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Confusion As Assembly Leadership Crisis Deepens In Nasarawa
The lingering speakership crisis in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly yesterday degenerated further as pro-Daneil Ogazi factional youths blocked the ever-busy Lafia-Makurdi highway in protest against what they described as Governor Abdullahi Sule illegality in the assembly.
The protesters stormed one of the popular Abuja-Lafia highway in Shabu near Lafia, the state capital at about 12:45 pm, causing heavy gridlock in the process.
The protesters were seen carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Gov Sule should allow democracy to prevail”, “Stop interfering in legislators’ business, Gov Sule”; “Hon Ogazi is our choice”, and “Nasarawa is not a banana republic, Gov Sule” among others.
The leader of the protesters, Malam Shuaib Bala Usman, said that they decided to block the highway to register their displeasure over the utterances and actions of Governor Sule, which they described as “unbecoming” of a “chief executive of the state who is supposed to be a father to all.”
He said: “In a democracy, the majority carry the vote and there is separation of power.
“The governor belongs to the Executive arm of government and he doesn’t have any right to interfere in the affairs of the legislative arm. By coming out on a national television to back what’s obviously an illegality, he is putting the State to ridicule and his much-vaunted integrity to question.
“We are calling on him to rescind his decision and position in the interest of peace and unity of the state.
“We have 24 lawmakers in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly out of which 13 lawmakers voted in favour of Daniel Ogah Ogazi, member representing Kokona East, and 10 lawmakers voted for immediate past Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Balarebe Abdullahi. Unfortunately, the governor of the State displayed undemocratic attitude by recognizing 10 members out of the 13 lawmakers.
“According to law, any election conducted outside the Assembly complex is null and void. The former speaker recognized by the governor was a two-time speaker of 5th and 6th assembly; was the election that brought him to power conduct outside the assembly complex? Let the rule of law and our constitution be respected.”
Elders and leaders of the community were seen persuading the youths to discontinue their action and seek for alternative way of resolving the anomaly.
In a similar situation, some aggrieved women and youths, yesterday barricade the entrance into the State assembly complex over Governor Sule’s interference on who becomes the new speaker of the 7th assembly
The protesters who defiled heavy presence of the policemen at the entrance of the assembly complex, proceeded with chanting of songs and prayers, asking God to intervene on the injustice being allegedly perpetrated in the state.
The spokesperson of the group Mr. James Alu, who is also the leader of the Coalition for Justice comprising over 20 group made up of people from various tribes in the state, said the group is an advocate of justice, peace and fairness for anybody irrespective of tribe religion or association.
Alu said the group was in state to ensure justice takes its right place for peace to reign.
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.