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Wike’s Demolition Threat Causes Controversy, Impounds Vehicles, Protesters Back Him

August 23, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

At his first press briefing as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike had threatened to demolish illegal structures that negates the FCT Master Plan. That led to mixed feelings among Nigerians.

However, scores of pro-democracy demonstrators on Wednesday threw their weight behind Wike, stressing that he was merely assuring Nigerians he would follow due process.

The protesters under the aegis of The Natives backed Wike, saying the panic over the Minister’s threat of demolition should not unsettle residents of the FCT.

At a press conference Wednesday, Coordinator of The Natives, Edward Smart disclosed that Wike only stated the obvious.

“We are reassuring Nigerians not to be afraid. The country has to become greater and all of us will have to make sacrifice. Wike is not threatening.

“Wike was only demanding and asserting to do the right thing,” he said.

Speaking further, Smart urged the newly inaugurated ministers to work hard to deliver on the ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda of the President.

The Group also urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to keep the appointees on their toes and force those who fail to live up to expectations to resign from office.

“Hon. Ministers, come alive, wake up and rise up. You are 45 of the best amongst us, do not be a disgrace to us. Collectively and individually, we won’t tolerate failure. The entire country expects much from you and may your reign be prosperous

“Ministers, we call on you to be on your toes and fold your sleeves. The task is enormous. You all have the pedigree to surmount them. You have Singapore, Rwanda, China before you as examples. This is a different journey. The president wants delivery and Nigerians want results. Remove all debris, clogs in the wheels, uproot all blockades, imbalances and impediments in your pathways.

“Our youths must find jobs. The country must be safe. Asiwaju our President has empowered you to create a paradigm shift. By this, you are commanded to think out of the box and equip yourself wit the best team. Produce leagcies via knowledge and research, recreate and redesign your MDAs for greater output. Be deliberate. If you can’t, resign,” he urged.

Your Administration Has No Impact On People, Ekiti PDP Slams Oyebanji

Ayodele Oni

August 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Ekiti State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has taken a review of 300 days of the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji and concluded that it has not impacted on the life of the people.

The criticism, coming after some leaders of the opposition party have lauded the governor for his style of administration, was made by the acting chairman of PDP Caretaker committee, Sodiq Obanoyen.

At a stakeholders meeting on Monday to mark his 300 days in office at Omuo, Oyebanji said on the state of infrastructure that the area of infrastructure and industrialisation, known as the backbones and pivots of any economy, government would be strategic in reconstructing and rehabilitating roads, assuring that only roads with high proclivities to drive his prosperity agenda will be accorded attentions.

He posited that the 3.5MW Independent Power Plant project is 90% completion to supply light to government offices and tertiary institutions in Ado Ekiti and suburb, saying this would rectify the epileptic power supply being experienced in some sections of the state .

“We are reconnecting Ikogosi , Erijiyan and Ikogosi Resort Centre back to the national grid to enhance the state tourism corridor. We need a sum of one billion naira to reconnect Ayekire , Ekiti East Local governments and their LCDAs after 10 years of darkness as well as Agriculture Processing Zone at Ikole back to the national grid.”

Obanoyen, in a statement in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday stated that “The Ekiti State Peoples Democratic Party insists that far from the grand spectacle, Oyebanji would have Ekiti people to believe, his tenure has been nothing more than a conduit for federal allocation redistribution, with no tangible impact on the lives of the Ekiti people.

The statement, signed by the spokesman of the caretaker committee, Aare Amerijoye added

“Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party wishes to say that the condition of Ekiti’s roads is a good glaring testament to Oyebanji’s lackluster performance.

“Despite the governor’s patchwork attempts at repair, the roads remain in a deplorable state, easily washed away by floods.

“And the people of Ekiti are left questioning Oyebanji’s contributions to infrastructure, water, agriculture, housing, commerce and industry, education, health, employment generation, and micro-credit facilities.

“And we will love to add that Ekiti workers deserve more than just their entitled wages; they yearn for relief from the harsh realities of life under the APC government.

