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Joe Ajaero, NLC President, Suspends Strike Action In Imo State; Gives Two Weeks Grace

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The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and Joe Ajaero

By Charles Igbo

The President of tye Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has, on behalf of the Union, suspended the five-day old strike action declared in Imo . The strike paralyzed the State, almost, and disrupted socio-economic activities.

It, also, led to the sack of the State Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Chief Ford Ozumba, by the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma.

In a statement dated March 13, 2023, personally signed by Ajaero, the Union said it was suspending the strike basically for a couple of reasons.

Such reasons include interventions from highly placed Nigerians within and outside Imo State, creation of an enabling environment for the conduct in the State, of the March 18, 2023 State House of Assembly Elections so Imolites can choose their representatives, and to give the State Government the room to “right its wrong.”

However, the suspension is only for two weeks, during which period an agreement would have been reached, or risk a resumption of the strike action.

The statement by Ajaero reads:

“SUSPENSION OF STRIKE ACTION IN IMO STATE

“Due to persistent interventions by highly respected and well-meaning  Nigerians from within and outside Imo State; assurances by agents of the State Government to make amends, and especially, in order to have an enabling environment for citizens of the State to perform their civic duty on Saturday, March 18, by way of voting for State House of Assembly Candidates of their choice, on behalf of the Nigeria Labour Congress, I hereby announce the suspension of the ongoing strike action in Imo State.

“The suspension is expected to last two weeks during which the State Government or its agencies are expected to meet up with the demands of the Workers in the State.

“In the event of this window of opportunity not being utilised, the Nigeria Labour Congress will be left with no choice than to resume the suspended action with more ferocity.”

The NLC said it declared the strike action for, among other pending issues, the alleged interference of the State Government in its Congress in the State, last week, during which it was billed to elect members of the State Executives. It alleged that the State Government, in a bid to impose its preferred State Chairman, sent Security Agents who invaded the venue of the Congress, injured a number of Workers, and disrupted its activities.

The State Government, strongly, deny the allegation.

Ihedioha Invited By Police Over Alleged Muder, Kidnapping, Arson; Tension Rises In Imo

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The Source
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Ihedioha and Ugwu and Irona

By Charles Igbo

A former Governor of Imo State, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, has been invited by the Imo State Police Command for interrogation over an investigation in a case of alleged murder, kidnapping and arson.

In a letter addressed to the Imo State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Charles Ugwu, he was asked to come along with Ihedioha, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, the just elected House of Representatives Member for Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, and a former Deputy Governor of the State under Ihedioha, Honourable Gerald Irona.

Irona is already in Police custody since last week when security operatives invaded his home in Owerri and arrested him.

The invited, all chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party,  Imo State, are expected to report by 10.00am on Thursday. 16th March. 2023.

The letter of invitation to them to appear before the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, was dated 13th March 2023, and signed by DCP Ukachi P. Opara, Deputy Commissioner (Admin) for the Commissioner of Police.

The letter stated that on report to the Police, they would “interview the Commissioner of Police through the officer in charge of State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Owerri.”

It reads, partly:

“INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES: RE-CASE OF MURDER, KIDNAPPING AND ARSON

“The office of State Intelligence Bureau,  Imo State Police Command,  State Headquarters, Owerri, is investigating the above underlined case involving some prominent members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Imo State Chapter.

“The Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, requests you to come along with the following persons:.

1.Hon. Emeka Ihedioha.

  1. Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo.

3.Hon. Gerald Irona.

to interview the Commissioner of Police, through the officer in charge of State Intelligence Bureau (SIB), Owerri.

“Date: Thursday 16th March, 2023.

Time: 10.00am prompt.”

Since the invitation to them became public knowledge, tension has risen to high heaven in the State. The question on the lips of most PDP people is: “Will the Police detain Ihedioha? Will he and the others be arraigned in Court by the Police as was Irona and kept in prison custody?

Insecurity in the State, especially, within the past two years has been unprecedented. A couple of times, the Imo State Government had blamed it on politicians who, it alleges, had sworn to make the State ungovernable. The Government had threatened to name and shame such Politicians.

This invitation by the Police to the Imo PDP leaders comes three days to the House of Assembly Election  in the State slated, like in other States, for Saturday, 18th March, 2023.

Unlike most States which would hold their Governorship election same day, that of Imo would hold in November 2023.

