Category: Politics

THE Ondo State chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has assured government workers in the state of the payment of new minimum wage in the November salary.

Mr Ademola Olapade, acting chairman of the NLC, gave the assurance on Sunday in Akure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the proposed strike over the new minimum wage delay.

The national leadership of NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) had proposed to commence a national strike by December 1 over delayed implementation of payment by some state governments.

Olapade, who was also the Head of Labour side in the minimum wage negotiations with the state government, said all arrangements had been made by the state government to pay the minimum by next week.

“We are not going to join the strike in Ondo State because, on our side, we have concluded arrangements with the state government.

“The payment was supposed to commence last week but was delayed due to a sliding error which had been corrected.

“So, by the grace of God, workers in Ondo State, including the local government workers, will start receiving their November salary with the minimum wage by next week,” Olapade said.

In a similar vein, the Katsina State government has approved the implementation of N70,000 minimum wage for its civil servants from December 2024.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdullahi Garba-Faskari, made this known to newsmen on Saturday in Katsina.

He said the new minimum wage would be given to workers under the payroll of the state government, Local Governments and the Local Education Authorities (LEAs).

Dr. Doyin Okupe, former Presidential Adviser to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has clarified the meaning behind the trending nickname “T-Pain,” often associated with President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Okupe explained that the term does not signify “Tinubu-Pain” but rather symbolizes “Temporary Pain,” referring to the economic and structural reforms under the current administration.

“There is a reform that is going on, and with reforms, there must be temporary pain. If there is no pain, there is no gain,” Okupe said during the interview.

His comments come amidst widespread public criticism of the economic challenges Nigerians are facing, including subsidy removal, rising inflation, and increasing cost of living. While some have humorously coined “T-Pain” to reflect the hardships attributed to Tinubu’s policies, Okupe insists the struggles are part of a broader effort to restructure and stabilize the economy for long-term benefits.

Okupe’s remarks on Arise TV underline the government’s expectation that Nigerians endure short-term discomfort for future prosperity, a message that has sparked mixed reactions across the country.

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has set his sights on expanding the party’s dominance in the Southwest, declaring Osun and Oyo States as the next targets following the APC’s victory in the Ondo State governorship election.

Ganduje made the statement on Sunday in Akure, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa the winner of the 2024 Ondo governorship poll.

Southwest Domination

In his remarks, Ganduje emphasized the party’s ambition to consolidate power across the entire Southwest geopolitical zone.

“Our next target is this geopolitical zone, the Southwest. That means Osun State and Oyo State. We assure you that we will do everything possible to bring them into the fold so we can achieve political homogeneity in the region,” Ganduje said.

He expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to secure victories in future elections, pointing to the party’s strategy and determination to strengthen its influence in the region.

Ondo Election Credibility

Describing the Ondo election as a benchmark for democratic conduct, Ganduje commended INEC for its logistics and manpower, which he said ensured a free, fair, and credible process.

“This is a moment of joy. Seeing is believing, and this is democracy in action. The major stakeholders, including INEC, have validated the credibility of this election,” Ganduje added.

Opposition Faces Challenges

The APC’s declaration comes amid opposition protests over alleged vote buying and violence during the Ondo election. The PDP and other parties have vowed to challenge the results, raising questions about the broader implications for the political landscape in Osun and Oyo.

As the APC celebrates its win in Ondo, the focus now shifts to whether Ganduje’s bold declaration will translate into success in Osun and Oyo, or if opposition forces will rally to defend their strongholds.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced a recess in the collation of Ondo state governorship election results, with plans to resume later on Sunday, November 17.

As of now, results from 15 local government areas (LGAs) have been declared, with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leading, followed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Ondo election 2024 update The 15 LGAs already declared are Okitipupa, Akure North, Ifedore, Ondo East, Ileoluji Oke-Igbo, Idanre, Irele, Akoko South West, Owo, Ondo West, Akoko South East, Akoko North West, Ose, Akoko North East, Akure South.

The remaining three local governments, whose results are expected to arrive during the recess, are Ese Odo, Ilaje and Odigbo. While the APC and its candidate, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have already collected a total of 268,144 votes, the PDP candidate, Agboola Ajayi, has garnered 79,125 votes.

Doyin Okupe, who previously served as the Director-General for Peter Obi’s 2023 presidential campaign council, has stated that he will not support the former Anambra State governor in the future.

