Supporters of Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, have throng major streets of Kaduna in solidarity with the governor.
The banner carrying supporters used the same routes the Nigeria Labour Congress used on day two of the protests.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that El-Rufai and labour leaders have been at loggerheads since Monday over the mass sack of workers from the state civil service.
The Federal Government on Tuesday waded into the ongoing face-off between the Kaduna state government and labour unions.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have embarked on a five-day warning strike and protests in the state over the sack of over 7,000 government workers.
Meanwhile, the Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna State Government has insisted that it does not have the financial wherewithal to pay the relieved workers.
On Tuesday, the state government declared labour union leaders wanted in the state for economic sabotage, saying the industrial action had affected key state infrastructure and services, including health and power.
The unfazed labour union leaders also accused the state government of actions tantamount to ‘abuse of powers’, including disrupting a peaceful protest with thugs.
According to a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, both parties should “immediately ceasefire”.
“We are not unaware of what is going on in Kaduna State,” the Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, said, as quoted in the statement. “It is a labour issue which has snowballed into a national strike and picketing by the two labour centres and affiliate unions.
“We hope and also pray the Kaduna state Governor not to escalate matters to such a level where it becomes uncontrollable. We also appeal to the leaders of the labour centres to step down the action to make way for discussion.
“My Ministry is wading into the matter and therefore calls on the two warring parties to give peace a chance.”
The Minister also appealed to all workers on essential duties including doctors and nurses not to join the strike.
“Importantly, I appeal to workers in critical sectors not to tamper with electrical or water installations so as not to bring more sufferings to the people of Kaduna and the nation at large,” Ngige said.
“This is because we have it on good authority, following a complaint by the Minister of Power that workers have threatened to trigger a nation-wide blackout by interfering or switching off the national grid.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Kaduna state government had ordered the sack of all nurses under level 14 for participating in the industrial action.
The Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas (NUPENG) has threaten to shutdown Nigeria if Governor Nasir El-Rufai continue to handle the demands of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) with levity.
NUPENG disclosed this in a press statement signed by its National President Comrade Williams Akporeha and General Secretary Comrade Afolabi Olawale on Tuesday.
According to the statement;
“NUPENG is deeply saddened with the violent turn of NLC peaceful protests by the dictatorial and despotic regime of Governor Nasir El-Rufai in Kaduna State.
The leadership of the union is therefore calling on the Federal Government to immediately call on Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai to order before his arrogance and power drunk ego further push the situation into horrendous calamity as he has been doing in all issues relating to human lives and wellbeing.
Consequently, the Union reiterates that no Labour Leaders or workers as the case may be, be harmed, harassed, maimed, humiliated or victimized during this 5-day peaceful protests in the State.
Our Union is raising this alarm following the very reliable report of the clandestine move of Governor Nasir El-RUfai to hurt and put the lives of NLC President,Comrade Ayuba Wabba and other Labour Leaders to danger in his usual blind egotistical style of running government in the State
NUPENG therefore warns that if any harm is inflicted on any of the members of organized Labour, the Leadership of the Union will not hesitate to call on all our members throughout the nation for a total shut down of all our services in the upstream, mid-stream and downstream sectors of the oil and gas industry.
In the light of the above, we are therefore putting all NUPENG members nationwide on red alert and may at very short notice of five hours call for a nationwide industrial action if situation arises
Our solidarity remains constant for the Union makes us strong.”
Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has vowed to dismiss nurses of Barau Dikko Specialist hospital and others in public hospitals below Grade Level 14 that joined the ongoing statewide shut down by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
In statement signed by his media aide, Muyiwa Adekeye, El-Rufai expressed sadness over allegations that some nurses disconnected the oxygen of an incubator hosting a premature baby at the Barua Dikko Specialist Hospital.
The governor insisted that the ongoing shutdown is economic sabotage and criminal.
