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NLC Threatens Nationwide Shutdown in Response to Government Failures and Violations

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Abuja, Nigeria – August 31, 2023 – In an extensive session, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) convened on Thursday, the 31st day of August, 2023, to address the pressing issues plaguing the nation. The council’s discussions centered around the dire hardships and suffering experienced by citizens across all states of Nigeria and the federal government’s perceived neglect of their plight.

During the meeting, NEC examined the federal government’s failure to establish essential structures to alleviate the widespread suffering, contrasting this with the government’s commitment to engage in social dialogue, as previously pledged during President’s inaugural address on May 29, 2023. The council also expressed alarm over the escalating threats against trade unions and their leaders, emanating from various Governors and organizations.

Key points addressed by the NEC include:

Fuel Price Hike: The federal government’s refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue and reach agreements with organized labor concerning the repercussions of the recent petrol price increase, which has exacerbated the suffering of Nigerian workers and the masses.

Onslaught Against Trade Unions: A renewed onslaught against trade unions and their leadership by state authorities and agents across Nigeria.

Illegal Occupation of NURTW Headquarters: The illegal occupation of the National Headquarters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) by the police under certain forces, impeding the union’s ability to serve its members nationwide.

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Imo State: Ongoing efforts by the Imo state government to undermine the Congress in the state and exploit workers’ rights, despite efforts to resolve the issue amicably.

Abia State: The interference of the Abia State Government in trade union affairs, attempts to impose its own leadership on state councils, and the intimidation of workers and unions in the state.

Aviation Sector Violations: Violations of workers’ rights to join unions of their choice within certain aviation companies, including Airpeace Airline, in disregard of international conventions and Nigerian laws.

Security Concerns: The unchecked violence by marauders disguising as herdsmen against farmers and citizens nationwide, with the Amalgamated Union of Food Stuffs and Cattle Dealers of Nigeria (AUFCDN) disassociating itself from these activities.

Threats to Abuja Residents: Nyesom Wike, the new Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), threatening to demolish houses of residents despite the government’s failure to provide alternatives.

Nationwide Shutdown: A total and indefinite shutdown of the nation within 14 working days or 21 days from August 31, 2023, until the government takes concrete steps to alleviate mass suffering and impoverishment.

Warning Strike: Commencement of a 2-day nationwide warning strike on September 5th and 6th, 2023, to demonstrate readiness for the upcoming indefinite strike and to demand the vacation of the illegally occupied NURTW National Headquarters.

Protest in Imo State: A mass protest and rally in Imo State in September 2023, with preparations for a significant shutdown of the state to compel the government to respect workers’ rights and trade unions.

Shutdown of Aviation Sector: Initiating the shutdown of operations of Airpeace Airline and other aviation sector companies involved in violating workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Community Cooperation: Calling on communities nationwide to report matters involving members of the AUFCDN to authorities for resolution, rather than taking the law into their own hands.

Ministerial Demands: Demanding that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, refrain from threatening the demolition of properties belonging to Abuja’s working-class citizens and instead focus on providing affordable housing solutions.

The NEC’s resolutions reflect their determination to address the grievances of workers and citizens across Nigeria. Comrade Joe Ajaero, President of NLC, and Comrade Emmanuel Ugboaja (Mni), General Secretary, jointly affirmed these decisions as necessary actions to address the nation’s pressing issues. The threat of a nationwide shutdown looms, putting pressure on the government to respond effectively to the people’s concerns

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Eid Al-Adha Felicitations-Prof Muhammad Abbas

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From Professor Muhammad Adamu Abbas
Director General, Kano State Centre for Disease Control (KNCDC)

To:
His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf
Executive Governor of Kano State and the Good People of Kano State

Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuh

On this blessed occasion of Eid Al-Adha, I extend my warmest felicitations to Your Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, and to the entire people of Kano State.

Eid Al-Adha reminds us of sacrifice, obedience, and compassion for humanity. As we celebrate, I pray that Allah (SWT) accepts our sacrifices, grants us peace, good health, and strengthens the bonds of unity across Kano State.

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Your Excellency, I commend your unwavering commitment and readiness to support disease prevention, early detection, and rapid response in Kano State. Your leadership has created the enabling environment for public health institutions to thrive and serve the people effectively. The people of Kano are fortunate to have a Governor who places health security and the wellbeing of citizens at the heart of governance.

