractors’ Forum over non-payment of contracts.

The group in a statement signed by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, said the issue has been brewing for some time, with contractors threatening to protest and picket DESOPADEC offices if the matter isn’t resolved.

He said the contractors had been seeking for Oborevwori’s intervention in addressing the non-payment of contracts, which had caused significant hardship for the contractors – coupling with increasing bank debit files for loans sought for the execution of such contracts but the governor had been allegedly snubbing them.

The statement reads, “It is shameful and disappointing that the governor remained mute “about the outcries of the DESOPADEC contractors. He is expected to play a mediatory role if DESOPADEC is truly an independent state interventionist agency. But in this case the governor is automatically involved in the imbroglio because there is no independence in the affairs of the commission.

“We don’t think Delta State is too poor to an extent it can’t pay petty contracts, if it is an inherited debts, he should talk to them on how such debts will be cleared in no distance time. His actions are poor. Maybe the debts were owed by the previous administration and he didn’t want to pay. But he should be reminded that he was part of the previous administration, and the previous administration bankrolled him to be the Governor of the state, so why will he not pay such debts, that can only happen in a banana Republic”

“We are worried about whether DESOPADEC is still getting 50 percent of the 13 percent derivation in Delta State, if it is getting it we believe there would be more funds for the commission to service all these contractors debts and award more contracts. We are suspecting that there is something fishy in the commission, hence the commission is epileptic and suffering from oratory-cancer,” the group added.

“It is our humble appeal that the Governor should endeavour to address the aggrieved contractors in immediate effect to avoid escalation of the matter. If it is not resolved, we will mobilise Delta State civil society organisations in solidarity to join the proposed protest to cripple activities of the commission”, –IPDI emphasised.

The group, while urging the governor to use his office to find a solution to the crisis, which, according to IPDI, would help to alleviate their suffering and ensure their fair compensation for their work, noted that their appeal to the governor is a clear indication that the situation needs urgent attention to prevent further escalation.

News

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

9 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.