How the Police invitation to the PDP Leaders will affect the performance of the Party on Saturday is not known yet. But the PDP, which is the main opposition Party in the State, has described the invitation as “intimidation and a witchhunt.”

Hon. Ejikunle Debunks Claim PDP Has No Candidate In Agege Constituency ll

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Ejikunle Olorunshogo

By Akinwale Kasali

The rumour that  the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, does not have a Candidate for the forthcoming Lagos State House of Assembly Election in Agege Constituency ll has been debunked.

Candidate of the Party, Hon. Ejikunle Olorunshogo has debunked such claims, saying he is the Elected and Substantive Candidate of the PDP at the Polls.

The young Shogogreen, as he is fondly called said that electorates should not be perturbed by the rumour, rather dispel such claims by going out enmasse to cast their votes for the PDP at the Governorship and State House of Assembly Election scheduled for Saturday, 18th March, 2023.

“I urge all electorates in Agege Constituency ll to ignore the rumour been spread around by mischief makers and those fanning the ember of discord, by spreading fake information that the PDP do not have a Candidate for the Election.

“I Hon. Ejikunle Olorunshogo is the elected Candidate of the Party having won the Party Primary and have been campaigning and admonishing electorates to come out and cast their vote for me and my Party.

“This the era where the youths will have a voice and a say in the State of House of Assembly. I urge my supporters not to be intimidated, but make sure that they guide their votes jealously at their polling Unit”, he said.

No doubt, Hon. Ejikunle Olorunshogo remain the Candidate to beat.

Aside being a Youth, is his desire to represent the residents and agents of States domiciled in Agege Constituency ll is borne out of his determination to restore the belief of the people in Governance.

Aside carrying out his statutory functions of making laws and legislating on matters that will usher in peace, order and good governance, he plans to ensure quality representation in areas of community development, enterprises development, career development, women development and early years education.

Hon. Ejikunle Olorunshogo stands tall among his opponents, as the interest of the people is sacrosanct to him in changing the fortunes of the electorates for the better through people oriented legislature and programmes, in which the dividend of democracy will be enjoyed by all and sundry.

Reconsider Stand On Imo Strike; Debunks Claims On Those Being Owed By Govt

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma and Joe Ajaero

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has appealed to the Comrade Joe Ajaero-led Nigerian Labour Congress to reconsider its position on the ongoing industrial action in Imo State in the interest of the masses.

The Governor did on Tuesday even as he promised to look into the immediate and remote causes of the claims by the NLC leadership linking alleged molestation of their members during a botched delegate congress in Imo State last week to the strike.

Addressing newsmen in Owerri, the Imo State capital, shortly after his arrival from Abuja, Governor Uzodimma regretted that additional hardship is meted upon citizens “aside the present fuel and cash situation.”

His word: “Even though the strike is only effective in the power sector in the State, this administration since assumption of office has maintained and is still maintaining a good working relationship with the Labour Union and workers in the State.”

He noted that the government is not owing any verified worker or pensioner in Imo State “till date as peddled in some quarters,” and appealed to those behind the strike “to reconsider their position in the best interest of the State and the poor masses.”

Governor Uzodimma assured all and sundry, including the NLC, that he will continue to maintain a good working relationship with workers in Imo State, including consulting widely to ensure that the current situation is brought under control.

Governor Uzodimma who appealed to Imo citizens to be calm said it is difficult to believe that Comrade Ajaero who should have used his position for the good of Imo people, being one of us, initiated the strike.

“Joe Ajaero’s position should be for the good of Imo people, not the other way round,” he said, and promised to wade into the circumstances of the strike with a view to resolving the issues.

On the likelihood of the strike having political colouration, the Imo State Governor said though it is not unlikely because of the desperation of some politicians, investigations would establish all that and urged Imo citizens, particularly the All Progressives Congress members, to come out en masse on Saturday to vote for the candidates of the Party.

Governor Uzodimma reiterated that his administration has taken governance as regards infrastructural development to a level not known to the citizens before now and wondered if the old axiomatic expression of “seeing is believing” no longer applies in Imo State.

“From Owerri-Orlu to Owerri-Okigwe to Owerri–Mbaise-Umuahia to Owerri- Airport and numerous developmental projects in the State and still counting, is anybody still in doubt that this government is for the people? Do you change a winning team? We are deploying the resources of the people to provide services. The only thing the opposition is doing that is known to everyone is propaganda and that is the only area this government will not deploy the people’s scarce resources to,” he explained.