The statement reads in part: “Today, the Kaduna State Government reviewed the sundry criminal actions that have defined the campaign of economic and social sabotage and lawlessness waged by the NLC.
KDSG considers as unacceptable the serial violations of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Trade Union Act that have occurred over the last two days. The state government commends citizens for remaining calm amidst this assault on their rights and comfort and their businesses.
However, KDSG cannot be expected to tolerate the brazen shutdown of electricity, attack on public infrastructure and buildings, locking up hospitals and forcefully discharging patients, unlawful trespass into public facilities and the wanton use of coercion and restraints of personal freedom by the NLC.
Efforts to dress up criminal activity as industrial action do not change the reality of the lawbreaking that has unfolded, including their persistently ignoring the prohibition against impeding essential services. Also, KDSG cannot ignore the illegal pressures brought to disrupt the operations of banks and other private business whose staff and customers do not have any industrial dispute with the state or any other government.
KDSG acknowledges doctors and some other categories of health workers that are trying to run public health facilities, but regrets that some nurses have joined the unlawful strike and engaged in sabotage of some of our health facilities. Nurses were implicated in the forceful discharge of patients in many health facilities.
Reports from Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital disclosed that some identified nurses disconnected the oxygen supply of a two-day old baby in an incubator on Monday, 17th May 2021. The names of the three nurses from the Special Baby Care Unit (SBCU) who were involved in this despicable act have been forwarded to the Ministry of Justice to initiate prosecution for attempted murder or murder in the event we lose the baby.
In addition, KDSG has decided the following:
1. Ayuba Wabba and his senior confederates in the NLC are declared wanted, and will be vigorously prosecuted for violations of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, the Miscellaneous Offences and the Trade Dispute (Essential Services) Acts. They are advised to report to the Ministry of Justice and the Police Headquarters to take their statements;
2. The Ministry of Health will dismiss all nurses below GL 14 for going on an unlawful strike. Salaries that could have gone to them are to be given as extraordinary occupational allowances to the health workers who are at their duty posts to fill the gap of those absconding from duty. The Ministry of Health has been directed to advertise vacancies for the immediate recruitment of new nurses to replace those dismissed;
3. Any academic staff of KASU that does not report for work will be dismissed. The authorities of KASU are to submit a copy of the attendance register for all categories of staff daily to the Secretary to the State Government and the Commissioner of Education;
4. All MDAs are also to submit daily copies of attendance register to the Head of Service;
KDSG views the actions of the NLC as equivalent to the actions of the bandits kidnapping and menacing our citizens. Bandits illegally use arms, but the NLC is deploying mob action for exactly the same ends: trying to hold hostage the freedoms, economic interests, livelihoods and resources of the people of Kaduna State. It is a vain expectation that this government will respond differently to sets of unlawful actions that have the same ends.
KDSG will not submit its treasury to the entitled minority. We will reform and rightsize our public service to meet the needs and resources of the Kaduna State even if the NLC strikes ad infinitum. The government remains committed to using all the resources it can generate to serve the interests of the majority of its citizens, providing social services beyond paying salaries, always putting the interests of the many ahead of the few.
The Governor Nasir El-Rufai led Kaduna Government has reacted to shut down of activities in the state by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday, describing the actions as illegal and unlawful trespass on government facilities.
It however said labour’s desperate actions would only reinforce government’s resolve and commitment to using all the resources it can generate to serve the interests of the majority of its citizens.
The government, in a statement by Governor El-Rufai’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication, Mr Muyiwa Adekeye, noted the conditions that compelled its decision to right-size its work force have not been altered by the NLC’s campaign of economic and social sabotage.
The statement stated: “Government’s resolve is only reinforced by the desperate actions undertaken by the NLC to unlawful trespass on government facilities, and prevent officers from signing attendance registers.”
It added: “Despite these actions, the state government has guaranteed access to the State Secretariat and other government offices.’’
