2019: EU, UK, US Demand Free and Fair Elections

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January 17, 2019

Leading western democracies have come together to reiterate their commitment to the free and fair elections in 2019 inNigeria. This is part of a coterie of demands presented to the Independent National Electoral commission, INEC, Chairman, Mahmud Yakubu, when they met at INEC Office in Abuja wednesday. They insisted that INEC be independent and Neutral in carrying out their duties. The countries are representatives of the European Union, Britain and the United states.

During the meeting, the representative of American Embassy, David Young, cited the neutrality of the security services as of paramount importance.

“One of the concerns is about the neutrality of the security services.For us, it is very important that the security services provide for the election security, the safety of the process of the election in a way that does not interfere with people getting to the polls, civil society monitors, election observers who have access to observe the process freely. “This is something we feel very strong about and the neutrality of the security services is one of the very important issues for the credibility of the elections. I also want to say that we appreciate very much the important role the judiciary plays in Nigeria.

“As a country with the perfect three tiers of government with executive, legislative, and the judiciary branches, it is critically important that the executive does not interfere in the role of the judges and the judiciary.

“And it important that judiciary is safeguarded and respected.

“As regards the police, we know that a new Inspector General of Police was just appointed; the US Embassy looks forward to working closely with him. They will appreciate the leadership he will provide as IGP. We are looking forward to working with Nigeria as friends and partners.”

For the EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Kertil Karlsen, the missions were supporting none of the candidates or parties.

“What we are here to do as true partners of Nigeria, is to support your efforts in seeing a continuation and consolidation of the growth here.

“Nigeria showed to the global population in 2015 that the outcome of a credible election can prevail. That was a powerful message in terms of unity, opportunity and general economic development of the people of Nigeria. We want to also see this reinforced in 2019, and whoever is the successful candidate will also be a partner of our various countries,” he said.

In his own response, the INEC Chairman said that his commission is prepared for the elections.

“Today is exactly 30 days to the next general election. We are at the moment basically putting finishing touches to the preparation for the elections.

“All the heavy items for the elections have already been procured, additional ballot boxes, voting cubicles, replacement of Card Reader, the Permanent Voters Cards have all been delivered for collections by the citizens.

“Collections have been devolved to ward levels from today, January 16 to 21, the last day for collection at ward levels, and thereafter collection will continue till February 8 at various Local Government Areas.

“We have concluded and published the guidelines for the 2019 general elections and we have finalised the manual for the elections which will be used for training for the various categories of staff to be used for the elections.

“We are recruiting and will soon start training the ad hoc staff for the elections. We are good to go for the 2019 general elections.

“We are aware that the election is going to be an intense media event not only that the international community will intensely watch the processes as they have always done. I want to assure you that we will not fail the international community and the nation.

“We are aware that the long term EU Observation Mission is already in the country and I hosted the long time ECOWAS Observation Mission. The international community are already in Nigeria for the elections.

“The 2019 general elections will be credibly; we will jealously guard the process and ensure that the processes lead to what the whole Nigerians expect. It will be nothing but free, fair, and credible and only that will be good enough for the country.”

Seme: Controller Tightens Noose On Smuggllers

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Bayo Bernard

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January 17, 2019

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By Bayo Bernard

The haul of seizure by the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service in the last two months is an indication that men and officers of the command under the leadership of Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba are moving fast with the ongoing plan to seal up all illegal routes along the Nigeria-Benin borders.

Comptroller Muhammed had on Tuesday told journalists that his men, within this period seized 11 trucks load of rice containing 6,753 bags with 45 kegs of foreign groundnut oil smuggled into the country from Benin Republic.

Twenty two fairly used vehicles and six means of conveyance were also seized, he said.

Amongst the seized car are Toyota Coaster Van (2014 model), Toyota Land cruiser Prado (2011).

The border is the largest in West Africa and had become notorious for smuggling of goods and human trafficking.