Governor Uzodimma maintained that the APC government has come to stay in Imo State, propaganda not withstanding.

LAWMA Partners AOA Windstream To Give CSR To Communities

By
Akinwale Kasali
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LAWMA Partners AOA

By Akinwale Kasali

Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has partnered AOA Windstream and Applistructure Consulting Ltd to launch a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, tagged “LAWMA GrassRoots Benefit,” which saw the distribution of packages of essential commodities, to the people of Otto, Ijora-Olopa and Ilaje communities.

Speaking at the event, which held at LAWMA’s headquarters in Ijora-Olopa, the Managing Director/CEO of LAWMA, Ibrahim Odumboni, noted that the grassroots benefits program was designed to cater for the needs of the less privileged members of communities, including those on low-income, the unemployed, and vulnerable groups.

He said the CSR program included various components, such as food stamps, unemployment benefits, scholarships, free healthcare, empowerment programs, and admission into LAWMA Academy, adding that the program would assist the food budget of low-income people and support small businesses experiencing temporary difficulties.

“The GrassRoots Benefit program is an aid program to help those who have lost their jobs. It can help with unemployment insurance benefits, finding a job and training. If you need help paying for admission into tertiary institutions, technical, or other vocations, GrassRoots Benefits is the option you may be eligible for from the LGA and other sources,” Mr. Odumboni said.

He appreciated the people of those communities (Otto, Ijora-Olopa and Ilaje), for  supporting the Authority over the years, noting that the gesture was a way of giving back to the people, to foster more positive relationship, while also urging them to exercise their civic responsibility, by voting in the forthcoming governorship and state assembly elections.

The LAWMA CEO expressed his gratitude to AOA Windstream and Applistructure Consulting Ltd for partnering with LAWMA to launch the GrassRoots Benefit program, reiterating LAWMA’s commitment to providing sustainable solutions for waste management and improving the quality of life for residents.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Managing Director of AOA Windstream, Cole Adeboyejo, disclosed that the company’s decision to identify with the communities was informed by the need to cater for people at the grassroots.

He said, “Over 450 people were registered for this empowerment. We have packaged different food items to be handed over to them. This is just the first phase, we will do more of this subsequently, even at a higher scale”.

The choice of those communities was after due consideration by a careful select Committee, putting into consideration all parameters for fairness.

Also speaking, Applistructure Consultant, Ladi Ojo, appreciated the LAWMA boss, for giving them the opportunity to set up the empowerment programme within the Authority’s premises, noting that it is a beneficial way to give back to the society.

Two of the beneficiaries, Sanusi Mujidat and Gbade Oyetola, thanked the organisers, imploring other corporate organisations to take a cue from the laudable gesture.

The event was attended by representatives of Otto, Ijora-Olopa and Ilaje communities, as well as LAWMA officials.

Court Stops Governor Sanwo Olu From Installing Adelaja Akeem As Alaketu Of Ketu

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu has been barred from installing or recognizing Adelaja Akeem as the Alaketu of Ketu Elect,  by a Lagos State High Court in Epe, Lagos.

The Court also ordered Akeem to stop parading himself as the traditional ruler of the Ketu town in Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area, Epe Local Government Area of the State.

Since the demise of the late Monarch, Oba Adegboyega Adefoworain 2021, the Stool has remained vacant.

Controversies had surrounded who succeeds the late Monarch as some of the Princes jostled to become the next king of the Community.

Three Princes of the town, through their lawyer, Mr Tajudeen Kotun, had approached the High Court to stop Mr Akeem from parading himself as the Head and Traditional Ruler-elect of the Community.

The applicants are Prince Adekoya Adefowora, Prince Taiwo Olayemi, and Prince Rasheed Adesanya representing the royal family.

In the suit, Sanwo-Olu, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the Executive Chairman, Ikosi-Ejirin LCDA Epe Local Government Area, Mr Adelaja Akeem, Chief Mutiu Olokodana, (The Oluwo of Ketu land), Chief Lateef Bello (The Eleku of Ketu land), and Chief Nasiriyu Tawariyu (Apena of Ketuland), were joined as first to eighth defendants respectively.

It was also learnt that Akeem who is the fifth defendant in the suit was alleged to be parading himself as the next Alaketu of Ketu kingdom while the matter was still in the court of law.

Also in suit number 8925GCMW/2022, the applicants  asked the Court to restrain other defendants from installing or recognising Akeem as the Alaketu-elect because the kingship matter was still pending in the court.

