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Chatham House: Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organisation Mocks Tinubu; Says Outing Is National Disgrace

By
The Source
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Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The Atiku/Okowa Campaign Organization has mocked  the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what it describes as “his pathetic display of vacuity at the Chatham House, United Kingdom on Monday.

In a statement signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, the Organisation said:

“Nigerians including supporters of the APC Presidential Candidate were thoroughly embarrassed to watch Asiwaju Tinubu who earlier showboated with a scripted speech went blank on the world stage in tragic display of emptiness and inability to personally address questions that were put to him on economy, security and other challenges facing our nation.

“Our Campaign finds it very appalling that a candidate aspiring to be the President of a nation as complex as Nigeria exhibited an embarrassing inability to coordinate his own thought process to the extent that he could not personally think through issues and address them but had to direct questions put to him including those on his health and policies to others to answer.

“Asiwaju Tinubu has confirmed to Nigerians and the world that he has no business contesting the 2023 Presidential election; that he is grossly incompetent, completely unprepared for leadership and intends to transfer the onerous task of leading our nation to proxies and a cabal that did not seek votes from Nigerians.

“Of course, Nigerians cannot afford to have a President who cannot take responsibility to lead but intend to shift burden to others apparently to find scapegoats to blame for his inevitable failures.

“The APC Presidential Candidate ended up becoming a butt of international joke as he could not provide any lead on the critical issues of economy, security, youth development and foreign policies, despite notes passed to him at the event by his handlers.

“Nigerians can recall that the Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign had earlier cautioned Asiwaju Tinubu and his handlers not to embarrass our nation by exhibiting his constant gaffes on the International Stage at Chatham House.

“Our Campaign counsels Asiwaju Tinubu’s handlers to stop embarrassing him by always pushing him to make public appearances, even when they are aware of his many incompetence. What Nigerians expect is for the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign to apologize to the nation and stop embarrassing their principal with poorly scripted appearances.

“Now that the APC Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Tinubu has confirmed his unpreparedness and lack of capacity on the world state, we urge that he should immediately collapse his campaign, stop wasting resources, go home and rest.

“In any case, Nigerians are resolute in their support for the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, who has continued to exhibit, unparalleled capacity and preparedness for leadership as also witnessed in his Arise TV Town Hall meeting on Monday where he personally took questions and professionally outlined his policy programs which touched on realistic solutions to the challenges brought to our nation by the failed All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.”

Go And  Collect Your PVCs, IPOB Tells The Igbo, Dares Simon Ekpa

By
The Source
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0

By Charles Igbo

The Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, has told the Igbo to go and collect their Permanent Voters Card, PVC.

In a statement signed by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, IPOB said that every Igbo has a right to collect his/her PVC.

IPOB’s stand is a consequence of an audio statement  by Mr Simon Ekpa, Finland-based, who claims to be a disciple of IPOB Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, where he declared a five-day sit-at-home order in the South-east, spanning the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th/14th of December.

Obviously, Ekpa, who, inspite of his claim to being a Kanu disciple, but has been at loggerheads with him and IPOB, declared the sit-at-home order to stop the Igbo, who have not collected their PVCs from doing so.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, had scheduled  those days for the final collection of PVCs by those who have not done so.

Ekpa gave the order in the name of IPOB. But the IPOB which Kanu leads, has dismissed the order as null and void, and asked Ndigbo to go about their businesses on those days.

Said IPOB: “Our people should be prepared and ready to confront any fool who dares to enforce such wicked sit-at-home. Moreso, ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers will be out in numbers all over Biafraland on these dates to protect our people and the markets.

“The idiots who are issuing this brazen sit-at-home order should know that IPOB  leadership did not authorise anyone to issue order of such magnitude in Biafraland, therefore, it will not work out for them.”

Following is the full statement by IPOB.

BIAFRANS, IGNORE ANY 5 DAYS WICKED AND STUPID SIT-AT-HOME ORDER FROM THE AGENDIST – IPOB

“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) under the command and leadership of our great prophet and indefatigable liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU wish to state unequivocally to the people of Biafra, friends of Biafra, and lovers of Biafra freedom that IPOB leadership did not issue any sit-at-home order on 9th,10th, 11th, 12th, 13th or 14th of December 2022.

“IPOB did not issue any sit-at-home order on these days mentioned above because we are not miscreants, senseless, or jobless people.

“Every Biafran and residents in Biafraland should ignore such  order from untrained and brainless individuals whose agenda is to make Biafra agitation unattractive to our people . Every Biafran must go to their normal business on those days.

