Court Orders Saraki To Pay Omo-Agege’s Entitlement

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October 11, 2018

The Federal High Court on Thursday warned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, over the imprisonment proceedings initiated against him by the Delta-Central senator, Ovie Omo-Agege.

Omo-Agege had initiated the committal proceedings praying that Saraki be sent to prison as punishment for flouting the May 10 judgment of the court which ordered him (Omo-Agege) to be reinstated from illegal suspension and be paid all his accrued benefits for the period of the voided suspension.

The hearing of the committal proceedings was scheduled for Thursday, but the alleged contemnor and his lawyers were absent from court.

Ruling on a request by Omo-Agege’s lawyer, Dr. Alex Izinyon (SAN), to have the committal application heard despite the absence of the defence, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba said he was more inclined to giving the Senate President another chance to “remedy the alleged wrong” or appear in court to defend himself.

Justice Dimgba noted that the application was truly “ripe for hearing,” as argued by Izinyon, as the court’s records showed that Saraki had been served with the motion on notice and hearing notice for the Thursday’s proceedings via a newspaper publication of September 25, 2018 as earlier ordered by the court.

The judge, however, said he would give Saraki another chance to remedy the alleged wrong or appear in court to defend himself.

He also directed Izinyon to write the Senate President and the legal department of the Senate, informing them of the adjournment of the proceedings till October 18.

2019 Polls: Femi Adeshina Talks Tough

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 11, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

Shortly after the meeting between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential candidate for the 2019 presidential poll, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, on Thursday gave an indication that President Muhammadu Buhari will win the 2019 presidential election notwithstanding any gang up against him.

The former Editor of Sun Newspaper, is optimistic that any gang up against his principal will surely hit the rock, as president Buhari will retain the seat of power come 2019.

Adesina made his position known in a message posted on his Twitter handle, @FemAdesina.

He gave an indication that the harder the gang up against the President, the harder the fall.

“The harder they come, the harder they fall. 2019 presidential election on my mind,” the presidential spokesman wrote.

Although Adesina was not specific on the issue he was reacting to, his comment came shortly after news broke that former President Olusegun Obasanjo has endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Obasanjo had made his position known shortly after meeting Atiku and some eminent Nigerians behind closed-doors.

Recall that the former President had scored Buhari low on governance and called on him not to seek re-election.

Buhari, however, rejected the call, sought and got the nod of the ruling All Progressives Congress for a second term in office.

He was on Saturday affirmed as the candidate of the party at its national convention held in Abuja.

Ekiti State House Of Assembly Speaker Impeached

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 11, 2018

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The Ekiti State House of Assembly on Thursday removed the Speaker, Kola Oluwawole; and his deputy, Sina Animasaun.

Their removal was spearheaded by the three All Progressives Congress lawmakers in the Assembly, alongside some aggrieved Peoples Democratic Party members.

The removal came five days to the end of the tenure of Governor Ayodele Fayose on October 15.

The Assembly also reinstated the former Deputy Speaker, Segun Adewumi, who was recently removed by the lawmakers.

A member of the APC, Gboyega Aribisogan, was elected the new Leader of Business.

The session suspended the two impeached principal officers and 10 others loyal to Fayose for 125 legislative days.

The 10 members suspended alongside the two principal officers are the spokesperson of the Assembly, Dr. Samuel Omotoso; Wale Onigiobi, Wale Ayeni, Dare Pelemọ, Jeje Samuel, Dayo Akinleye, Ayodele Fajemilehin, Temitope Fasanmi, Tunji Akinyele and Sanya Aladeyelu.

2019 Polls: Atiku Gets Obasanjo’s Backing, As APC Develops Cold Feet

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Akinwale Kasali

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October 11, 2018

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By Akinwale Kasali

During the 2015 presidential electioneering campaign, the battle for Aso Rock seat was between incumbent president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and President Muhammadu Buhari. Buhari had the blessings of former president Olusegun Obasanjo who many described as the ‘kingmaker’ in Nigeria politics.

