- The meeting between the Minister of Labour, Simon Lalong, and the Nigeria Labour Congress ended in deadlock as the organized labour insisted that the Federal Government must meet its demands ahead of the 21-day ultimatum issued on September 1 by the congress. The union may embark on an indefinite strike this week.
- Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamutu, on Monday, confirmed that eight people were killed during cult clashes in the Sagamu area of the State. Alamutu, who spoke in Abeokuta on the four-day rival bloodbath by rival cult groups in the area, also disclosed that nine suspects had been arrested.
- The camp of the Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, was depleted on Monday as some of his principal aides and the state youth leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Nunieh Odede, dumped the PDP for the All Progressives Congress. Odede announced his resignation from the PDP in a handwritten letter, while the governor’s top aides formally vacated their offices to campaign for the APC candidate, Timipre Sylva ahead of the November 11 polls.
- The Ondo State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress has declared that it would punish a ward chairman of the party in Akoko North-West Local Government Area of the State, Mr Olumide Awolumate, for allegedly beating the State Commissioner for Woman Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Juliana Osadahun. The chairman was seen in a video engaging in a free-for-all with the commissioner during palliative distribution.
- The Lagos State Police Command has inaugurated a 13-man investigative panel to unravel the mysteries surrounding the death of 27-year-old fast-rising artiste, Ileri-Oluwa Oladimeji, popularly known as Mohbad. The panel is to carry out a discreet investigation which covers exhumation, autopsy/toxicology/histology, scene visit, hospital/medical report, records of suspects/witnesses statements.
- Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, says he stands by his position on the Oyo State traditional rulers whom he accused of disrespecting Governor Seyi Makinde. In a statement signed by his Media Aide, Kehinde Akinyemi on Monday, Obasanjo while reacting to the controversies surrounding his action, said he is unapologetic.
- The rift between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his deputy, Philip Shaibu, further deepened on Monday when the embattled number two citizen of the State was barred from accessing his office inside the Government House, Benin-city, the State capital. Shaibu arrived at the office in company of his aides, but met the gates of the one-storey building hosting his office firmly locked.
- The Defence Headquarters has launched an investigation into a video clip on social media of some soldiers engaging with bandits somewhere in Katsina State. Its probe is to ascertain the authenticity of the clips as regards the soldiers seen in uniform. A statement issued last night by its Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau said the military high command was aware of the resolve of some bandits to repent and hand over their weapons to the authorities.
- Bandits have kidnapped a woman and her three children in the Maraban Rido community of Kaduna State, killing a member of the community. Although the police in Kaduna were yet to react to the development, locals said the bandits wielding sophisticated weapons overpowered the local vigilantes, broke into the family house and kidnapped the mother of three and her children.
- Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have abducted a Catholic priest and six other motorists in Enugu State. Their abduction came barely 24 hours after a middle-aged man was killed and several others kidnapped in separate locations in Enugu State on Saturday. The Catholic Diocese of Enugu State confirmed the abduction and called on Christians to pray for his safety.
- Tinubu Meets President Cyril Ramaphosa Of South Africa In New York
The President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu on Monday, September 18, met with his counterpart from South Africa, President Cyril Ramaphosa in New York.
The two leaders met ahead of the commencement of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and held fruitful, cross-sectoral discussions.
This was made known to newsmen by the special adviser to President Tinubu on media and publicity, Ajuri Ngelale in a short statement on Monday.
According to him, “H.E. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has held a very fruitful, cross-sectoral discussion with South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa as the first of many bilateral engagements with counterparts from multiple continents in New York City, ahead of the UN General Assembly.” - Refrain From Any Attempt To Harass Any Opposition Member – Atiku Tells APC Govt
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has asked the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal government to refrain from any attempt to harass or intimidate any member of the opposition parties.
In a statement released via his X handle on Monday, Atiku said any attempts to use the country’s security agencies to harass or illegally detain any Nigerian across the internet who speaks up only to seek a better country would be rejected.
The former Vice President said the recent revelations suggesting potential suppression of voices and trumped-up allegations against opposition figures are deeply troubling.
Atiku asserted that arresting or silencing members of the opposition based on contrived charges is not only an affront to the principles of democracy but also a grave injustice to the very people who rely on the system for representation and justice.