“IPOB that has concern for the welfare and well-being of our people cannot issue such brainless uncaring consecutiive 5-day sit at home order that imposes hardships on our people during this critical time of the year, when people are trying to makeup in their businesses for the year. The conception of consecutive 5-day sit at home by a Nigeria Agent and his sponsors, is to show the level of wickedness and hatred they have against our people. Their agenda is to create insecurity and unnecessary hardships for our people to make them jettison Biafra freedom. How wicked!

“Again, everyone has a right to go out and collect his or her PVC from their respective  polling and registration centres without molestations. IPOB did not order a boycott of elections, and has nothing whatsoever to do with Nigeria shambolic elections.

“Our people should be prepared and ready to confront any fool who dares to enforce such wicked sit-at-home. Moreso, ESN operatives and IPOB volunteers will be out in numbers all over Biafraland on these dates to protect our people and the markets.

“Biafran youths should also be ready to confront anybody who attempts  to force or  compel them to close their businesses on those listed dates.

“The idiots who are issuing this brazen sit at home order should know that IPOB leadership did not authorize anyone to issue order of such magnitude in Biafraland, therefore, it will not work out for them.

“Our people should go about their legitimate businesses without fear. IPOB has put the Agendists and their foot soldiers in Biafraland on check.

“Biafra restoration progressing well and we must exit this cage called Nigeria by the grace of Elohim.”

IPOB began the sit-at-home regime in 2021, to pressurise the Federal Government into releasing Kanu who has been in the custody of the Federal Government since he was arrested in Kenya and forcefully brought back to Nigeria for prosecution.

Initially, the sit-at-home order was on every Monday and Kanu’s Court days. But it was later reviewed and restricted on only the days Kanu would appear in Court.

But Ekpa disagrees, and insists on the initial order.

Millions of Ndigbo have condemned Ekpa, especially, over his current order.

Ahead 2023 Elections: Nigerians In Diaspora Seek Court’s Nod To Vote

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Independent National Electoral Commission

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerians in diaspora are seeking for legal backing to enable them participate in election of new president during next year’s general election.

To this end, they have instituted a suit at the Federal High Court Abuja, seeking the Court’s nod in order not to be stopped from exercising their civic duties.

Joined in the suit are President Muhammadu Buhari and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In the suit marked FHC/ ABJ/ CS/2119/2022, they are praying the court to stop Buhari and INEC from further proceeding with the 2023 electioneering process until INEC’s voters register and bio-data base are updated to accommodate them as registered voters.

Plaintiffs in the suit are Barrister Chikwe Nkemnacho and Kenneth Azubuike Nkemnacho, both resident in the United Kingdom, but instituted the suit on behalf of other Nigerians in diaspora worldwide.

In the suit filed on their behalf by Augustine Temfeh-Nkemnacho, they are praying the court to declare that they are entitled to participate in the electoral process by being registered to vote in 2023 and in all elections wherever they are domiciled worldwide in line with sections 13, 14, 42 and 17 of the 1999 Constitution.

Plaintiffs also sought another declaration by the court to the effect that there is still sufficient time for INEC to comply with provisions of sections 13, 14 and 15 of the 1999 Constitution.

They canvassed that unless they are allowed to vote in the 2023 elections and subsequent ones, their fundermental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution would be grossly violated.

Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo, billed to hear the suit has fixed January 19, 2023 for its mention and to allow the defendants file their respective responses.

Chatham House: Dele Momodu Slams APC, Tinubu, Says Party Just Window Dressing Him

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Director, Strategic Communications of the National Election Management Committee, Dele Momodu, on Monday, slammed the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Party for over their less impressive engagement with audience at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom.

The Publisher said the Party and its Chieftains are just ‘window-dressing’ Tinubu on a global stage, which basically depicts that he lacks what is needed to rule over a complex country like Nigeria.

In a write-up titled, “Weep not for Tinubu but Nigeria,” Momodu slammed the handlers of the former Lagos State Governor for causing the Nation a huge embarrassment on a global stage.

“Call it what you will, what happened at Chatham House, London, yesterday (Monday), was a complete charade. The Tinubu handlers fumbled, and bungled it big time. They showcased him like a packaged invalid. It would have been better to present him as a brilliant politician and administrator, warts and all, who is capable of independent thoughts. No man is perfect. His gaffes would have been more pardonable and acceptable. He was expected to sell his own vision and mission.

