Scores of members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP) have dumped the parties for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Ikire, Osun State....Read More

Some members of The Osun Progressive (TOP) also dumped the group formed by the aggrieved members of the APC to rejoin the party.

The defectors were received into the APC by the party’s Chairman in Osun State, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in Ikire on Sunday.

Speaking, Lawal said the defectors decided to join the APC over the achievements and policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Lawal, who described the APC as the only party capable of reviving the country’s economy, said, “We just started. PDP, ADP, and TOP are joining our party because they know what is happening.

“They know what Tinubu is doing in Nigeria and they want to participate and be involved. They know what Oyebamiji is doing in this area. They know that APC is the only party that can move Nigeria forward. We are assuring them that they will not regret joining our party.”

Some former members of the PDP, on their part, said they decided to dump the party over allegation that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, turned governance to family affairs.

The defectors, alongside others, also promised to work tirelessly to ensure APC wins the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

One of the defectors, Alimi Surajudeen Alade said, “When you are in a party and you don’t have sense of belonging but isolated, and the party is doing things only within their friends and families, it is not a party for the masses, I don’t think I can go along with such a party.

“In Osun State, especially in Irewole, only those they see as family are dominating without giving other people the opportunity to have the dividend of democracy. I cannot be in such a party.

“Political party is to help the masses and not for a group of people. In a situation where out of 100, only two per cent are enjoying, such a government is creating suffering and problems for the masses.”

The People Democratic Party (PDP), has fixed 27th July, 2024 for the conduct of local government congress in Jigawa State....Read More

Jigawa State PDP chairman, Ali Diginsa disclosed this in a statement issued to DAILY POST on Sunday.

He declared that the party is intact and is fully prepared for local government congress scheduled for 27 July 2024.

According to him, “After renewing the membership registration across the 287 political wards, the party held stakeholder meetings at all levels to prepare for the Congress.

“We are strong and united under a single leadership in Jigawa State, we don’t have any aggrieved faction, and we are disciplined and loyal members of PDP, a party that has the confidence of all good people of Jigawa state.

“Our preparation is beyond local government congress, it also include a strategy for clearing the current leadership mess happening in Jigawa and Nigeria and bringing the leaders who have a passion for national unity, peace, and development.”

The High Court in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has prolonged an interim order originally issued on July 8. This order prevents the Chief Judge and the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly from engaging with the House of Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule....Read More

According to report from the nation, Governor Siminialayi Fubara, aiming to thwart any impeachment attempts by the Amaewhule-led Assembly, obtained the interim order through a lawsuit filed with the Attorney-General of Rivers State against Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers. The lawsuit also names lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, the Chief Judge, the Clerk of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as defendants.

Presiding over the case, Justice Jumbo Stephens, in the July 8 order, instructed all parties involved to maintain the current state of affairs until the court rules on the motion for an interlocutory injunction. The court specifically restrained the Chief Judge and Clerk from interacting with the 27 defendants and from acting on any resolutions or documents from them until the motion on notice is decided.

The court also mandated that the originating and other legal documents be served to the 30 defendants by pasting them at the gate of the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters on Aba Road.

On July 19, Justice Stephens renewed the interim order, citing numerous applications, particularly concerning the legal representation of the Clerk and the PDP. The court considered the counter-affidavit filed by Amaewhule and the other lawmakers in opposition to the claimants’ motion for an interlocutory injunction.

Justice Stephens stated that the extension of the interim orders is to ensure justice and uphold the court’s dignity. The interim orders are extended until the court determines the motion on notice and other pending applications. The judge has scheduled the next hearing for October 14 to address the legal representation issues and other matters

President Joe Biden has endorsed Kamala Harris as his preferred presidential nominee for his party....Read More

Biden announced on his official X page on Sunday, shortly after he withdrew from the United States November presidential election.

He had said it was in the best interest of his party and the country to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling his duties as President for the remainder of his term.

“My fellow Democrats, I have decided not to accept the nomination and to focus all my energies on my duties as President for the remainder of my term. My very first decision as the party nominee in 2020 was to pick Kamala Harris as my Vice President. And it’s been the best decision I’ve made.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he added.

According to Mahdi Shehu, a political commentator from Nigeria, it is dishonest and risky to accuse Peter Obi and his associates of supporting and instigating the upcoming hunger strike. Obi was the governor of Anambra state....Read More

The announcement was made on Sunday by Mahdi Shehu via his official X handle. The former governor of Anambra state should be detained for the planned demonstration, according to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy.

