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Breaking: National Assembly shut down as PASAN embarks on indefinite strike

The Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) has gone on indefinite strike, demanding that their revised terms of service be fully implemented.

It was recalls that PASAN had written to the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, in May 2020, pleading with them to intervene in a brewing crisis caused by an alleged plot to halt the implementation of the revised condition of service for members.

Aead Also: Ganduje says ‘political nomadism’ will cost Kwankwaso, Shekarau in 2023

However, a PASAN EXCO member who spoke on the condition of anonymity stated that lawmakers have yet to implement the service condition.

He stated that members of the group have decided to halt National Assembly activities until their needs are met.

“The two chapters, National Assembly Commission and National Assembly chapter, have unanimously agreed that we will go on an indefinite strike because we have a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU that was signed but management has refused to implement the agreement,” he said.

“The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on March 21, 2020, but nothing has been implemented to date.”

Read Also: US Consulate Celebrates Accomplishments of 2021 Carrington Fellows

“There was an act on consequential adjustments to the minimum wage, and the Federal Government released funds for that, but the National Assembly Service is still owed the arrears of that minimum wage.”

When the National Assembly Commission office in Utako was under lock and key, officials were seen wandering around the area.

June 6, 2022
Breaking: Workers block NASS gate over minimum wage, others join them

The main entrance to the National Assembly Complex has been blocked by staff from the National Assembly and the National Assembly Service Commission.

Workers affiliated with the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) announced on Friday that they will go on indefinite strike on Monday.

They accused the National Assembly’s management of breaching a Memorandum of Understanding to fully implement the revised conditions of service and staff training and re-training.
They are also requesting the payment of minimum wage arrears, leave grants, and other allowances.

Read Also: US Consulate Celebrates Accomplishments of 2021 Carrington Fellows

The workers used a coastal bus and a human shield to block the gate.

They have promised that the strike will be total and indefinite.

June 6, 2022
US Consulate Celebrates Accomplishments of 2021 Carrington Fellows

The US government exchange programmes bring together Nigerian youth with vision, skills, and experience to design and implement projects that benefit their communities.

The United States Consulate in Lagos hosted a graduation ceremony to honour the accomplishments of 17 young Nigerians who comprised the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative’s 2021 cohort (CYFI).
During the 12-month fellowship, the 17 graduating fellows, aged 21-35, were selected through a competitive process and implemented social service projects focused on health, education, civil liberties, the environment, and economic empowerment. During the 2021 cohort’s graduation ceremony, US Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli emphasised the positive impact the initiative has had on local communities since its inception in 2011.
He praised the graduating fellows for their selfless service and dedication to the values advocated by the late US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, after whom the initiative is named.

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“You founded a farmers’ business school and taught 30 rural farmers how to farm sustainably.” You taught 30 children in Lagos juvenile homes ICT skills and advocated for policy changes in juvenile administration. “You taught basic recycling skills to rural women and trained public school teachers on how to use modern teaching methods and aids.” The projects carried out by the CYFI cohort of 2021 are truly inspiring. These are significant and influential projects. “You’ve laid solid groundwork for future work, and I’m excited to see where these initiatives go from here,” Ibelli added.

Ibelli welcomed the graduating CYFI fellows to the prestigious and vast network of like-minded and highly regarded professionals across the country. “I encourage you to join the exchange alumni group so that you can continue to grow and support one another,” he said.

Dr. Arese Carrington, wife of late Ambassador Carrington, congratulated the 2021 cohort and urged them to continue to be examples of honesty and concern for the welfare of the less fortunate.

“The innovative projects you designed and implemented over the past year had a positive impact on people’s lives.” Never stop dreaming or daring to make the necessary changes because you are the future’s hope,” Dr. Carrington added.
CYFI is based on year-long social innovation projects designed by fellows and funded by the US Consulate and private partners. The 2021 class is the first to graduate since Ambassador Carrington’s death.

CYFI has graduated 174 exceptional young Nigerians who bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to the table and share a common vision of positively impacting Nigerian society.

Young Nigerians who are motivated and self-driven to become CYFI fellows can apply by filling out the application form at:

June 6, 2022
Reactions As Presidency Denies Buhari Backing Southern Presidency

Nigerians have lambasted President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for refuting media allegations that he favored the rotation of power to the south in the 2023 general elections.
The Presidency has previously denied claims that the President had ordered the governing All Progressives Congress’ presidential ticket to be relocated to the South.