“But what we saw yesterday was a theatre of the absurd. It brought back memories of our great former President Umaru Yar’ Adua  and how he mysteriously disappeared from radar and some of his aides governed by proxy. I was one of those who led the ‘Enough is Enough’ protest against the Yar’ Adua cabal in Abuja in 2010. What was unacceptable then is even more unacceptable now with benefits of hindsight. Our country should be placed above friendship.

“Truth is, the problem of Nigeria is often aggravated by the voluptuous ambitions of some acolytes who wish to remain eternally relevant in the corridors of power at the expense of the long-suffering nation,” he said, adding that “all those around Tinubu yesterday (Monday) knew the bitter truth but chose to fool Nigerians.”

He continued, “One of them was heard in a viral video telling Tinubu to dance to the popular song ‘Buga’ by Kizz Daniel because “that’s what the youths want to see,” and lo and behold, Tinubu instantly transfigured into an accomplished choreographer.

“It is very sad, and unfortunate, that whenever we think Nigeria can never sink deeper into the abyss, something occurs that jolts us out of such assumptions and complacency.”

The one time Presidential Candidate, and now the PDP Campaign spokesman stressed that seven years ago, President Muhammadu Buhari did a good job when he appeared at the same venue to engage with the global audience.

“I was with President Muhammadu Buhari the day he visited Chatham House seven years ago. He was solid and charismatic. He needed no one to prompt him. He answered questions eloquently and intelligently to the best of his abilities.

“That is what Tinubu was expected to accomplish yesterday (Monday). What he did instead was like inviting helpers to sit the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board examination. It is horrifying to watch some respected intellectuals like El-Rufai and Fayemi as they struggled to window dress Tinubu on a much hallowed global stage,” he lamented.

Tinubu has come under serious attacks for assigning,  to some members of his entourage, to answer questions meant for him.

Bandits Kill Three Policemen, Traders In Sokoto

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Gunmen have stormed Yarbulutu Village in Sabon Birnin Local Government in Sokoto State and allegedly killed six people made up of  three Policemen and three traders. They, also, set several vehicles ablaze.

This, at a time Heads of Nigerian Army converged in Sokoto for the 2022 Chief of Army Staff Annual Conference which began on Monday.

It was gathered that the gunmen came on bikes and opened fire on traders in the weekly market, leading to pandemonium. People fled, scampering for their lives.

Eyewitness report also disclosed that Policemen at a nearby checkpoint rushed to the scene and engaged the gunmen which resulted in the killing of three of them and the setting ablaze of  their two operational vehicles.

Confirming the attack, the Police Public Relations Officer, Sokoto State Police Command, DSP  Sanusi Abubakar, said the Command has received the report and they are hunting down the attackers to face justice.

A resident  of the village, Shayau Garba, who saw the happening at the market expressed concern at the way the gunmen have been terrorising the area without much resistance.

He said Sabon Birni and Isa Local Government Areas in the Eastern part of Sokoto have for long been held to ransom by bandits and kidnappers operating in Zamfara and parts of Sokoto states.

“I am certain these gunmen were those from Zamfara State who now relocated to our areas as the area shares borders with the State in the East,” the eyewitness said.

It could be recalled that last week gunmen attacked and killed six people in another village of Goronyo Local Government Area of the state.

It was also gathered that similar episode also took place early last year on a market day in Goronyo where gunmen killed more than 40 people.

The situation in the past forced the Sokoto State Government to close traffic at the Sokoto-Marnona-Isa road to avoid further attacks on commuters plying the once peaceful road.

Peter Obi To Uzodimma: You Are A Good Man

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Hope Uzodimma

Obi did not hide his feeling when he met with Governor Uzodimma at the presidential wing of the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport Owerri as he arrived for his Party’s campaign rally in Owerri.

Though the Labour Party presidential candidate had arrived earlier and was being shepherded by his supporters at the premises of the presidential lounge of the airport, he broke off from their midst without their knowledge to come and receive Governor Uzodimma whom, he said he was told, was already airborne.

“Your Excellency, I had to stay back to greet you because I learnt you were already on the way coming. You are a good man and I owe you that honour to wait to greet you,” Obi told Governor Uzodimma as they hugged themselves and bantered away.

Though it would have been Obi’s desire to stop by at the Government House on the invitation of Governor Uzodimma after his rally, he said his numerous political engagements would not permit that.