He stated that the APC government must avoid the temptation of conceding to the agenda of anti-democratic forces, adding that the essence of democracy is the ability to protect and respect contrarian viewpoints. - Edo Deputy Governor, Shaibu Denied Access To Govt House Office
The Edo State Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu on Monday was denied access to his office at the Government House in Benin, the state capital.
Shaibu arrived at the Government House on Monday but met the gate leading to his office under lock and key.
According to Shaibu, he has not received an official letter from the office of the governor on the relocation of his office.
He further stated that the proper channel to transmit a directive pertaining to the relocation to a new office is the Governor’s office.
Shaibu while on a phone call to a yet-to-be-identified person said, “Up till now, I don’t have any official communication that I should relocate. The only people that have official communication are my civil servants. The civil servants have official communication but I don’t. As I am speaking to you now, I am standing by the gate.” - Tinubu Govt, NLC Meeting Ends In Deadlock
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to avert an imminent nationwide strike action ended in a deadlock.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, and the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, met with the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and other labour leaders in Abuja on Monday.
The meeting was called by Lalong to stop the union’s planned nationwide strike owing to the removal of fuel subsidies and the hardship in the country.
During the meeting, Lalong promised to partner with organised labour to address the demands of the labour unions in a just and balanced way.
He appealed to the labour leaders to be realistic and frank in the discussions and also expressed optimism that the meeting would lead to a resolution that is of national interest.
In his response, Ajaero said his team was in the meeting with mixed feelings, to see whether “something will happen or not,” as many similar meetings in the past had failed to yield a positive response.
He also noted that the past strikes that the minister referred to were a result of the frustration Nigerian workers faced due to the effects of the hardship occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidies.
Ajaero also noted that not one of the agreements with the FG had been addressed despite a series of meetings that had been held.
He vehemently condemned the invasion of the office of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), with some of its leaders arrested and detained.
According to him, that action alone is enough for the NLC to proceed with their planned strike.
However, after two hours, the meeting ended without a concrete resolution to the union’s demands, and the meeting is expected to continue at a later date. - Obasanjo Unapologetic Over ‘Disrespect’ To Oyo Monarchs, Denies ‘Wife’ Over Public Apology
Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, has said he is unapologetic over his recent statement and actions towards traditional rulers in Oyo State last week.
Obasanjo, in a viral video, had condemned the monarchs for failing to stand and greet the state governor, Seyi Makinde.
The former president described their behaviour as a sign of disrespect for the Governor and his office.
This prompted Obasanjo to order the traditional leaders to stand up and greet Governor Makinde.
Obasanjo’s actions and statements generated outrage among some Yoruba leaders and political elites, including the Oluwo of Iwo, urging him to apologise to the traditional rulers.
However, speaking in a statement through his media aide, Kehinde Akinyemi, Obasanjo said he stands firmly and uncompromising to the statement as the Constitution gave the Governors power over the royal fathers. - President Tinubu Appoints 18 Aides For Vice President Shettima
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of eighteen (18) aides in the office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima.
According to a statement on Monday by the Director Information, Office of the Vice President, Olusola Abiola, the President approved the appointment of 18 Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants to actualize the agenda of the Federal Government across the different sectors of the economy.
The team comprises 6 Special Advisers and 12 Senior Special Assistants who will work in the office of the Vice President, supporting the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the Tinubu administration. - Tribunal Dismisses Bello Matawalle’s Petition Against Dauda Lawal
The Governorship Election Tribunal sitting in Sokoto has dismissed the petition filed by the former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawallen, against Dauda Lawal.
The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, sitting in Sokoto, on August 21, 2023, reserved judgement on the petition seeking to nullify the election of Dauda Lawal as Zamfara State governor in the 2023 general election.
Lawal, who contested on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, was declared the governor of Zamfara State by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on March 18, 2023.
However, his predecessor from the All Progressives Congress (APC) challenged his victory in court.
In his petition, he asked the tribunal’s three-member panel, headed by Justice Cordelia Ogadi, to nullify Dauda’s election and declare him the winner of the election.