This came following various rumors on Saturday night that the President had backed a power transfer to the country’s southern region.

Garba Shehu, the Presidential Spokesman, denied claims that Buhari had requested party officials to nominate a Southern contender as the party’s consensus candidate in an interview with the BBC on Sunday.
The presidential spokesperson further denied claims that Nigeria’s president declared he would only support a candidate from the south as his successor.

Shehu said that the president just urged all the presidential candidates to reach an agreement among themselves before the party’s presidential primary poll on June 6th to 9th.

Buhari also stated that he would support anyone picked during the consensus negotiations, regardless of the aspirant’s area.

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Following the news, several internet users resorted to social media to voice their displeasure with the President’s denial before of the party’s presidential primary.

Take a look at some of the responses below.

“The APC is a worthless party, with half of their Presidential aid being useless as well,” @KechAmanii remarked. Do you have to work with Nigerians? Do you consider yourself to be an elementary school student? Speak about it here, talk about it there. People who are resourceful.”

“So, Mr. Spokesperson, what did he say?” wrote @Yak22061. We’ve read both his and the northern governments’ speeches. So, how did you get yours?”

“I thought it was the Northern Governors that negotiated a Power Shift in line with Nigeria’s peace and stability?” said @AlagbaKenneth.

“Confusion scattered everywhere,” remarked @Nedoomije1.

“Confusion in the opponents’ camp,” tweeted @SamyIce ace.

“Na God, punish all of you!” wrote @realxilohs. Isn’t that what they’ve been attempting? Nigeria must be Islamized/Fulanized! God will disperse you people and make you a laughingstock.”

Read Also: Gunmen open fire on a church in southwest Nigeria, killing 52 worshipers

“People were recently slaughtered in Owo, and your coconut head is still conducting presidential zoning!” said @youngdeacon17. I blame the stupid Nigerians. “Kick out APC the same way you kicked out PDP in 2015!”

June 5, 2022
2023: INEC Unveils Guidelines, Okays Electronic Transfer of Results, Bars Telephones in Voting Cubicles

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the guidelines for the 2023 elections yesterday, approximately eight months ahead of schedule.

The election umpire published the rules on its website and on its official Twitter account, @inecnigeria.

“The updated INEC Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections have been unveiled by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu,” it tweeted.

The 37-page paper, which can be downloaded from the commission’s website, comprises 106 norms and regulations for the 2023 elections, as well as health-related election-related measures.

In article 30 of the guideline, the commission stated that telephones and electronic devices capable of taking pictures are not allowed in polling booths.

Article 30, “Prohibition of the Use of Telephones and Other Electronic/Photographic Devices in the Voting Cubicle,” states: “Telephones and other electronic devices capable of taking pictures are not allowed in voting cubicles.

“Voters may come to the Polling Unit with telephones and other electronic devices provided that they do not take them to the voting cubicles or take pictures of other voters while they are voting.”

In the revised guideline, INEC also, among other things, approved the electronic transmission of election results in line with Electoral Act 2022.

Article 38 on Electronic Transmission of Results and Upload of Results to INEC’s Result Viewing Portal (IReV) states: “On completion of all the Polling Unit voting and results procedures, the Presiding Officer shall: (i) Electronically transmit or transfer the result of the Polling Unit, direct to the collation system as prescribed by the Commission.

“(ii) Use the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) to upload a scanned copy of the EC8A to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), as prescribed by the Commission.

“(iii) Take the BVAS and the original copy of each of the forms in tamper-evident envelope to the Registration Area/Ward Collation Officer, in the company of security agents. The Polling Agents may accompany the Presiding Officer to the RA/Ward Collation Centre.”

The INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, while speaking during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) in Abuja yesterday, said with the presentation of the guidelines, the Commission had commenced formal preparations for the polls.
Mahmood noted that this would be the first time the Commission was releasing the guidelines nine months before the general election.

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He stressed that the ICCES would continue to play a critical role and extended the appreciation of the electoral umpire to all security agencies for their support.

He said: “With the release of the Regulations and Guidelines today, and the publication of the Strategic Plan (SP) 2022-2026 and Election Project Plan 2023 earlier, the Commission has virtually concluded the planning processes for the 2023 General Election nine months ahead of the election.

“In the next couple of weeks, the training manual will also be presented to Nigerians. Going forward, the Commission will focus on election administration: logistics, training, voter education, technology, sensitisation against vote-buying, inclusivity measures and, above all, security. ICCES will continue to play a critical role and the Commission appreciates the support of all security agencies.”