But in line with the federal government directive that all clearance of goods and persons be done along the Seme-Karake border post, Comptroller Mohammed recently gave a stern order to his men to close swathes of illegal routes along the two country’s border.

In fact the controller was cock sure his men will meet the January 14 deadline to seal up all the illegal routes.

He had told journalists that his effort will be directed majorly to curb the activities of economic saboteurs who capitalize on the busy border to bring in prohibited items.

This is in line with the Comptroller General of Customs, Hameed Ali’s directive and the outcome of the first joint management meeting of the Joint Border Post, JBP, Comptroller Mohammed said.

The Seme Area Controller is co-chair of the JBP.

Though the command is still struggling on how to close these unapproved routes, security analysts and close watchers of the Benin-Nigeria borders say, but the controller and his men appears to be moving in that direction.

Notable amongst the intercepted items are Toyota Coaster Van (2014 model), Toyota Land cruiser Prado (2011).

Others according to Comptroller Mohammed “are Mercedes Benz GLK 350 (2010), Toyota Sienna (2013), Toyota 4Runner (2014) and a host of others. The combined duty paid value (DPV) for the vehicles stands at N177,314,091 and the he Grand Total for both seizures and revenue is N1,055,122,539.68.”

The total duty paid value of the seized rice was N158 million, while 45 kegs of vegetable oil worth N573 million were seized.

The command also seized 91 parcels of hard drugs which have now been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further investigations

Onnoghen: Group warns EFCC on Arrest of Odumakin, Fani-Kayode

By

Uche Mbah

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January 17, 2019

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By Uche Mbah

The last may not have been heard about the purported raid by the Economic and Financial Crimes commission, EFCC, on the residence of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Walter Onnoghen, as the Southern and Middle belt Leaders forum have reacted to the threat of the EFCC to prosecute former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode, and Afenifere Chieftain, Yinka Odumakin, for peddling fake news.

In recent times, stories about the raid by the EFCC on the CJN’s house went viral, shortly after his day in the Code Of conduct Tribunal. He, however, did not appear in person at the tribunal but was represented by Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, who led other 47 Senior Advocates in his defence.

The allegation of the EFCC raid, which was said to have originated from both Fanikayode and Odumakin, has resulted in spirited denials by both the EFCC and the CJN himself. Efcc was said to have invited the duo, and have threatened to sue them.

But a group, The Southern And Middle Belt Leaders Forum, SMBLF, has warned the EFCC not to carry out its threat of arrest and detention of the duo, saying that their arrest and detention will only “exacerbate the already tensed situation in the polity”. According to them, “The information and statement about the siege on the neighborhood of the CJN originated from the CJN’s residence while SMBLF was having a meeting in Abuja”. This was a tacit admission that the body was the one that tipped off the duo about the raid. “We could not have manufactured such a statement if the alarm was not raised from the house of the CJN. It therefore is not fake news. This body only acted promptly to forestall any untoward incidence of arrest or embarrassment on the person of the CJN”, the body said in a release signed by one Dr Alfred Mulade.

“We are also reliably informed that the Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice , Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, has directed the freezing of Bank Account of the CJN, Hon. Justice Walter Samuel Onnoghen, vide a letter dated 14 January 2019, titled, “Re: Request for Freezing Of Bank Account subject to investigation and Prosecution Pursuant to Presidential Executive Order No.6 of 5^th July 2018 on the preservation of assets connected with corruption”

It will be recalled that in the heat of the arraignment of the CJN at the CCT, the South south governor’s Forum held an emergency meeting condemning the issue and advising the CJN not to honor the invitation. An Abuja High Court later ruled that Status Quo ante bellum should be maintained.

Also a new group of Niger Delta militants gave warnings that they will “resume hostilities” if anything happens to the CJN, saying that whether or not Buhari wins the elections he must leave the presidential seat by May 29 2019.

MC Oluomo To Be Flown Abroad

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 16, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Fans of MC Oluomo, Musiliu Akinsanya, chieftain of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, took to the social media to pray for his recovery, following his discharge from the Lagos hospital where he was hospitalised over a week ago.

