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May Day: Don’t Victimise Workers Over N30,000 Minimum Wage -PDP …Calls For Collaboration To Sack APC …As NCSU Tasks FG On Employment
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday said the N30,000 minimum wage should not be a justification for any form of bullying or victimisation against the workers by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.
PDP made the remark while saluting all Nigerian workers on the occasion of the 2019 Workers Day, for their service towards the stability and development of our dear nation.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party also acknowledged the “patriotism and resilience of the workers, particularly for remaining steadfast to the course of nation building, in spite of the harsh economic conditions foisted on them by the overtly corrupt, incompetent and grossly insensitive President Muhammadu Buhari-led All Progressives Congress (APC) administration.”
“It is rather unfortunate that Nigerian workers found themselves operating under an inept administration that does not appreciate their inputs; that has no tangible strategy for their much-needed capacity building and reward system, but only relishes in Greek gifts and official bullying.”
PDP cautioned against “such unproductive tendencies, adding that the N30,000 minimum wage should not be a justification for any form of bullying or victimization against the workers.
“The Buhari-led APC administration must elevate its discourse in understanding that workers welfare is not tied to a minimum wage but in creating conducive working environment, established capacity building and reward system as well as a secure and economically viable environment that enable the workers, and indeed all Nigerians to meet their social and economic needs without stress; as contained in the AtikuAbubakar Master Plan.
“It is however unfortunate that at the time Nigerian workers should have been getting ready to enjoy the benefits of a new order under Atiku Abubakar, the nation is being set back by the ills of electoral manipulations,” the party stated.
The PDP urged the “Nigerian workers not to be despondent, as the mandate, which was freely given to Atiku Abubakar, will be retrieved at the tribunal.”
The party called on the workers, as patriotic Nigerians, to continue to put in their best in serving the nation even as it wishes them a happy Workers Day.”
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for collaboration of all political parties in the country to “rescue Nigeria from alleged misrule of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC)”.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the party, Prince Diran Odeyemi, in a statement, yesterday, explained that three incidents that happened recently had shown that APC would never change its style of governance, which he claimed had brought Nigeria to her knees.
Odeyemi said the 10-day trip undertaken by President Muhammadu Buhari, without formally informing the National Assembly, goes beyond disregard for the legislative arm of government but remains gross violation of the Constitution.
He stated that Buhari and APC were hell-bent on foisting a leadership on the National Assembly so as to annex that arm of government, force a docile leadership on the parliamentarians and continue illegality that hallmarked the present administration since it came on board.
The PDP deputy spokesman also wondered why a party that had not justified a mandate it allegedly stole, would be talking about 2023 presidency, insisting that Nigerians must be ready to rescue the country and join hands with the PDP to stop APC and redirect the ship of the country to a safe harbour.
The statement reads, “Is it not sad that a party that stole mandate many Nigerians freely gave to the PDP, using all illegal means to perpetrate itself in office, even with its baggage of woes, misdeeds, missteps, jaundiced policies and wanton plundering of the nation’s treasury, would be talking about 2023 presidency in 2019?
“Has the party justified the temporary stay it is currently occupying let alone seeking another term in far away 2023? APC must have concluded that Nigerians are gullible.
“Only a president that has no regard for the governed would disregard for the law of the land and travel out of the country ‘on a private visit’ without delegating governance to the Vice President as stipulated in the constitution.
“We in PDP have demonstrated over and over again our readiness to lead the rescue mission that would safe Nigeria from her tormentors and safe once blossoming country made ‘poverty headquarters’ by APC. We are only calling on other parties to join hands with us to defeat our common enemies”, he added.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of replacing electronic servers in its headquarters and state offices.
The party, which has gone to court to challenge the victory of President Muhammadu Buhari in the February 23 election, said INEC was replacing the servers to obliterate the actual presidential election results transmitted from the polling centres.
A statement by PDP’s spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the development as “completely reprehensible”, saying it further exposed INEC’s culpability in the alleged manipulation and rigging of the 2019 presidential election.
The statement reads: “The PDP has been well briefed on how INEC’s leadership and officials of the Buhari Presidency became jittery and resorted to the desperate measure, after they realised that the servers have information of Atiku Abubakar’s victory at the election.
“Our party also has details of how INEC leadership and the Presidency agents procured and detailed computer experts to the commission’s offices to switch the servers, mutilate vital information in the system and attempt to erase all trails of transmitted results to the main server.
In a related development, as workers in the country troop out in their numbers to celebrate this year’s May Day today, the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State Council, has called on the Federal Government to put mechanism in place to create employment opportunities for Nigerians to stem the tide of criminality across the country.
The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU and State Auditor 1 of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Opuoyibo Lilly-West, who made the call in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt yesterday said in keeping with the theme of this year’s May Day celebration, ‘Another 100 Years Of Struggle for Jobs,’ the Federal Government should create employment opportunities for the teeming youths of the country, contending that the rate of criminality has increased tremendously in the country because of lack of jobs.
“We are using this opportunity to call on the Federal Government to ensure that jobs are created at all cost. When our youths are gainfully employed, nobody will think of criminality, “he said, adding that the May Day celebration would be anchored on social justice and job creation within the context of the country’s 100 years existence as a nation.
Lilly-West further indicated that the celebration, as it were, was expected to be a wake up call on government at all levels to begin to engage stakeholders, with a view to preparing the platform and process for the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage across the country, stressing that by virtue of the signing of the Minimum Wage Bill into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, state governments across the country were expected to automatically key in and begin the payment of the new wage to their workers.
He expressed delight that the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike would be at the venue of this year’s celebration as he did last year and celebrate with the workers, adding that the event was expected to be a colourful one, by virtue of the fact that the NLC in the state had just emerged from election of its new officers which he described as very peaceful.
Lilly-West disclosed that this year’s May Day celebration was expected to be his last as State Chairman of NCSU, having meritoriously served the union for a second term in office in that capacity.
He enjoined civil servants in the state to continue to support the Wike administration to achieve set goals, and expressed optimism that the governor would in turn do everything within his powers to improve the welfare of workers.
Donatus Ebi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.