Three and half year down the line, the once celebrated and eulogised Buhari by Obasanjo has now become a ‘filthy rag’ in the face of Obasanjo, no thanks to his administration’s policy, which Obasanjo says lack focus on economy development.

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president to Obasanjo during his reign as the democratic elected president of nigeria from 1999-2007, has now gotten the backing of his boss, who has over the years described him as corrupt, dishonest and desperate man.

Earlier today, Atiku visited his former boss at his home in Abeokuta, Ogun State, to pay homage and also to beg for forgiveness from his boss.

The meeting held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Complex.

Also at the meeting were the Bishop of the Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), David Oyedepo; Islamic cleric, Ahmed Gumi; and the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah.

Obasanjo said that, based on what transpired at the meeting, he believed that Atiku now has “a contrite heart” and has shown remorse.

Obasanjo says he has forgiven his former vice-president, Atiku Abubakar, wholeheartedly, describing him as “president-to-be.”

Obasanjo said this while addressing journalists after the closed-door meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party presidential candidate.

Obasanjo said of Atiku: “From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.”

“Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on a daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you,” Obasanjo added.

The ex-president noted that among all the presidential aspirants in the PDP, Atiku has the widest and greatest exposure, adding that he (Atiku) understands the economy better than the incumbent president.

The former president also noted that the PDP presidential candidate was not rigid, but is rather “more accessible,” with links almost across the country.

“For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly, the best machinery and preparation, for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through.

“From what I personally know of you, you have the capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

“You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate into better management of foreign affairs.

“You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways.

“As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, ‘You are a wazobia man.’ And that should help you in confronting the ‘confrontable’ and shunning nepotism.”

Speaking earlier, Atiku described today as “The happiest day of my life. “

Remarks By Chief Olusegun Obasanjo On The Visit of PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to Abeokuta on October 11, 2018

I am happy to welcome the distinguished leaders of goodwill who have led the PDP Presidential Candidate and my former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar, to my humble abode and I welcome the Presidential Candidate himself.

Let me start by congratulating President-to-be, Atiku Abubakar, for his success at the recent PDP Primary and I took note of his gracious remarks in his acceptance speech that it all started here.

Yes, when it started, it was meant for Atiku to succeed Obasanjo. In the presence of these distinguished leaders of goodwill today, let me say it openly that we have reviewed what went wrong on the side of Atiku. And in all honesty, my former Vice-President has re-discovered and re-positioned himself. As I have repeatedly said, it is not so much what you did against me that was the issue but what you did against the Party, the Government and the country.

I took the stand I had taken based on the character and attributes you exhibited in the position you found yourself. I strongly believe that I was right. It was in the overall interest of everyone and everything to take such a position.

From what transpired in the last couple of hours or so, you have shown remorse; you have asked for forgiveness and you have indicated that you have learnt some good lessons and you will mend fences and make amends as necessary and as desirable.

Whenever or wherever you might have offended me, as a Christian who asks for God’s forgiveness of my sins and inadequacies on daily basis, I forgive and I sincerely advise you to learn from the past and do what is right and it will be well with you. Obviously, you have mended fences with the Party and fully reconciled with the Party. That’s why today, you are the Presidential Candidate of the Party. In addition to appreciating all that the Party has done for you, may I advise you to work together with all those who contested for the Party’s flag with you as a team for your campaign.

There are still areas, nationally and internationally, where you have to mend fences and make amends.

You will know how to handle what is already out and what may yet be put out by the opposition. But, I am convinced that if you continue with the attitude that brought you here with these distinguished leaders of goodwill, with remorse and contrite heart, the rest of the coast within and outside the country can be cleared. And if there is anything I can do and you want me to do in that respect, I will do.

I am sure with the right attitude for change where necessary, and by putting lessons learned by you to work, you will get the understanding, cooperation, support and mandate – all at the national level. With Nigerians voting for you, it will mean that you secure their forgiveness and regain their confidence. It will be with the hope or assurance of a Paul on the road to Damascus Conversion. After all, change and conversion are of man. I believe that with a contrite heart, change is possible in everybody’s life and situation.