In his ruling, Justice S.A Olaitan, granted an interlocutory order to restrain the State and the Traditional Chiefs of the community from installing or recognising Akeem as the Alaketu-Elect of Ketu town.

The Court ruled, ”An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted restraining the first to fourth defendants (Sanwo-Olu, the two commissioners and LCDA Chairman), whether by themselves, the agents, privies, officials and officers howsoever called from installing or recognizing the fifth defendant as the Alaketu of Ketu-elect pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted restraining the sixth to eighth defendants( the traditional chiefs of Ketu) whether by themselves, their agents, privies, officials and officers howsoever called from installing, recognizing and presenting the fifth defendant (Akeem) as the Alaketu of Ketu-elect to the first to fourth defendants/respondents pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“An order of interlocutory injunction is hereby granted restraining the fifth defendant (Akeem) from parading himself as the Alaketu of Ketu-elect in whatever manner pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.”

The court adjoined the case till May 3, 2023.

In a reaction, one of the applicants, Adekoya Adefowora, said since the matter was still in court, “Nobody is entitled to start parading himself as the New Alaketu of Ketu.” He enjoined the residents of the community to remain calm.

Rivers: House Of Assembly Candidate In Saturday’s Poll Kidnapped

By
Ayodele Oni
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Chukwudi Ogbonna

By Ayodele Oni

Relations and political allies of a House of Assembly candidate during Saturday’s poll in Rivers State are calling for the postponement of the election.

The call followed the alleged abduction of the Accord Party’s House of Assembly candidate for Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Constituency II, Rivers State, Chukwudi Ogbonna.

Ogbonna was said to have been whisked away at gunpoint to an unknown destination by unidentified persons around Rumuigbo community in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the State.

The victim, who is said to be a popular candidate for Saturday’s election, was kidnapped at about 8:30 pm on Monday while returning home with a friend.

According to one Ifeakachukwu Nwakiri, who identified himself as the brother of the victim,t he kidnap was politically motivated, but noted that the police have been alerted.

He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to consider suspending the State House of Assembly election for Onelga Constituency II slated pending the release of his brother.

“He was double crossed and taken to an unknown destination. Up until now we have not heard from him. So we don’t know where he has been taken to.

“Our plea and our call is to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, the Commissioner of Police Director of DSS, NSCDC for all of them to swing into action to make sure they rescue Engineer Chukwudi Ogbonna.”

Who’s Next Senate President, Kalu Or Umahi?

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Ahmed Lawan with Dave Umahi

The entrance of Governor Dave Umahi into the tussle for the Senate Presidency has made things difficult for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu who initially had an edge over other candidate who are eyeing the top job.

Except a last minute change, the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, with the highest number of senators in the Senate the magazine learned has decided to zone the position to the south east.

According to sources in the party, the decision became necessary since the two out of the three major zones, North and South West have already produced the president-elect and vice president elect in Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Kashim Shetima, respectively.

The decision to also zone the office to the south east, sources say, may not be unconnected with the belief among the APC leadership that doing so will return peace to the restive region which has been crying marginalisation.

But the problem now confronting the party, insiders say, is who among the top two candidates to settle for to lead the NASS as its Chairman.

The magazine had earlier reported that Kalu, a former governor of Abia State and current Chief Whip of the Senate was sure to land the job, as he’s favoured by a crop of APC leaders who believe that he has paid his dues as a loyal party man, aside from being the highest ranking senator from the zone.
But the table appears to have turned in the last few hours following the decision of Governor Umahi to throw his hat in the ring for the contest.

As a new comer into the Senate, the magazine learned that the governor’s quest for the nation’s number three position is already receiving support among some chieftains of the APC who insist that the Ebonyi helmsman is also qualified to lead the Senate.

This is more so as some in the party believe that the Governor is banking on his closeness to Tinubu and President Muhammadu Buhari to run for the office after the inauguration on May 30 this year.

“Governor Umahi is a loyal party man who has been the arrowhead of the party campaign in the south east. Apart from this, his performance as governor in terms of provision of infrastructure in his state has made him a post boy for the party. If he choses to contest, there’s no doubt that he will be supported,” a source in the party said on Tuesday.

According to Ken Nwobodo, in an opinion piece published on Monday titled “Umahi As Nest President of the Senate”, the writer said Governor Umahi has earned his badge as a performer, and qualified to lead the Senate.

