Dons EzeEXPLOSION ROCKS RIVERS APC SECRETARIAT HOURS TO LG ELECTION
EXPLOSION ROCKS RIVERS APC SECRETARIAT HOURS TO LG ELECTION There is tension in Rivers State as individuals suspected of arson reportedly detonated explosives at the state secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday morning.Naija News reports that the APC is the principal opposition political party in Rivers State. The state is preparing to hold its local government elections today, Saturday, October 5. However, just a few hours before the exercise, the secretariat of the APC located in Port Harcourt was reportedly attacked. According to Leadership, video clips obtained online indicate that the incident, believed to involve dynamite, caused damage to the main gate and the security post of the APC secretariat, as well as to portions of a nearby building. In a brief message sent to journalists in the state, Chief Tony Okocha, the chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, attributed the attack on the secretariat to supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Okocha wrote: “At the wee hours of Saturday, pro-Fubara civilian soldiers detonated dynamites at our office. “The second attempt to set it ablaze was foiled as the security at the gate quickly put out the fire.” The APC had previously declared its intention to abstain from the local government elections scheduled for this Saturday throughout the state. In a surprising turn of events, the ruling party in the state, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under the leadership of Hon. Chukwuemeka Aaron, also announced its decision to refrain from participating in the election.
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY MOVES TO AVERT STRIKE, MEETS WITH LABOUR The National Assembly on Sunday revealed that it would mediate in the standoff between organized labour and the federal government as part of moves to avert the impending nationwide indefinite strike starting June 3, and a shutdown of the nation. In a joint statement signed by the spokesperson of the Senate, Senator Yemi Adaramodu and the spokesperson of the House, Akin Rotimi, the federal legislature said it is intervening to resolve the deadlock on a new national minimum wage and reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. The National Assembly stressed that both parties have tenable reasons for their respective positions. The statement also revealed that the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, to rein in the situation as the industrial action would have severe repercussions on the populace and economy “The National Assembly acknowledges the announcement by Organised Labour, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), to commence an indefinite strike action from Monday, June 3, 2024, nationwide. “In view of this, the National Assembly Leadership and the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity respectively, Senator Diket Plang, and Rep. Adegboyega Adefarati, are looking to engage both parties in constructive dialogue and explore a variety of solutions in addressing the issues at hand. It added that the 10th National Assembly was committed to ensuring that the interests of all parties are fairly represented,” the National Assembly statement added. Recall that last Friday the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) announced an indefinite nationwide strike from tomorrow (Monday) over the federal government’s failure to agree on a new national minimum wage and reverse the recent hike in electricity tariff. NLC and TUC leaders had, on Workers Day, celebrations given the Federal Government a May 31 deadline to conclude the negotiations on a new national minimum wage or risk nationwide industrial unrest. The tripartite committee on a new National Minimum Wage set up by the government failed to make a decision on a new national minimum wage after about four meetings. Labour leaders had walked out of the meetings three times after rejecting government and the Organised Private Sector offers. Friday’s decision by the pressure groups happened at the expiration of the deadline given to the government by labour. The trade unions had asked the government to conclude on a new minimum wage, as the old minimum wage of N30,000 that was signed into law by former President Muhammad Buhari on April 18, 2019, expired on April 18, 2024.