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OPINION: The New Minimum Wage and Matters Arising

July 22, 2024

By Abraham Amah

Last week, President Bola Tinubu announced a new minimum wage regime for Nigerian workers. This kind gesture, as seen and interpreted by the government through its body language, is coming weeks after back-and-forth movements between organised labour and the government, interspersed with strikes and threats of it, just to bring the government to the negotiation table after its undeniable unwillingness to do what it was supposed to do without duress. The crushing economic hardship that started at its slow speed during the last APC government of President Muhammadu Buahri had taken off to a rapid higher speed, with the current driver, President Tinubu, unable to apply brakes to stop its speedy movement, making it expedient for the government to have acted without compulsion from the organised labour.

The negotiations for the new minimum wage, which started with the high bargain of N600,000 from organised labour and the government’s laughable offer of N40,000, made it clear that both parties were insincere in their offerings right from the inception of negotiations. The insincerity came to a peak when the labour accepted N70,000 as a tradeoff against the offer of N250k from the federal government with a caveat to increase the price of fuel far above the current landing cost of N1,117, as fuel importers revealed just last week. So the government just confirmed the rumours to Nigerians without saying loudly that it is still paying for the fuel subsidy that was supposedly removed on May 29, 2023.

From the beginning, Labour knew its last and final proposition for a minimum wage of N250,000 was unrealistic, even as the government knows that its present offer of N70,000 is more unrealistic, given the prevailing rate of runaway inflation that has reduced the purchasing power of the average Nigerian. But Labour may have based its demands on the unbridled extravagance of operators of this government who live large at the expense of Nigerians, unconcerned and unperturbed, and without minding the poverty level of the people that they are governing.

From what happened in the past regarding a minimum wage, or is it a minimum salary for Nigerians, it is very certain that the issue is far from being settled, and the government duly acknowledged this by reducing the time frame for a review of the just-approved minimum wage from the normal five years to three years. The government anticipates, and correctly too, that the issue will come up sooner than later as the vagaries in the unplanned economy continue to inflict pains on the average Nigerian worker.

Before the expiration of the last Minimum Wage Act in April 2024, not all the states were able to pay the N30,000, and it had become a sore in the conscience of the nation, especially as the governors who were unable to pay the N30,000 lived lavishly, with many of them taking billions of naira as security votes without any reduction in insecurity, and some with as many as 40 state-of-the-art vehicles that cost millions of naira in their convoys just to inspect a road construction project that is less than 5 kilometres away from their offices, among other infamous spending of state funds without regard to the sufferings of the masses. With that mindset that has not changed even with the increase in revenue accruing to the states from the federation account that is shared every month, it beggars belief that the same set of governors will afford to pay the N70,000 without pressure from either organised labour or other external forces. In the end, the approved N70,000 minimum wage may just turn out to be words written on ordinary paper, with the person who approved it not being able to enforce the act that will bring it to life.

Considering that many states find it difficult to implement the national minimum wage, is it still realistic to have a national minimum wage, or will it be an invention to deviate from our local norm and allow states to peg their own minimum wage, which may be above or below the national minimum wage? While we ponder on this and evaluate its merits or otherwise, would it not be proper to question the use of the word minimum wage, as those for whom the whole drama revolves do not even receive wages but salaries? These are two different payment models, and in Nigeria, the people who ordinarily receive wages, which are calculated on an hourly basis, ordinarily belong to the private sector, and they are hardly factored in during discussions and negotiations about the minimum wage.

And who exactly constitutes the workforce that should benefit from the minimum wage? What is the volume of turnover or the number of employees a business should have for its workers to fall into the category of earners of the minimum wage? Is the Nigerian minimum wage exclusive to government workers and big unionised corporations alone? Are there measures to enforce compliance with small private sector operators? These are some of the undefined parameters that create distortions in the understanding and implementation of the minimum wage act in Nigeria and should be addressed in the interest of workers, businesses, and the government that sets the minimum wage.

The above points bring us to the challenge of documenting business entities in Nigeria, the lack of which has hampered the harmonisation of business activities and the collection of data, taxes, and analytics that are used for proper planning by concerned authorities. While it is understandable that growing the economy, just like any other sector, is a work in progress, efforts should be made to build a strong foundation that will capture, define, and close these lapses at the early stages of development and not allow them to become so humongous that addressing them in the future will become almost impossible.

