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Toyin Abraham took to the streets of Ibadan to protest for the special anti-robbery squad (SARS) to be scrapped.
She wrote on her Instagram page;
“I am more than my movies, I am an instrument for change and a destiny implementer . You can do this. Love you all. #ENDSARS”
Watch below the video of the protest Toyin Abraham led.
Frank Mba,Nigerian Police Force Public Officer has opined that some social media celebrities are using the End SARS campaign to grow their fan base.
He further noted that these celebrities are seeking public validation.
Frank Mba said in an Interview yesterday;
“I have seen some of those who are pushing for end SARS who are just pseudo-activists, people who are desperate for public validation, people who are looking to be seen as social media influencers and I will tell you these are the people that post false items, fake news.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday finally reacted for the call to end the Special Anti-Robbery Squad over their alleged brutality in the country.
Nigerians have been protesting against the activities of the police operatives for some past few days.
Buhari in a statement released on Friday night noted that he had met with the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu.
The president expressed his determination to reform the Police Force and ensure that officers are fully accountable to Nigerians.
Few minutes ago, the president of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari addressed the on going “END SARS” protest in Nigeria.
He stated the following;
“I met again with the IGP tonight. Our determination to reform the police should never be in doubt. I am being briefed regularly on the reform efforts ongoing to end police brutality and unethical conduct, and ensure that the Police are fully accountable to the people.”
“The IG already has my firm instructions to conclusively address the concerns of Nigerians regarding these excesses, & ensure erring personnel are brought to justice. I appeal for patience & calm, even as Nigerians freely exercise their right to peacefully make their views known.”
“The vast majority of men and women of the Nigeria Police Force are patriotic and committed to protecting the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians, and we will continue to support them to do their job.”
The Nigerian Police force has released statements on Twitter to address the “END SARS” protest and the killings associated with it.
Below are the statements;
“ENDSARS PROTESTERS GO BERSERK – MURDER 1 POLICEMAN, INJURE ANOTHER IN DELTA, STEAL AK47 RIFLE WITH 25 ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION.”
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP M.A Adamu, NPM, mni has condemned the unprovoked and violent attack on policemen and damage to police operational vehicles and other assets by ENDSARS protesters in Ughelli, Delta State, on Thursday, 8th October, 2020.”
“The incident which resulted in the unfortunate death of one Police officer, Corporal Etaga Stanley attached to ‘A’ Division, Ughelli, Delta State who was attacked and brutally murdered by the protesters also left another, Sergeant Patrick Okuone with serious body injury sustained from gunshot by the protesters. The protesters also carted away one (1) service AK47 rifle with breach no 56-2609008 and 25 rounds of live ammunition that was with the deceased at the time of the incident.”
“The IGP, who described the incident as cruel and unwarranted, has warned that the Force will no longer tolerate any attack on its personnel or any member of the law enforcement community by any individual or group protesting under any guise.”
“The IGP notes that protest by citizens remain a legitimate means for airing their concerns and views. It must however be carried out with all sense of responsibility and within the confines of the law.”
“The IGP, while condoling the family and friends of the late Corporal Etaga Stanley who paid the supreme price in the service of our dear nation, equally commended the officers of the Delta State Police Command for exercising restraint in the face of the immoral and unjustified provocation.”
“Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Delta State to carry out a discrete investigation into the unfortunate incident, root-out the perpetrators and bring the killer protesters to book.”
Below are snapshots of the original tweets as posted by the Nigerian Police force.
ONLY federal workers registered on the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) platform would continue to get salaries, President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
Buhari said this during the presentation of the N13.03 trillion 2021 Appropriation Bill to the joint session of the National Assembly in Abuja on Thursday.
The President said any worker not captured on the payroll would be treated as a ghost worker.
But the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) that has vowed never to key into the IPPIS platform as demanded by the Federal Government, said the President’s remarks had nothing to do with its members.
ASUU President Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, who reacted to the remark yesterday, said President Muhammadu Buhari was not referring to its members in his budget speech.
Prof Ogunyemi said: “The President didn’t say ASUU members. He said he didn’t want to pay money to non-existent personnel and he (president) said employees of federal government. That doesn’t translate to ASUU.
