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APC Govt Can’t Secure Nigerians -ASUU …As PDP Tells Buhari To Stop Whining, Accept Failure …Adebanjo Attacks President Over Abacha Defence
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), yesterday, described as a sign of irresponsibility, the failure of the Federal Government to tame the spate of killings across the country.
The union maintained that “a government that allows her people to be murdered daily is totally irresponsible” and has failed to fulfil the social contract of protecting lives and properties.
In an interview with journalists after the union’s congress, yesterday, ASUU Chairman, University of Ibadan chapter, Dr. Deji Omole demanded adequate security of lives and property of Nigerians from the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Omole also called for the de-politicisation of security by heads of security agencies, saying loyalty must be to Nigeria and not to Aso Rock residents.
He noted that Nigerians, who were already battling with poor economic conditions, were now afraid that their lives could be terminated anyhow, adding that the Buhari-led Federal Government had been issuing ineffective condemnation speeches.
According to him, “it is a sign of irresponsibility for the government to fold its arms, while people are being killed daily, only to approve N10billion for rebuilding affected communities. Serious government would have prevented destruction from happening but the government allowed the carnage to happen”.
Omole noted that while land transportation was hellish for Nigerians, it was now more deadly to travel since criminals had positioned themselves on major roads kidnapping, raping, dispossessing and killing people at will.
He said food production was now threatened because communities affected were farming communities, while those displayed were farmers.
“If Nigerians are already denied quality health facilities, quality education, quality social services, they must not be denied right to life.
“This is the worst form of treating the governed by a government which promised hope to the masses but which the rich have continued to benefit from.
“It is sad that one state claimed to have lost about 500 persons to herdsmen terrorism and nobody has been prosecuted for this.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has charged President Muhammadu Buhari to end his blame game and use of hate language against past leaders as cover for his poor performance, the economic hardship and the escalated insecurity his administration has caused Nigerians despite ample resources at their disposal.
In a statement, yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the opposition party said: “It is sad that President Buhari does not have a single development project initiated and implemented by his administration in any part of the country in the last three years.
“He has also failed to fulfil the littlest of his 2015 campaign promises through which Nigerians were deceived to vote him into office.
“Now that he has failed, one wonders what other false promises the Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) will anchor their 2019 campaign and elections.
“It is tragic that instead of being remorseful, the Buhari Presidency finds it convenient to engage in endless blame game, shameful attempts to appropriate PDP projects and programmes, as well as dishing out of false performance indices ahead of its three years anniversary on May 29.
“Worst still, President Buhari finds solace in commissioning projects executed by other leaders, like his humiliating commissioning of a regular bus station constructed by the Lagos State Government and a borehole in Jigawa State, which show crass failure of governance.
“It is embarrassing that whenever our President visits other world leaders, he would have nothing to present but mere rhetoric from a prepared speech, while other leaders proudly reel out their achievements.
“Nigerians recalled that last March, our nation was embarrassed when the President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, cheerfully reeled out his achievements under one year in office, including his farming for job initiative, the senior high school free education, the one district-one factory projects, one village-one dam project among others, only for President Buhari to present an empty score card when it was his turn to speak.
“Last month, Nigerians witnessed another international embarrassment when President Buhari could not present any development project before United States President Donald Trump, who made his nation proud by showcasing his achievements and the potentials of his country.
“Nigerians can recall President Buhari’s poor showing at the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London, where his only achievement was to further de-market our nation by declaring our youths as lazy and lovers of freebies.
“President Buhari and his handlers must know that Nigerians are tired of their ineptitude and blame game. The beauty of democracy is that it affords the citizens the inalienable right to remove any government that does not effectively govern and this is the inevitable end of the APC, come 2019.”
Also, a chieftain of the apex Yoruba social-political group, Afenifere, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has attacked President Muhammadu Buhari for speaking good of the late military dictator, Gen Sani Abacha.
Adebanjo said Buhari spoke well of Abacha because he was his appointee and benefited from the deceased’s dictatorial regime.
The President had, last Tuesday said, “I don’t care the opinion you have about Abacha, but I agreed to work with him, and we constructed roads from Abuja to Port Harcourt, Benin to Onitsha, and so on.”
But Adebanjo, who spoke with newsmen, said the President had lost his credibility and should not be taken seriously.
He said, “Buhari worked under Abacha, and why are you surprised about his support for Abacha?
“Here is a President who has lost his credibility and some Nigerians are still taking him seriously.
“I have always spoken about the anti-democratic ideals of Buhari but his supporters at that time told me that Buhari had changed to a democrat?
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.
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