“The government intends to continue running its operations in service to the people, despite the futile efforts of the NLC to impede it. Accordingly, all officers from GL 14 upwards are expected at their duty posts as usual.”
The government noted NLC has also shut healthcare access for several citizens, in addition to shutting down electricity, including several hospitals and chased away the patients.
‘’General hospitals in Kawo, Tudun-Wada, Kafanchan, Giwa, Rigasa, Kakuri and Sabon Tasha were illegally locked.
“They also shut rural hospitals and primary health centre in Kwoi, Turunku and other locations across the state,’’ it lamented.
‘’The government shares the pain of the people of Kaduna State amidst the avalanche of unlawful conduct by the NLC and appeals to all residents to remain peaceful and vigilant,’’ Adekeye said.
The statement however warned‘’ government is documenting all these violations of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Trade Union Act.’’
The Special Adviser said government welcomed ‘’the visit by the leaders of the Trade Union Congress who met with our Head of Service, Bariatu Y. Mohammed, this morning.
‘’Hajiya Bariatu has reported on the constructive attitude of the TUC delegation led by Barrister Musa Lawal, its Secretary-General.”
The Comrade Ayuba Wabba led leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday fulfilled its threat of shutting down Kaduna State in protest of mass sack of workers of the state civil service.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that sister unions including students and children also joined the protest.
See photos below:
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kaduna state chapter have raised alarm over alleged plan by Kaduna state government to mobilize hoodlums to discredit it’s planned protest on Monday in Kaduna.
State chairman, Chairman Comrade Ayuba Magaji Suleiman, disclosed this in a statement dated May 16, 202.
“We are calling the attention of general public to the planned mobilization of thugs by the State Government to discredit our peaceful protest of tomorrow
“Hence, we advocate that the people of Kaduna State should be vigilant and stand against this plan,” Suleiman said.
The congress said that, “The warrant of arrest on the National President of NLC Comrade Ayuba Waba as claimed by Kaduna State Government is an unwarranted intimidation on Labour movement.
“This is considered as a violation of human right act. The National President’s involvement in this action is intended to protect the interest of Kaduna State workers”.
Comrade Suleiman pointed out that earlier, the NLC were misled to commend Kaduna State Government for being the first state to implement thirty thousand Naira (N30, 000) minimum wage to both Civil Servants and the retirees.
“But however, we noted with dismay that the government reverted to old minimum wage of Eighteen thousand Naira (N18, 000) in the month of April, 2021 Salary in the Local government council, about twenty thousand (20, 000) State civil servants received half Salary which is even less than the former Eighteen thousandNaira (N18, 000) minimum wage.
“Health workers were denied almost all their allowances such as hazard, call duty, shifting, rural posting etc.
“It’s disheartening to say that Kaduna State Government on the bases of their claim that it had paid up to 14 billion Naira as arrears of death benefit and gratuity from 2017 but the fact is that the same government disengaged over thirty five thousand (35, 000) civil servants in 2017 and up to date over 80 per cent have not received their retirement benefits,” it pointed out.
The statement noted that it’s sad for Kaduna State Government to claim its commitment to training of workers while those that are qualified for promotion remain “stagnate” for years.
“On claims by the government supporting civil servants to pay for houses through mortgages on a single digits interest, this claim is false. The reality of this, was that this mortgages was gotten by the joint efforts of NLC and TUC.
“The State Government in its Ignorance failed to realize the obvious fact that payments of salaries have multiplying effects on the social- welfare and economy. In other words, when salaries are paid it reflects down the line.
“The unfortunate downsizing of work force in Kaduna State was not done in accordance with the statutory Labour law, with keen examination of it’s activities from 2017 till date, over fifty thousand workers were affected.
“It’s in the public domain that over Twenty One thousand Teachers were sacked, five (5) thousand Local Government workers were equally disengaged in 2017, while another Twelve (12) thousand State civil servants were also unfairly disengaged and the recent sacking of over seven thousand workers of local government in the month of April, 2021 these lay credence to the figure given by the NLC.