For me, relatively and of all the aspirants in the PDP, you have the widest and greatest exposure, experience, outreach and possibly the best machinery and preparation for seeing the tough and likely dirty campaign ahead through. From what I personally know of you, you have capacity to perform better than the incumbent. You surely understand the economy better; you have business experience, which can make your administration business-friendly and boost the economy and provide jobs.

You have better outreach nationally and internationally and that can translate to better management of foreign affairs. You are more accessible and less inflexible and more open to all parts of the country in many ways. As Pastor Bakare, one-time running mate of the incumbent President said, “You are a wazobia man.” And that should help you in confronting the confrontable and shunning nepotism.

As you know, along the road to where you are today, many leaders and ordinary people cooperated and overtly and covertly worked hard. On your behalf, I thank them all. May their coast continue to be expanded. And when you become Nigerian President which, insha-Allah, you will be, remember what we did together in government – we ran an administration by Nigerians for all Nigerians where merit and performance count more than blood relationship, friendship or kith and kin. Although some time and ground have been lost, you should endeavour to start from where we stopped and recover some lost ground, if not time.

Please uphold truth, integrity, principles, morality and fight corruption, crimes and insurgency. The fundamental law of the land, our constitution must be scrupulously defended. I make one demand and one demand on you today, I need you to say before God and man that you will always remain irrevocably committed to upholding ALL the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the whole country will remain your single indivisible constituency.

Constitutionalism, popular participation and inclusiveness are pre-conditions for reversing the deficits of the past three and half years. They will ensure abiding faith in our indivisibility, oneness and faith in the survival of all against none.

The fundamentals for our development, economic growth and progress are hard and soft infrastructure. Remember to always give adequate places in your administration to our youth and women.
All the authorities involved with the preparation, all processes and conduct of the election must ensure that the election is free, fair and credible.

Once again, congratulations and I wish you well. My distinguished brothers and leaders of goodwill, thank you for making this happen. I will now count on you to encourage all hands to be on the deck to take Nigeria to the level God has created it to be – autopilot level.

God bless you all and God bless Nigeria.

With this development, the APC campaign are jittery and have started developing cold feet, following the backing of top politicians and religious leaders that has embraced Atiku’s decision and are bent on seeing the dream of him becoming president come to fulfilment.

It would be recalled that the influence and support Obasanjo gave to the APC led to their emergence of being at the center of affairs of the nation. His warm embrace of Atiku is however a signal that the APC camp needs to restrategize and do its homework well to surmount Atiku as the 2019 election draws closer.

MMA2 on Lock-down By Aviation Unions

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Uche Mbah

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October 11, 2018

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By Uche Mbah

For the second day running, the Murtala Muhammed 2, or MMA2 terminal of the Lagos Airport has been under lockdown due to the picketing being effected by labor unions in the industry. The picketing was advised by the backlog of salaries owed staff and general conditions of service as well the sacking of twenty Aviation staff.

This expectedly has caused untold hardship to travelers, who are being forced to relocate to the General Aviation Terminal, GAT, run by the Federal Airports Authority, FAAN. MMA2 is being managed by concessionaires.

Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) worked under their umbrella body to effect barricades of the roads in front of MM2, causing so much discomfort to even commuters that routinely pass the area. Domestic Air Activities have been crippled as passenger travels were disrupted. Aerocontractors, Dana Air, MaxAir and other airlines who operate from MM2 were affected. Banks and other auxiliary services were affected including eateries and gift shops. Most Airlines have moved to GAT to be able to satisfy their customers, but Aero shuttles between GAT and MM2. Pressures are on GAT, as they have to struggle to cope with increased traffic.

Bicourtney Air Services Ltd, the concessionaire of the terminal, has rushed to court to get a court injunction to restrain the unions from embarking on industrial action.

The bone of contention appears to be the 20 sacked workers of Bicourtney that they have refused to reinstate. Discussions were said not to be making headway before the current picketing. Earlier, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, tried to intervene but had to withdraw at a stage in the negotiations.

Meanwhile, local Airlines have been counting their losses, and passengers have to come early for boarding to avoid the chaos of rush at the GAT.