As we await the passage of a new minimum wage act by the National Assembly, Nigerians expect that these grey areas concerning the applicability and implementation of a minimum wage for the workers are clearly defined so that those who have the responsibility to work and get paid and those who have the obligation to receive labour and pay are on the same page. And as we do that, the Ministry of Labour and other allied agencies should begin to tinker with the possibilities of transiting our work modules to hourly rates at the appropriate levels, so that the minimum wage, as the name aptly implies, can become more meaningful to the average Nigerian.

On its part, the federal government must be sincere in acknowledging that the current N70,000, which it approved as the new minimum wage, is truly not enough for the workers at that base level that receive such an amount of money. It must also be understood that the wage bills of many states will become over bloated when the new minimum is recalibrated to reflect the different levels of workforce in the states. The president had, during the announcement of the new minimum wage, promised to help the states pay the new minimum wage without explicitly saying how he intends to do that. Nigerians await further clarifications and action on that.

And as Nigerians wait for that, it is imperative that the President and his economic team go back to the drawing board and reevaluate and reassess their economic policies to see how they measure and conform to their objectives to revive the economy. The poverty in the land has become pervasive, endemic, and pathetic, even as social discontent has risen to its apogee, and there is an urgent need to cushion the effects of the hard times and declining economic opportunities for Nigerians, as well as improve their purchasing power, which has been eroded by the inflation caused by the shortage of food, insecurity in the land, and the high exchange rate of the national currency to the United States dollar.

The government’s media team has its work cut out for it, and this time, it must shelve public posturing and antagonism towards the opposition and inform Nigerians that the economic hardship they are currently facing is a product of the painful but temporary sacrifices they must make to redirect the economy in the right direction for future gains. But for Nigerians to believe them wholeheartedly, they must also see that the leaders are making the same painful sacrifices as the other Nigerians. Unfortunately, there is a total disconnect on that, as Nigerians do not see the leaders making any of these sacrifices. The leadership must sit up to earn its hallowed place; otherwise.

Amah, a Politician and seasoned commentator on current issues wrote from Abia

“Why I Remain Calm In The Face Of Insults And Provocation” – Governor Fubara

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 22, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has revealed that he chose to remain calm in the face of insults, disrespect and provocation because Rivers State can only progress in an atmosphere of peace.

The Governor also regretted the negative impact of Petroleum products bunkering on the economy of the country.

This is even as he charged Traditional Rulers in the State to prioritize the maintenance of peace and security in their various domains.

Governor Fubara, who spoke on Monday, July 22, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the 117th and 118th edition of the quarterly meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, noted that illegal oil exploration has tended to render nugatory all efforts by the Federal Government to shore up production level.

According to him, the incessant vandalization of oil pipelines and other facilities as a result of oil bunkering, has brought about a loss of a considerable quantity of crude oil monthly.

He, therefore, urged the Traditional Rulers to monitor closely, activities in their domains, with a view to assisting the Government in protecting oil facilities, as well as halt the rampant oil theft ongoing in some parts of the state.

“These people that are carrying out these acts ( oil theft ) are not from the moon. They live in our communities and we know them.

“I am charging this Council, as a first step, to please take control of your communities. If there is any information you want to share with us ,do so.

“The overall interest is that we need our country to progress, be stable and grow economically. And it can only be so through stable oil production” the Governor noted.

The Rivers state Governor insisted that no meaningful development can take place in any society without peace.

He explained that the meek disposition of his administration in the face of unprovoked insults and disrespect from some quarters is mainly informed by his belief that Rivers state can only progress in a peaceful atmosphere.

He appealed to the Traditional Rulers to always aspire for peace in their communities .

This is just as he assured them of adequate financial and moral support from the State Government in the task of maintaining peace and stability in their various domains.

While commending the leadership qualities of the Chairman, as well as the tremendous positive impact he has made within the short period of his appointment, Governor Fubara promised to provide the Traditional Rulers with official vehicles for the effective discharge of their duties.

“What we are doing here today is not politics, but performing our duty as a Government. And I want to commend the Chairman of the Council who is barely three months in office,for being able to put this meeting together .