“The claim by the State Government to promote the right of the Children of the poor to decent education, is contradictory to the recent increase in tuition fees in the State owned institutions to the tune of more than Three Hundred per cent (300%) increase,” the statement explained.
It further said that the claim by Kaduna State Government that NLC recruited hoodlums to cause mayhem during the strike is untrue because it is not in the character of Labour to indulge in such uncivilized manner as against the nature of politicians.
“All the affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress are fully committed to participate in the strike action without compulsion.
“On this note we implore the general public to remain calm and peaceful throughout the 5 days warning strike period which we are assuring the Kaduna State workers and the general public of our commitment to maintain peaceful strike action for the interest of workers in the State and the general public,”
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom on Saturday took a swipe at his Kaduna counterpart, describing him as “one of the real enemies” of Nigeria.
TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Ortom was responding to a statement credited to Governor Nasir El-Rufai, where the latter reportedly accused the Benue Governor of attacking the federal government to cover for his failure to secure Benue state.
“Nasir el-Rufai is a sycophant, ethnic champion and religious bigot who hates anyone who does not share the same faith with him,” a statement signed by Ortom’s spokesman, Terver Akase, said.
“He is among the very few persons who have misled President Muhammadu Buhari.
“El-Rufai is one of the real enemies of this country who do not hide their divisive tendencies by elevating nepotism and ethnicity above the good values that have held Nigeria together over the decades.”
Communities in Benue have recently come under attack from suspected herdsmen prompting Ortom to accuse President Buhari of working with Fulani to take over Nigeria.
The Presidency, in response to Ortom’s comment, has expressed disappointment in the Governor.
Read Ortom’s full statement on El-Rufai:
EL-RUFAI IS ONE OF THOSE WHO HAVE MISLED PRESIDENT BUHARI
We read the statement credited to Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai in which he accused Governor Samuel Ortom of using the insecurity in his state to attack the Federal Government in order to cover up what he termed as the Benue State Governor’s failure.
We want to believe that El-Rufai was wrongly quoted. A man who has failed in several aspects as Governor of Kaduna has no moral justification to accuse another Governor.
A Governor who has divided the good people of Kaduna against one another by not hiding his hatred of indigenes of the state on account of religion and ethnicity is not qualified to judge another Governor on any issue whatsoever. A Governor who chose a Muslim deputy in a state where Christians have a huge population is certainly not one to preach unity and peaceful co-existence.
El-Rufai’s attack on Governor Ortom is merely to make him look good before the Presidency. He has apparently fallen out of favour at the Villa and wants to use Governor Ortom as a launch pad back to reckoning. How has he handled his own problems in Kaduna? This is a man who has insulted almost every prominent Nigerian including the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and former President Olusegun Obasanjo; a man who is his former boss and one who brought him to limelight.
Nigerians have not forgotten the unprintable things El-Rufai said during Goodluck Jonathan’s time as President. He insulted the then President and publicly supported terrorists attacking parts of the country. His statements on the abduction of Chibok girls and several other acts of terrorism are still fresh in our minds. El-Rufai is on record to have said repeatedly that Fulani people must retaliate any wrong done to them no matter how long it takes.
Is Governor Ortom responsible for El-Rufai’s inability to ensure peace in Kaduna State where bandits have taken over some communities while kidnappings and killings occur on daily basis?
El-Rufai admitted to paying Fulani herdsmen whom he invited from other West African countries in the name of stopping attacks in Southern Kaduna. Since he made the confessional statement, attacks on the people of Southern Kaduna have escalated. This is why he wants men of good conscience like Governor Ortom to be silent to pave way for the conquest and expansion agenda to succeed.
Kidnapping has become a common crime in Kaduna State under Nasir el-Rufai.