Fidelity Bank: Okonkwo, The Maverick CEO

By

Bayo Bernard

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October 11, 2018

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By Bayo Bernard

Nnamdi Okonkwo the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc is not a politician, but the suave speaking banker understands money politics unlike his contemporaries in the financial and banking sector who have apparently failed to school themselves in this very rare discipline.

There’s this story of a south east governor, who at a point lost favour with his godfather. Because of his closeness to Okonkwo, this notable politician had expected the Fidelity Bank boss to join him in his atrocious battle against his estrange political son. He was wrong.

A close associate of Okonkwo, told the magazine recently that “his response was very swift, ‘I’m not a politician as long as the guy continues to do business with my bank, there’s no reason for me not to support him.”

As a quintessential banker Okonkwo understands the need to separate business from personalities, it’s therefore, no gainsaying the fact that this philosophy has helped him to stand tall among Africa’s banking icons.

The Anambra born technocrat has trumped the records of his predecessors in Fidelity Bank within just four years in office. Very friendly and urbane, he has become the poster boy of Nigerian Bankers across the globe. Those who have had a rare opportunity with him will attest to the fact that his mien is infectious.

It’s not surprising how he translated these traits to a midas touch to transform the once troubled bank to one of the leading banks in Nigeria within a short time.

Since 1988, when the bank started doing business in the country, it has achieved milestones, but not in the same mold of the successes of the last four years that Okonkwo superintended its affairs.

But Okonkwo has remained humble in the face of apparent achievement and success. He would rather take the blame for subordinates’ failings’, than allow himself to wallow in the luxury of Fidelity Bank’s success story.

When we took over,”we were sure that if we remained focused on the implementation of these initiatives, we would achieve success. Four years down the line, we like the results we have achieved even though we also realize that we are not yet where we intend to go ultimately,” Okonkwo said.

Fidelity Bank staff perseverance and dedicated duty, he often said, made the bank what it’s.

That’s not to say that the journey to the top, is for the astute banker an easy one, though the path of success has already been paved for him the very first day he made up his mind to be a banker.

Armed with an MBA in Banking and finance from Enugu State University of Science and technology, Okonkwo has already set himself up for success in the nation’s financial sector.

But sitting atop Fidelity Bank, one of the most capitalized banks in Nigeria is his biggest achievements so far. Suffice to say that nothing will be said about the bank, now, in the future, without Okonkwo occupying a prestigious part of it.

Since he became managing director on January 2, 2014 he has ensured that the bank “keep our word’ as a customer friendly, safe and strong bank, despite the economic recession that the country experienced barely one year he attained the headship of the bank.

No doubt, others would have capitulated, faced with difficult choices, but he surged on with his mind set on making Fidelity Bank one of the valued and most respected bank in Nigeria.

Okonkwo can, indeed, look back now satisfied that he dared where others dodged.

Under his very watch, the staff has become more- customer friendly, unlike in those days when Fidelity Bank employees were notorious for tardiness and rude to customers. The behavioral change among staff has paid off after all.

Barely two years as managing director Fidelity Bank was rated as one of the Top 4 banks in the retail segment by KPMG BICSS. Why not? That year, the bank’s H1 Profit Soar By 66% To N10.2bn. Last year the bank’s Profit After Tax (PAT) surged by 93.7% to N18.9 billion.

In its rating commentary in February, Fitch, an international rating firm, affirmed Fidelity Bank PLC’s Long-Term Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at ‘B-‘. The Outlook is Stable. The bank’s Viability Rating (VR) has been affirmed at ‘b-‘and Support Rating at ‘5’.

Who would not want to do business with a prosperous bank? While other banks in the country are losing customers, same cannot be said of Fidelity Bank. In the last three years, savings deposit has grown by 91 percent to N170 billion, signposting a more robust customer base for the bank.

The Okonkwo led management has set machinery in motion to expand the bank’s customer base by 300 percent by the end of the year.