“We would like to say that the true measure of a government’s performance lies in the growth of its GDP and the impact of its policies on this growth and several other indices can be used to evaluate the development of a state and the effectiveness of its government.

“His actions mirror those of his predecessors, and we have generously highlighted areas where he should focus his efforts to improve development outcomes.

“We suggest that Oyebanji, who seems keen on paying homage to former PDP governors, should take a leaf from their book, not for populist reasons, but for the sake of learning.

“Ekiti Peoples Democratic Party would like to say that the pomp and circumstance surrounding Oyebanji’s 300 days in office do not align with the struggles of the Ekiti people.

“It is disconcerting to see Oyebanji preoccupied with his covert second-term ambitions, attempting to dazzle the people of Ekiti with his populist tactics.”

Breaking: Emefiele Absent In Court, Considers Plea Bargain

James Orji

August 23, 2023

The suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, may have decided to enter into a plea bargain with the federal government, Politics Nigeria reports.

Plea bargains allow prosecutors to avoid trials, which are shunned because they are time-consuming, labour-intensive, and costly but carry no guarantee of success.

Its primary benefit for both the prosecution and the defense is that there is no risk of complete loss at trial.

The suggestion comes after the former CBN boss and his co-accused, Saadat Yaro failed to appear at a federal high court, in Abuja, for trial on Wednesday.

Emefiele and his protégé were charged to court last week by the Department of State Services, DSS, on a 20-count charge bordering on alleged involvement in the ₦6.9 billion procurement fraud.

The embattled apex bank boss had earlier been admitted to N20 million bail by the court in the illegal possession of firearms charge leveled against him by the DSS.

The accused persons were expected to appear before the Abuja court today, but their absence has raised suggestions that Emefiele may have decided to settle the corruption case through plea bargaining with the federal government.

The former CBN governor, sources said is aware of the enormous evidence against him, and may be considering a settlement knowing that there’s no way out of his present predicament.

It’s based on the ongoing discussions among the parties involved that the arraignment of Emefiele was shifted to another date, the source said.

According to Kehinde Akinlolu, a senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, counsel to Emefiele, the arraignment has been adjourned to another date.

The former CBN governor was suspended on June 9 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and was picked up a few hours later by the DSS.

He has been remanded in the custody of the secret police for close to three months.

Protest Over Alleged Imposition Of LG Chairman

Ayodele Oni

August 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Wife of Ondo State Governor, Betty Akeredolu, is in the eyes of the storm. Some youths have taken her up, accusing her of attempting to install a Local Government Chairman.

Though, that office of First Lady is unrecognized by the Constitution, past and present occupiers of that office have been using it to touch on the lives of the people, especially women and the less priviledged. Mrs Akeredolu has not failed in this regard.

Presently some girls are in camp in Akure, an annual programme, initiated by the Ondo First Lady to develop and equip girls in the area of technology and other arts.

However when youths of Odigbo community staged a protest against the First Lady who is being accused of trying to install her kinswoman as chairperson of their Local Government, many saw the action as unnecessary and needless.

According to the report, youths of Odigbo community have kicked against her plan to impose a politician of Igbo extraction as Caretaker Chairman of the newly created Odigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

They claimed that they have received information that the First Lady has insisted that Hon Nwabara Eucharia be named as the new Caretaker Chairman.

Hon Nwabara is the incumbent Councillor representing Ore Ward in Odigbo Local Government before the creation of 33 LCDAs by the administration of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

The youths took their protest to the Palace of Orunja of Odigbo kingdom, Oba Rufus Adegboyega Akinrinmade, Adebusoye 1.

According to them, it is an aberration for their Obas to be taking directive from a non-indigenous persons appointed as Caretake Chairman of the Council.

One of the leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC) stated that “We have this historic antecedent of ensuring peace in our domain. We have told our youths to be peaceful. We are doing many things to ensure peace. We are appealing to the First Lady that we love her and our neighbours.

“Our king cannot go to Council to take orders from someone who is not from here. If we refused to fight, our children will fight. Everybody must rise up to this. We are begging the wife of the Governor that if there is any pronouncement to that regard, we have no other way.”

