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CJN Blasts APC Over Attack On Court …Says Action Signals Danger For Democracy …It’s Politics Taken Too Far -Nwuche

Published

8 years ago

May 16, 2018

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, has condemned in strong terms, the attack on Rivers State Judiciary Complex.
Onnoghen said the act was not only disturbing but was a complete show of shame which ought not to be encouraged by right-thinking members of the Nigerian public.
The CJN made this statement in reaction to the brazen attack on the Port Harcourt High Court Complex, last Friday.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, Onnoghen recalled that the act was carried out in order to stop the court from giving its ruling in an intra-party dispute of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to the reports, the attack took place as judges, magistrates, staff and lawyers reported for duty at the said Rivers State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital while judicial and non-judicial staff were denied access to the complex as all the gates were padlocked and the buildings surrounded by hoodlums.
“These hoodlums, who were said to be heavily armed, reportedly inflicted bodily harm to judicial officers and other staff of the Judiciary going about their lawful duties, and destroyed some properties belonging to the Judiciary,” the CJN stated.
He further stated that “this action was aimed at stopping the court from sitting and delivering a ruling in an intra-party dispute of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in respect of the local government congresses of the party in the state.
“This latest act of intimidation of the Judiciary and the unwarranted violence against a peaceful institution of an arm of government is quite disturbing. More importantly, such show of shame ought not to be encouraged by right-thinking members of the Nigerian public.
“If the enemies of our peace and democracy succeed or get away with what occurred at the High Court in Port-Harcourt, it would be a source of encouragement to them to do same to the Court of Appeal, and ultimately, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, whenever any one of them perceives that a judgment may be delivered against any of them or the interests they represent,” Onnoghen added.
He also said that, “the Judiciary remains the last hope of the common man, and our judges and judicial officers are called upon to remain true to their Oath of Office. They must remain focused, resolute, and courageous, regardless of the effort at intimidating them”, and further urged all Nigerians to continue to have faith in the Judiciary of the nation.
“Any person with a legitimate complaint against another person, organisation or institution is advised to employ the civilised and legal mode of redress as contained and guaranteed by our Constitution.
“Whoever is dissatisfied with the outcome of decisions of our courts of law has the right of appeal as constitutionally guaranteed. The Judiciary will never fail in its duties.
“Violence, the type visited on the Judiciary of Rivers State, is alien to any civilised society, and therefore, condemnable,” he emphasised.
Onnoghen also noted, with grave concern, that this magnitude of violence could be visited on the Judiciary during a ward/local government intra-party primary election, and wonders what the situation would be during the forthcoming general elections in 2019.
The chief justice, however, commended security agencies for bringing the chaos under control, thereby allowing the affected judge to go ahead and deliver the ruling on the matter, but warned that attacks on the Judiciary was a disaster that would end democracy in Nigeria as parties would resort to self-help in the absence of the Judiciary or confidence in the Judiciary as an arbiter.
The CJN also seized the opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the Judiciary to expeditious hearing of all political matters to avoid escalating political tension in the country, and advised judicial officers to go about their lawful duties without fear or favour.
Similarly, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince Chibudom Nwuche has condemned the invasion of the Rivers State High Court by thugs in an attempted bid to stop the court from sitting and discharging its constitutional duties to the generality of Nigerians.
Nwuche said that “such action of self-help, apart from being unconstitutional, is capable of truncating our hard won democracy and plunging our country into anarchy”.
He advised politicians not to allow their quest for power to undermine democracy and societal values, and condemned the abuse of power inherent in the attempt to disallow the courts from sitting.
“We must at all times abide by the rule of law and show utmost respect for the Judiciary as a critical organ of civilised societies and our democracy. No society can exist without respect for the law and it’s institutions”, Nwuche said.
He urged politicians to remember that power was ephemeral, adding that they would one day become ordinary citizens, who would live amongst other Nigerians, and be responsible in their use of power.
Nwuche, who had earlier condemned the attempt by a faction of the Rivers State APC to write names of their cronies instead of allowing proper ward congresses where party members would choose their preferred candidates, wondered why simple congresses should lead to the degeneration in law and order.
“Any party executive that is imposed in this undemocratic and unjust manner will never enjoy the confidence of the masses of supporters and will lead to the party losing any free and fair elections,” Nwuche noted.
“The action of the party leaders who are bent on imposing their will against the generality of party supporters may lead to people leaving the party in protest at the impunity. This is especially when many party supporters are already disgruntled on account of persecution by certain office holders who are using their offices to oppress party members,” he stated.
He urged the APC at the national level to intervene in the crisis and reschedule the congresses to allow the will of members to prevail in an atmosphere devoid of intimidation.
Nwuche further argued that it would be illogical to have LGA congresses when there was no ward congress, as it was impossible to build something on nothing.

