News

NLC, TUC To Ground Activities Nationwide From Oct 3

Published

2 years ago

September 26, 2023

The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have resolved to ground activities nationwide from October 3, 2023, following what the Labour Unions tagged as the “failure” of government to successfully implement policies to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians following the removal of the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit, The PUNCH exclusively gathered.

The PUNCH reports that the NLC national president, Joe Ajaero, during a virtual National Executive Council meeting which was held on Zoom, Tuesday told members of NEC that a meeting was held with the officials of the TUC to deliberate on ways forward. Ajaero noted that it was resolved that the two centres work together to make their stance known to the government.

A source who was present at the meeting noted that some members of the NLC initially objected to the development of the NLC working together with the TUC.

“Initially some members did not want us to work with the TUC but as of now, we don’t have a choice. The government has not been proactive. So it is going to be a definite action this time around.”

The PUNCH reports that the 21-day ultimatum given by the NLC ended last week. The national president of the NLC, Joe Ajaero had complained that “none of the demands put before the Federal Government had been addressed.”

The union first observed a two-day nationwide warning strike on September 5 and 6 to show its readiness for the indefinite strike later in the month.

Among other things, the NLC and the TUC are asking for wage awards, implementation of palliatives, tax exemptions and allowances to public sector workers and a review of the minimum wage.

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President Bola Tinubu had on June 19 set up the Presidential Steering Committee and various sub-committees to discuss the framework to be adopted on the palliatives.

Though the FG made a commitment to restructure the framework for engagement with organised Labour on palliatives, the eight-week timeframe set for the conclusion of the process expired in August with no action taken.

The committees were given eight weeks to conclude their assignment and hasten the implementation of the framework in cushioning the effect of petrol subsidy removal on Nigerians but weeks after the timeframe expired, the sub-committees had yet to meet or actualise their mandates, leaving the NLC and TUC leadership frustrated.

News

Ibadan By-election: APC Laments Low Turnout, PDP Hails Peaceful Poll

Published

6 minutes ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

Mr. Adewale Olatunji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Ibadan North Federal Constituency by-election, on Saturday, lamented the low voter turnout during the exercise.

Olatunji, who cast his vote at 11:25 a.m. at Ward 10 Unit 27, Bodija Police Station near Oyo State Housing Corporation, described the electorate’s apathy as discouraging.

He noted that while voting has been simplified, by-elections in Nigeria often record poor turnout. Olatunji urged residents to come out in large numbers before polls close.

“If you are sending us out to represent you, then you must come out and do your part,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mr. Folajimi Oyekunle, also voted at the same unit.

Oyekunle described the election as peaceful, based on his experience at the polling unit.

“As far as my polling unit is concerned, I have cast my vote, and everything is going on well,” he said.

Meanwhile, voter turnout at Ward 11, Units 17, 18, and 42, Abadina, University of Ibadan, was more substantial. A voter, Mr. Sunday Unabo of Unit 17, noted that INEC officials arrived early, even before voters.

“The election is going smoothly. The only issue is that some voters had their polling units changed by INEC without prior notice,” he said.

Similarly, an impressive turnout was reported at Ward 4, Unit 12, beside NTA Ibadan.

News

By-election: Politician, INEC Officials, Others Arrested With Large Cash In Ogun [VIDEO]

Published

2 hours ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

Security operatives in Ogun State have arrested some persons suspected to be officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, with a large sum of money ahead of the by-election in the state.

The suspected INEC officials were arrested alongside a politician allegedly plotting to buy votes during the election.

The politician and the INEC officials who were seen being questioned in a video clip posted on social media on Saturday were said to have been nabbed at a hotel in Iperu-Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area of Ogun State.

In the video which is currently going viral, the INEC officials, a male and a female, and alleged PDP officers could be seen squatting and being interrogated by an unidentified security personnel.

The interrogator said intelligence reports indicated that the INEC officials were earlier contacted and given a large sum of money by party officials for alleged vote buying during the by-election.

Watch video:

https://x.com/ekinneolalekan/status/1956623542558118070?t=pOliFw0Baa-xAeqTeXJGEw&s=19

News

Bayelsa Education Ministry Denies Alleged Deductions From Contractors’ Payments

Published

6 hours ago

August 16, 2025

Editor

The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has debunked allegations of arbitrary deductions from contractors’ payments, describing the claims as false, unfounded, and misleading.

The clarification follows a report published in the Niger Delta Herald between July 16 and 22, 2025, with the headline “Contractors Lament Alleged Deductions by Ministry Officials in Bayelsa.”

According to the Ministry, all payments to contractors are executed strictly in line with contractual terms, financial regulations, and due process.

It added that deductions, where applicable, are limited to statutory obligations such as taxes, pension contributions, and contractually agreed retentions.

The Ministry emphasised that it operates a transparent and accountable system with multiple oversight layers to ensure fairness, insisting that no official is empowered to make arbitrary deductions.

In response to the Ministry’s position, the Niger Delta Herald has acknowledged the clarification, expressing regret over any misinterpretation the earlier report may have caused.

Editor-in-Chief of the newspaper, Mr. Francis Dufugha, tendered an unreserved apology to the state government and Governor Douye Diri, reaffirming the paper’s commitment to fairness, balance, and accuracy in its reportage.

“We remain dedicated to providing all stakeholders the opportunity to present their side of any story,” Dufugha said.