“It shows leadership. There is nothing new that has happened. The immediate past chairman ( Sergeant Awuse) served out his term which is one year .

“It is at the discretion of the Governor to extend it or not. I believe from my assessment ,there was no reason to extend it.

“Rather, we felt it will be better to bring in new blood. And what we did was in good faith because our Communities and people are more important”, he stated

The Source reports that in April 2024, Governor Fubara relieved the erstwhile Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council Chairman, His Royal Highness, Sergeant Awuse of his Chairmanship position.

He was replaced with Eze Amadi Worlu Wodo.

Awuse is a known ally of the Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, whose relationship with godson Governor Fubara has since gone sour .

The Governor had cited as one of Awuse’s disrespectful attitude the printing of the Council’s 2024 Calendar without his picture and that of his Deputy, an act that he considered the height of disregard to his office for the non extension of Awuse’s tenure.

Count Down To Imo Local Government Election: Parties Extend Closing Dates For Sale Of Nomination Forms

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 22, 2024

Independent National Electoral Commission - INEC

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress, APC, has announced an extension to the closing date of the sale of its Chairmanship and Councilorship expression of interest and nomination forms for the forthcoming local council polls in the State.

This is even as its main rival, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it has extended the sale of forms from Monday July 22 to July 26 2024.

The Imo State Independent Electoral Commission has fixed Local Council Election in the State for September 21, 2024.

The State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, had earlier assured of a level playing ground for all Parties in the election.

A statement issued by the APC, Imo state Chapter spokesperson, Cajethan Duke, informed that the sale of the party’s nomination forms will now be closed on July 24, instead of the initial dateline of Monday July 22, 2024.

The Source reports that through out last week, many of the intending aspirants, both for Chairmanship and Councilorship were complaining about the exorbitant costs of the forms.

The APC has fixed the cost of expression of interest form at one million Naira and N200,000 for chairmanship and councilorship respectively .

The Party similarly pegged the Chairmanship nomination form at over N3 million, while that of the Councilorship is N700,000.

The development has not been well received by many of the intending aspirants,who until the late last week, were still protesting against the high cost of the forms.

But an impeccable party source revealed that it is meant to discourage frivolous aspirations and at the same time prune the number of aspirants to a manageable level.

“You know the Governor has made it clear that ,he will not want to interfere with the whole exercise from the party level down to the election proper .

“He is serious about organizing a free, fair and credible Local Government election. So, because of his posture, many people even from the opposition parties have decided to come out.

“But the APC wants to control, the party arrangements so as to avoid unnecessary rancour at the primaries”, a Party stalwart stated .

However, as at the time of reporting, it was not yet clear if the party had come down from the initial costs of the forms.

The APC statement also called on all aspirants to visit any of the branches of the UBA for payments for the expression of interest/ nomination forms.

In the same vein, the PDP in a statement issued by its Organizing Secretary, Gozie Nwachukwu, advised all aspirants to avail themselves of the new closing date.

The party initially had scheduled to end the exercise on July on July17, 2024.

All things being equal, expectations are high that the conduct of the polls, will represent a marked departure from the experiences of the past,particularly in the areas of fairness and participation on the part of opposition parties.

Ondo Police Command Secures Release Of Abducted NYSC Members, Others

Ayodele Oni

July 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Police Command has announced the release of passengers abducted last weekend along Benin/Owo highway.

Among those abducted is a Youth Corps member who was returning home from Anambra State after the Orientation Programme to prepare for the service year.

Family of the Youth Corps member had appealed to the public to assist in raising money to pay ransome being demanded by the kidnappers early Monday.

Residents of the State are equally calling for deployment of Ondo state commissioner of police, Abayomi Oladipo, following escalating cases of armed robbery and kidnappings since his resumption few months ago.

The residents who spoke with newsmen in Ifon, Ose local government area, Owo, Ajowa-Akoko and Akure described the high rate of various crimes since Mr Oladapo assumed office in Ondo state in December, 2023 as disturbing considering hitherto low crime rate in the state.

Spokesman of the command,

Funmilayo Odunlami -Omisanya, in a statement announced that “The command this day on the 22nd of July has found victims of Ose/Ifon area kidnap which occurred on 18th July, 2024.

