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PDP Wants Credible Polls In Ekiti …As INEC Reassures On Peaceful Conduct

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The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has advised the Federal Government and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election is free and fair.
The PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus gave the charge when he received Former PDP State Assemblies Presiding Officers at PDP national secretariat last Monday in Abuja.
Secondus said that any attempt to rig Ekiti election, scheduled for July 14, would be a threat to 2019 general elections.
He said: “The best that the All Progressives Congress (APC) can give Nigerians is to conduct free and fair election and earn the credit.
“PDP did it in 2015. We conducted credible presidential election; we lost and handed over power.
“People should be allowed to test their will. We must allow the will of the people to prevail.
“If you are popular, test it. Don’t intimidate or harass the people. Tell them the truth.’’
Secondus expressed optimism that re-branded PDP would regain its lost ground, including the presidency it lost in 2015 general elections.
He advised security agencies not to subject their loyalty to any political party but Nigerians.
“ Members of the security agencies should know that the tax payers’ money is so important. You are not being paid by a party. One day, you will give account.”
He condemned the killing of innocent people in the country and called on the government to redouble efforts in arresting the problem.
The Chairman of the Former State Assemblies Presiding Officers, Inuwa Garba urged the party national leaders to ensure that popular and experienced candidates emerge as the party candidates in future elections.
”Popular and experience candidates that can deliver should be our target’’
Garba, who canvassed the inclusion of the group members in all activities of PDP, pledged the loyalty of the group to the party to ensure the success its  success in the coming elections.
Garba commended the Secondus for leading the party well and for the achievements his administration had recorded so far in the face of intimidation. Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), on Monday reassured Nigerians of its determination and readiness to deliver credible and acceptable elections in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as in 2019.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), last Monday reassured Nigerians of its determinationa nd readiness to deliver credible and acceptable elections in Ekiti and Osun governorship elections as well as in 2019.
INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu gave the assurance during his opening remarks at a week-long retreat for INEC staff in collaboration with European Centre for Electoral Supports (ECES) in Lagos.
Yakubu said the commission had planned well for great achievement during the forthcoming 2019 general elections in the country.
According to him, all necessary measures have been put place to make sure that 2019 general elections would be better than the 2015 elections.
“Part of what we have come to do is the implementation of the plans put in place for the forthcoming elections.
“This is coming immediately after the completion of the strategic plan programme of action and the election project plan,” he said.

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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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