This is followed by his comments. According to Onanuga, Peter Obi need to face the consequences of any protest-related incidents. From his page, Onanuga penned the following: Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s unsuccessful presidential candidate, has the backing of the discontents who intend to hold demonstrations around the country.

If a crisis arises as a result of the action, he should be held accountable. It is risky to accuse Peter Obi of supporting the demonstration, according to Mahdi Shehu. When it comes to solving important national problems, he argued, this strategy is a panic tactic. The Nigerian federal government, he argued, must turn inward and make all the required changes if it wants peace.

The following is text from Mahdi Shehu’s official X handle: The imminent hunger protest is being falsely and recklessly accused of being planned, incited, and funded by Peter Obi and the Obidients. Additionally, it is a hasty solution to important problems. If FG really wants peace, they need to take a hard look at themselves and make all the required changes

US 46th President, Joe Biden, has explained that it is in the best interest of his party and his country for him to withdraw from the November 4 presidential election....Read More

He noted that he will focus solely on fulfilling his duties as president for the remainder of his term.

DAILY POST reports that Biden announced his withdrawal from the race for a second term in the coming election on Sunday.

He said: “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. While I have intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

His decision to step down as the Democratic Party candidate to run against former President Donald Trump comes amid heightened calls by Democrats, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi.

Full speech:

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We’ve made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans.

We’ve provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years.

Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without you, the American people. Together, we overcame a once-in-a-century pandemic and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. We’ve protected and preserved our Democracy. And we’ve revitalized and strengthened our alliances around the world.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. While I have intended to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.

I will speak to the Nation later this week in more detail about my decision.

For now, let me express my deepest gratitude to all those who have worked so hard to see me reelected. I want to thank Vice President Kamala Harris for being an extraordinary partner in all this work. And let me express my heartfelt appreciation to the American people for the faith and trust you have placed in me.

I believe today what I always have: that there is nothing America can’t do―when we do it together. We just have to remember we are the United States of America.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Akwa Ibom State Council says it has commenced sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for councillorship seats across the 369 wards in the state....Read More

This is in preparation for the upcoming local government elections in the state by October, 2024.

In a statement by the state publicity secretary, Borono Bassey, he said the exercise commenced on Friday, July 19 and would end on Wednesday, July 24.

The statement noted that for Saturdays, the collection of Nomination and Expression of Interest Forms will take place from 9am and end by 3pm.

Bassey said the party chairman, Elder Aniekan Akpan has encouraged all aspirants to maximize the time frame and purchase the forms, promising that the party would display the principles of fair play and transparency and also adhere to the guidelines throughout the exercise.

According to him, “The Chairman, Rt. Hon. (Eld) Aniekan Akpan said our Party, the PDP has put all modalities in motion to ensure that we have a successful outing. Yesterday, we announced the Commencement of Sales of Forms and once that process is completed, submission will begin and also end on the stipulated dates. Thereafter we will screen candidates.

“I wish to reiterate the advice of the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, who is our Governor, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Eno, that leaders and stakeholders across the different Local Government Areas and Wards must ensure that their actions, resolutions and choices promote the current legacy of Peace that we enjoy in this State and also make winning very easy for our Party, the PDP.

“We must, through our actions and choices, continue to uphold and make good the trust of Akwa Ibom on the PDP which has made them continue to choose our Party as the most preferred platform for the emergence of Leaders and Representatives.”

In a significant development, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has turned down a proposal from President Bola Tinubu to raise the minimum wage to ₦250, 000 in exchange for a substantial increase in petrol prices. The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, revealed this on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’ s Politics Today, following a meeting with the President in Abuja....Read More

Ajaero explained that the Organised Labour had to decline the offer to prevent further economic strain on Nigerians. ” Accepting ₦70, 000 was the best way to save Nigerians from further hardship, ” he asserted. This decision came after President Tinubu suggested, ” I will give you guys ₦250, 000 if you allow me to equally increase the pump price of petroleum products. ” However, the labour movement opted to consult further on the proposal before making a final decision.

At Thursday’ s meeting, the Labour representatives informed President Tinubu of their stance, rejecting the proposed exchange. Ajaero emphasized that while the labour movement is willing to make sacrifices, it cannot do so at the expense of increasing the pump price of petroleum products, which would exacerbate the existing economic challenges for the average Nigerian.