Aside the much celebrated cases, it has been estimated that at every given time, not less that 300 persons are abducted in Kaduna by kidnappers who are always identified as El-Rufai’s kinsmen. He pays them billions to embolden them. He has turned the state into one of the most unsafe places to live in Nigeria today.
Talking about taking someone seriously, if other Nigerians take El-Rufai seriously, we in Benue do not do same. A man who has no regard for humanity does not deserve our attention.
Nasir el-Rufai is a sycophant, ethnic champion and religious bigot who hates anyone who does not share the same faith with him. He is among the very few persons who have misled President Muhammadu Buhari. El-Rufai is one of the real enemies of this country who do not hide their divisive tendencies by elevating nepotism and ethnicity above the good values that have held Nigeria together over the decades.
Nasir el-Rufai doesn’t possess the credentials to counsel anyone on payment of salaries and the welfare of workers. This is a Governor who recently sacked 4,000 workers for no just cause. He ought to be ashamed of himself. What happened to the lofty promises he made to Kaduna people in 2015?
The Kaduna Governor should know that only two days ago, the people of Benue State met at a stakeholders meeting in Makurdi and unanimously passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ortom in recognition of his performance. That meeting was attended across party lines with leaders of All Progressives Congress, APC also present.
El-Rufai and his conspirators must note that Benue State will not repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, no matter the amount of blackmail, hatred and threats they wage against Governor Ortom.
We advise the Kaduna State Governor to focus on addressing the numerous problems he has created in his state and leave Governor Ortom to lead Benue in peace.
Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary
May 08, 2021.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, says his Benue State counterpart, Samuel Ortom, uses the insecurity in his state to attack the President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government in order to cover up his own failure.
El-Rufai, therefore, stated that he no longer takes Ortom seriously.
The Kaduna governor said this while responding to a video showing Ortom addressing protesters after some killings in Benue State.
The video was played during a webinar organised by the Africa Leadership Group.
Responding, el-Rufai said, “I did not hear what Governor Ortom said (in the video) but I know him and he is not somebody I take very seriously, frankly. He has other issues of governance that he is using the Federal Government as a punching bag to distract attention from his failures.
“Go and find out how many months’ salaries are being owed teachers and public servants in Benue State then you can understand a lot of what Ortom is doing.”
El-Rufai, however, admitted that there is a fundamental problem with the capacity of the Armed Forces and the police.
“We have a serious national problem. I wouldn’t say we are totally helpless but we are in a situation where the Armed Forces and the police have lost significant confidence in themselves and their institutions,” he said.
The governor said security agents need more weapons and there is a need to increase the number of operatives.
Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State has advised South East politicians to actively engage other sections of the country if they are really serious to produce Nigeria’s next president.
El-Rufai said that it was the same approach adopted by previous presidents and wondered why any section of the country would expect that it would be offered the presidency without negotiation.
He said it is even out of place for the Southeast to expect that it could get the presidency by threatening to break away from the rest of Nigeria.
El-Rufai, who spoke during a webinar organised by the Africa Leadership Group with the theme ‘Developing a Viable Nation 2’, conceded that the presidency should go to the South in 2023, but he said the Southeast should not bank on getting the slot by threatening to pull out of Nigeria.
His words: “I don’t think anyone has stopped the South-East from going for the Presidency. But you see, you cannot get the Presidency of Nigeria by threats or by shouting victim hood. “This is a political process and you have to engage other parts of Nigeria to convince them to support you.
“That is what everyone does. That is what Jonathan did in 2011. That is what Buhari did in 2015 and 2019. That is what every President does.
“You don’t stay in your corner, abuse everyone in Nigeria and say give me Presidency. It is not going to happen.
“Presidency is not by allocation; it is the result of a political process. You join a political party, your party negotiates with other parts of the country and it happens.
“That is how it is done. And you cannot get it by sitting down or threatening secession. It won’t work.
“I think the South-East is going about it the wrong way, because if you look at the APC for instance, we do not have many footprints in the South-East.”