Under the guidance of the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, the Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC, remains fully committed to its mandate. I assure Your Excellency and the good people of Kano State that KNCDC stands ready, with the continued support of Your Excellency and the strategic direction of the Honorable Commissioner, to prevent, detect, and respond promptly to all epidemic-prone diseases in the state.

May this Eid bring joy to every home, healing to the sick, and renewed strength to our collective efforts in building a healthier and safer Kano.

Eid Mubarak!
May Allah bless Kano State and Nigeria with peace, prosperity, and good health.

Signed,
Prof. Muhammad Adamu Abbas
Director General
Kano State Centre for Disease Control, KNCDC

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Atiku Wins ADC Presidential Primaries in Kano

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By Abbas Yushau Yusuf

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has emerged victorious in the presidential primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) held in Kano State, securing an overwhelming majority of votes cast across the state’s 484 wards.

Announcing the results in Kano on Tuesday, Dr. John Ayuba, a representative of the ADC national headquarters, declared that Atiku polled 155,995 votes to defeat his closest rivals in the keenly contested exercise.

According to the official figures released at the end of the collation process:

Atiku Abubakar — 155,995 votes

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Rotimi Amaechi — 15,914 votes

Mohammed Hayatu-Deen — 9,994 votes

Dr. Ayuba stated that the primary election was conducted peacefully across all the 484 wards in Kano State, with party officials and delegates participating in the democratic process.

Speaking shortly after the announcement, he said the outcome of the Kano exercise would now be transmitted to the ADC national leadership for final collation and ratification.

“The election was conducted in the 484 wards of Kano State. We are going to forward the results to the national headquarters, and from there we will know who becomes the presidential flagbearer of the party,” he said.

 

The outcome further strengthens Atiku’s influence within the party structure in Kano, one of Nigeria’s most politically significant states with a large voting population.

Political observers say the margin of victory recorded by the former vice president reflects his strong grassroots support and established political network in northern Nigeria ahead of the next general election.

Supporters of Atiku who gathered at the venue of the announcement celebrated the victory, describing it as a sign of confidence in his leadership experience and national appeal.

Meanwhile, party officials urged members to remain united after the exercise and work towards strengthening the ADC ahead of the presidential election.

The ADC national headquarters is expected to compile results from other states before making an official declaration on the party’s presidential candidate.

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Pantami Defects to PDP, Secures Guber Ticket for Gombe Governorship Race

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Pantami Def

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Professor Isa Ali Pantami, the immediate past Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has been elected as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Gombe State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Pantami secured the ticket through voice affirmation at the party’s primary election held on Tuesday in Gombe. The event, which took place at a designated venue in the state capital, saw party stakeholders unanimously endorse the former minister as their flagbearer.

The Chairman of the PDP Electoral Panel, Gregory Yenlong, subsequently declared Pantami the sole aspirant. In a video circulating online and posted by Nigerian Affairs Journal, Yenlong announced: “I declare Prof. Isa Aliu Pantami the duly elected and sole gubernatorial candidate of the PDP in the state.”

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Speaking to a crowd of supporters after his emergence, Pantami said his decision to join the race was driven by a desire to serve the people of Gombe State. He pledged that if elected in 2027, his administration would be guided by fairness and justice.

“I contested for the seat to offer service to the people of the state,” Pantami said. “If I am elected, I promise that my administration will prioritise equity and good governance.”

Pantami is expected to face the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Jamilu Gwamna, in the 2027 election.

Prior to his emergence as the PDP candidate, Pantami had withdrawn from the APC governorship primary in Gombe State, citing alleged violations of the Electoral Act and irregularities in the party’s electoral process. He had opposed the consensus arrangement that produced Gwamna as the APC candidate.

Following the APC primaries, four PDP governorship aspirants raised concerns over what they described as attempts to bring Pantami into the PDP race. In a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting on Sunday in Gombe, the aspirants—Alhaji Abdulkadir Hamma Saleh, Hon. Khamisu Ahmed Mailantarki, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry, and Mrs. Monica Kaltho—argued that the law does not permit a candidate to defect from one political party to another and contest the same election after votes had already been cast and counted in his favour in another party’s primary.

The aspirants stated that while they welcome all well-meaning individuals into the PDP, they strongly object to any attempt to involve a person who had already participated in another party’s primaries.

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