“As a member of the All Progressives Congress, he stood out as the most credible voice of the party in the south east…….As a member of the Red Chamber in the 10th National Assembly, it would not be out of place to consider him as the next President of the Senate, ” Nwobodo said, adding that the party must first ensure that the office is zoned to the region.

Those watching the development, informed the magazine that Umahi and Kalu stand the chance of being returned as president of the Senate based on their pedigree as chieftains of the party who have a broadbased support across the country.

If any of the two eventually emerge as Senate President, the south east will no longer cry marginalisation as one of their own will be among the top four political office holders in the country, analysts say.

The only problem that may arise, this school of thought insist, is that other zones could capitalise on the refusal of the two candidates to step down for each other, to make a bid for the office.

Meanwhile,  the ruling APC said on Monday it has not zoned the prince offices in NASS. The decision on the matter will only be taken after the governorship and House of Assembly elections coming up on March 18, the party said yesterday.

APC Yet To Zone Senate President, House Speaker- Gbajabiamila

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has disclosed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is yet to decide on where to zone the principal offices of the Senate President and Speaker of lower chamber of the National Assembly.

He spoke amidst speculation that the ruling party has already zoned the NASS Leadership to specific political zones in the country.

Not a few had expected the leadership of the party to take a definite position on the matter at a meeting held by the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with elected members of the NASS at the state House Banquet Hall, Abuja on Monday.

In fact, the magazine learnt that the meeting was conveyed by Tinubu with the aim of briefing the lawmakers on where the party is going on the matter.

The party leadership failed to agree with the Senators and House of Representatives members on which of the zones should produce the two principal offices, sources said after the meeting presided over by Kashim Shetima, the Vice President -elect who represented Tinubu.

Speaking after the meeting Gbajabiamila said the party agreed to leave the issue for now until the conclusion of the govrnorship and House of Assembly Elections slated for this weekend.

Gbajabiamila said, “On the issue of zoning, we did not talk about it because we’re not there yet. We have an election coming up this weekend. And we need to ensure everybody goes back home, roll up their sleeves and get their hands dirty.

We’re not there yet; we need to complete the victory before we start talking about the leadership of the National Assembly. The reason we didn’t discuss zoning is because we all agreed to tarry for a while until we finish the elections.”

Meanwhile, Tinubu on Monday, said the NASS will be allowed to chose their leaders as he’s not interested in who becomes the Senate President and Speaker of House of Reps.

NLC Issues Ultimatum As Naira Swap Hardship Bites Harder

By
The Source
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0
Joe Ajaero

By Ayodele Oni

The Central Working Committee, (CWC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress, (NLC) has decried the shoddy implementation of the Naira re-design policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN).

According to the union, the policy  has caused considerable pain and hardship to the people.

Rising from its inaugural meeting in Abuja, the union resolved to give the government seven working days ultimatum beginning from Tuesday, March 14 to make Naira notes available to the people  or Congress would be compelled to direct its members to withdraw their  services.

The communiqué also states that “Similarly, the  CWC-in-session after reviewing the fuel supply situation in the country  and the attendant arbitrary costs at filling stations, expressed dismay at the non-challance of NNPC and Government. It accordingly resolved ask the NNPC/ FGN to normalise the fuel  supply situation.

“The CWC expressed its outrage at the surreptitious increase in electricity tariff without notice and without improvement in quality of service.”

On disputes in some states chapters with government, the apex body of the NLC resolved that “the State Council election held in 33 states successfully save Osun, Ebonyi and Imo where there were extraneous interventions by Governors were recorded.

“CWC resolved to condemn interference in Congress council election, noting that Governors have no business controlling the state councils of Congress. It also  resolved to set up caretaker committees in Osun, Ebonyi and Imo.

“CWC after reviewing the organisation and performance of the Labour Party, resolved to contribute to rebuilding and repositioning the party by sensitising workers and other Nigerians.

“There were national protest actions in Abia and Imo states over non-payment of salaries/ allowances and pensions for several months, non-remittance of check-off dues and other anti- union activities.

“Reviewing  the performance of the actions, it was noted that  Abia State Government  has signed an agreement with Congress pending full implementation of the agreement.”

The CWC similarly also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Governor of the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma to order for his serial  acts of physical and social violence which have led to the deaths of not a few, adding that an unmoderated Uzodinma was  a recipe for anarchy.

The union advised aggrieved parties in the last presidential election to seek redress in court rather than heating the polity, while advising the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) to tap from last exercise and improve performance in subsequent election.

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