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No Child Should Be Denied Access to Education – Fubara

Published

2 weeks ago

October 16, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has called on stakeholders, community leaders, parents and relevant education authorities to intensify efforts to identify and enrol out-of-school children across Nigeria, stressing that every child deserves access to quality and inclusive education.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara made the call, yesterday, during the regional campaign on engaging community structures to promote the enrolment of out-of-school children and the regional flag-off of the 2026/2027 enrolment drive for southern states, held in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, Governor Fubara reaffirmed that education remains a fundamental pillar of sustainable development and emphasised the need to ensure that no child is left behind because of economic hardship, social background or other barriers to schooling.

He noted that expanding access to education was essential to promoting sustainable development, social inclusion and equal opportunities, enabling children to reach their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.

The governor urged participating states and communities to translate their commitments into concrete and measurable actions by reaching vulnerable children, strengthening community engagement and encouraging parents and guardians to make their children’s education a priority.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to initiatives aimed at expanding access to education, particularly for children excluded from formal schooling.

“Rivers State remains committed to supporting initiatives that expand access to inclusive and quality education, particularly for vulnerable children who may have missed the opportunity to attend formal schools,” Fubara stressed.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba, described the growing number of out-of-school children as one of the major challenges confronting the education sector.

She called for a collective and collaborative approach among governments, communities, parents and other stakeholders to address the problem, stressing the need to ensure that no Nigerian child is denied the fundamental right to education.

The programme was organised by the Universal Basic Education Commission in collaboration with the Rivers State Government, as part of efforts to strengthen community participation and promote school enrolment across the southern states for the 2026/2027 academic session.

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FAAC: FG, States, LGs Share N2.428trn For September

Published

2 weeks ago

October 16, 2026

The Tide

The Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) has shared the sum of N2.428 trillion among the Federal Government, 36 states government and the 774 Local Government Councils (LGCs) as revenue for the month of September.

The Director, Press and Public Relations, Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF), Mr Bawa Mokwa, said this in a statement in Abuja, yesterday.

Mokwa said the allocation was approved by FAAC at its October meeting held in Abuja.

He said the N2.428 trillion distributable revenue comprised of statutory revenue of N1.672 trillion, distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue of N756.587 billion.

Mokwa quoted the FAAC communiqué as saying that total gross revenue of N3.913 trillion was available in the month of September 2026.

He said a total deduction for cost of collection was N131.758 billion while total transfers, refunds and savings of N1.352 trillion.

According to him, a gross statutory revenue of N3.096 trillion was received for the month of September 2026.

“This was higher than the sum of N2.850 trillion received in the preceeding month by N246.384 billion.

“Gross revenue of N816.872 billion was available from the Value Added Tax (VAT) in September 2026.

“This was lower than the N834.843 billion available in the month of August 2026 by N17.972 billion,” he said.

Mokwa explained that the Federal Government received N832.242 billion and the state governments received the sum of N799.872 billion.

He said the LGCs received N560.660 billion, while the sum of N236.049 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting state as derivation revenue.

Mokwa said in the N1.672 billion distributable statutory revenue, the Federal Government received N756.583 billion and the State Governments received N383.749 billion.

He said the LGCs received N295.855 billion and the sum of N236.049 billion (13% of mineral revenue) was shared to the benefiting States as derivation revenue.

The director said from the N756.587 billion distributable Value Added Tax (VAT) revenue, the Federal Government received N75.659 billion, the State Governments received N416.123 billion and the LGCs received N264.805 billion.

“In September 2026, Petroleum Profit Tax (PPT), Hydrocarbon Tax (HT), Petroleum Royalties, Import Duty, CET Levies and Excise Duty increased significantly.

“Also, Companies Income Tax (CIT), CGT & SDT, Value Added Tax (VTA), Mineral Royalties, and Gas Flared Penalty, Rental Gas Flared Fee and Misc. Oil Revenue decreased considerably,” he said.

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NLC Gives FG Two-Week Ultimatum To Reduce Petrol Price …Begins Minimum Wage Talks

Published

3 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has given the Federal Government a two-week ultimatum to reduce the price of petrol, commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage and implement outstanding agreements with workers.