A community leader, Femi Olafumiloye, said the action of the First Lady would disturb peace in the community.

“How can we start an LCDA with a total stranger as the first Caretaker Chairman. It is a passionate plea. She can rescind this decision. We cannot take it. Let our people be the chairman. How can an Ibo woman communicate to us.”

Oba Akinrinmade advised his subjects to allow peace to reign. The Monarch also appealed to the First Lady not to jeopardise the peace in the community.

He stated that Nwabara visited him two weeks ago and claimed she was in support of another person to emerge as Caretaker Chairman. Oba Akinrinmade said Nwabara told him she declined the offer when she was called.

When contacted, Nwabara said she has lived in Odigbo for over 38 years and has helped to develop the community.

“I am a politician. Everything in life is opportunity. I did not know about any protest. I have lived in Odigbo for over 35 years. I have helped in community development. I am also hearing rumour.”

Ondo State Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has waded in appealing to the people of Ore/Odigbo in Odigbo Local Government to be calm and eschew any act that can lead to breakdown of law and order.

Aiyedatiwa made this appeal while addressing the people of Ore/Odigbo communities following their peaceful protest on the perceived imposition of caretaker chairman on the people of Odigbo Local Government at the front of Governor’s Office, Alagbaka Akure.

While speaking with the protesters, the Acting Governor acknowledged the peaceful manner the protesters conducted themselves as he thanked them for always supporting the government of Ondo State.

“You have done well by coming here to register your displeasure over the perceived or possible imposition of caretaker chairman in your Local Government, I must tell you that, this is just perception because Local Government election is not holding this year, it will hold next year according to Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission ( ODIEC ).

“Even when the tenure of the current chairman of council expires, it is the responsibility of government and the ruling party to appoint caretaker chairman, even at that, we will expect the leaders in the various local governments make inputs into the appointments.”

He, therefore, enjoined the leaders from the communities to interface and engage with both the State Government and the ruling party for peace and harmony in the State.

Palliatives: Benue Received N2 Billion, 3000 Bags Of Rice From FG – Gov Alia Clears Air

Ayodele Oni

August 23, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Reacting to opposition’s demand, Benue state Governor, Hyacinth Alia has finally cleared the air on the amount of money and other palliatives allocated to the state from the federal government to cushion the impact of subsidy removal on citizens.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state had accused the governor of being silent over the N5 billion and food items sent to each state of the federation by the federal government.

Some Government officials, including the acting Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Sir James Iorpuu, had earlier told journalists in Makurdi, the state capital, that the state had yet to receive the federal Government’s package.

While flagging off the distribution of Federal Government relief materials to 2022 flood victims in the state, Alia announced that out of the N5bn promised by the Federal Government as palliatives for each state, Benue had so far received N2bn, noting however that the balance was still underway.

The Governor explained that the N5bn palliatives were divided into two components, N2.4bn was an interest-free loan while N2.6bn was a grant.

He said his administration would ensure the judicious use of the funds and that the transport, food, agriculture, education, and human capital sectors would all benefit.

Alia further said that the state government would pay the registration fees of all students writing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examination Council (NECO) for the 2023/24 session.

He also disclosed that a total of 5,000 women would receive grants through their various cooperatives while 2,000 youths would be trained in six ICT programmes.

The Governor added that part of the money would be used to pay one month pension for state and local Government pensioners while the government would supply 100 buses to the state-owned transport Company, Benue Links to cushion the effect of transportation as well as lunch township shuttles in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo towns respectively.

Alia said the State Government actually received five trucks of rice from the Federal Government totalling 3,000 bags and that each local government would receive 100 bags.

Monthly Allocation to FG, States Falls By N150bn

James Orji

August 23, 2023

Out of the N907.054 billion; the Federal Government received N345.564 billion, the State Government received N295.948 billion and the Local Government Councils received N218.064 billion. A total sum of N47.478 billion was shared to the relevant States as 13% derivation revenue.

Federal and state governments received less allocation from the Federation Accounts Allocation Committee, FAAC, for the month of July, the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN reports.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Finance quoted by NAN, the two levels of government in the country shared N760.717 billion as federation allocation last month.