“I really really appreciate,” the former Governor of Anambra State Uzodinma added Obi thanked him for the compliments and wished him well.

It would be recalled that Governor Uzodimma said recently that all political parties interested in campaigning at any government-owned facility in Owerri was welcome as approval for such would not be withheld from them.

He made good his promise by directing the relevant approving authorities in the state to grant the request of any of the political parties to use any facility of their choice for their campaign rally. The Labour Party happened to be the first.

Leaders of the Labour Party on Monday were full of praises for Governor Uzodimma,  describing his magnanimity as historic and commending his politics as one without rancour and bitterness.

Breaking: CBN Withdraws N500, N1000 From ATMs

By
James Orji
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0
Godwin Emefiele

With effect from January 9, 2023 the CBN has limited cash withdrawal of individual to N100,000 weekly. In a new guideline cited by the magazine, the apex bank has also pegged cash withdrawal by organisations to N500, 000 per week.

The bank has also directed commercial  banks to only load the Automated Teller Machines, ATM with N200 notes effect from next year.

Close sources in the Godwin Emefiele-led CBN said the new regime is necessary to further limit excessive cash in circulation, after the apex bank said too much hassle cash in the economy is causing inflation and promoting criminality.

These are some of the reasons city by the government bank for redesigning banknotes recently. The CBN, penultimate week launched new N200, N500 and N1000 naira notes as part of its monetary control instruments.

In the new memo sent to commercial banks on Tuesday and signed by the Director of Banking Supervision, Haruna .B. Mustafa, the apex bank also directed commercial banks to load only N200 notes in the Auto med Teller Machines, ATM.

The CBN said in the memo: “Further to the launch of the redesigned naira notes by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Wednesday, November 23, 2022, and in line with the cashless policy of the CBN, all deposit money banks and other financial institutions are hereby directed to note and comply with the following:

“1. The maximum cash withdrawal over the counter by individuals and corporate organisations per week shall henceforth be N100,000 and N500,000 respectively. Withdrawals above these limits shall attract processing fees of 5% and 10%, respectively.

“2. Third-party cheques above N50,000 shall not be eligible for payment over the counter, while extant limits of N10,000,000 on clearing cheques still subsist.

“3. The maximum cash withdrawal per week via Automated Teller Machine shall be N100,000 subject to a maximum of N20,000 cash withdrawal per day.

“4. Only denominations of N200 and below shall be loaded into the ATMs.

“5. The maximum cash withdrawal via the point of sale terminal shall be N20,000 daily.”

The CBN said in compelling circumstances, not exceeding once a month, where cash withdrawals above the prescribed limits would be required for legitimate purposes, such cash withdrawals shall not exceed N5,000,000.00 and N10,000,000.00 for individuals and corporate organisations, respectively, and shall be subject to the referenced processing fees in (1) above, in addition to enhanced due diligence and further information requirements.

It also said banks were required to obtain the following information at the minimum and upload same on the CBN portal created for the purpose:

“a. Valid means of identification of the payee (National Identity Card, International Passport, Drivers License.). b. Bank Verification Number of the payee. c. Notarised customer declaration of the purpose of the cash withdrawal. d. Senior management approval for the withdrawal by the Managing Director of the drawee, where applicable. e. Approval in writing by the MD/CEO of the bank authorising the withdrawal.

“Please further note the following: i. Monthly returns on cash withdrawal transactions above the specified limits should be rendered to the Banking Supervision Department. ii. Compliance with extant AMUCFT regulations relating to the KYC, ongoing customer due diligence and suspicious transaction reporting etc., is required in all circumstances. iii. Customers should be encouraged to use alternative channels (internet banking, mobile banking apps, USSD, cards/POS. eNaira, etc.) to conduct their banking transactions.

“Finally, please note that aiding and abetting the circumvention of this policy will attract severe sanctions.

“The above regulatory directives take effect nationwide from January 9, 2023. Please be guided accordingly,” the memo said.

Upgrade, Not Proliferation Of Law Schools – Body Of Benchers To National Assembly

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigerian Law School

By Ayodele Oni

Voice has continued to rise against multi campus system for the Nigeria Law School with the Body of Benchers (BOB) advising that those already in existence deserve upgrade and not establishment of more campuses.

The Body believes that those to be established are based on personal interest of politicians, especially national assembly members that are clamouring for campuses at their constituencies.

BOB has therefore advised the National Assembly against giving effect to its proposal to regulate the establishment of Law Schools in the country.