MC Oluomo is set to be flown abroad for proper medical attention the magazine gathered.

The NURTW chieftain was stabbed by an unknown assailant on January 8th 2019 at the Skypower ground, Ikeja, during the All Progressives Congress, APC, gubernatorial rally of its candidate, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.

MC Oluomo had been in EKO Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos, but was discharged yesterday after the payment of over N2million was paid, a source at the hospital told the magazine.

A close ally of the NURTW chieftain who claimed anonymity informed the magazine that MC Oluomo was to be flown abroad for better and well equipped medical attention which is lacking in Nigeria.

He said the United States of America is the next destination of MC Oluomo in the coming days for proper medical attention.

“Immediately he was discharged from hospital on Tuesday night, plans are een made to fly him out of the country. He is very fine and has nothing to worry about his health after his treatment at the hospital. Before he finally left on Tuesday night, he was receiving a lot of well-wishers.

“Sometimes, he moves around and sometimes walks his visitors to the corridor, so he was in a sound health before leaving the hospital. “Few days before he left the hospital, his associates were making arrangements for his trip,’’ the source said.

2019 Polls: CAN Cautions Politicians

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 16, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

The President of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Samson Ayokunle, has warned politicians to avoid utterances and actions, which are capable of setting the country on fire, and causing unrest.

Ayokunle stressed that politicians should desist from fanning the ember of hate and war, which could lead to unnecessary crisis, leading to loss of lives and properties.

The CAN president said this at the 2nd General Assembly of the Inter-faith Dialogue Forum for Peace, with the theme, ‘‘General Elections and National Security: The Role of Inter-faith Communities’’ in Abuja today.

‘‘I also want to appeal to politicians not to set the nation on fire because of their personal ambition at the expense of national interest. ‘‘People who don’t have any work outside politics should not be voted into power.

‘‘I want to urge those in government and all politicians to calm down, to avoid breakdown of law and order because of elections. ‘‘Enough is enough on the destruction of our country. Thuggery and any format of electoral violence should be discouraged by all politicians,’’ he said.

Ayokunle appeals to politicians not to be desperate to acquire power because leadership is a burden. The CAN leader said that politicians must respect the rule of law, to enhance peace in the country.

He, however, urged the electorate to vote for people who had something to offer for the advancement of the country.

Ayokunle, therefore, charged the law enforcement agencies to help in building the nation’s democracy by ensuring free, fair and credible elections during the forthcoming general elections. “Don’t help in installing bad leaders during elections and don’t use your uniforms to do a dirty job by intimidating or preventing voters to discharge their civic responsibilities.

“We don’t want to see or hear such incidences again, if we don’t want to mortgage the future of our children. “We should not play politics with the security of Nigerians,’’ he said. He also admonished religious leaders to continue to pray for the country, preach peace and avoid making divisive comments that could disrupt the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

‘‘I want to urge faith communities to continue to pray for Nigeria because the relative peace we are enjoying in this country is because of our constant prayers.’’ The co-Chairman, Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Rev. Sunday Onuoha, advised the Federal and state governments to redirect their efforts towards building stronger institutions that would be beneficial to all citizens.

‘‘All institutions, both government and non-government, should be open to dialogue and not close their minds to other opinions or see other opinions as threat, as no one has the monopoly of knowledge,’’ he said.

He urged those who presented themselves for elective positions to be willing to accept the outcome of the elections.

Emery Poised On Rebuilding Arsenal

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 16, 2019

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Unai Emery believes he will be handed the time necessary to “get Arsenal back to where the club deserves to be” despite a recent slump threatening the Gunners’ chances of a return to the Champions League.

After a 22-game unbeaten run between August and December, Arsenal have lost three of their last six Premier League matches to fall six points behind Chelsea in the battle for a top-four finish.

However, the Spaniard is confident that he is not working under the same time pressure to succeed as he was at Paris Saint-Germain where one league title and four domestic cups in two seasons in charge were not enough to keep his job due to a lack of progress in the Champions League.