“As far as ASUU is concerned, we have met with Mr. President, we have reached an understanding that we should develop the alternative to IPPIS that will respect the autonomy of universities. That is what we have done and which we have presented to the Federal Ministry of Education about two months ago.”
“What is left for government to do is to continue with the integrity test that they promised to conduct before they accept the alternative which is the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).
“We don’t believe that ASUU falls into the category of non-existent workers. We don’t believe that ASUU works at the MDAs that Mr. President talked about.
“IPPIS is meant for the civil servants and that we know they are faithfully applying. So if that is going on in the MDAs, we believe the universities should be insulated from civil service rules because universities have their own establishment Acts which are vested with the management of personnel and payroll system in the hands of the university Governing Councils. That is what we have been challenging all along.”
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), says Nigeria’s economy may slip back into recession.
Buhari poke at the presentation of the 2021 budget estimates to the Joint Session of the National Assembly on Thursday in Abuja.
The president explained that Nigeria’s economy is being battered by the global economic fallout from COVID-19, adding that a drop in crude oil prices deprives the country of key revenues.
He presented a budget of N13.1 trillion, which represents over 20 per cent increase from last year’s spending plan.
The budget, he said, comes with a deficit of N4.8 trillion that will be financed mainly by borrowing.
Buhari noted that global crude prices tumbled early in the year, falling below $20 per barrel in April.
He said, “The 2021 Budget was prepared amidst a challenging global and domestic environment due to the persistent headwinds from the Coronavirus Pandemic. The resulting global economic recession, low oil prices and heightened global economic uncertainty have had important implications for our economy.
The Nigerian economy is currently facing serious challenges, with the macroeconomic environment being significantly disrupted by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Real Gross Domestic Product growth declined by 6.1 percent in the second quarter of 2020.
“This ended the 3-year trend of positive, but modest, real GDP growth recorded since the second quarter of 2017. I am glad to note that, through our collective efforts, our economy performed relatively better than that of many other developed and emerging economies.
GDP growth is projected to be negative in the third quarter of this year. As such, our economy may lapse into the second recession in four years, with significant adverse consequences.
“However, we are working assiduously to ensure a rapid recovery in 2021. We remain committed to implementing programmes to lift 100 million Nigerians out of poverty over the next 10 years.”
Falz, Tiwa Savage, Runtown, DJ spinall, Toke Makinwa amongst others, joined the “END SARS” protest today. The protest which started off yesterday even got more serious today.
Many youths were seen on the streets of major areas in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria making their grievances known.
Below is the video of a policeman trying to scare some of the protesters.
A popular musician , Olamide made a statement on Twitter disclosing how much it pains him not to be in Nigeria at the moment.
Below are also video links of Tiwa Savage and DJ Spinall supporting millions of Nigerian youths to protest.
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGFLfdxIZNL/?igshid=q7epvvy7acd2
https://www.instagram.com/p/CGFPD3UAsiC/?igshid=mhx686e8tpvm
God-fatherism in politics has been existing way back before I was born. If you think god-fatherism never existed in Oyo state, that is very wrong. Late Adedibu during his lifetime used to be a powerful godfather in Oyo state and a saviour to his numerous thugs.
The sitting governor in Oyo state at that time (2003) , Senator Rashidi Ladoja seemed to be a figure head to many while Adedibu was indirectly trying to control the state. There were times in broad day light when Adedibu’s thugs took over the metropolis shooting and causing chaos. What about rumours of how those thugs forcefully acquired land from people who worked hard to own it?
Adedibu’s influence was not restricted to only Oyo state. It reached other south western states in Nigeria. There was an interview he had and he was referring to the then governor of osun state, he said and I quote ;
“Sebí omo dada ni gomina osun. Ti mo ba ti lo ki, o ma n ko nkan kabiti si eyin buutu Mi. Isu ko ni o da si ibe , owó ni.”
Meaning that, the then governor of osun state was a good son and anytime he visited him, he used to load his booth with money and not with yam.
After school closing hours, even school children were not safe. Fortunately, my siblings and I didn’t have to go home ourselves after closing time. My heart raced each time I sighted a thug on bike, riding carelessly past the vehicle in which I was. Late Adedibu suceeded in impeaching Ladoja with the support of his cohorts on January 2006. Precisely after 11 months, on December 2006, Ladoja won the case in court and got his mandate back as governor of the state.