The amount is almost N150 billion short of the N907.054 billion shared by FAAC to the federal, state, and local governments in the previous month of June.

The statement signed by Oshundun Olajide, Deputy Director (Information) in the ministry said the federal government received the highest allocation from FAAC.

Giving the breakdown Olajide stated that out of the N760.717 billion shared, the Federal Government received N325.988 billion, the states received N224.929 billion while the Local Government Councils got N168.424 billion.

The total amount shared was inclusive of Value Added Tax, VAT, and Exchange Gain, the spokesman for the ministry said.

Meanwhile, the oil producing states received N41.376 billion as derivation (13 per cent of Mineral Revenue).

The communique issued by the committee indicated that the Gross Revenue available from the VAT for July was N151.134 billion as against N154.465 billion distributed in June.

This resulted in a decrease of N3.331 billion.

“The distribution is as follows; Federal Government got N21.083 billion, the States received N70.278 billion, Local Government Councils got N49.194 billion, Allocation To NEDC received N4.534 billion and Cost of collection/transfers/ refunds got N6.045 billion.

“The distributed Statutory Revenue of N601.095 billion received for the month was lower than the N812.409 billion received for the previous month by N211.314 billion, from which the Federal government received N303.765 billon, States got N154.074 billion, LGCs got N6118.785 billion, and Derivation (13 per cent Mineral Revenue) got N41.081 billion.”

The communique also revealed that Companies Income Tax (CIT), Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), and Oil and Gas Royalties recorded significant decreases, while Import and Excise Duty, VAT decreased marginally.

It, however, disclosed that total revenue distributable for the current month inclusive of Gross Statutory Revenue of N617.705 billion, VAT of N140.555 billion, and Exchange Gain of N2.457 billion, bringing the total distributable revenue to N760.717 billion.

Osun: Aregbesola Fights For Relevance

Tosin Olatokunbo

August 23, 2023

A former governor of Osun state, Rauf Aregbesola, has set up a political group in the state known as “Omoluabi Caucus” to advance his interests.

Speaking at the launch of the group on Tuesday at Ilesa in Osun, Aregbesola said APC lost the last gubernatorial election in the state because of lack of focus.

The former state’s helmsman however debunked the suggestion that he’s trying to form a factional, in a statement signed by his media aide, Sola Fasure.

He said, “We are the genuine foundation members of the party and we have no intention of abandoning the ship of the party as it navigates the most turbulent waters.

“Emerging from the ashes of the near annihilation of our party in the governorship election of 2022 and the general election earlier this year, we should rise up and renew our strength and reclaim our place in the political firmament in Osun.

“Our party failed principally because of indiscipline and lack/loss of focus. This is manifested in the form of lack of character and incompetence.

“Character is the mental and moral qualities required in an individual to occupy a certain office or perform a certain task.”

The former governor has been struggling for relevance in the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC over the role he played in ensuring that the party lost the governorship to the rival People’s Democratic Party, PDP, last year.

Before the historic election, Aregbesola, the immediate past Minister of the Interior was said to have directed his supporters to vote against Gboyega Oyetola, a former governor, and APC candidate for the election.

Oyetola lost the election to Ademola Adeleke, the PDP candidate whose victory, according to watchers of politics in the state would not have been possible without the infighting in the APC.

To compensate for his loss in the decisive election, Oyetola was last week appointed the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and has been sworn in on Monday alongside 44 cabinet ministers.

His appointment, according to analysts has ruffled feathers in Aregbesola’s camp which is now concerned that the former governor may use his position as a minister to further assert himself as the APC leader in the Sunshine State, as Osun is widely known.

“From the position of things today, Oyetola is the de facto APC leader in Osun state by virtue of being the highest political office holder as a Cabinet Minister and a former governor. These facts cannot be contested even by his political opponents,” a source in APC said on Wednesday.

Aregbesola is not happy that the former governor and ally has taken the shine from him, and is now looking for a way to bounce back to reckoning by asserting himself as the undisputed political leader in the state, according to those watching what is going on in the state.

