Politics
Reps Throw Out Bill Barring Doctors, Others From Going On Strike
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.
READ ALSO: Reps To FG: Declare State Of Emergency On Ritual Killings
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
Defection: Peter Obi Simply Looking For ‘Food Is Ready’ Party – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe on former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, over his recent defection.
Speaking during a media parley on Wednesday, Wike said Obi is looking for a ‘food is ready’ political party.
READ ALSO:JUST IN: Why I left ADC For NDC With Kwankwaso – Peter Obi Opens Up
The minister said, “Obi was in APGA, he couldn’t build APGA. He went to Labour, he ran away again from Labour. All he’s looking for is food is ready political party.”
Recall that Obi and Rabi’u Kwankwaso, former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, on Sunday officially joined the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Politics
2027: Nobody Wants Fubara – Wike
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that there is widespread support for Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara to return in 2027.
Speaking during his monthly media parley on Wednesday in Abuja, Wike suggested that Fubara can’t claim to enjoy unanimous backing from the public.
He explained that the political crisis in Rivers State had earlier been addressed through the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, particularly during impeachment proceedings initiated against Fubara.
According to Wike, the President advised all parties to embrace peace, leading to the withdrawal of the impeachment move by the State House of Assembly after agreements were reached.
READ ALSO:Rivers APC Suspends Fubara Over Alleged Anti-party Activities
Wike, however, alleged that the governor failed to fully adhere to the terms agreed during the arbitration process.
Reacting to claims that the people were urging Fubara to seek re-election in 2027, Wike rejected the assertion, insisting that such narratives were misleading.
Wike maintained that appearing before the President for arbitration required respect for the outcome, noting that all parties were expected to uphold their commitments.
He said: “The President, intervened in the impeachment proceeding. I said withdraw, let their be peace. And the governor said, look, I’m ready for peace. Look, I’m no longer interested for this. I will not do this. The Assembly went and withdrew the impeachment.
“Having withdrawn the impeachment, he is now too smart on what you agreed before the President. It’s like when you go on arbitration.”
READ ALSO:Court Restrains Rivers Assembly, CJ From Impeaching Fubara, Deputy
Wike continued, “This one is what I don’t like. Nobody wants anybody. Please, don’t tell me that. Excuse me.
You can go and tell that to the market people or children. Two years that people say he should come out. Who told you that?
“Which politician will say that I was sleeping they came and woke me? Even if people people come to wake you, can’t you say, no, I won’t do it. I’m not prepared for it.
“That you appeared before a President of the country on arbitration, the two parties on arbitration, and these people respected Mr. President, and have done their own part.”
Politics
2027: Wike Opens Up On Preferred Rivers Guber Candidate
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday said he hasn’t endorsed any candidate for the Rivers state gubernatorial election in 2027.
Wike stated this on Wednesday during his monthly media parley in Abuja.
Wike said that the endorsement will come only after a meeting by the joint coalition in the state.
READ ALSO:2027: Wike Refuses To Confirm Or Deny Chinda’s Governorship Bid
He said: “I haven’t endorsed anybody. And I can’t endorse anybody until the joint coalition meets.”
DAILY POST reports that questions have been raised concerning the fate of current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, in 2027.
The FCT Minister was reported to have endorsed former State Commissioner for Works, Alabo Dakorinama George Kelly, as his preferred candidate for the Rivers State governorship election.
Sources told DAILY POST that Wike settled for George after a closed-door meeting with key political stakeholders in Port Harcourt on Monday.
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