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Thousands Dump APC For PDP In Benue

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Leaders of defectors from various political parties including the All Progressives Congress, APC, who decamped to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have apologised to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State for erroneously joining forces with enemies of the state to castigate and mock him.
The leaders included erstwhile Caretaker Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Council, Hon. Hyacinth Kwegi; a House of Assembly candidate in the 2019 general elections on the platform of the APC, Hon Ukeyima Mkem; former DGSA, Mr Titus Utuur; all tendered apologies, at the mega rally held at Naka, headquarters of Gwer West local government council.
In separate remarks, the leaders regretted when they unsuccessfully taunted the Governor on killings in Benue State by herdsmen just to support their former political parties.
They stated that despite the propaganda, most of them could not vote in their villages in the 2019 elections due to the invasion by Fulani militia under the watch of the APC-led administration, stressing that some of them benefited much from the Governor but later left him without good reason.
They appreciated Governor Ortom and his wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom as well as the entire PDP for accepting them back into the fold, even as they pledged unflinching support to the PDP.
Governor Samuel Ortom and his wife, Dr. Eunice Ortom, while receiving the decampees, assured them of equal opportunities, pointing out that in the PDP, members have equal opportunities.
The Governor stated that Nigerians would not continue to tolerate the failed leadership of the APC.
State Chairman of the PDP, Sir John Ngbede said the PDP family owed Governor Ortom prayers and unflinching support, hinting that the party would soon welcome thousands of supporters in Benue South Senatorial District.
Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Rt.Hon. Titus Uba, member representing  Gwer-East and Gwer West in the House of Representatives, Rt.Hon.Mark Gbillah, and Majority Leader of the Benue State House of Assembly, Hon. Damian Cheme, also delivered goodwill messages at the event.
Others who also spoke included Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barr. Ken Achabo and Chairman Gwer West Local Government Council, Mrs Grace Igbabon.

 

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Reps Urge FG To Pay ASUU, NASU’s Withheld Salaries

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The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to pay the withheld salaries of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non Academic Staff Union (NASU).
This followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance by Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) during plenary on Wednesday.
Presenting the motion, Fulata said that the government must accede to the unions’ demands because they were genuine.
Adopting the motion, the House urged the President to direct the relevant bodies to come up with modalities for negotiation with both ASUU and NASU.
The House said this would enable them to come up with workable, implementable and final agreement to be signed by both parties.
The House urged the president to direct the Ministry of Finance, to ensure full implementation.
The House mandated its Committees on University Education, Polytechnic Education, Federal Colleges of Education, Labour and Productivity, Finance, Legislative Compliance to ensure compliance.

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Bill To Prescribe Salaries, Allowances Of Judicial Officers Pass 2nd Reading

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The bill seeking to prescribe salaries, allowances, and fringe benefits of Judicial office holders in Nigeria has passed second reading at the Senate.
This followed the presentation of the general principles of the bill by the sponsor, Sen. Lola Ashiru (APC-Kwara) at plenary on Thursday.
Presenting the bill, Ashiru said the bill, an executive bill, was forwarded to the two Chambers of the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu, in accordance with provisions of Section 58(2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
He said the bill, in a nutshell, seeks to prescribe salaries, allowances and fringe benefits for judicial officers in order to nip in the bud, the prolonged stagnation in their remuneration.
This, he said was to reflect the contemporary socio-economic realities of the time.
Ashiru said the bill intends to unify the salary structure, allowances and fringe benefits of judicial officers holders both in the Federal and at the State levels.
“This proposed legal framework, undoubtedly, will bring about significant improvement in the welfare, capacity and independence of the Judiciary, which have been contentious issues of public discourse over the years.”
He said that the intent of the bill was in conformity with the current administration’s resolve to strengthen the country’s Judiciary and the criminal justice system .
This, he said was to ensure its independence in the performance of its constitutional role, as the arbiter of the temple of justice.
He urged the senators to support the expeditious passage of the bill in view of its importance to the socio-economic and political development of this country.
Sen. Mohammed Monguno (APC-Borno), who seconded the motion said it was necessary to ensure adequate remuneration of Judicial officers was in line with the current economic reality.
He said that there was the need to provide an adequate remuneration that would prevent judicial officials from being tempted for corruption.
Sen. Orji Kalu (APC- Abia ) commended the executive for presenting the bill to prescribe a remuneration for the judicial arm of government, saying that no right thinking Nigerian would want to oppose it.
He urged the officials to ensure that justice is dispensed rightly to Nigerians.
He also urged the government to improve remuneration of other sectors given the economic reality.
Deputy President of Senate, Barau Jubrin (APC-Kano) said the President has done creditably well by presenting the bill for remuneration of the judicial officials.
He said the judicial officials had suffered in silence for as they were not disposed to speaking up on the issues, just like the labour unions.
He said it was cheery and commendable for President Tinubu to have brought the bill, which was designed to enhance the salary and welfare of the judicial officials.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpiabio said presentation of the bill was a right step in the right direction by President Tinubu.
Akpabio, referred the bill to the committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for further legislative inputs and to return back to plenary in four weeks, after the bill was read for the second time.

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Court To Hear Suit Against Ganduje’s Suspension, May 28

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Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, has fixed May 28 for hearing in the substantive application filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje.
Dr Ganduje is challenging his suspension from the party by factional ward executives led by one Basiru Nuhu Isa.
He was first suspended by APC Ganduje Ward executives led by one Haladu Gwanjo on April 15. Another faction emerged and also announced suspension of Dr Ganduje on April 20.
The Tide source reports that the secretary of the party in Kano, Zakari Sarina, said the suspension by the faction was another case of impersonation.
Dr Ganduje is seeking a declaration that his suspension from the party without giving him opportunity to defend himself amounts to violation of his fundamental right to fair hearing.
He is also seeking a declaration that his suspension by the faction was unlawful, null and void.
Counsel for the embattled APC chairman, Hadiza Ahmad, applied for service on the respondents by substituted means which the court granted.
Justice Liman adjourned to May 28 for hearing in the matter.

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