The INEC Chairman recalled that at the last ICCES meeting, stakeholders agreed to reconvene before the forthcoming Ekiti governorship election.

Yakubu said: “As is the case on the eve of all major off-cycle governorship elections, ICCES holds a special meeting to review the security situation during which the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) and the Commissioner of Police (CP) will brief us on the state of readiness for the election. I am glad to welcome the REC for Ekiti State, Dr. Adeniran Rahmon Tella, and the CP, Moronkeji Adesina, to this meeting.”

He said with only 15 days to the Ekiti Governorship election, all the major activities that should to be carried out at this stage had been successfully undertaken.

The INEC Chairman continued: “I led a team of INEC National Commissioners to Ekiti State early this week to assess the Commission’s preparations for the elections.

“We visited our offices in several Local Government Areas, held meetings with our staff, had an audience with the Council of Obas to solicit the support of their royal majesties for peaceful elections and met with the security agencies.

“We also observed the ongoing training of ad hoc staff and the deployment of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for mock accreditation of voters in some polling units across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Read Also: APC Governors Start Rallying Around Osinbajo

“We will again return to Ekiti State shortly to meet with the stakeholders and for the signing of the Peace Accord by political parties and candidates under the auspices of the National Peace Committee.

“As the Commission is getting ready for the Ekiti State Governorship election, we have also gone far with similar preparations for the Osun State Governorship election holding next month i.e. Saturday 16th July 2022.”

June 4, 2022
Court to hear Abba Kyari’s extradition case Friday

The Federal Government has filed extradition proceedings against suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abba Kyari, and a Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled a hearing for Friday.

Read Also: Waziri Yakubu Gobir to fly the YPP governorship flag in Kwara in 2023

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) will be able to file a formal response to Kyari’s notice of primary objection challenging the competence of the AGF’s extradition application on Thursday, according to Justice Inyang Ekwo.
The AGF asked the court for permission to hand over Kyari to US authorities in connection with his alleged connection to international fraud suspect Abbas Ramon (aka Hushpuppi).

June 2, 2022
Waziri Yakubu Gobir to fly the YPP governorship flag in Kwara in 2023

In Ilorin on Wednesday, Waziri Yakubu Gobir declared his intention to run for governor of Kwara State in the 2023 general elections.

On the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP), he is running for governor.

“For far too long, our beloved State, like most of Nigeria, has wallowed in abject poverty and insecurity, while a few corners of the commonwealth hold the rest hostage,” Yakubu Gobir said at a press conference held at the party’s secretariat in Ilorin.

Read Also:2023 Presidency: APC Announces Sub-Committee Chairpersons For Special Convention

“From N100 million nomination forms to delegates who pledge allegiance to the fattest wads of hundreds of dollars, politics has devolved into a criminal enterprise, thriving only among the most corrupt.”

Gobir described the scenario as a grand plan to exclude the most honest and capable people from participating in the country’s governance, perpetuating kleptocracy.

“As you have been misled for so long, because the current leaders do not rate you so, except when paying lip service or using you as agents of destruction,” the YPP candidate charged the people of Kwara State, particularly the youth, to rise up as leaders of today and not tomorrow.

“The ‘O to ge’ movement that you successfully led in 2019 was a wake-up call for many Kwarans, but what happened to you after that?”

“Ethno-political conflict, social decay, and squandered resources have widened the gap between the haves and have-nots, fueling resentment and a glaring economic divide,” Gobir continued.

Read Also: Ortom’s libel suit: Court dismisses Akume’s application

He urged party members and youths to get their PVCs within the next 30 days in preparation for the upcoming battle.

Gobir’s declaration, according to Dele Ogunbiyi, the party’s State Chairman, is a big plus for the party.

June 2, 2022
2023 Presidency: APC Announces Sub-Committee Chairpersons For Special Convention

The All Progressives Congress has released a list of sub-committee chairpersons for its upcoming convention, which will elect a presidential candidate in 2023.

Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, released the list on Wednesday.

On Monday, the APC began screening its presidential candidates.

It is expected to hold a convention between June 6 and 8, where the candidate will be chosen from a field of approximately 23 candidates.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari revealed his criteria for the APC’s ideal presidential candidate for the 2023 elections on Tuesday.

The President made the revelation during a meeting with APC Governors in Abuja, sparking speculation about whether a consensus candidate is on the way.

Read Also: Ortom’s libel suit: Court dismisses Akume’s application

More than 20 candidates are vying to be the party’s presidential candidate.