“We are taking our position back. Aregbesola is still the leader of “Omoluabi”, the platform used by the former governor to get to political relevance. We are not fighting anybody. As you know politics is a game of numbers, and that’s what we intend to prove to those who think Aregbesola is no longer relevant in the politics of Osun state,” a close aide of the former minister who preferred anonymity told the magazine today.

Breaking: Alake ‘Sent Out’ Of Aso Rock To Satisfy Power Brokers

Tosin Olatokunbo

August 23, 2023

Dele Alake, the recently appointed Minister of Solid Minerals is a victim of intense politicking in Aso Villa, Daniel Bwala, a spokesman of Atiku Abubakar, the PDP presidential candidate has said.

He claimed that Alake “was sent out of Aso Villa” to satisfy some powerful interests in the Presidency.

The PDP spokesman who was reacting to Alake’s appointment said the former commissioner of Information in Lagos state lost out in the power tussle among President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s men for control of the presidency.

Alake had earlier debunked the suggestion that he has fallen out with power brokers in the presidency, insisting that he specifically asked President Tinubu to assign him to the Ministry of Solid Minerals.

His appointment as the Minister of Solid Minerals has elicited divergent views among Nigerians, with some claiming that he has lost out favour among Aso Rock power brokers.

Not a few Nigerians had expected that President Tinubu will appoint Alake as the Minister of Information considering his pedigree in information management, also bearing in mind that he had earlier been appointed the Special Adviser to the President on Communication, Strategy, and Special projects as soon as Tinubu took power on May 29, 2023.

His failure to clinch the Information portfolio, therefore, shocked even some leaders of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

According to Bwala who spoke on Channels Television on Wednesday, Alake’s expectations to be appointed as the Minister of Information may have been dashed due to the fact that “he’s not able to manage the chief of staff” to the president, adding that “Since Alake left the performance of the president in terms of the media has been poor.”

The PDP spokesman further asserted that Alake is a victim of the power struggle between him and Femi Gbajabiamila, the chief of Staff to the President.

Alake had earlier debunked the suggestion saying it’s his choice to be Minister of Solid Minerals because of the potentials in the sector that are yet to be tapped.

“The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, as you know, is a sensitive position in this period of economic renewal. So, that position was one that I specifically asked Mr President to give me, and he obliged. The ministry is key to the administration, and the president wanted someone that he trusted and believed would deliver effectively,” Alake said.

“Avoid Arguments With Security Operatives”, Imo NUJ Tells Members; Warns “Fake Chairman”

The Source

August 22, 2023

The Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has advised its members to avoid any kind of argument with Security Operatives.

The Union gave the advice in a communiqué issued at the end of its August Congress held at the NUJ Press Centre, New Owerri.

It advised members to report any kind of abuse or harassment by Security Operatives to the leadership of the Union.

In the communiqué signed by its Chairman, Ifeanyi Nwanguma, and Secretary Treasure Ihechi-Nwamah, members passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Council, and resolved that “a Disciplinary Task Force should be set up to monitor the activities of unqualified persons parading as Journalists in tye State and any impostor of the Council Chairman be arrested.”

Following is the full text of the communique.

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIA UNION OF JOURNALISTS (NUJ), IMO STATE COUNCIL AUGUST CONGRESS HELD AT NUJ PRESS CENTRE, NEW OWERRI

“Members of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council assembled on Wednesday 9th August, 2023 for the month’s congress at NUJ Press Centre, New Owerri.

“The congress deliberated on a number of issues and resolved as follows:

“(1) Congress mandated all members of the Council to submit their BioData and a recent passport photograph for a new identity card.

“(2) Congress passed a vote of confidence on the leadership of the Council, stressing that members have been given a new lease of life.

“(3) Congress resolved that a disciplinary task force should be set up to monitor the activities of unqualified persons parading as Journalists in the state and any impostor of the Council Chairman be arrested immediately.

“(5) Congress observed that the state government is losing huge sum of internally generated revenue because of the activities of corrupt Police Officers at check points. It stressed that motorists no longer renew their vehicle papers upon expiration. Congress therefore called on the government to call these Officers to order.

