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Just in: Organised labour to go ahead with strike as meeting with NASS Leadership, FG ends in deadlock
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Desperate moves made by the Federal Government and leadership of the National Assembly to stop the planned indefinite nationwide strike by the organized labour failed on Sunday night after four hours of heated deliberation
Briefing newsmen after the executive session which lasted for more than four hours the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio said tremendous appeal was made to the Labour leaders to call off the strike as the National Assembly steps into the matter directly with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He told newsmen that after about four hours deliberation with leadership of the Organized Labour , they resolved that the Federal Government should re introduced the wage Award of N35, 000 given to all categories of federal workers from October last year to February this year , pending the time the issue of minimum wage is resolved .
They appealed to the organized labour to shelve the strike action because of the consequences and collateral damage involved .
Senator said the nation cannot at this time allow hospitals to be shut down to save the lives of those on emergencies or aided by oxygen to breathe .
” We are very much aware of all the steps taken by the Federal Government and Labour to agree on acceptable minimum wage and very much ready to join in the negotiation by reaching out to President Bola Tinubu.
” We believe that leadership of the organized labour after leaving here , will reach out to their entire membership to call of the strike in the interest of all Nigerians ” , he said
The Speaker of the House of Representatives , Hon Tajudeen Abbas in his own remarks said ” the take home from the meeting were that the federal government would be prevailed upon to re – introduce the N35, 000 wage award pending the time agreement on minimum wage is reached between it and the labour unions .
” That leadership of both the Nigeria Labour Congress ( NLC) and Trade Union Congress ( TUC ) , should go and consult with their members on the need to quickly call off the strike in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians ” .
However in his own submission after the meeting , the President of TUC, Comrade Festus Osifo said though the leadership of the National Assembly has prevailed on them to call off the strike going by assurance given to step into the negotiation but the strike cannot be called off by them without consulting their various organs.
He It is difficult and in fact impossible for them as labour leaders , to call off the strike here stressing the need to communicate with their various organs meaning that , ‘the industrial action starts on Monday as planned “, he said.
But the Minister of Information and National Orientation , Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi , expressed optimism that labour will call off the strike as soon as possible based on appeal made to them by leadership of the National Assembly.
He said the Federal government would continue to pay the N35,000 wage award to all categories of federal workers pending the minimum wage issue is resolved .
“Federal government is more than willing to pay its workforce , living minimum wage but the N494,000 demanded for by labour is too high with attendant N9 5trillion additional financial burden .
” In as much the federal government wants to improve the welfare and wellbeing of her 1 2million workers , is also very mindful of the welfare and wellbeing of the remaining 200million people .
” Nigeria cannot afford strike action now . The leadership of the labour union should please reason with government and appeal made to it by leaders of the National Assembly .
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation , Senator George Akume , Minister of Finance , Wale Edun , Minister Budget and National Planning , Senator Atiku Bagudu , Minister of Power , Adevayo Adelabu and the President pf Nigeria Labour Congress , Comrade Joe Ajaero among others were in attendance.
The lawmaker representing Kaura Namoda South Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji, has died.
It was gathered that the lawmaker passed on in his sleep during the early hours of Wednesday.
Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar-Daji’s sudden death came as a shock to many in the state, especially his colleagues and political associates.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, the party under which he was elected, expressed deep sorrow over his passage.
Members of the party, including the State Working Committee and other supporters, described his death as a great loss.
They said he was known for his dedication and honesty in serving his people.
His family, community members in Kaura Namoda South, and fellow lawmakers have been thrown into mourning as preparations for his burial began.
According to Islamic rites, he was buried today at 3:00 pm in his hometown of Kasuwar-Daji, located in the Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Many in the state have continued to express grief as they remember the role he played in representing the people and contributing to the work of the state assembly.
Mr. Sam Olumekun has taken over at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as Acting Chairman.
Olumekun is INEC’s National Commissioner in charge of Information and Voter Education.
He performed his first duties today, receiving a high-level delegation of the Labour Party (LP) at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja with other National Commissioners in attendance.
The delegation was led by Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, who visited the Commission to discuss key developments within the Labour Party.
It was gathered that both parties engaged in discussions centered on enhancing collaboration and reinforcing democratic values.
During the visit, Governor Otti formally presented a Certified True Copy of the recent Supreme Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership.
He noted that the meeting was aimed at fostering clarity, mutual understanding, and institutional alignment regarding the Labour Party’s current structure.
Mr. Olumekun, the Acting INEC Chairman, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to neutrality, transparency, and the rule of law in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.
Recall that a viral WhatsApp message had indicated that Prof. Mahmood was sacked by President Bola Tinubu and replaced with one Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan.
“INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmud Yakubu has been replaced with Prof. Bashiru Olamilekan by President Tinubu,” the message, which had no attribution, read. However, both INEC and the Presidency debunked the widespread report.
Yakubu, who is rounding off his second tenure in office, is expected to exit the system towards the end of this year.
The process of appointing an INEC chairman is the President nominating a candidate and forwarding his particulars to the Department of State Services (DSS) for profiling.
After such screening, the President, thereafter, takes the name to the National Council of State for its advisory review.
Based on the outcome, the President sends the name to the Senate for screening and confirmation.
Crude oil prices have dropped below $57, following a previous rate of $59.78.
This decline coincides with the imposition of tariffs on several countries by US President Donald Trump.
A report from West Texas Intermediate attributes this price slump to consistent 6% reductions observed last week.
JPMorgan Chase & Co has warned that these tariffs could likely push both the US and global economies into a recession this year.
The financial institution explained that the tariffs, set to take effect this week, are expected to have widespread economic repercussions.
Market analysts and the business community have expressed concerns about the negative implications of these measures, predicting a slowdown in economic activities and a subsequent decline in oil demand.
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