Since President Tinubu’ s announcement in May 2023 that ” subsidy is gone, ” the pump price of petrol has surged dramatically from ₦184 to approximately ₦700, varying across different regions of the country. This steep rise has placed a considerable burden on consumers, compounding the economic difficulties many Nigerians face.

The decision to agree on a ₦70, 000 minimum wage comes amid significant economic pressure and the need for regular wage reviews. Ajaero noted that the NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) agreed on this figure to mitigate the financial hardships experienced by workers. He highlighted that the wage reviews in Nigeria would no longer adhere to the five- year interval but would now occur every three years, ensuring more frequent adjustments to reflect the changing economic conditions.
The next step involves President Tinubu sending an executive bill to the National Assembly to formalize the new minimum wage for legislative approval. This move is expected to streamline the implementation of the agreed- upon wage increase and provide a legal framework for its enforcement.
The debate over the minimum wage and petrol pricing comes at a time of heightened economic uncertainty in Nigeria. The removal of the petrol subsidy has been a contentious issue, sparking widespread debate and protests. While the government argues that subsidy removal is necessary for economic reforms and fiscal sustainability, the immediate impact on petrol prices has been severe, affecting transportation costs and the general cost of living.
Ajaero’ s revelations on Channels Television underscore the delicate balancing act that the Nigerian government and labour unions must perform. While there is a clear need to improve workers’ wages to cope with inflation and economic pressures, there is also a significant concern about the broader economic implications of further increasing petrol prices.

The Organised Labour’ s decision to reject the ₦250, 000 minimum wage proposal in exchange for higher petrol prices reflects a broader strategy to protect workers and the general populace from additional economic strain. By advocating for a more moderate wage increase, the NLC and TUC aim to achieve a sustainable solution that addresses workers’ needs without exacerbating the cost of living crisis.

This development also places pressure on the government to find alternative measures to support economic growth and improve living standards without resorting to drastic increases in essential commodity prices. The challenge lies in balancing fiscal reforms with the need to ensure social stability and protect vulnerable populations from economic shocks.

As the government prepares to present the new minimum wage bill to the National Assembly, all eyes will be on the legislative process and the potential responses from various stakeholders. The outcome of this process will significantly impact Nigeria’ s economic landscape, influencing both workers’ welfare and the broader economic environment.

The labour unions’ stance highlights the importance of inclusive and consultative policy- making processes, particularly in matters that directly affect the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians. It underscores the need for the government to engage in continuous dialogue with key stakeholders, ensuring that economic policies are both effective and equitable.

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum has taken a definite stand on the protracted political crisis in Rivers State....Read More

DAILY POST recalls that Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his political godfather, now FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, have been at loggerheads, leading to the factionalization of the State House of Assembly.

There have also been concerns over the silence of the PDP leadership.

However, in a communiqué issued after their meeting in Enugu on Wednesday, the governors elected on the PDP platform declared their support for Fubara.

In the communiqué signed by the chairman of the Forum and Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, the governors said they noted the crises in the Rivers State Chapter of the party “and commits to ensuring peace.

“The Forum has resolved to stand by His Excellency, Sir Sim Fubara, Governor of Rivers State; while at the same time employ wider consultations with stakeholders for a peaceful resolution and thus find a lasting solution to the crises.”

They equally expressed regrets that “the 16 years of tremendous development under the PDP-led Federal Government, during which the country witnessed single digit inflation, the establishment of the existing anti-corruption institutions and higher standard of living for every Nigerian has been eroded during the life span of the lacklustre APC-led Federal Government.”

“The Forum identifies with the Nigerian populace in these troubling times and promises to bring back those good old days, of low inflation rate, affordable food, fuel and transportation, steady FDI inflows resulting in high naira value and the greater quality of human life as recorded.

“In that regard, the meeting commended the Governors of PDP-controlled states for their innovative approaches to governance in many fields especially infrastructure, education, health, women and youth initiatives and the timely delivery of developmental projects, across the country.

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“The forum therefore calls on all Nigerians to refrain from anarchy as we all march towards the return of the PDP to power in 2027.

“The meeting thanked the Host, His Excellency, Governor Peter Mbah for hosting the first meeting of the PDP Governors in recent times outside Abuja and for holding the Party together not only in Enugu State but in the entire South Eastern Geo-political Zone; as well as extolled his virtues and achievements as evidenced with major landmark projects and interventions,” the communiqué further stated.