But the tribunal, in a judgment on Monday, held that the petition was devoid of merit. The court also awarded the sum of N500,000 as a fine against the petitioners. - Ogun Govt Imposes Dusk To Dawn Curfew On Sagamu
The Ogun State government has imposed a curfew on Sagamu, the headquarters of Sagamu Local Government Area of the state.
This development is coming after the recent clashes among rival cult groups that engaged themselves in a supremacy battle since Wednesday last week.
The restriction of human and vehicular movement is from 7pm to 6am.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Lekan Adeniran announced the development via a statement made available to newsmen in Abeokuta.
He assured residents in the town that their lives and property would be secured.
The state government, therefore, urged residents of Sagamu to abide by the restriction order, pending the time the security of the area will improve. - Tribunal Fixes Date To Pass Judgment On Kano Governorship Election
The Kano State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal has fixed Wednesday, September 20, 2023, to pass judgment on the petition challenging the incumbent Governor’s election victory.
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasir Yusuf Gawuna, had filed a petition before the Tribunal, challenging the declaration of Kabir Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) as the winner of the March 18 gubernatorial election.
Consequently, the Tribunal on Monday announced the date for the judgment in a hearing notice sent to parties involved in the matter.
The secretary of the NNPP legal team, Barrister Bashir T Wurzici, also confirmed the date to Daily Trust saying that the team was served with the notice Monday evening. - Baba-Ahmed, Brother Of LP’s Vice Presidential Candidate, Appointed Special Adviser To Shettima
Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the elder brother of the vice-presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Datti Baba-Ahmed has been appointed as the special adviser on political matters to Vice-President, Kashim Shettima.
Datti ran as the running mate of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi in the February 25, 2023 presidential election.
They, however, lost the election to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu and his running mate, Kashim Shettima.
Baba-Ahmed is also the spokesperson of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF).
Baba-Ahmed announced the development in a post on Monday on his official X page.
He said now is not the time for fence-sitting or criticism and urged Nigerians to pray for him and the country. - Tribunal affirms Lawal as Zamfara Gov, throws out Matawalle’s petition
The Zamfara State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, which was in session in Sokoto, on Monday, validated Dr. Dauda Lawal’s election as the legitimate governor of the state. - Drama as Gov Obaseki locks out deputy, Shaibu, from Government House
The crisis between Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki and his estranged deputy, Philip Shaibu has assumed a new dimension as the deputy governor was on Monday barred from entering the Government House. - HURIWA accuses Tinubu of ‘pro-ethnic agenda’ in light of recent appointments
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of prejudice by the civil rights organisation Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), which claims that members of his ethnic group received the majority of the “key appointments” in his cabinet. - Tinubu appoints Obi running mate’s brother, Baba-Ahmed, 17 others as Shettima’s aides
President Bola Tinubu has appointed the spokesman for the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, and 17 others into the office of the Vice-President. - Atiku’s aide, Bwala, claims ‘some key people’ want to level trumped-up allegations against him
PDP chieftain Daniel Bwala has sounded an alarm on Monday, alleging that senior figures at the Presidential Villa in Abuja were preparing to have him arrested on false charges. - Lagos CP inaugurates team to investigate Mohbad’s death
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, on Monday, inaugurated the special investigative team put together to unravel circumstances surrounding the death of singer Ilerioluwa Aloba aka Mohbad. - NNPC failed to remit $2bn to federation account before transition – NEITI
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI), Dr. Orji Ogbonnaya-Orji, said on Monday the oil and gas industry generated over $23 billion in 2021. - MTN, Airtel’s phone subscribers base drop, drags down industry’s total users in H1
The total number of active subscribers for telephone services fell by 2.71 percent in the first half (H1) of 2023 following a decline in the subscriber base of MTN Nigeria and Airtel Nigeria. - Court admits FBI’s report claiming Mompha used iPhone for alleged N6bn fraud
The Lagos State Special Offences Court, Ikeja, on Monday, admitted as evidence two documents tendered by the prosecution in the trial of social media celebrity, Ismaila Mustapha aka Mompha, for alleged N6 billion fraud. - Super Falcons cruise to next round as Sao Tome withdraw from AWCONQ tie
Sao Tome and Principe have withdrawn from the qualifiers for the Africa Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON), as Nigeria’s Super Falcons easily advance to the second round.
Source:
Ibrahim Garba
Core Reporters Abuja