Fidelity Bank Plc is currently the leading tier 2 Nigerian bank. That’s however not the story. The bottom line is that the bank has rolled out plans to become Tier 1 bank in the next two years. What this means is that the bank will become stronger in capitalization and asset strength. So, the fear of collapse has disappear, Fidelity Bank has become one of the very few banks in Nigeria, that when customers keep their hard earned money, no need worrying of high blood pressure.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Joining the elite Tier 1 banks, also known as FUGAZ is a task that must be achieved, no less, Okomwko had told his staff recently. There are only five banks in this category in Nigeria: First Bank, United Bank for Africa, Guarantee Trust Bank, Access Bank, and Zenith Bank.

Meanwhile, riding on top of one of the most prestigious banks in Nigeria had now always been one of bread and butter, better put, bed of roses for this amiable husband and father.

There were times he was tested like the thespian gold that needed to go through fire, to ascertain his integrity as honest and astute banker. Not necessarily over personal decisions he took to advance the cause of Fidelity Bank, but those of subordinates, honestly made though, nevertheless attracted public scrutiny.

Indeed, those difficult times must have challenged his faith as a honest public servant, but he seemed comforted by the fact that the same public later discharged him of the guilt.

2019: Atiku in Make or Mar Meeting With Obasanjo

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Uche Mbah

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October 11, 2018

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By Uche Mbah

The running battle between the PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo is expected to be resolved soon since the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, are said to have waded into the matter with a view to settling the issue. Since the emergence of Atiku as the Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Obasanjo has not officially congratulated him. Several versions of his endorsement have been flying about on the Social media, but none bore a true imprimatur of his endorsement.

Atiku, during his acceptance speech, has noted that without Obasanjo, his former boss, he would not have been a candidate in the first place. This was seen by pundits as a face-mending statement to cushion the effect of the victory on the man who has publicly vowed to stop him from becoming president. Sources say that Afenifere has had a marathon meeting with Obasanjo in an attempt to convince him to forgive and forget whatever animosity he has against Atiku.

In the wake of the consultations of Atiku with Yoruba elders, he was said to have got the Afenifere endorsement. The first indirect endorsement came from former President Jonathan, who advised him to go and beg Obasanjo, “the boss of all bosses.”” You ignore him at your peril”, Jonathan had admonished. Obasanjo is the oldest and most senior in military ranking among the five kingmakers comprising retired Generals, generally called the five musketeers. They are Olusegun Obasanjo, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalam Abubakar, Theophilus Danjuma and Garba Wushishi.

Atiku had gone to Obasanjo but it was said that meeting did not yield the desired result.

When Obasanjo started his own face mending tour of Yorubaland, he met with Yoruba leaders of thought. He also used the opportunity to reconcile with the PDP strongman, Bode George, whom he had not seen since George’s Son died sometime ago. During the meeting, Afenifere was said to have asked him what crime that Obasanjo committed that does not deserve his forgiveness, but Obasanjo was not able to give a convincing answer. But his vitriolic attacks on Atiku softened since then.

Sources in the know believe that the last minute decision by the Musketeers to back Atiku may not have been supported by Obasanjo, but he was overruled because the tally was said to be four against one. The same thing happened in 2014, where four endorsed Buhari but Ibrahim Babangida was said to have voted against it. Obasanjo is said to have been prepared to destabilize the Atiku Campaign by supporting a third force that will divide the votes of PDP, but he appeared to be between the Devil and deep blue sea. He is insistent that Buhari must go, but does not want an Atiku replacement.

Atiku’s only crime appears to have been fighting his so-called third term agenda to a standstill. But some insist he is piqued by the humiliation of begging Atiku to allow him a second term.

Nigerians are waiting for the outcome of the meeting.

2019: Imo APC, APGA in Trouble as Chieftains Work For Ihedioha

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The Source

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October 10, 2018

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By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

A benevolent spirit may have cracked Emeka Ihedioha’s palm kernel for him as far as next year’s Imo state governorship election is concerned. It has emerged that the immediate past Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate for the election is the major beneficiary of the rumpus in the All Progressives Congress, APC and All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA. Imo state chapters of both parties are mired in debilitating internal crisis arising from disputed governorship primaries. Credible sources close to the Imo PDP hinted that Ihedioha has been receiving overtures from several APC and APGA chieftains dismayed by the turn of event in their parties. They are said to have pledged to work for the former House of Reps.Deputy Speaker to ensure his victory at the polls.

