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Tribunal Judgement: Panel chairman compromised, used as tool against new electoral act – PDP

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Osun Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Osun Governorship Tribunal Chairman, Mr Tertse Kume of bias, sell out, sabotage and deliberate undermining of new electoral act, vowing to report the judge to judicial disciplinary bodies.

Addressing a world press conference at Osogbo today, the party leadership led by the State Caretaker Chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele affirmed that the judgement was clearly waybilled by the All Progressive Congress (APC) as the judge abandoned legal arguments and submissions to dwell on the trivial as foundation for his pronouncement.

Citing many examples of bias and personal hatred for the State Governor by the Tribunal Chairman, the PDP accused the Benue born judge of serving as the mouthpiece of the petitioners during the hearing and of personal attacks on the Governor in the ruling, citing the ridiculous reference to buga dance in the judgement.

 

The full speech below:

“Our party had always suspected Mr Tertse Kumeata’s conduct in the course of hearing of the petition. Most times, the Benue State born controversial arbiter would get lost and get himself overwhelmed with his bias tendencies and enter the role of lead counsel to the petitioner, arguing points for them like a hired mercenary, even when it was obvious the hired counsels for the petitioner had lost their way.

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“This reckless abuse of privilege got to a head when Mr Tartse had to step down hearing twice for the APC lead counsel to adjust and regain himself when the latter got lost in traffic of trying to adumbrate white as black in their final written address.

“What more, the premeditated stance of the tribunal chairman was clearly demonstrated in his side of the stalemate with his choice of words which we considered unethical, disrespectful and unbecoming of a judicial officer of such standing.

“Even if the judgement was waybilled to him as we suspected by his petitioner collaborators, he should have disguised and exercised some restraints by expunging the foul languages obviously written for him in local parlance of Buga lyrics to disrespect an elected governor. He shouldn’t have gone so low, low, low!

“This is more so, when he’s expected not to be too carried away or in the least, to be aware that his warped position was a mere starting point in the legal tussle in this context as provided in our extant laws.

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“For us as a party, we understand the desperation of those behind the jankara judgement. We understand the trap they tried to set against the BVAS innovation in our electoral system. We understand the desperation goes beyond the Osun election or Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke.

“The evil plot is ultimately against the coming general election where in their usual fraudulent habit, millions of voter cards have either been cloned, registered with ghost names and are being made ready to be deployed especially for the presidential election, in which they could smell their total rejection far ahead of time.

“In this wise and in their fraudulent anticipation, the use of BVAS machine must be discredited and rendered impotent ahead of their planned invasion of the electoral field with their fraudulent antics. However ladies and gentlemen, this is a battle they cannot win!

“The experience in Osun calls for eternal vigilance of Nigerians. Nigerians from far and near must be vigilant because the poll robbers are not resting and are not even hiding it. They are on the streets boasting already with their trade to circumvent the process against popular choice of Nigerians. This we must all fight or the nation is doomed in their hands.

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“The most disturbing aspect is that they have collaborators and willing accomplices everywhere. Either in the Election management body, security or even the hallowed temple of justice like the Buga exponent, who have got drenched in his bias disposition to dare all consequences to deliver an absurdity of judgement, which was washed down his face alternately by his bench mate.

“Nigerians must be ready just as we are ready for them in Osun State. They will not win this time. There should be an end to exploits of minority crooks in our land.

“In the meantime, we call on the good people of our dear state, to be calm in steadfastness. They should be calm but be ready to defend their mandate with us. The bandits will not win when we move as one”, the party chief concluded.

Signed:
Dr Akindele Adekunle
Osun State PDP Caretaker Committee Chairman

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Labour gives FG May 31 deadline for new minimum wage

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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.

 

Labour has since said it wants the sum of ₦615,000 as the new minimum wage.

 

Speaking during the Workers Day Celebration in Abuja, Joe Ajaero, president of NLC, said they might not guarantee the industrial harmony of the country if the new minimum wage is not implemented.

 

“The NLC and the TUC have made it clear and emphatically that should the minimum wage negotiation continue and linger till the end of May, we can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in this country,” Ajaero said.

Also speaking, Festus Osifo, TUC president, said the N30,000 current minimum wage is insufficient for Nigerian workers due to the current economic realities.

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Osifo implored the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power distribution companies to immediately reverse the current increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers.

 

“The NLC and TUC hereby advise NERC and power sector operators to reverse the last increase in electricity tariff within the next one week,” the TUC president said.

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Claims of inciting Igbos against FG baseless, Obi replies Umahi

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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.”

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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.

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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.”

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Coastal highway: Umahi slams Obi, says he’s inciting south-east people against FG

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David Umahi, minister of works, says Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra, is inciting people of the south-east against the Federal Government over the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project.

Umahi spoke in Lagos on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting on the road project.

 

Recently, the federal government commenced the construction of the 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 generated controversy and concerns about funding and the businesses that would be affected during construction.

 

On Tuesday, Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, criticised the federal government over the project, describing it as a misplaced priority.

 

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

 

UMAHI REPLIES OBI

Responding to the comment, Umahi said Obi supported the demolition of structures for road infrastructure while he was the governor of Anambra.

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

“When you condemn people you bring judgment upon yourself and that is what he has done,” Umahi said.

 

“I think he is inciting some of the south-east people that are not well informed.

“He is inciting and getting them into trouble and he does not go to fight for them.

“Wisdom is a defence. It gives light to those that practice it. I want our people to have wisdom because I’m involved.”

Umahi added that the federal government did not destroy the facilities of Landmark Beach, noting that only shanties on the right of way were removed.

 

He said the owners of Landmark Beach were not unfairly treated in the construction of the project.

 

The minister accused Paul Onwuanibe, chief executive officer (CEO) of Landmark Africa Group, of politicising the issues arising from the project.

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