Politics

Reps Throw Out Bill Barring Doctors, Others From Going On Strike

Published

4 years ago

February 10, 2022

The House of Representatives on Wednesday forced a member, Simon Atigwe (Peoples Democratic Party/Enugu) to withdraw a bill seeking to bar workers in the health sector from embarking on industrial action.

According to the House, the proposal, which failed its second reading at the plenary on Wednesday, was against the provisions of the Constitution.

The legislation is titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Trade Disputes Act, Cap. T8, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 to Prohibit Medical Practitioners in the Employment of Federal, State and Local Governments (as Employees in the Essential Service Sector) from Embarking on Strike and to Accelerate Administrative and Judicial Proceedings in the Determination of Trade Disputes Involving Them; and for Related Matters.’

On Wednesday, Atigwe read out the long title of the bill and moved a motion for its second reading, while Christopher Okwudili seconded the motion.

The Deputy Speaker, Ahmed Wase, who presided over the session, had asked the sponsor to lead the debate on the bill.

Another member, Iduma Igariwey, however, raised a point of order to cite Section 34(1)(c) of the Constitution, which prescribes that “no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.”

He added, “I have gone through the amendment he intends to make, that it is an offence for medical practitioners to go on strike. What it means is that at all times, they must be forced to work, whether the conditions are proper or not. I think it runs contrary to this constitutional provision.”

Agreeing with Igariwey, the Deputy Speaker said, “You can’t make a law that will be over and above the constitutional provision. The only way you can do that is to amend the Constitution before you now amend the law. It is their right to exercise.”

Not satisfied, Atigwe disclosed that he sponsored the bill based on his experience.

“My amendment is out of experience. I have lost so many of my loved ones through strikes by medical doctors. I feel that if we can checkmate them, then we can save lives. We are not saying they will be forced to be working; the law is providing procedures on how their issues should be handled,” he explained.

Again, Wase faulted the lawmaker’s argument, saying, “I’m referring you to the oath of office that you took. You are now bringing your personal matters. The day you took that oath, you swore to Nigerians that you would not allow your personal interest to influence you.”

The Deputy Speaker and other lawmakers then urged the sponsor to either step down the bill or withdraw it.

Atigwe consequently withdrew the bill.

Politics

Crisis Hits APC Govs Forum As 18 Rejects Uzodinma’s Removal

Published

10 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

A serious crisis is currently brewing in the Progressive Governors’ Forum following the sudden removal of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, as its chairman.

Reports had it earlier that a cross-section of All Progressives Congress, APC, governors removed Uzodinma and installed the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, as its chairman.

Although the Director-General of the forum, Folorunso Aluko, in a statement on Friday, said the reports of Uzodinma’s removal were fake and misleading, sources privy to the matter confirmed to DAILY POST that some governors met on Thursday night and removed Uzodinma.

The meeting, according to reports, was led by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and was held at the Ogun Government Lodge.

However, in a swift move to counter the decision of the Abiodun-led group, 18 other governors met behind closed doors at the Imo Lodge on Friday and passed a vote of confidence in Uzodinma.

Some of those present at the meeting included the governors of Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Ebonyi, Borno, Lagos, Kogi, Kano, Yobe, Kebbi, Benue and Jigawa states, while Nasarawa State was represented by its deputy governor.

Speaking on the unfolding events, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State said: “All of us woke up to that very unfortunate story, which was virtually in all the media in Nigeria. But the truth of the matter is that the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum is very united.

“We are stronger now than at any other time. And, of course, we are all supporting the president for what he has been doing.

“We also want to assure everyone that the APC is united, the governors are united, the forum is united, and there is no problem at all.”

Politics

BREAKING: APC Governors Forum Splits As Uzodimma, Abiodun Lead Rival Factions

Published

11 hours ago

May 8, 2026

Editor

The Progressive Governors Forum, PGF, has been factionalised.

The rival factions emerged after its chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma, was reportedly removed on Thursday.

While Uzodimma insisted that he remains PGF chairman, Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq are leading a separate faction.

Another bloc within the forum has reportedly aligned behind Abiodun and AbdulRazaq.

The development, which comes amid growing political realignments within the ruling party, marks a significant crack within the ranks of APC governors ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to reports by Arise TV, details surrounding the disagreement remain unclear, but sources within the party said tensions had been building over internal leadership control and strategic positioning ahead of the next election season.

DAILY POST reports that, as of the time of filing this report, none of the factions had officially released a detailed statement on the cause of the division.

Politics

2027: Why We Called On Goodluck Jonathan To Run For Presidency – Ohikere

Published

1 day ago

May 7, 2026

Editor

Supporters of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan have explained why they marched to his office, urging him to run in the 2027 presidential election.

While addressing the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 in Abuja on Thursday, its National President, Tom Ohikere, said the group was motivated by concerns over the state of the country.

Ohikere, on behalf of the coalition, appealed to the former president to “save Nigeria from impending collapse.”

He recalled an earlier visit to Jonathan on April 8, 2026, during which the group first appealed to him to contest the 2027 election.

The coalition noted that it had yet to receive a clear response from the former president and expressed concern that he had not picked up a nomination form from any political party.

According to them, Jonathan should commit to the race, obtain a presidential nomination form from any party of his choice, and contest the election, pledging to mobilise support for him across the country.

“Last month, April 8, 2026, the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 paid a friendly visit to Your Excellency to urge you to run in the 2027 presidential election to save Nigeria from impending collapse. Though we did not meet you in person, we believe that our message was unreservedly passed on to you, as it was to the entire Nigerian people through the media.

“Since then, we have had little information as to whether you have yielded to our clarion call, as you have not yet, to our knowledge, picked up a nomination form for the presidential contest in any registered political party.

“Because of our genuine fear of a possible collapse of Nigeria, as peace and unity are now gradually eluding all of us, we decided to march to your office again today, hoping you will step out to receive us and make a statement that will gladden our hearts and the entire nation.

“We are asking you to hear our cries and contest the 2027 presidential election, sir. This mammoth crowd that came with us here today is a fragment of your supporters nationwide and represents every tribe, tongue, and religious belief in this country. We, young and old, girls and boys, men and women, are all here crying for your voice to say ‘yes’ to our request,” Ohikere said.

Recall that Jonathan had hinted at the possibility of returning to the presidential race in 2027, saying he would “consult widely” following growing calls for him to contest.

Jonathan made the remark while responding to members of the Coalition for Jonathan 2027 who marched to his office to urge him to run for president in the next general election.

“Presidential race is not a computer game, but I heard you, and I will consult widely. But the most important thing is that Nigeria should have young people who will plan for our grandchildren,” Jonathan said.