Multiple sources close to the crisis ridden APC and APGA told The source that a high wired gang up against Uche Nwosu, Governor Rocha’s Okorocha’s inlaw whose name a faction of the APC led by the governor has been forwarded to the national secretariat of the party as its Imo state guber candidate, and Ararume who dramatically berthed in APGA after losing out to Okorocha in the battle for the control of Imo APC, is in the offing. An APC source said: “Many in Imo APC will rather work for the party’s down fall than allow Okorocha obtain unmerited third term in office by proxy. Nwosu is Okorocha’s alter-ego and we won’t allow Imo to be used to experiment oligarchy. If the national leadership of our party decides to turn deaf ears to the cries and complains of Imo people by insisting on Okorocha’s son-in-law, we will turn our backs on the APC and back Ihedioha instead, he is a lesser evil”

The anger in Imo APGA boiled over early this week when some officers in the state chapter of the party openly accused the National Chairman, Victor Oye of selling the party’s ticket to the highest bidder. Before the controversial emergence of Ararume as the guber flag bearer, some party chieftains in the state had complained that Imo APGA was about to be sold to the highest bidder but had vowed to resist the move. They had told the Magazine: “APGA in Imo is about to be sold to people who will in turn sell our dear party to the APC. APGA national leaders have compromised; they have handed our party to outsiders but we will resist it”

Two weeks ago, Ararume donated #10 million to the Imo state chapter of APGA for the printing of more membership cards and another #12.6million said to be for sundry expenses for the party’s primary elections leaving observers to query the real motive behind the donations by an aspirant competing for the party’s gubernatorial ticket with others aspirants in a primary election.

While the national leadership of APGA has imposed Ararume , as the governorship candidate of the party, the APC is parading two candidates, each emerging from parallel governorship primaries. An APC guber primary conducted last Tuesday by Ahmed Gulak, a onetime Political Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, produced Senator Hope Uzodinma as winner. However, no sooner had the result of the exercise been announced than Okorocha’s faction cried blue murder leading to another primary four days later which threw up Nwosu as candidate. Uzodinma, a veteran of election related court cases in which he always come out victorious, has since taken the APC national leadership to court. He is asking the court to compel APC to forward his name, and not that of Nwosu, to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the authentic Imo guber flag bearer of the party.

Government Okays the ‘Oshiomhole’ Minimum Wage

By

Oji Odu

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October 10, 2018

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By Oji Odu

The high hopes of the Nigerian worker which was recently raised by the Federal Government that he will soon smile by the increase in the minimum wage has been dashed. He is so confused about his fate as government stated that it cannot pay more than N25,000 per month as the new minimum wage, an increase of seven thousand naira from the current N18,000.

The N25,000 stance by Federal Government also shocked other members of the Tripartite Committee on minimum wage as their meeting ran into a stalemate. The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Organised Private Sector (OPS) had already agreed on a N30,000 minimum wage per month.

The Magazine learnt that trouble started when the tripartite committee resumed sitting last Thursday and the Federal Government shocked other social partners with its presentation of N21,700 as the new minimum wage.

However, disappointed with the Federal Government’s figure and sensing its unwillingness to increase the wages of workers in the midst of crushing economic hardship, both the NLC and OPS reached an accord, increasing earlier figure of N25,000 to N40,000.

The Organised Labour had recently embarked on an industrial action over the Federal Government’s failure to present its figure at previous meeting. The suspension of the strike was sequel to government’s reconvening of the committee for last Thursday, October 4 and Friday October 5, respectively.

Why can’t government pay the proposed N30,000 monthly minimum wage? Why should both the NLC and OPS rather increase their figure to N40,000 from their earlier N30,000. If finally approved, will it be implemented,when will the implementation be?

At N30,000 at an average of 30 day monthly, it means that the Nigerian worker will have a paltry one thousand naira to survive-pay house rent, electricity bill of not less than seven thousand naira every month due to the crazy billing, pay school fees, feed his family of about five, cater for his extended family, pay neighbourhood security fee of N500 monthly, transport himself to and fro work daily et cetera.