Okupe recently mentioned that those who criticize and insult him for backing President Bola Tinubu’s economic recovery plan are uninformed.

Okupe, a former Presidential Spokesperson, announced this during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” show on Monday.

Before the 2023 general election, Okupe was aligned with Peter Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State.

I can no longer support Peter Obi because we had agreed that the President should come from the South.

Baba Adebanjo called me and asked, “If a Southern President is to be elected, which zone should they come from?” I replied that it should be the South East. Let’s support them.

“And all prominent Yoruba figures supported you; why are you now criticizing us publicly? It’s not right.”

The Presidency has issued a pointed response to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent criticism of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic policies. Atiku, who lost the 2023 presidential election to Tinubu, recently condemned the administration’s strategies, labeling them as “trial-and-error” and suggesting the current approach relies heavily on “palliative economy” measures.

Atiku argued that Tinubu’s simultaneous reforms—including adjustments to the exchange rate, electricity tariffs, and petrol prices—could be too aggressive, stating that a more gradual approach, as seen in Malaysia and Indonesia, would have been preferable. He indicated that a slower removal of subsidies would have eased the economic transition for Nigerians.

Responding on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, dismissed Atiku’s criticisms, pointing out that his policies had been rejected by Nigerians in the 2023 polls. Onanuga further asserted that an Atiku administration could have led to economic deterioration or cronyism.

Adding to the response, Dada Olusegun, the President’s Special Adviser on Social Media, challenged Atiku’s influence, saying, “You weren’t elected, Alhaji. You can’t even unite your party with only 13 governors. You can’t provide proper leadership to be considered a serious opposition.”

The exchange highlights ongoing tensions within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which has faced internal strife following Atiku’s nomination as the 2023 presidential candidate. Many analysts attribute the division partly to Atiku’s fallout with former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike after the party’s primary, which continues to impact the PDP’s unity at the national level.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has suspended Olusola Oluokun, Chairman of Oyo East Local Government over a viral video that sparked controversy.

The Chairman was suspended on Thursday after the presentation of a Matter of Urgent Public Importance titled “Urgent Call For Full Investigation into the indecent attitude of the Chairman, Oyo East Local Government, Mr. Olusola Oluokun in a Viral video online”.

The video showed Oluokun eating half-naked and praising a political stalwart who helped him become chairman.

He also allegedly rained curses on those perceived as enemies of his benefactor.

Oluokun’s actions in the video were deemed unbecoming of an elected Local Government Chairman.

The House has therefore set up a committee to investigate the matter, pending which the Vice Chairman will act as Chairman.

The House condemned the act describing it as unbecoming of an elected Local Government Chairman.

The Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin said the House would not condone such indecent behaviour.

He said the swift action taken by the House demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the integrity and dignity of public office

The state Minimum Wage Negotiation Committee set up by Governor Ademola Adeleke will soon complete its assignment for necessary approval by the State Governor, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi has disclosed.

Responding to recent news reports on the nationwide implementation of the new minimum wage, the Commissioner stated that the Committee approved by Governor Ademola Adeleke has been working assiduously to conclude the assignment without hitch.

He said the Negotiation Committee is mandated to come up with recommendations to the government on the consequential adjustments
arising from the minimum wage Law.

Quoting a circular from the Office of the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina, the Commissioner listed the members of the committee with the Chief of Staff, Hon Kazeem Akinleye leading the government team.

The labour side is led by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Arapasopo Abimbola Christopher.

Other members of the government team include the Head of Service, Commissioner for Finance; Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Commissioner for Information; Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Human Resources; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning; Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office; Solicitor General / Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice; Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Governments; Accountant-General; Director (Public Service Establishments); and the Director (Labour & Industrial Relations).

Members from the trade union side include Comrade Bimbo Fasasi; Comrade Lasun Akindele; Comrade Kehinde N. Ogungbangbe; Comrade Victor Amusan; Comrade Emmanuel Olawuyi; Comrade Abdullateef Babatunde; Comrade Akinjide Akinlami; Comrade Ojo Akintunde; Comrade Akeem Adekunle; Comrade Johnson Adegoke; Comrade Ganiyu Salawu; Comrade Waheed Oyeyemi; and Comrade Adeniran Lekan.

The state government under Governor Ademola Adeleke is committed to a sustainable implementation of the minimum wage in line with the administration’s five point agenda.