However when Governor Obaseki of Edo state and Adams Oshiomole ( a typical godfather ) started having issues before the 2020 Edo state elections, I thought of the old days of god-fatherism in Oyo state.
Oyo politics is dynamic! After Ladoja completed his tenure , the free spending Christopher Alao Akala was elected as governor. Then, the season film started. I wasn’t old enough to understand politicians’ gimmicks before then, hence my personal observation started. You see, anytime a wrong leader is voted into power , the civil servants suffer first , then others follow. Thank God for where Oyo state stands today, it is a big revolution. I’m not done yet, I’m still going doing the memory lane.
Akala took over as governor like a careless spender in disguise as a free giver. People around him enjoyed but what about those working for the state? He made a statement then and I quote;
“I can’t break into the bank in order to pay worker’s salaries”.
My thoughts are, “what happened to maximizing opportunities in the state and generating more revenue inorder to keep up with the state’s expenses? ” . Oyo people got tired of Akala and as the 2011 elections approached, campaign was intensified by candidates contesting to be the next governor…this includes Akala. Well it happened, Akala lost and Senator Abiola Ajimobi won the gubernatorial election. However, as the late legendary afrobeat singer, Fela kuti said in his words, “suffer suffer”. The “suffer suffer” season began!
Late Senator Abiola Ajimobi was sworn in as governor and well, his first achivement was the 13 months salary he decided to pay workers on December. However, the claimed 13 months salary was relatively a stipend, not a full salary. The narrow flyover constructed at Mokola was another achievement for him, amongst other things he did. Mind you, I can say not for clout but fact that the flyover was not well constructed because it is very hard to sight an on coming vehicle.This describes how narrow the flyover is.
After series of road constructions and other achievements, the war between the state government and workers started. Ajimobi started owing workers salaries , as much as 7months. Amidst the debts, he sacked so many workers unjustly and notwithstanding, kept on troubling them by observing very frequent screenings. Many workers lost their lives via road accident, as he mandated them to make their certificates available during the numerous screenings.
Of course , workers had to obtain their certificates from various institutions across the country. Some workers lost their lives in road accidents, others lost their lives due to depression and underlying health issues they could no longer afford to treat , as a result of lacking stable income. Ajimobi kept on sacking and suspending workers , yet didn’t replace them with new intakes. As if that wasn’t enough , he demolished buildings without compensating the people involved. Yet, he didn’t set up new infrastructures in places he demolished.
During the time Ajimobi was serving as governor, he made a statement in the church during a service for the late Oba Odulana Odugade( the former Olubadan of Ibadan) and I quote ;
“I cannot use money meant to develop the state to pay worker’s salaries”.
Oyo has seen bad days and if the people are rejoicing today because Engr. Seyi Makinde is in power, go back to the memory lane. Unfortunately for Oyo people, Ajimobi governed the state for 8 years , it was about the survival of the fittest. Even entrepreneurs felt the heat, money wasn’t circulating but there was enough funds to support campaign for 2019 elections. Ajimobi contested for the senate but lost. His gubernatorial candidate ,“Adelabu”, also lost the election. Rain fell on that day , it was a glorious day for Oyo People as Seyi Makinde won the gubernatorial election.
Ajimobi could have been a godfather if his gubernatorial candidate had won the election. Oyo politics seems to be moving and for the first time in a long while, the people finally have a voice. Hey, Oyo revolution is God’s plan.
The Federal Executive Council has approved the sum of N653,886,584 to procure and deploy a hybrid spectrum monitoring system that will cover the southern part of the country, most importantly the south-east.
The Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Issa Pantami, disclosed this on Wednesday, at the end of the 18th virtual Federal Executive Council meeting presided by President Muhammadu Buhari at State Hūouse in Abuja.
According to him, the investigation carried out in five geo-political zones; the north-east, north-west, north-central, south-west and south-south, revealed that out of the 320 frequencies discovered, 106 were illegal and based on the advice of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the illegal frequencies will be prosecuted.
Mr Pantami described the use of illegal frequencies in the country which according to him, has become very rampant, as worrisome.
He explained that the initial monitoring did not cover the southeastern part of the country, hence the need for the council’s approval.
Following the recent outburst of Nigerian youths on social media, youths have taken to the streets of Lagos to intensify the “END SARS” protest.