However, at governments N25,000 monthly minimum wage, the same worker has about N834 daily to try and settle these costs. In the words of Peter Adetunde, a Civil Servant, “ this minimum wage is the same as maximum trouble. Whether N18,000, N25,000, N30,000 or N40,000, it is still serious wahala for the Nigerian worker based on the strangling economic situation. The truth still remains that the Nigerian workers worst day is his pay day.”

Adams Oshiomhole, former Edo State Governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, believes that the salary upward review is in order, regretting why some states cannot pay the N18,000. “As governor of Edo, I increased the minimum wage from N18,000 to N25,000 a month for the least paid worker”, and I did that to dismiss and to close the debate whether a higher minimum wage is desirable.

“Rather than going to be giving a lecture on why a higher minimum wage is inevitable, I thought it is better to use my executive power to increase the minimum wage and to pay it.

“Not only did I pay it for as long as I was governor, my successor has continued to pay it.

“And Edo has continued to deliver on infrastructure and on its mandate to the admiration of its residents,’’ the former governor said.

In a chat with Christopher Akpan, a labour expert, while expressing regrets why a strike action must be embarked by organised labour before government could dialogue with them for new minimum wage, he fears that a greater strike may have to be embarked by labour to make government and other employers pay the new minimum wage.

“ Based on what could be termed a general consensus, the state governors do not want to pay the new wage. When they were given monies to bail most of them that are owing arrears of salaries, some running into years to pay their workers, they are alleged to have used them to prepare for the 2019 elections.

“ I fear that labour will have to embark on a greater strike for these governors to pay the new wage. This in turn will to an extent also be dependent on the reshuffling of the sharing formula between the three tier governments,” he said.

For Unyio Tekena: “ This minimum wage amounts to perpetual enslavement of the Nigerian worker. What can N25,000, N30,000, N40,000 or even N85,000 do for the Nigerian worker who has been raped and sapped by these selfish and anti-masses leaders? What we need is Living Wage not Minimum Wage because minimum wage exposes the Nigerian worker to maximum hell here on earth.”

A Port Harcourt High Court Jails Shell MD, Shell Appeals

By

Uche Mbah

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October 10, 2018

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By Uche Mbah

A Port Harcourt High Court presided over by Justice George Omeriji has sentenced Shell MD, Osagie Osunbor, Head, Legal, Nike Oyinola; and Deputy Country head, Legal and Managing Counsel, Litigation, Keibe Atemie, to three months imprisonment with hard labour. He has directed law enforcement agents to arrest them and send them to prison for contempt of court.

But Shell Petroleum Development Company, (SPDC), immediately challenged the order while insisting that they have tremendous respect for the Nigerian legal system. As far as they are concerned, there is no disobedient of any lawful court in any part of Nigeria.

“We do not accept that SPDC has disobeyed any lawful court order and we have accordingly appealed this judgement,” Bamidele Odugbesan, the company’s spokesperson, said on behalf of the accused persons. “SPDC has utmost respect for the courts and the laws of Nigeria.”

Trouble had started when some Bonny indigenes of Rivers State prayed the court to commit the SPDC officers to prison. They cited the disobedience a High Court Order ten years ago, when the Bonny elders requested that Shell should forfeit a landed property where they built one of Nigeria’s biggest oil terminals, Bonny Oil Terminal. It was on the strength of that plea that Justice Omeriji pronounced his sentence.

The Federal Government owns 55% of that Oil Terminal, which is fed from multinationals and local companies through Trans Niger Pipeline and Nembe Creek Trunk line.

“We have appealed against the order and applied to suspend its execution pending the outcome of the appeal,” Odugbesan said.

According to him, SPDC and the landlord families has settled the case between them in 2014.

“An amicable resolution and settlement agreement was signed by the parties in 2014 after which SPDC paid all the rents due on the land up to 2019,” he said, adding that a paid public notice by the landlord families in the October 24, 2014 edition of the Guardian newspaper acknowledges the settlement with SPDC.