BOB Chairman, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) gave the advice, while admitting 4691 new lawyers at the Call to Bar ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday.

“May we plead with the National Assembly to stop toying with the idea of promulgating laws or amending the Legal Practitioners Act, to pave way for the proliferation of Law School campuses, particularly, around the neighbourhoods of some lawmakers.

“It is within the exclusive prerogative of the Council of Legal Education, in consultation with the Body of Benchers to establish new Law School campuses.

“While I do not question the jurisdiction of the National Assembly to make laws as appropriate, Law School campuses cannot be established without clearance from the Council of Legal Education.

“What we need now is the improvement and upgrading of the existing Law School campuses, using the newly commissioned Graham Douglas Law School Campus, Port Harcourt, built and equipped by the Rivers State Government as a model. I dare say that it is the best in the country for now.”

He advised the new lawyers to always uphold the ethics of the profession and desist from act that could portray the profession in bad light.

“It behoves me at this point to forthrightly prepare your minds for the inevitability of bumpy rides, aspersions, tirades, general vicissitudes, and such other contingencies to which all humans are susceptible.

“These eventualities are of universal character, sparing no one, irrespective of illustriousness or nobility of pedigree, tribal or ethnic affiliation, religious inclinations, affluence eminence or dexterity. Yours faithfully is, of course, a living example.

“Our profession boasts of, and parades three key words: noble, honourable and learned. Covet these flagship words in your endeavours, understanding and relationship with others.

“Do not engage in strife, blackmail, mudslinging, campaign of calumny, treachery or any attempt to run or pull anyone down.”

He urged senior lawyers to improve on the welfare of junior lawyers, and spoke of plans to mentor new lawyers nationwide through a mentoring committee of the BOB headed by J. K. Gadzama (SAN).

Olanipekun urged judges to be lenient with young lawyers, saying: “To our noble judges, before whom these young ones will start appearing, please be patient with them and exercise your awesome owners to commit for sparingly.”

Dwelling on the activities of the BOB, Olanipekun noted that the body is not an appendage of the Federal Government, or any government, institution or agency, howsoever.

“It is an independent and autonomous body, and its meetings, affairs and decisions are not influenced by any power or authority whatsoever.”

OPINION: The Tinubu Chatham House Appearance – An International Embarrassment

By
The Source
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0
Bola Ahmed Tinubu

By Olufemi Adegbulugbe

I registered and attended, via zoom, the town hall titled “Nigeria’s 2023 elections: Security & economic development and its foreign policy imperatives Confirmation”

The speaker was Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the venue was Chatham House, London. Date was 05, December, 2022.

In my mind, the event was a “make or break” affair. It was an opportunity to prove skeptics wrong or to confirm the position of skeptics.

Unfortunately, the worst happened. The unthinkable happened at a global event.

Mr Tinubu spoke for 15-20 minutes and will not answer any of the 11 questions directed at him.

Rather, Mr Tinubu assigned to himself the role of a “moderator” and delegated persons to answer questions on his behalf.

In fact, he assigned specific questions to specific persons.

It is unprecedented that such would happen at a global event in Chatham House, with the whole world watching. It was a shame. It was shameful and a bad day for Nigeria.

Mr Tinubu must be reminded that the personality invited to Chatam House is Bola Ahmed Tinubu and not Dele Alake, El-Rufai, Gbaja, Betty Edu or the team he referred to.

Mr Tinubu must be reminded that no team exists for now until after a President emerges, and is sworn in. Whatever team exists only exist at the backstage for now.

For now, it is the Presidential Candidate that is the voice who must engage directly with the voters and wider audience.

Why will Mr Tinubu not answer questions directed at him, in a Townhall meeting he voluntarily participated? A Townhall different from bala blu, bulaba!

Mr Tinubu failed to understand that his appearance at Chatham House was an interview process and I have never seen where a person attending an interview will delegate the questions. It is most shameful to say the least.

The event left no reasonable person in doubt that Mr Bola Tinubu does not have the physical and mental capacity to lead the most populated black nation, the Giant of Africa.

All the foreign journalists that gathered at Chatham House, those that joined online and Nigerians in diaspora congregated to hear Tinubu take and answer questions. The questions were directed at Tinubu but unfortunately, Tinubu disappointed everyone and left no one in doubt that he lacks the mental capacity to lead any country. Perhaps, not everyone was disappointed.

The Guest Speaker turned moderator event show is unprecedented in the history of Chatham House. Chatham house must now put procedures in place to ensure this fraud never happens again.