“The idea is to get Arsenal back to where the club deserves to be, but it needs time,” Emery told Sky Sports.

“At Arsenal, it’s maybe the first time I feel that I have the support to build up from the bottom in order to get where we want to be.

“It allows us to work more for the long-term –- or at least, ‘long-term’ in football terms. It supports the kind of work we want to do at this club.”

Of more immediate concern for Emery is making the best of the resources available to him after claiming the club doesn’t have the funds for any permanent transfers this month.

A large chunk of Arsenal’s budget is tied up in a lucrative deal handed to Mesut Ozil last January that runs until 2021.

The former German international is the club’s highest earner, reportedly on £350,000 a week.

However, Ozil failed to even make Emery’s squad for the 1-0 defeat at West Ham last weekend and has been routinely dropped throughout the course of the season.

Emery, though, is hoping his treatment of the former Real Madrid star will get the best out of Ozil rather than force him out of the club.

“At certain times, you have to provoke friction with footballers,” added Emery.

“From that friction, you can get something more out of them, something from inside, a greater sense of ambition or maybe even a complaint –- a complaint regarding the team can be positive.

“As a manager, you have to be careful because that friction can break a relationship. But I believe in always looking for more, both individually and collectively.

“In the end, the main thing with any footballer is that their qualities are used to benefit the team. As a manager, you have to get the maximum out of that player and at the same time make sure that he fits with the rest of the team so that everyone is better.”

2019 Polls: The Battle For Oke Mosan, Amosun Optimistic Of Akinlade’s Triumph

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Akinwale Kasali

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January 16, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State is bent on installing his protege, Abdulkabir Akinlade as the next governor of the Gateway State after is exit from Oke Mosan, the state’s seat of power, come 29th May, 2019.

Amosun had earlier thought that Akinalde will win the All Progressives Congress, APC, primary in the state, but he was disappointed that his anointed candidate was not given the party’s gubernatorial ticket, forcing Amosun’s camp and loyalists to defect to Allied People’s Movement, APM.

During the rally of APM at MKO Abiola stadium in Abeokuta, Amosun was optimistic that Akinlade will be the next governor of the state, rubbishing the likes of Prince Dapo Abiodun, the APC candidate, and Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, African Democratic Congress, ADC candidate, who he said are the major contenders for the soul of OgunState.

Amosun is vying to contest for the Senate, representing Ogun Central Senatorial District under the platform of APC, while his alleged stooge, Akinlade is in the opposition party.

Recently, it was reported that Amosun is being charged bythe APC disciplinary committee for anti-party activities, but Amosun is yet to be called upon by the committee.

In all nooks and crannies of the state, Akinlade posters is seen vividly, prompting speculations that he is a major contender for Oke Mosan, with Amosun giving him his full backing.

It wasalleged that Amosun said over his dead body will his party’s candidate, Dapo Abiodun win the election, promising to spend to his last kobo for his anointed candidate to win.

Few days ago, Amosun was alleged to have rubbished Dapo Abiodun and Gboyega Isiaka during his campaign at Ishihun and Kobape area of the state, calling on the people not to vote for them that they are not worth it, promising that Akinlade was going to sustain his legacy.

Amosun was also alleged to have ordered the Ministry of Environment to remove all he posters of Isiaka, Abiodun and other candidates from the walls and billboards, making sure that only the poster of Akinlade reign supreme in the state, especially in the state capital.

Political observers are of the opinion that the battle for the soul of Ogun State is between APC, APM and ADC.

The chances of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, been a contender in the election is slim, following the court tussle between Kashamu Buruji and Oladipupo Adebutu on who will become the flagbearer of the party at the gubernatorial polls.

Onnonghen: Buhari Faces Pan-Nigerian Fire

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The Source

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January 16, 2019

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By Bayo Bernard

The President Muhammadu Buhari’s government must have been shocked that the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Walter Onnonghen defied the federal government by failingto appear before the Code of Conduct Tribunal in Abuja on Monday.