“The Victims were abandoned by their assailants after the police mounted pressure on the kidnappers .

“Policemen drawn from the Tactical squad led by the Area Commander of Owo, ACP Olufemi Awoyale continuous combing of the bush with sustained technical support frustrated the assailants and were forced to abandon the victims at Oyinbo/ Sanusi Camp.

“The victims are currently being attended to at the Police Medical Services Owo, and will be handed over to their family members after being debriefed.”

The driver of the sienna car and a female passenger sitting close to him were however not lucky as they were shot dead by the kidnappers.

It could not be ascertained whether the ransome was paid before their release.

Edo Govt Accuses APC Of Clandestine Move To Win State

Ayodele Oni

July 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

Edo State Government has maintained that the antics of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the September Governorship Election in the State is to cause mayhem and make the State ungovernable.

According to a Government statement on Monday in Benin, while this is ongoing, APC will take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election.

The statement, signed by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Osa Nehikhare, stated that: “The attention of the Edo State Government has been drawn to the negative spin that the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) is fruitlessly attempting to put to the comments made by His Excellency, Governor Godwin Obaseki, at a stakeholders meeting, on Sunday, July 21, 2024, in Benin City, the Edo State capital.

“For the records, we want to restate the comments of the governor on that occasion which is that: ‘If a free and fair election is not allowed to hold sway in Edo State on September 21, 2024, it will trigger a major crisis in Nigeria.’

“Recall that on Thursday, July 18, 2024, ahead of the rally to inaugurate the APC National Campaign Council, in Benin City, which was held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, the party assembled a large number of people believed to be thugs, most of them bearing firearms around the precincts of the Benin Airport, on Airport Road, Benin City, to cause mayhem in the State.

“This resulted in the unfortunate death of a Police Officer, Inspector Akor Onuh, attached to MOPOL 45 Abuja and the wanton destruction of property and injuries to several citizens who were going about their lawful businesses.

“The mob then moved around the city, attacking other institutions, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Secretariat, inflicting violence and terror on the lawyers in their secretariat, with one of the lawyers, Mr. Israel Idahosa, being severely injured and his property destroyed.

“They also intimidated and harassed private citizens who were putting on any material that had the insignia of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Dr. Asue Ighodalo, within the Benin metropolis.

“As they say, the morning shows the day and the APC has clearly shown their plan for the September 21 governorship election in the State, which is to cause mayhem, make the State ungovernable, and take advantage of the chaos to manipulate the forthcoming governorship election.

“We however want to advise the APC to, for once, read the mood of the nation and understand that with the current hardship, unattainable cost of living, and pervasive hunger in the country, a slightly irresponsible behavior by the political class can ignite a crisis that will have a domino effect and cause a conflagration across the nation.

“This note of caution is even more appropriate with the ominous threat of a nationwide protest with the potential to degenerate into a widespread breakdown of law and order.

“While we urge all Edo people to go about their lawful businesses without fear, we call on the Nigerian Police to do its job and apprehend the hoodlums, most of whom have been positively identified and captured in videos, carrying firearms at the location of the crisis.

“The Edo State Government, through its robust security video surveillance, is ready to supply these videos taken in real-time to help the Police in their investigation.”

Zamfara Holds Local Council Polls August, APC To Shun Exercise

Suleiman Anyalewechi

July 22, 2024

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

With the imminent threat to cut off funds to all Local Councils operating with undemocratically elected officials, many States have been caught in a frenzy of plans to conduct polls to fill in positions in the Third Tier of Government.

The Source reports that ever since the Thursday, July 20, 2024, landmark Supreme Court verdict affirming the financial independence of the Local Councils, as well as an order for the withholding of the Federal Allocation of Councils operating with Caretaker officials, many States have either conducted, or about to hold the otherwise disdained exercise.

The Zamfara State Government on Monday, July 22, 2024 joined the league of States set to hold elections to fill in the Executive Councils of its Local Governments.

While addressing the media at the Government House ,Gusau, Farouk Ahmed Shettima, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dauda Lawal on Communication and Mobilization, informed that Council Election will hold in August 2024.

He said all arrangements are at advanced stage for the State Independent Electoral Commission to conduct the polls so that the Local Councils will be able to access their Federal allocations.

