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APC’ll Not Allow PDP Truncate Democracy – Amaechi

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Government House last week continued on election
campaign mood. On returning to the State on Monday, Governor Chibuike Amaechi commenced door-to-door campaign in the city of Port Harcourt
He had earlier told reporters at the airport on why the All Progressies Congress (APC) opted out of the presidential debate organized by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON), saying that the party prefers a town hall meeting where the party’s presidential candidate can engage with the people face to face.
Asked what was his view on the planned postponement of the elections by INEC, Amaechi responded that it was not necessary since all the parties, including APC was already prepared. He wondered why the call for the shift of elections was coming at a time when the parties had spent billions campaigning.
Later on, the governor proceeded on a door-to-door campaigns in some parts of the city, starting from Mile 1 Market. Welcomed with a thunderous ovation by the traders, he urged them to go and pick their voters cards and vote for the party that will address their plight.
From Mile 1 Market, Governor Amaechi proceeded to D-Line Area where he met with party members and addressed them. He pointed out that the elections will serve as a referendum on the federal government for failing to site any project in the state. The governor added, “Anywhere I stand, I will show the president what I have done in Rivers State.”
On Tuesday, the governor led top members of the APC to a campaign rally at Emohua, headquarters of Emohua Local Government Area. At the rally, he warned Christian leaders not to commercialise the name of God.
According to him, “Nobody can Islamize Nigeria. I also warn to warm church leaders to stop commercializing the church of Christ; especially those men of God who collect money from the PDP to give false prophecy.”
The governor urged Ikwerre people to stand by the APC guber candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside whom he said will continue to sustain the good works the present administration has done in the state.
Campaign activities continued on Wednesday to Asari-Toru Local Government Area. The governor had earlier in the day swore-in nine new permanent secretaries with the charge on them to contribute to the state development.
At Buguma APC rally, Rt. Hon. Amaechi urged the people to vote for change, accusing the federal government of ceding oil wells from the area and abandoning the Kalabari Road to dilapidate.
Others who spoke at the campaign include Chief Tombari Giadom, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, and former Minister of Petroleum, Prof. Tam David-West. The former minister challenged the people of Asari-Toru to vote for a genuine Christian and somebody who will continue the success of Amaechi  on infrastructural development.
On Friday, the governor participated in two rallies. First, he was at Degema Local government Area and later at Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Speaking at Isiokpo, headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. Amaechi said the APC would not tolerate any act of impunity and political propaganda by the PDP and security agents to truncate the forthcoming elections.
He said Nigerians were alert and watching for any breach of their rights, stressing that the people needed freedom and change from poor leadership by the PDP.
On Saturday, the governor was outside the state to attend the coronation of former CBN governor as Emir of Kano in Kano State.

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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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