The following is the complete list of Sub-Committee Chairpersons:

H.E. Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Gombe State, on the budget

Hajiya Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed, Minister of Finance, is a co-chair.

2. Finance and Logistics – Lagos State Governor, H.E. Babajide Sanwo-Olu

3. H.E. Prince Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, was accredited and decorated.

4. Governor of Ondo State, H.E. Rotimi Akeredolu, on security and compliance

Gen. Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd. ), former Minister of the Interior, is a co-chair.

5. Governor of Kebbi State, H.E. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on Election Planning

Governor of Imo State, H.E. Hope Uzodinma, is a co-chair.

Governor of Kano State, H.E. (Dr.) Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, is in charge of transportation.

Deputy: Dr. Ramatu Tijani Aliyu, Federal Capital Territory Minister of State

7. Governor of Borno State, H.E. Babagana Umara Zulum

Governor of Osun State, H.E. Gboyega Oyetola, is a co-chair.

H.E. Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Nasarawa State, on Media and Publicity

Dr. Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment, 9. Medicals

Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole, former Minister of Health, is the co-chair.

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Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami SAN

H.E. Bello Muhammad Matawalle, Governor of Zamfara State, is in charge of the venue and site services.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello, is a co-chair.

H.E. Mai Mala Buni, Governor of Yobe State, has made an election appeal.

H.E. Simon Lalong, Governor of Plateau State, on Hospitality and Welfare

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Hajiya Sadiya Umar Farouq, is the co-chair.

H.E. Aminu Bello Masari, Governor of Katsina State, Protocols

Governor of Kwara State, H.E. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, on digital communications

16. H.E. Mallam Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, Governor of Kaduna State, Pre-Convention/Management/Rapporteur

Deputy: Minister of Women’s Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen

17. Presidential Screening Appeal – Governor of Niger State, H.E. Abubakar Sani Bello

Rt. Hon. Ahmed Idris Wase, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, is a co-chair.

H.E. Ovie Omo-Agege, Deputy President of the Senate on Diplomatic Accreditation

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, is a co-chair.

June 2, 2022
Ortom’s libel suit: Court dismisses Akume’s application

A Makurdi High Court has dismissed Sesugh Akume’s application for a stay of proceedings in the N150 million libel suit brought by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom.

Omoleye Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, is also a defendant in the case.

Akume filed the application for a stay of proceedings through his counsel, Lubem Ukpo, pending the hearing and determination of his appeal at the Appeal Court against a previous ruling of the court that dismissed his motion for the judge to recuse himself from hearing Governor Ortom’s suit.

The Presiding Judge, Justice Augustine Ityonyiman, ruled on the application, holding that a stay of proceedings can only be granted in special and exceptional circumstances.

Read Also: Gunmen attack a herders’ camp in Anambra, killing four people and stealing 60 cows

According to Justice Ityoyinman, paragraph 6 of the affidavit simply swore that the petition is still pending before the National Judicial Commission, and thus there will be a conflict of interest in the case.

The judge emphasised that there is no correspondence from the National Judicial Commission (NJC) indicating a conflict of interest or why it exists.

He emphasised that a stay of proceedings application is not granted solely on the basis of the filing of an appeal.

He went on to say that the applicant must show that special and exceptional circumstances exist that compel the court to grant the application.

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“The application is totally devoid of merit, it fails, and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Ityoyinman ruled.

As a result, the judge adjourned the case for defence until June 28, 2022.

June 2, 2022
Gunmen attack a herders’ camp in Anambra, killing four people and stealing 60 cows

Gunmen allegedly attacked herders’ camp in Ndiukwuenu Community, Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, killing four people.

Gunmen with machetes and guns allegedly raided a Fulani camp in Ndiukwuenu Community, killing four people and carting away 60 cattle.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria issued a statement lamenting the state’s constant attacks by herdsmen camps.
Alhaji Gidado Soddiki, the Zonal Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, said the gunmen struck at 7:00 p.m. on May 30, 2022.

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As a result, the association stated that it not only appreciated the government and security agencies, but that it also wished for prompt intervention to stop the killings.

The four people killed, according to the MACBAN zonal chairman, were Mohammed Idris, Sale Idris, Abdulmumini Idris, and Musa Idris, but only the bodies of Mohammed Idris and Sale Idris were seen, while the bodies of the others were not.

When contacted, DSP Ikenga Tochi, the Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, stated that the command had not received an official report on the incident.

June 2, 2022