Malam Shettima also assured that the Peoples Democratic Party-led adminstration in Zamfara will conduct a free and fair Local Government election.

“Zamfara State Government is in agreement with the Supreme Court position on Local Government autonomy as it will attract more development to the grassroots.”

As part of its preparation for the exercise, Shettima noted that plans are, also, a-foot to fill all the vacant positions within the State Chapter of the PDP.

The vacant slots available include three delegates each for the 147 political wards in the State, one National officer, and others within the State working committee which are currently being manned by interim officials.

This, according to him,is sequel to the directives from the Party’s National Working Committee, NWC, to explore the selection option ahead of mini Congress.

“Everything is in place. We are waiting for the arrival of the Chief Executive of the State, Governor Dauda Lawal, to carry out the task before notifying the National Leadership, and to seek permission concerning the Local Government election preparations.

But The Source have gathered that opposition parties, particularly APC, may shun the Local Polls due to what one party stalwart described as lack of sincerity of purpose by the PDP led adminstration.

“How can you just wake up and announce that election is going to hold next month? How many days from now?

“Our sincere thinking is that the PDP-led administration in the State does not want to hold any election .They just want something that will ensure that they continue to have access to the Local Governments Funds.

Joining them in the planned charade amounts to wasting of time and resources,” an opposition chieftain noted.

Dalung Tackles President Tinubu, To Lead Anti-Tinubu Protest Against Hardship

Akinwale Kasali

July 22, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Solomon Dalung, former Minister of Sports under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, has vowed to lead the proposed Nationwide Protest against the hardship and sufferings meted on Nigerians by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

Dalung berated President Tinubu and his aide, Bayo Onanuga, for describing the planned Nationwide Protest as a plot to destabilize the nation by aggrieved persons who embittered by the 2023 Presidential Election loss.

He said the Nationwide Protest was sacrosanct and apt, as it is a way of showing discontent over the Leadership style, policies and economic situation the nation has been plunged into by the current administration.

Dalung had in a post on his X handle (formerly Twitter) said Onanuga’s statement was not only uncharitable but wicked.

“Make no mistake about it, we love our country. The protest is to demand accountability from those who (are) destroying our common heritage. Nigerians have nowhere to go but @officialABAT has France, while others have Europe, Canada and the USA.

“Therefore @aonanuga1956 (Onanuga) calling out Nigerians as those planning to destabilise Nigeria is not only uncharitable but wicked. The generation of Nigerians demanding good governance, accountability and justice are more entitled to Nigeria than the group … occupying power. Take it to the bank, the protest is sacrosanct.

“Deploying antics of divide and rule will not only fail but antiquated. The only antidote to the protest is for @officialABAT (Tinubu) and his … to surrender to the demands of the people. The fear of the protest degenerating into anarchy is an evil imagination of your mind calculated at abating holding the government responsible. All we are demanding is good governance, which is not too much.”

Edo 2024: APC Calls For Governor Obaseki’s Impeachment For Alleged Inciting Comments

Akinwale Kasali

July 22, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

As the Edo State Governorship Election draws closer, opposition Party in the State, the All Progressives Congress, APC, has urged the Edo State House of Assembly Members to begin impeachment moves against Governor Godwin Obaseki for alleged unsavoury comments in a viral video where he said Nigeria would burn down if anything happens to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governorship Candidate, Asue Ighodalo.

Obaseki alleged that the PDP Candidate and members of his party were being targeted.

He made this statement while addressing Party faithfuls, making reference to last Thursday attack. where some people shot at the convoy of Philip Shaibu in the company of the governorship candidate of the party, Sen. Monday Okpebholo, in which his police orderly was shot dead.

Obaseki had said in the video that “We just kept quiet last Thursday. If they try what they tried last Thursday again, Nigeria will burn and I will lead it. You don’t behave like that, we have passed that stage. If you want to go to the Court, you wait for the Court.

“We are not animals, the last time we kept quiet, I told all of you, you are the ones that have something to lose, but that does not mean that they should take us for granted. Those people who did it, you refuse to arrest them, rather they want to come and arrest our boys.”

Following this development, APC, in a statement, by its Acting State Chairman, Emperor Jarrett Tenebe, said Obaseki’s comments were capable of inciting the public.

