ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Emmanuel Ugboaja, the fifth General Secretary of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the first Nigerian lawyer to work full-time for a trade union, has died after a protracted illness.

NLC President Joe Ajaero announced Ugboaja’s passing by reading a letter from his family to members of the Congress National Executive Council meeting in Enugu. Details surrounding his death remained sketchy at the time of filing.

Born May 15, 1966, Ugboaja obtained a law degree from the University of Calabar in 1987 before entering the trade union movement in 1993. He served as General Secretary of NUCFRLANMPE from 2000 to 2005, participated in constitutional reform conferences under Presidents Obasanjo and Jonathan, and was appointed NLC General Secretary in August 2019 following a competitive selection process ratified at the NEC meeting in Kano.

His death leaves a significant void in Nigeria’s organised labour movement.

Vanguard

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other sister agencies, has commenced a sustained special enforcement operation against traffic light violations, driving against traffic and other road offences across Abuja.

The Mandate Secretary, FCTA Transportation Secretariat, Mr Chinedum Elechi, disclosed this on Thursday during a special joint intervention press conference in Abuja, Nigeria’s Capital.

The Secretary who said that Taskforce to that effect will start patrol and arrest perpetrators added that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

Elechi said the enforcement exercise was necessitated by increasing disregard for traffic rules by some motorists, particularly following the expansion of the FCT road network under the urban renewal programme of the administration of the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike.

He said the FCTA was particularly pleased with the collaboration with the FCT Sector Command of the FRSC and other relevant agencies, describing the initiative as a major step towards restoring sanity to the territory’s traffic management system.

“We are extremely happy to have this special collaboration with the Sector Command of the FCT. I think this is the first time that we’re having this kind of collaboration,” Elechi said.

He added that the joint efforts of the FCT Security Department, Traffic Control Department, FRSC and other agencies would make the future of traffic management in Abuja brighter.

According to him, the FCT Administration’s massive urban renewal programme, which includes the expansion of existing road networks and construction of new roads, has improved mobility and connectivity but also created new traffic management challenges.

“With some drivers taking advantage of the improved road infrastructure to disregard traffic rules and regulations,” he said.

Elechi listed the major targets of the enforcement exercise to include disregard for traffic lights and other traffic control devices, route violations and unauthorised use of restricted routes, including driving against traffic, illegal parking on major roads and at junctions, under bridges and on pedestrian crossings.

He warned motorists and commercial transport operators to obey traffic rules, use designated routes and park only in approved areas.

The Mandate Secretary said the exercise would be sustained, stressing that apprehended offenders would face appropriate sanctions under relevant national and FCT traffic regulations.

He said the enforcement would also include mandatory medical and psychological evaluation where applicable, in line with the National Road Traffic Regulations 2012 and the FCT Road Traffic Regulations.

“Offenders will have to face the full weight of the law when they involve in the dangerous exercise of driving against traffic or breaking traffic lights,” Elechi said.

He, however, stressed that the exercise was not intended to harass law-abiding motorists but to promote safer roads, smoother traffic flow and protect lives and property.

Making his remarks, the FCT Sector Commander of the FRSC, FCT Command, Corps Commander Tijjani Iliyasu, said the command was concerned about the rising cases of excessive overloading, traffic light violations, route violations, driving against traffic and indiscriminate parking.

Iliyasu said the offences contributed significantly to traffic congestion, obstructed the free movement of vehicles and endangered the lives and property of road users.

He said the situation required sustained enforcement, public enlightenment and cooperation among relevant stakeholders.

The FRSC Sector Commander disclosed that offenders apprehended for applicable offences, particularly excessive overloading, traffic light violations and route violations, including driving against traffic, would henceforth undergo prescribed medical and psychological evaluation before prosecution.

He cited Regulation 176, Sub-regulation 5 of the amended National Road Traffic Regulation 2012, which, according to him, mandates persons suspected of committing applicable offences to undergo medical and psychological evaluation at an approved government hospital before prosecution at their own expense.

Iliyasu said the measure was aimed at addressing dangerous driving behaviour and promoting responsible road use, insisting that it was not designed to intimidate or harass members of the public.

He urged motorists to obey traffic lights, road signs and markings, refrain from overloading vehicles, avoid driving against traffic and use only authorised routes.

He also advised road users to avoid indiscriminate parking and activities that obstruct traffic flow, while using designated motor parks, bus stops and approved loading and dropping points.

The FRSC commander further urged motorists to comply with directives issued by accredited traffic management and enforcement personnel and exercise patience, discipline and courtesy, particularly during peak traffic periods.

“Always remember that time saved by risking a life is not worth it,” he cautioned.

Iliyasu assured residents that the FRSC FCT Sector Command would continue to adopt a coordinated approach involving enforcement, public education, stakeholder engagement, engineering interventions and inter-agency collaboration to improve road safety and traffic management in Abuja.

“Our message is simple: obey traffic regulations, respect other road users, and make safety a personal responsibility,” he said.

The joint enforcement exercise, the officials said, is expected to continue across strategic locations in the FCT as the authorities intensify efforts to reduce traffic violations, improve vehicular movement and safeguard lives and property.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

As Nigeria steadily advances towards the 2027 Presidential Election, the political landscape is becoming increasingly defined by three dominant personalities: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC, Peter Obi of the NDC, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the ADC.

This is based on ADSC META report on the forth coming general elections signed by Sir Victor Walsh Oluwafemi, President/Chief Executive Officer.