“(6)) On the November, 11th 2023, governorship election in the state, Congress agreed that there will be a lecture in the next congress to educate journalists on how to go about their reportage in order not to go against the rules.

“(7) Members were advised to avoid any form of argument with security Men and always report cases of harassment in the course of their duties to the leadership of the Council.”

“We’re Going On Strike” – Medical, Dental Consultants Issues 21-Ultimatum To Federal Government

Akinwale Kasali

August 22, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

The newly appointed Federal Minister for Health and his Labour Counterpart are asuming duties facing a crisis-filled basket.

The Federal Government has been given a 21-Day ultimatum by the Medical And Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria, MDCAN, to meet its demand or face industrial action.

In a communique issued Tuesday, August 22, 2023, signed by its President, Victor Makanjuola and Secretary General, Yemi Raji, at the end of its extraordinary National Executive Council meeting which was held virtually, it said that it was dismayed by the non-implementation of the jointly agreed upward review of CONMESS and the introduction of Accoutrement allowance with the Nigerian Medical Association, as the released circular only captured the percentage increase on the basic salary, as against applying it to both the basic salaries and all allowances except hazard allowance.

The communique reads:

“This error has resulted in the complete exclusion of the clinical lecturers (Honorary Consultants) from benefitting from the upward review. The commencement date for the new circular was agreed to be January 1, 2023, rather than June 1, 2023.

“We believe this error will be corrected without delay. The recent upward review of CONMESS did not take into consideration the consequences of the fuel subsidy removal and exponential inflation that has pervaded our socio-economic space in the past three months.

“Despite our association’s decision to keep faith with the engagement and negotiations with the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission for more than two years regarding the correction of the shortfalls in remuneration for Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants), the issue is yet to be conclusively addressed by the Federal Government,” it noted.

The council said it observed the non-universal implementation of CONMESS for all medical and dental doctors irrespective of the agencies of the government they are working with.

The Council decried the failure of the government to appreciate the magnitude of the impacts of brain drain in the health sector, as exhibited by the refusal of the National Council on Establishment to approve the Federal Ministry of Health’s proposal on the upward review of the age of retirement for the Medical and Dental Consultants and other health workers.

The Council said the Government has failed to resolve the ongoing disputes with the National Association of Residents Doctors and its attendant impacts on access to health care by Nigerians, and the kidnapping of doctors in the country.

The Consultants are, however, demanding the immediate review of the newly revised CONMESS circular and issuance of a new circular that would reflect the agreed percentage on both the Basic Salary and other allowances, apart from hazard allowance.

According to them, the review will ensure that the clinical lecturers would benefit from the upward review.

Other demands include, “A call for the correction of the error of commencement of the implementation of the upward review of CONMESS from June 1, 2023, to January 1, 2023.

“The upward review of the CONMESS should take into consideration the impacts of the fuel subsidy removal and the high inflationary trend that is currently being experienced. A demand for the immediate implementation and circularisation of the agreed modalities for correcting the shortfalls in remunerations of Clinical Lecturers (Honorary Consultants). An appeal for the universal applicability of CONMESS to all medical and dental doctors, particularly those in public universities.

“The attention of the government is once again called to the impact of brain drain in the health sector, which is contributing to burnout among our members and inadequate healthcare workforce to cater to the health of Nigerians. We, therefore, demand the immediate implementation of the upward review of age retirement to 70 years for Consultants and 65 years for other Health workers, as an immediate measure to bridge the ongoing massive brain drain.

“We appeal to the government to as a matter of urgency resolve all the contending issues with NARD, to ensure that the government hospitals return to normal operation for optimal healthcare delivery immediately. We call on the government at all levels, as well as the security agencies to do all within their powers, to ensure the safety of our members and other Nigerians while effecting the immediate and safe release of those currently held captive by kidnappers.

“The NEC hopes that all these issues will be satisfactorily resolved within the next 21 days, failing which it can no longer guarantee the present relative industrial harmony within the government hospitals and our medical schools”, it said.

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