The big question is what was the objective of the appearance at Chatham by Mr Tinubu.

In my opinion, Tinubu’s appearance at Chatham House confirms to the world, the mental deficiency of Mr Tinubu and also highlights the fact that the Tinubu team is aware of this mental deficiency but working hard to package this unfitness.

Out of the 5-6 Presidential aspirants illegally introduced to us by Mr Tinubu at Chatham House, El-Rufai impressed me the most. Dr Betty Edu also impressed me.

But I am at a loss as to why Gov El-Rufai will be a participant in this fraud and illegality to deceive Nigerians.

The appearance of Prof Osinbajo at Chatham house would have presented the best of Africa. It would have made the black race proud.

Unfortunately, it was not to be.

And I, therefore, settle for the best alternative option.

I support OBI/DATTI for President and Vice President by the grace of God.

I am now convinced, beyond reasonable doubts, that Mr Tinubu is unfit to become the next President of Nigeria.

However, he remains a key candidate in the race to Aso Rock. In any sane and civilized country, the name, Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not even be on the ballot.

May God bless our troops,

God bless Nigeria.

Adegbulugbe, lives in Alberta, Canada*

Splinter Group Of University Lecturers Protests Non Payment Of Withheld Salary, Threatens Court Action

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ngige Presents Certificate to New ASUU

By Ayodele Oni

Splinter Group of University Lecturers, the Congress of University Academics (CONUA), is aggrieved with the Federal Government over failed promises.

CONUA was birthed in the wake of the prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) after some lecturers resolved to resume lectures and went ahead to form the body.

There were mixed reactions after it was formed with some declaring that it was illegal while others, especially government officials welcomed its formation.

Now the body has resolved to sue the Federal Government over the withheld salaries of its members.

The government held on to the salaries of university lecturers for embarking on strike from mid-February to mid October this year.

The CONUA, in a statement on Tuesday, expressed disappointment with the Federal Government for withholding the salaries of its members, stressing that the government was fully aware that its members neither called for nor participated in the said strike.

The statement by its president Dr Niyi Sunmonu, national secretary, Dr Henri Oripeloye and national publicity secretary, Dr Ernest Nwoke, pointed out that its members had expected the Federal Government to correct itself by releasing the withheld salaries along with November salary, but it failed to do so after series of letters and actions reminding the minister of Labour and Accountant General that its members did not participate in the strike.

The CONUA insisted that the government’s action violates labour law. As a union that prides itself of doing things differently, it revealed that dragging the government to court was its next action.

The statement reads: “ The Congress of University Academics (CONUA) has expressed disappointment with the Federal Government, especially the Ministry of Labour and Employment, over the non-payment of its members’ withheld salaries even when the government knew that the union did not call for strike action and its members were not involved in the strike action that lasted for eight months and which shut down the university system nationwide.

“CONUA formally made its non-involvement in the strike known to the Federal Government in a letter addressed to the Minister of Labour and Employment in April 2022.

“In the letter, we made it clear that because CONUA constituted a separate and independent union in the university system, our members did not call for any strike.

“This was followed by a press conference in Abuja on August 19, 2022 at which it was categorically stated that CONUA was not part of any ongoing strike and that the “No Work No Pay” principle ought not to apply to members of the union.

“CONUA’s expectation is that, due to the express and categorical declaration, the government would seamlessly release our members’ outstanding salaries when it resumed the payment of salaries to all university staff in October 2022.

“But to our dismay, CONUA members were also paid pro-rata salaries in complete disregard to the fact that we were indeed shut out of duties by the strike.

“Subsequently, we wrote to the Accountant-General of the Federatıon and the Ministry of Labour and Employment reminding them that it was an error to lump our members with those that declared and embarked on strike action.

“It was yet another shock for the outstanding backlog of salaries not to have been paid to our members along with the November 2022 salary.

‘The non-payment of our withheld salaries contravenes Section 43 (1b) of the Trade Disputes Act CAP. T8, which states that “where any employer locks out his workers, the workers shall be entitled to wages and any other applicable remunerations for the period of the lock-out and the period of the lock-out shall not prejudicially affect any rights of the workers being rights dependent on the continuity of the period of employment.’ This provision is consistent with global best practices.

“From the foregoing and as a law-abiding union that pledged to do things differently, we have resolved to seek legal redress of the illegal withholding of our legitimate salaries by taking the matter to court in consonance with the rights enshrined in our laws.”

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