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NLC PROTEST: We share in your plights- Delta Govt
Delta State Government, Tuesday, assured protesting members of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in the state that it will look at the challenges confronting them with a view to communicating same to the Federal Government.
The Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu gave the assurance while addressing the protesters who were at the entrance of Government House, Asaba, for a peaceful protest against hardship in the country.
Dr. Emu who applauded the workers for the peaceful protest, implored them not to allow hoodlums to hijack it, adding that their request would be presented to the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for onward presentation to the Federal Government.
He said: “I want to thank the Nigerian workers for your considerations and kind talks today. Your Governor sends his greetings.
“Your leadership has made a good case for you. The issue is not just affecting you but also our brothers and sisters. So, we are concerned Nigerians; whether you are working or not.
“Governor Oborevwori is a caring governor and we shall take all of these you have said to him. Before he ascended power, he told you he was going to take care of a lot of bills.
“First, is the pension and I am sure you know that that pension has been aggressively addressed. The second is the issue of your promotion arrears; you also know that it has been taken care of.
“He rescheduled your work days to suit your wallets and we consistently kept to that. He said he was going to give out some stipends for some months and he has done that. He is somebody who cares for you and I am sure you appreciate him.
“When he made those commitments, Nigeria has not gotten to a cross road, we didn’t have this kind of economic hardship. He feels your pains because he is in tune with the streets and understands the market and he is connected to his people”.
He disclosed that Labour case vis-a-vis the hardship in the country, was a pandemic, adding that everybody feels that pain, saying “no matter how the organs of the federal government tries to disguise the matter.”
“Your plights, worries and conditions will be taken back to the governor. We are all angry. You are not the only one angry. As citizens of Delta State, we are angry because while we protect our state, we are still vulnerable to external migration of people who don’t live in the state.”
He, therefore, called on the federal government to listen to the cry of labour, adding that there are too many cities where the Federal government should have sent out CNG buses; even as he noted that that was part of the promises made to the Nigerian workers by the federal government.
Earlier, the First Vice Chairman of Delta State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ziko Okwudi said that they were in Government House to register their protest against the present economic hardship in the country.
Comrade Okwudi noted that the wage award promised workers by the federal government has not been honoured, stressing that despite all the agreements reached with federal government as it affects the interest and welfare of Nigerian workers, the federal government has been very inactive and insensitive to the plights of the Nigerian people.
“We have come today, because we know that by the grace of God, when this new Government came to power, over time, we have began to understand that the man at the helms of affairs in Delta State, ordinarily is not supposed to be a politician by his conduct and his attitude but destiny has given him the opportunity to lead Delta State.
“So, by so doing we have called him a politician and because he is a politician today, we know his disposition towards the plight of the people. He is a man that is very blunt when it comes to speaking the truth.
“All the federal government has promised the Nigerian workers, we are yet to see any that has materialised”, the NLC first Vice Chairman stated.
Nigerians, according to him, are being controlled by hunger, pointing out “when a man is hungry, he is angry and an angry man is insane and at that point of insanity, anything we do will be termed as hungry and we will not be held responsible”.
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness, has condemned the manner in which Martins Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan was arrested and maltreated by the EFCC.
In a statement issued and signed on Monday by its Director General, Dr
Nwambu Gabriel noted that:
“We are compelled to issue this press statement in response to the distressing reports surrounding the recent arrest of human rights activist Martins Ortse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan (VDM), by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The manner in which VDM was apprehended and treated is not only unacceptable but reflects a disturbing trend of impunity and abuse of power that undermines the human rights of Nigerian citizens.
VDM’s arrest, reportedly executed in a manner reminiscent of a military-style operation, stands as a stark violation of his basic human rights. Accounts of his treatment—being blindfolded, subjected to physical assault, and detained without adherence to lawful arrest procedures—are deeply troubling and invoke the principles enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights laws. These actions are not merely procedural errors; they represent a fundamental disregard for the rule of law and human dignity.