The statement reads In part:

“To say the least, Obaseki’s latest violent threat to Nigeria and Nigerians is a descent into madness that must quickly be tamed to avoid anarchy and breakdown of law and order in Edo State and Nigeria.

“The avoidable tragic incident of last Thursday July 18, 2024 is a vivid example of how far the State sponsored extrajudicial killings have been going on, but covered by the State Government with deceptive reports of inter-cult fights in the state. It was time this madness stopped. It is time to stop Mr. Obaseki before he carries out his threat.

“We are, therefore, calling on the State House of Assembly to, immediately, condemn Obaseki’s reckless and dangerous threat to burn down Nigeria.

“Additionally, to forestall and end his unprecedented heinous plans, we are urging the Speaker and Members of Edo State House of Assembly to immediately start his impeachment process that has become overdue.”

Edo 2024: Court Reaffirms Ighodalo’s Candidature As PDP Governorship Candidate, Fines Shaibu

Akinwale Kasali

July 22, 2024

By Akinwale Kasali

Asue Ighodalo, has been reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal as the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. The second highest Court in the land affirmed that Ighodalo is the duly certified Candidate of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Edo State.

Justice A.M. Lamido’s Panel of two other Judges declined to nullify the Primary Election which produced Ighodalo as candidate of the PDP, for the impending governorship election in Edo State, and dismissed the appeal that was filed by the reinstated embattled Deputy Governor of the state, Philip Shaibu.

The Judge dismissed the appeal marked: CA/ABJ/CV/642/2024, for lack of merit, and stressed that it found no reason to set aside the May 27 judgement of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which refused to invalidate the governorship primary election the PDP conducted in Edo State based on the suit by the Appellant.

For wasting its time, the Court of Appeal awarded a penalty of one million Naira in fines, against the Appellant in favour of the Respondents in the matter.

Justice James of Omotosho of the High Court court had, in his judgement, which was affirmed by the appellate court, held that Deputy Governor, Shaibu, lacked the locus standi (legal rights) to seek to nullify the outcome of the primary poll.

Justice Omotosho held that the plaintiff did not meet the condition precedent that would have conferred such legal right on him.

According to the Court, no evidence was adduced to establish that he participated in the Primary Election he sought to nullify its outcome.

Justice Omotosho held that it was a basic requirement of the law that a plaintiff must take part in a disputed election to be able to challenge its outcome in court.

Omotosho had said there was overwhelming evidence that the plaintiff was never physically present at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, where the PDP conducted its primary election on February 22.

The Court said there was an unchallenged evidence that the Deputy Governor participated in a parallel primary election that was conducted in his residence by a faction of the party.

More so, Justice Omotoso held that the plaintiff failed to explore and exhaust the internal dispute resolution mechanism of the PDP as stipulated by the law, before he approached the court with the suit.

He further held that the plaintiff had no basis to call for the cancellation of the primary election result and the nullification of Ighodalo’s candidacy since he did not participate in the exercise.

He, therefore, dismissed the suit for want of merit.

President Tinubu Assures New NBA Leadership Support In Tackling Professional Challenges

Ayodele Oni

July 22, 2024

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has assured the new Leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of his Administration’s support in addressing challenges affecting the Association and the Legal Profession.

The President congratulated Mazi Afam Josiah Osigwe (SAN) on his election as the President of the NBA.

The President, in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, also, felicitated with all newly elected officers of the NBA and members of the Association on a successful conduct of the elections.

Tinubu, also, commended the outgoing NBA President, Mr. Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN), on his stewardship of Nigeria’s foremost Legal Association.

Osigwe emerged as the new NBA President after the final compilation of results on Sunday where he scored 20,435 votes to beat his closest rival, Chairman of the NBA-Institute of Continuing Legal Education Governing Council, Tobenna Erojikwe, who garnered 10,998 votes.

Former NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Chukwuka Ikwuazom (SAN), scored 9,018 votes to come third in the election.

Meanwhile, Sabastine Anyia emerged as the 1st Vice-President with 12,114 votes, beating his closest rival, Bartholomew Aguegbodo who garnered 6,864 votes.

Mrs Bolatumi Animashaun won the 2nd Vice-President position with 26,534 votes by triumphing over Pius Oiwoh, who scored 11,121 votes.

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