The ultimatum followed a joint meeting of the National Executive Council and Central Working Committee of the NLC held at the Olaitan Oyerinde Hall, Labour House, Abuja.

In a communiqué signed by the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and made available to newsmen, yesterday, the union said the two-week ultimatum would commence on Friday, October 9, 2026.

It warned that failure by the government to meet its demands would compel the Congress to take further action.

The NLC specifically demanded that the government reduce the price of Premium Motor Spirit to the level it was when the current national minimum wage was signed into law in 2024.

It also demanded the immediate commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage, implementation of the February 5, 2026, Terms of Settlement reached with the Joint Health Sector Unions and Assembly of Healthcare Professionals, and action on the demands of the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.

The Congress further demanded tax relief and immediate wage awards for workers, arguing that the measures were necessary to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

The NLC said, “The current national minimum wage has been rendered worthless by the relentless depreciation of the naira and the astronomical rise in the cost of living.”

It added that workers could no longer meet basic needs, including food, shelter, healthcare, transportation and education, on their current earnings.

The labour body, therefore, demanded that the Federal Government commence renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of October.

“NEC-in-session demands that the Federal Government commence the renegotiation of the national minimum wage before the end of this month,” the communiqué stated.

The Congress also linked the erosion of workers’ purchasing power to the high cost of petrol, saying the price of the commodity had continued to drive up transportation costs and the prices of other essential goods.

“The exorbitant pump price of petrol has had a cascading effect on the cost of transportation, food, and other essential goods, further deepening the hardship of workers and the masses,” it said.

The NLC further demanded that the government grant tax relief to workers and immediately introduce wage awards, describing the measures as “the bare minimum required to alleviate the suffering of Nigerian workers and restore a measure of dignity to their lives.”

The latest ultimatum escalates the labour movement’s pressure on the Federal Government after public-sector workers under the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council embarked on a three-day warning strike earlier in October over rising living costs, petrol prices, wage awards and minimum wage negotiations.

The workers had demanded, among other measures, a reduction in petrol prices and the commencement of negotiations for a new minimum wage.

The NLC had also raised concerns in September over the declining purchasing power of workers, with Ajaero arguing that the N70,000 minimum wage had been overtaken by increases in the cost of food, transportation, housing, education and other essential expenses.

The current minimum wage was approved by President Bola Tinubu in July 2024 after negotiations involving the government, organised labour and the private sector.

Tinubu increased the Federal Government’s offer from N62,000 to N70,000 and agreed that the wage should be reviewed after three years rather than five years.

The NLC’s latest demand comes as the Federal Government announced fresh measures aimed at containing petrol-price pressures.

Yesterday, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, said the government was negotiating a ceiling of N1,350 per litre on the ex-gantry or landing cost of petrol, with monthly reviews, as part of measures to reduce price volatility.

The proposed ceiling does not mean petrol would necessarily sell at N1,350 per litre at filling stations.

The government also announced a 30-day discount on petrol dispensed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), with priority given to public transporters.

Oyedele said the arrangement was not a return to subsidy but an effort to sell the product at cost.

However, the NLC is seeking a more substantial reduction, insisting that petrol should return to the price level that prevailed when the N70,000 minimum wage was enacted in 2024.

The Congress also called for the implementation of the agreement reached with JOHESU in February, as well as the demands presented by the Joint Public Sector Negotiating Council.

It warned that failure to respond within the two-week period would have consequences.

“Failure of which the NLC will be compelled to take remedial steps as would be directed by the relevant organs,” the communiqué said.

The union consequently directed its affiliates and allies to remain prepared for further action.

“NEC-in-session reaffirms the historical responsibility of the NLC to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression,” it stated, urging its affiliates to remain “on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive efforts against all anti-people policies.”

The development also comes amid fresh labour tensions in Abuja, where the FCT Council of the NLC commenced an indefinite strike on Wednesday over disputes with the FCT Administration concerning teachers’ promotion policies.

The council directed workers across public and private establishments to withdraw their services after the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum.

The latest NLC ultimatum puts renewed pressure on the Federal Government to address wage and fuel-price concerns as both sides grapple with disagreements over the implementation of previous labour agreements and measures to cushion the impact of economic reforms.

The NLC said its demands were aimed at protecting workers and the wider population from further deterioration in their standard of living, insisting that Nigerian workers must remain “resolute, organised, and uncompromising” in the struggle for improved living conditions.