The indicated that: “While political conversations remain highly emotional and often driven by partisan loyalties, the responsibility of policy institutions is to examine the evidence, assess the realities, and identify the factors that are most likely to shape electoral outcomes.

“Following an extensive review of governance performance, political structures, coalition dynamics, voter behaviour, economic indicators, institutional influence, and leadership capacity, ADSC META finds that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presently maintains the strongest pathway towards securing a second term in office.

“This conclusion is not founded upon political preference. It is derived from a comparative assessment of the political environment as it currently exists.

“The first and perhaps most significant advantage enjoyed by President Tinubu is the power of incumbency.

‘Across Africa and indeed much of the democratic world, incumbency remains one of the most powerful political assets available to any leader seeking re-election. Incumbent leaders enjoy visibility, access to state institutions, policy influence, extensive media attention, and a level of national presence that opposition candidates often struggle to match.

“Beyond incumbency, President Tinubu remains arguably the most experienced coalition builder in contemporary Nigerian politics.

” Long before becoming President, he established a reputation as a political strategist capable of identifying talent, building alliances, managing competing interests, and constructing durable political structures.

“The political architecture that contributed to the emergence of the APC as a governing party remains one of the most significant political achievements of the Fourth Republic.

“The APC today possesses extensive structures across the federation, including governors, legislators, local government networks, political stakeholders, traditional institutions, and strategic alliances.

“Regardless of public opinion regarding the administration’s policies, these structures provide a formidable electoral foundation.

“The report acknowledges that President Tinubu’s administration continues to face significant criticism. Inflation remains a major concern. Rising food prices continue to place pressure on households.

“The removal of fuel subsidies created substantial economic discomfort. The exchange rate reforms introduced uncertainty during their initial implementation. Many Nigerians continue to express frustration regarding the pace at which economic relief is reaching ordinary citizens.

These concerns are legitimate and should not be dismissed.

“However, elections are rarely determined solely by present hardship. They are often influenced by voter expectations regarding the future.

“The central political question confronting the Tinubu administration is whether ongoing reforms will begin to produce visible benefits before the country enters the final phase of the election cycle.

“Should inflation decline, infrastructure delivery improve, foreign investment increase, employment opportunities expand, and economic confidence strengthen, the administration may successfully transform what currently appears to be political liabilities into electoral advantages.

“Peter Obi remains one of the most compelling political figures in Nigeria’s contemporary political environment. His reputation for fiscal prudence, administrative discipline, accountability, and modest leadership style continues to resonate strongly among young voters, professionals, entrepreneurs, members of the diaspora community, and citizens seeking a different model of governance.

His greatest political asset remains credibility.

“Unlike many politicians whose support is largely dependent on traditional structures, Peter Obi has successfully cultivated a movement-driven political following.

“He has become a symbol of reform for many Nigerians who believe that governance can be more transparent, efficient, and accountable.

Yet national elections demand more than popularity.

“Nigeria’s electoral reality requires extensive organisational capacity, nationwide penetration, grassroots mobilisation, coalition management, regional acceptance, vote protection systems, and political structures capable of operating effectively in thousands of wards and polling units.

“The challenge confronting Peter Obi is not visibility. The challenge is conversion. The ability to convert public enthusiasm into a nationwide electoral machine remains one of the defining questions surrounding his candidacy.

“Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar remains one of the most experienced political figures in Nigeria. His understanding of governance, economic management, public administration, and national politics is extensive. Few contemporary politicians possess a political résumé as broad as his.

“Atiku’s greatest strengths remain experience, national reach, political relationships, and policy familiarity.

“However, repeated presidential contests have created a different challenge. A growing segment of the electorate increasingly associates his candidacy with the old political establishment at a time when younger voters are demanding generational renewal and alternative leadership models.

Perhaps the most important variable identified by ADSC META is opposition cohesion.

“If opposition forces remain divided between multiple platforms, President Tinubu’s pathway towards re-election becomes significantly clearer. A fragmented opposition disperses votes, weakens organisational efficiency, and reduces the likelihood of a unified national alternative emerging.

“Conversely, a disciplined and united opposition coalition could substantially alter the political landscape.

“The report also assessed leadership capacity from the perspective of governance experience, political management, institutional influence, and national coalition building.

“President Tinubu’s strengths are most visible in political organisation, coalition engineering, strategic negotiation, and institutional management.

“Peter Obi’s strengths are most visible in fiscal discipline, administrative efficiency, public accountability, and reform-oriented governance.

“Atiku Abubakar’s strengths are most visible in executive experience, economic policy familiarity, and national political engagement.

“Each candidate possesses significant leadership qualities. However, elections are not won solely by competence. They are won through a combination of competence, structure, alliances, timing, public sentiment, and organisational strength.

“Based on the evidence available today, ADSC META concludes that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains the candidate with the clearest institutional pathway to victory in 2027.

“This assessment should not be interpreted as a declaration of inevitability. Elections remain dynamic. Economic conditions can change. Political alliances can shift.

“New coalitions can emerge. Public opinion can evolve rapidly. Political history repeatedly demonstrates that electoral outcomes are rarely determined years before voting begins.

“Nevertheless, when measured against the realities of incumbency, party structure, coalition capacity, political organisation, institutional reach, and electoral preparedness, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu currently occupies the strongest strategic position among the leading contenders.

“The road to 2027 remains open. The opposition still possesses opportunities to redefine the contest. Yet as matters stand today, the incumbent remains the candidate to beat.