The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have given the federal government a deadline of May 31 to come up with a new national minimum wage for workers.

The ultimatum was given despite the decision of the federal government to increase the salaries of civil servants by 35 percent.

The Federal Government also approved an increase in pension of between 20 percent and 28 percent for pensioners on the defined benefits scheme, with respect to the six consolidated salary structures.

The implementation of the new salary structure was backdated to January 1, 2024.

There is palpable tension in and around the Ile Ipo market, in the Alimosho LGA of Lagos, following a fight that led to the torching of stalls and goods.

It was gathered that the crisis began on Wednesday night following a rift over a game of lotto.

On Thursday, it was learnt that a trader who is from the northern region of the country, played the popular game and won a certain amount of money.

However, when the trader walked to the lotto vendor to claim his money, there was a disagreement over the exact amount won.

The altercation between the trader and the lotto vendor was said to have snowballed into an ethnic squabble and a free-for-all fight which was seized by hoodlums.

Fire was set to a section of the market amid the faceoff, leaving traders and customers scampering for safety. Thereafter, shops were looted and burnt as tempers flared.

The fight continued on Thursday morning before police officers were mobilised to the scene.

Some persons were said to have sustained injuries during the clash.

At the moment, all the shops in the market have been shuttered, with police officers patrolling the vicinity and the neighbourhood to maintain law and order.

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has responded to the allegation that he is inciting people of the south-east against the federal government.

The former governor of Anambra said the allegation is a “baseless distraction” designed to tarnish his character.

He averred that his “focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics”.

Obi said he would not reduce himself to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics.

“Regarding allegations of incitement against the government, I firmly reject these unfounded accusations aimed at tarnishing my character,” Obi wrote on X.

“My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics.

“Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated for unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.

“Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.”

THE INCITEMENT ALLEGATION

David Umahi, minister of works, on Wednesday accused Obi of inciting people of the south-east against the federal government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos, Umahi said Obi implemented the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was governor of Anambra.

The minister condemned Obi for criticising the federal government over the project, adding that affected property owners are already being compensated.

Obi has repeatedly criticised the federal government for the construction, describing the project as a misplaced priority.

The former Anambra governor said the “insensitive” demolition of structures for the project was “heart-wrenching”.

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road, which is expected to run through the shoreline of beach resorts in Lagos, while traversing eight other states.

The project has elicited controversy over funding, and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

RESPONSE ON DEMOLITIONS AS ANAMBRA GOVERNOR

Responding to Umahi on demolition of structures, Obi said while he was governor, he clearly stated that all structures obstructing existing roads and lacking approval would be removed.

The former Anambra governor challenged anyone to show evidence on whether the “demolished structures on existing roads or ongoing businesses were not encroaching on the road and built without government approval”.

He added that it amounts to false equivalence to compare his actions as governor with the current Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Obi said he “never proposed creating a new road that would disrupt existing structures”.

“My actions were strategic, aiming to prioritise the repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure over projects that risked disruption and destruction,” Obi added.

“This approach aimed to safeguard the livelihoods of Nigerians and ensure the efficient use of resources.”