Below are pictures of many youths walking around the streets of Lagos, calling on the government to come to their aid.
Below is also a video of youths making their grievances known.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) says it recorded 646 convictions and recovered more than N11 billion in monetary asset this year, despite the restriction imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The acting chairman of the EFCC, Umar Abba, disclosed this while addressing the Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes in Abuja on Tuesday.
The spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the Senate committee had expressed the desire of the Upper Legislative House to see a reformed and rebranded EFCC.
This, according to the committee, will help in its fight against corruption, economic and financial crimes in the country.
Suleiman Kwari, the Chairman of the committee, advised that 90 per cent of investigation should be done before “arrest is effected”.
He added that “media hype must stop”. If you want to be effective forget the media, do the work and let your work speak for you.”
Mr Kwari disclosed that the 9th Senate is determined to see that there is a constant flow of information and engagement between the Senate and the EFCC.
Aliyu Wamakko, the Deputy Chairman of the committee, expressed concern on the commission’s lean budgetary allocation for legal fees, noting that there must be adequate provision for legal fees in the EFCC budget for effective prosecutions.
Mr Uwujaren quoted the EFCC boss, Mr Umar, as telling the Senate committee that the commission has earned the confidence and trust of Nigerians because of its unblemished professional disposition.
“The EFCC is doing remarkably well above all other law-enforcement agencies in the country and that is why the UNODC and National Bureau of Statistics in the 2017 survey they conducted ranked EFCC as the most effective government agency in Nigeria,” Mr Umar said.
Reacting to the issues of seized vehicles by the commission, Mr Abba expressed pain at the deteriorating state of asset in the custody of the EFCC.
“We are working on this challenge and I am sure the Attorney-General of the Federation is coming out with a gazette so that this issue will be a thing of the past. It involves not only vehicles, but also landed properties,” he said.
The EFCC boss also weighed in on concerns expressed by the legislators on the waning impact of the Whistle-blowing policy of the federal government, blaming the situation on mischief and misinformation by members of the public who turned it to a tool for settling personal scores.
“It is true that the whistle-blowing policy has gone awry, unlike what it was at the beginning of the policy, where we received several reports from whistle-blowers.
“People started being mischievous with the policy. So we have to tread carefully as people turned it into a personal vendetta tool against individuals,” he said. He, however, revealed that the policy was being fine-tuned by the Ministry of Finance to make it more efficient.
The EFCC boss used the occasion to acquaint the legislators with the challenges confronting the agency, including the lack of adequate personnel and office accommodation, especially in the Commission’s zonal offices), and the lack of internet facility, Information and Communication Technology equipment, among others.
He canvassed for the support of the committee in overcoming these challenges through appropriation.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), will on Thursday present the 2021 budget estimate at a Joint session of both chambers of the National Assembly.
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, made the announcement at plenary on Tuesday.
Lawan confirmed the receipt of a letter from the Buhari which he read to his colleagues.
“May I crave the kind indulgence of the distinguished senate to grant me the slot of 11:00hrs on Thursday, 8th October, 2020, to formally present the 2021 Appropriation bill to the Joint Session of the National Assembly.
While I look forward to addressing the joint session, please, accept Mr Senate President, the assurances of my highest regard.”
Meanwhile the Senate will on Wednesday (today) consider the report of its committee on finance on the 2021-2023 Medium Term Expenditure and Fiscal Strategy Paper which would be presented by the panel Chairman, Senator Solomon Adeola.
Almost all ethnic nationalities and socio-cultural groups have cried of marginalization and made very strident calls for restructuring, and even produced agenda for restructuring. Even clerics have not been left behind in airing their views and worries about the need for restructuring the Nigerian Federation
However, Sam Adeyemi, the founder and Senior Pastor of the Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, Nigeria feels that the country is not yet ready for restructuring. He further expressed his concerns and stated that the first restructuring that is needed is for power to shift from political leaders to citizens
Sam Adeyemi wrote on his Twitter page that “I fear that the life of the common man may not improve if Nigeria restructures into regions or even If it breaks up now..”
According to him, he thinks restructuring requires responsibility on the part of the citizens.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community on Monday night, shooting sporadically and sending residents scampering for safety.
A traditional ruler in Wereng community under Riyam Local Government Area of Plateau State, Chungyang Mwadkon, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Five other people were also killed while three others sustained injuries during the attack.
