By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) has suspended its 84-day nationwide strike, effective immediately. The decision follows successful conciliation talks with the Federal Government, culminating in a signed agreement that addresses key union demands.

In a communiqué issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on Friday, JOHESU leadership directed all its members across federal and state health institutions to resume work without delay.

It said the meeting was convened to review the outcome of a Feb. 5 conciliation meeting with the federal government at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

According to the communiqué, key resolutions include the commencement of Collective Bargaining Agreement(CBA) negotiations and immediate prioritisation of outstanding issues on the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure, CONHESS.

It added that the agreement provided for budgetary allocation for the salary adjustment in the 2026 Appropriation Act based on the existing technical committee template.

The communiqué said the federal fovernment further agreed to withdraw the “No Work, No Pay” directive issued against JOHESU members during the strike.

It also said January 2026 salaries of all JOHESU members would be paid immediately and that no member would be victimised, sanctioned or intimidated for participating in the industrial action.

“Following a review of the resolutions, the expanded National Executive Council unanimously approved the suspension of the indefinite nationwide strike.

“The NEC subsequently directed all JOHESU members across federal and state health institutions to resume work with immediate effect,” the communiqué said.

It noted that the strike, which began on Nov. 15, 2025, was triggered by the non-implementation of the CONHESS adjustment and other outstanding welfare issues.

According to the union, the prolonged strike adversely affected healthcare delivery, resulting in increased maternal and infant mortality across the country.

It also said the the federal government reportedly lost close to one trillion naira in revenue during the strike period.

It stated that the conciliation meeting was convened by the Ministry of Labour and Employment following a 14-day ultimatum issued to the federal government by the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

It added that ministers of labour, finance and health, as well as representatives of the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, attended the meeting.

The union, however, commended the intervention of the National Assembly leadership, traditional rulers and professional bodies in resolving the dispute.

The union urged the federal and state governments to fully implement agreements reached to prevent future industrial actions.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has declared that security agencies will identify and decisively deal with anyone planning electoral violence or vote-buying in the upcoming polls.

The warning was delivered on Friday at an Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) meeting convened by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. The session focused on securing the February 21 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections and by-elections in Rivers and Kano States.

Represented by the Director of Internal Security in the Office of the National Security Adviser, Hassan Abdullahi, Ribadu stated that security forces are mobilising comprehensively to safeguard the electoral process.

“Political thugs and politicians with violent dispositions will be identified and restrained before, during, and after the election, while vote buyers will be traced and apprehended,” he asserted.

He called on political parties, candidates, and their supporters to act with responsibility and uphold democratic norms, warning that “any non-compliance will be dealt with severely in accordance with the law.” He also urged the media, civil society, and community leaders to foster a shared commitment to protecting Nigeria’s democracy.

Ribadu commended INEC and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the recent Anambra governorship election, noting it set a positive benchmark. He linked this success to President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to credible and violence-free polls—a standard expected in the forthcoming elections, including the off-cycle governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun States later this year.

In his remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, represented by Abayomi Shogunle, assured the public of massive security deployments to guarantee peaceful polls. He pledged continuous protection for INEC personnel and facilities nationwide.

Concluding the meeting, INEC Chairman Joash Amupitan called on security agencies to enhance their planning, intelligence gathering, and inter-agency coordination to ensure the success of the imminent elections.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced plans to conduct a mock accreditation and results upload exercise ahead of the February 21, 2026, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections.

In a statement signed by INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner for the FCT, the electoral umpire said the mock exercise will take place on Saturday, February 7, 2026, in 289 selected polling units between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

According to the commission, the exercise is aimed at ensuring a hitch-free Area Council election by testing accreditation procedures and the results upload process.

INEC encouraged voters in the affected polling units to turn out with their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate in the mock exercise, noting that their participation would help fine-tune preparations for the main election.

The commission said that the list of designated polling units for the mock exercise is available on its official website.

INEC also assured residents of the FCT of its readiness to conduct a credible and successful Area Council election on Saturday, February 21, 2026.