*Key Concerns:*
1. *Violations of Human Rights*: The treatment meted out to VDM—torture, humiliation, and unlawful detention—contradicts fundamental rights guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the right to dignity, liberty, and fair hearing. Such actions are incompatible with both the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (2015) and international legal standards.
2. *Lack of Justification for Arrest*: The EFCC has failed to provide any legal justification for the reported actions against VDM. It is essential to remember that no individual is to be punished without due process. If the EFCC has evidence of wrongdoing, they must adhere to legal protocols and ensure that VDM is charged in a court of law, affording him the opportunity for defense.
3. *Repercussions on Nigeria’s Global Image*: The actions of the EFCC in this case potentially disgrace Nigeria on an international level. Such behavior can undermine the country’s reputation and portray it as a place where dissent is met with repression rather than dialogue. The importance of upholding human rights cannot be overstated in preserving Nigeria’s standing in the community of nations.
In light of these grave concerns, we call upon the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to take immediate action by:
1. *Releasing Martins Ortse (VeryDarkMan) forthwith* if there are no formal charges against him.
2. If charges exist, the EFCC must promptly charge him in a competent court, ensuring that all legal rights are upheld and that he receives just treatment in accordance with the law.
3. Ceasing all forms of intimidation and harassment against individuals who engage in constructive criticism or activism, as this undermines the democratic values that Nigeria purports to uphold.
The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness stands firmly against any form of dehumanization and violence perpetrated against citizens, particularly those exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly. We urge the EFCC to rectify the current situation, display accountability, and restore faith in the institutions meant to serve the Nigerian people.
Sincerely,
Nwambu Gabriel, Ph.D.,
Director General
Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria is taking a frontline role in the push to expand electricity access across Africa, to help power about 300 million people on the continent by 2030.
The Speaker disclosed this while delivering the keynote address at the First Legislative Conference and Expo on Renewable Energy, organised by the House Committee on Renewable Energy, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) held in Lagos on Monday.
The conference brought together lawmakers, industry stakeholders, and development partners to explore renewable energy solutions and legislative frameworks for boosting access and affordability.
Abbas praised President Bola Tinubu’s approval of a $1 billion funding package for Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency in December 2024, and described it as a major boost for energy inclusion.
According to him, Nigeria’s participation in the Mission 300 initiative, a joint effort with the World Bank and African Development Bank demonstrates the country’s growing commitment to clean, sustainable energy for underserved communities.
He said: “This initiative speaks to Nigeria’s readiness to lead by example on the continent. It is about more than power, it is about development, opportunity, and progress.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A Federal High Court in Port Harcourt has dismissed a case brought by lawmakers loyal to Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, challenging the positions of 27 State House of Assembly members that defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The ruling was delivered by Justice Emmanuel Obile, who explained that the lawmakers, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, remain valid members of the House.
This follows an earlier Supreme Court decision in February that had also refused Governor Fubara’s push to remove the defected lawmakers.
Governor Fubara’s legal team, headed by Yusuf Ali, had already withdrawn the appeal at the Supreme Court, stating that new developments had overtaken the matter.
The Rivers Assembly, represented by Wole Olanipekun, did not oppose this withdrawal.
The case at the Federal High Court was filed by three pro-Fubara lawmakers — Victor Oko-Jumbo, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and Sokari Goodboy Sokari — who asked the court to declare the seats of the 27 lawmakers vacant since they left the PDP, the party under which they were elected.
But the court ruled that their defection did not break any constitutional rule that would force them out of office.
“This court cannot close its eyes to the binding precedent of the Supreme Court, which in February recognised the leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly under Speaker Martins Amaewhule. That decision, being from the apex court, is final and conclusive,” Justice Obile ruled.
Speaker Martins Amaewhule reacted positively to the judgment, saying it confirmed their right to stay in the Assembly.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara’s supporters were disappointed by the decision.
This ruling marks another chapter in the political struggle between Governor Fubara and the pro-Wike faction of the Assembly, a conflict that has been ongoing since the December 2023 defections.
For now, the pro-Wike lawmakers have secured some breathing room, even as tensions continue between both camps.
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