It was gathered that the gunmen invaded the community on Monday night, shooting sporadically and sending residents scampering for safety.
Wereng had been under siege for over 10 years and more than 30 people have been killed in the process.
Nobody has been arrested and prosecuted despite repeated assurances from security personnel.
President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has approved automatic employment for students of education upon graduation.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu made the disclosure on Monday, to mark the World Teacher’s Day Celebration in Abuja.
Adamu said that Buhari has also approved the extension of teacher’s retirement age to 65 and teaching service years from 35 to 40.
The president also approved free tuition fee and automatic admission to the biological children of teachers. While also approving a special salary scale for teachers in the country.
President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday, approved the release of N10 billion for the conduct of a national census.
The funds would be handed over to the National Population Commission (NPC) for the undertaking the Enumeration Area Demarcation (EAD) exercise in phases in the remaining 546 Local Government Areas of the country ahead, of the conduct of a census.
Buhari also approved an additional N4.5 billion to be included in the 2021 Budget for completion of the exercise as part of the preparations for the next census.
The governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde took to his social media accounts earlier today to celebrate teacher’s day. Engr Seyi Makinde who was celebrated by teachers and other state workers during the celebration of his first year in office, is known to have set some standards in the educational system of Oyo State.
Prompt payment of workers salaries and pension , cancellation of school fees , provision of textbooks, renovation and construction of classroom blocks amongst others proves how much enthusiasm Engr Seyi Makinde has for education.
He made a statement through his social media account;
This #WorldTeachersDay2020 , we reaffirm our commitment to our dear teachers in Oyo state to keep improving the learning and teaching environment. We appreciate you for all you do for our children. Happy #WorldTeachersDay!
Former Governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu, has debunked the report that he is quietly opening a presidential campaign office in Abuja.
Tinubu in his reaction noted that he is focused on helping President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver on his mandates.
Recall that a news platform had claimed that the APC National Leader secretly opened a campaign office.
However, Tinubu, who spoke through his Media Aide, Tunde Rahman, called on his supporters to work with Buhari.
He further stated that followers of Tinubu want him to run for Presidency.
“His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has not even declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election let alone opening a campaign office. He has repeatedly said 2023 is still some years away and that he is at present focused on helping President Buhari to deliver on his mandate as he is doing and coast home to victory.”
“That is his position. You know also that many of his friends, associates and supporters who feel he is eminently qualified for the presidency and has done excellently well to advance our democracy and want to see him contest for the top job are doing everything on their own to see this happen.”
“I don’t know the office you are talking about, but it may just be one of those things these people are doing to get Asiwaju Tinubu to do as they wish. And I think they have a right to advance the course they believe in. Asiwaju’s appeal, however, is they allow the present government to concentrate on the good job it is doing and allow the matter of 2023 to take care of itself in the fullness of time,”
I have never been on a train in Nigeria and I hope to board one someday. However, when I heard a story narrated to me by an “ex corper” , I began to have a rethink. I hope the present administration finds a lasting solution to the obvious dangers in this mode of transportation system.
It actually ought to be the best mode of transportation with comfort, less traffic , itch free movement and a kind of mind blowing experience. I like trains but this story is the complete opposite of what I dream for in Nigeria. The story starting from the next paragraph reflects the experience of an “ex corper” during his service year in the northern part of Nigeria as narrated by him.
This time around , I was alone on the train without a friend. I boarded the train and got on the first class coach . It was a perfect time to get on the train as it wasn’t a festive period. The train was not overloaded and nobody was on top of the train as I experienced few months ago. As soon as the train began to move, I noticed it wasn’t in a good condition because of the unusual sound and slow movement. Most passengers did not give these signs any attention because they believed there were engineers and technicians on-board as well.
It was around 12 a.m. when the train needed to be refilled with fuel and have maintenance check done before proceeding on the journey. Then exactly 2.30 a.m., I decided to get a drink from the bar. Upon returning to my seat, I overheard some of the engineers discussing how they intend to manage getting the train to the next terminus.
The driver however began to make the train move fast because of the delay we encountered earlier while taking off. Unfortunately, some of the coaches loaded with goods got disengaged immediately the driver applied the break, there was a momentum ( collision) , when the detached coaches began to hit other coaches. As a result of this, the train stopped moving . A lot of us sustained injury as many were asleep at that time, they began to nurse their injuries.