His absence at the trial came on the heels of threat by Niger Delta militants to ground all oil infrastructures in the region over what they described as harassment of one of their own.

A group of Niger Delta militants under the Coalition of Niger Delta Agitators accused the federal government of plot to remove the CJN.

The group said the CJN was being persecuted “ becausehe was from Niger Delta and that the petition against the CJN was “plotted by the presidency to forcefully remove Onnonghen as the CJN and replace him with a Northerner.”

No chief justice of Nigeria has ever been put on trial

Onnoghen has denied all the charges against him by the CCT.

The presidency has been under stringent criticism by many who consider the trial an attack on the judiciary.

Many have also accused of harassing judicial officers since he came to power in 2015.

**Walter Onnonghen, Chief Justice of Nigeria**

Some judges have been put on trial in the last three years over corruption related issues.

The worst onslaught against the judiciary by the administration was an early morning raid by the Department of State Service, DSS on the residences of some judges in 2016 which the secret police said led to the recovery of substantial amounts in local and foreign currency.

Justice Onnonghen was on Monday represented by over 150 lawyers among them many senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, led by legal luminary, Wole Olanipekun who told the tribunal that it has no legal grounds to try the accused.

Critics warn that the appearance of the senior lawyer is a warning to the Buhari’s government that the judiciary would not allow its officers to be disgraced.

The nation’s number five citizen was dragged before the anti-graft body over allegation that he breached the law that prevented public officers in Nigeria from operating foreign accounts.

Justice Onnonghe was also accused of not declaring all his assets after becoming the CJN in 2016.

The federal government acted on the petition written against the CJN by one Dennis Aghanya of the Anti-Corruption and Research Based Data Initiative, ARDI.

Aghanya once served as President Buhari’s aide between 2009 and 2011, he was the national publicity secretary of Buhari’s defunct party, Congress for Progressive Change, CPC.

The government critic says the trial must follow due process. For instance, they claim that the nation’s extant law only allows the CJN to be tried by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

The CJN is the chairman of NJC and Justice Onnonghen said he’s innocent of the charges against him.

The National Industrial court has issued a restraining order against the federal government over the trial.

Opposition to the trial has gathered momentum following the meeting held last week by five state governors from the nation’s Niger Delta region who stringently warned the federal government to stop the trial.

Justice Onnonghen is from Cross Rivers state, one of Nigeria’s the oil producing states.

The meeting called at the instance of Bayelsa state governor Seriake Dickson was attended in Abuja by four other governors: Governors Ifeanyin Okowa of Delta, Ben Ayade of Cross Rivers, Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom and Nyeson Wike of Rivers state.

The governors are all of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP.

Among the groups that oppose the trial are the Yoruba Council of Elders, YCE, Igbo social cultural group, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Southern and Middle Belt Forum and the Social Economic Rights Project.

The groups have warned that the way the trial was being handled could plunge the country into chaos.

Meanwhile, the presidency has said that it was unaware of the CJN trial. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo disclosed this on Tuesday while reacting to the matter.

Gani Fawehinmi Honoured in Lagos

By

The Source

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January 16, 2019

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The former Nigerian Bar Association President, Barrister Austin Alegeh, SAN, Hon Justice Adewale Habeeb Abiru, Justice Court of Appeal Jos, INEC Resident Commissioner Akwa Ibom State, Barrister Mike Iginni, Barrister Femi Falana, Barrister Debo Adesina where among the dignitaries that came to honor the late Law Icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi during the 15th Annual Lecture that took place on Monday 15th January 2019 at the Macke hall, Airport hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. Lecture theme was SECURING THE INDEPENDENCE OF INEC-A PANACEA FOR FREE AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA. Following; some faces present at the event by Uche Nwosisi.

**HRM.Oba Samiudeen Kasali and HRM Oba Adekunle Adebowale**

**Prof. Akin Oyebode and Barr. Debo Adesina**

**Prof. Akin Oyebode, Barr. James Akhigbe and Barr.Bassey Ekanem**

**Barr. Austin Alegeh and Barr. Mike Iginni**

**Hon. Justice Adekunle Habeeb Abiru and prince Dele Oloke**

**Barr.Austin Alegeh (middle) being flanked by members of NBA lkeja branch**

**Barr. Bassey Ekanem and Barr. Debo Adesina**

“On January 23 We Stand”- Organised Labour

By

Oji Odu

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January 16, 2019

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By Oji Odu

It is seven days to “Armagedon,” 168 hours to the industrial strike of all strikes. Organised labour has vowed to implement its threat to shutdown the country from January 23, 2019, if the Federal Government refuses to send the proposed N30,000 minimum wage to the National Assembly for deliberations and approval. This in effect will truncate the democratic process and the 2019 general elections which are days ahead.

The body comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Trade Union Congress, TUC, and the United Labour Congress, ULC, have threatened that there is no going back to shut down the economy on January 23, if President Muhammadu Buhari fails to transmit to the National Assembly an executive bill for the enactment of N30, 000 as the new National Minimum Wage.

Labour argued that the President has no reason not to send the proposed new N30,000 minimum wage to the legislature for legislation following the tripartite process leading to the agreement by the social partners on the new national minimum wage was thorough with all participants- labour, government and employers of labour having input. Labour reminded that in the course of deliberations over the new minimum wage, it initially demanded for N56,000 as the new minimum wage, then backed down to N30,000.

Speaking, NLC President, Ayuba Wabba accused Federal Government of dilly-dallying on the issue, which he said had strained government -labour relations and warned it could trigger a major national strike which would be regrettable.

However, in abid to avert this looming threat, the Federal government agreed on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to transmit the new national minimum wage bill to the national assembly on or before January 23rd.

In his reaction, Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige assured labour leaders that the federal government will do all to implement religiously all the processes to transmit the bill within the stipulated time.

“We have a target time of January 23, 2019, and we hope that all things being equal, the executive will be able to do so. We will take on the statutory meetings of Federal Executive Council (FEC), National Economic Council (NEC), and the Council of States to enable us transmits the bill on the new national minimum wage.”

Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, has said that the extraordinary meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on National Minimum Wage had been postponed until after the National Economic Council’s (NEC) deliberation on the matter. He said that the Federal Government is waiting for the final position of the NEC on the proposed new wage regime, adding that FEC deliberation on the issue is work in progress.

NEC is the nation’s highest economic-decision-making body, chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, with the 36 state governors, Minister of Budget and National Planning, Udoma Udoma and FCT Minister, Mohammed Bello, as members.

The composition of NEC without labour which is the third interested party on the issue, according to the Magazine’s findings, has reduced the optimism by labour that the N30,000 will be adopted, thus, the threat to embark on the indefinite strike from January 23, 2019 if iotherwise. It also picked holes at the Presidents stance on the minimum wage issue.

“I want to make it clear that there is no question about whether the National Minimum Wage will be reviewed upwards. I am committed to a review of the minimum wage.

“Also, it is important to explain that even though the subject of a National Minimum Wage is in the Exclusive Legislative List, we have been meeting with the state governors because it is imperative that the Federal Government carries the State Governments along in determining any upward review of the minimum wage for workers.

“This is especially necessary considering the prevailing public sector revenue challenges, which has made it extremely difficult for some of the governors to pay workers as and when due,” the President said while inaugurating the advisory committee.

He added that the Federal Government on its part had made adequate provision for the increase in the Minimum Wage in its 2019 Budget proposal, which was submitted to the National Assembly on Dec. 19, 2018.

It is seven days to armagedon. What figure will government send to the National Assembly for deliberation- N30,000, N24,000 or what? Meanwhile, findings by the Magazine show that majority of the people are so stressed and tensed up be problems that even the learned seem to have lost track of this issue. “ They will wake up if the strike takes effect-fuel scarcity, blackout et cetera,” Kaliwo John, a Sociologist told the Magazine.