There were a number of casualties , although not many and thankfully, no fatal injury was sustained. We were in the middle of an unknown place for several hours , the engineers and technicians began to proffer solutions to the problem, trying their possible best to ensure the train moved again.
At about 5 a.m. in the morning, they agreed on a plan to solve the problem and decided to leave behind some coaches containing goods.
Fortunately, the train was ignited and it responded. We got on-board again to continue our journey. As we kept moving , the day got brighter and the sun began to rise. I couldn’t help but think that if anything happened again, at least we would be able to see our surroundings clearly in case of any danger. Of course the train wasn’t still in a good condition, it was still moving at a slow pace.
We eventually got to a sandy area where sand had covered part of the railway track. At that point, the train couldn’t move anymore. We had no choice as many of us got down the train , while we split up. Some of us started clearing the track while others pushed the train in order to move past that point, as the engine was weak. Fortunately, the train responded again and we moved ahead till we reached our final destination!
“After that terrifying experience, I stopped boarding trains. I realised that the risk I tried to avoid while travelling by road was even more alarming on rails.”
According to the presidency, President Muhammadu Buhari will not “succumb to threats and undue pressure” , being mounted by advocates of restructuring the country.
The Presidency, in a statement, criticised “the recurring threats to the corporate existence of the country with factions giving specific timelines for the President to to do one thing or another or else, in their language, “the nation will break up.”
The statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Garba Shehu, added:
“This is to warn that such unpatriotic outbursts are both unhelpful and unwarranted as this government will not succumb to threats and take any decision out of pressure at a time when the nation’s full attention is needed to deal with the security challenges facing it at a time of the COVID-19 health crisis.”
“This administration will not take any decision against the interests of 200 million Nigerians, who are the President’s first responsibility under the constitution, out of fear or threats especially in this hour of health crisis.”
He further stated that;
“The President as an elected leader under this constitution will continue to work with patriotic Nigerians, through and in line with the Parliamentary processes to finding solutions to structural and other impediments to the growth and wellbeing of the nation and its people.”
In another statement, the Presidency said those condemning the organised Labour for reasoning with the government by suspending a planned nationwide strike last week are enemies of the country.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), after rounds of negotiations with the federal government, suspended the industrial action slated to commence on September 28.
The decision was criticised by varying groups, with some suggesting that the decision was a betrayal.
Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity Femi Adesina, noted that the attack on the Labour unions was borne out of pain for “traducers of the Administration”, having failed to achieve an alleged plan to use the strike to score political and electoral gains.
The statement said:
“Since Organized Labour toed the path of sense and sensibility last week, seeing reason with the imperatives of fuel price adjustment, and opening a further window of dialogue on the service based electricity tariff, some groups of Nigerians have been dolorous, disgruntled, and disconsolate.
“They had apparently perfected plans to use the strike by the labour unions as smokescreen to unleash anarchy on the land, fomenting mayhem and civil disobedience. But the plan blew up in their faces, and they have been in severe pains since then. They have launched series of tirades against Organized Labour.”
“For some interest groups, their intention was to use the umbrella of the strike to further their whimsical and pie-in-the-sky dream of a revolution in the country. It went bust in their faces.”
“For some others, Bitter-Enders, who have remained entrenched in pre-2015 and 2019 elections mode, it was opportunity to avenge the 2012 Occupy Nigeria protests, which they believe largely devalued the government of the day, and led to its eventual ouster in 2015.”
“The strike that was to have come up last week, they wanted to use as opportunity for a pound of flesh, which they calculated would weaken the government so much, and influence the 2023 elections.”
“For them, it was all about hanker for power, its trappings and appurtenances. Nothing about love of country. They have since then been calling Organized Labour all sorts of names, claiming they deceived Nigerians.”
“The times in which we live-with severe security, economic and social challenges-call for all hands to be on deck, and goodwill and support for government, as it strives to put the nation on an even keel. We commend Organized Labour for putting the country first.”
“Those sponsoring and encouraging discord and anarchy, either for selfish ends, or as revenge for perceived injuries, are enemies of the country. Nigerians are urged to beware of them, as the Muhammadu Buhari government is only interested in engendering better quality of life for the citizenry. Nothing more.”