TheNewsGuru

Tag: LP

  • Minimum wage: N70,000 not solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges – LP

    Minimum wage: N70,000 not solution to Nigeria’s economic challenges – LP

    Chairman of Labour Party (LP) in Oyo State, Sadiq Atayese, has said that the newly-approved N70,000 minimum wage for Nigerian workers is not the solution to the economic challenges currently facing the country.

    Atayese stated this in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Ibadan.

    According to him, the real therapy for sustainable cost of living in the country lies in fashioning out of positive economic policies by government.

    He stated that one major policy issue that could challenge the poor living standard of Nigerians revolved around exchange rate as a key determinant of fuel cost and, by extension, fuel subsidy.

    Atayese said that government must be intentional in its efforts at fighting corruption to a standstill, in addition to the upward review of minimum wage.

    According to him, corruption in high places represents more than 90 per cent of corruption cases in Nigeria.

    “Will this new minimum wage actually assuage the daily rising costs of foods and services? Can it bring a stable solution to the nation’s economic challenges? The answer is No,” he said.

    The LP chairman urged government to be deliberate about agricultural development and also address issues surrounding effective farming, such as security and adequate funding.

    He said that the beneficial effects of these critical issues, if properly addressed, would far outweigh a minimum wage of even N150,000.

    “Labour Party will continue to stand for the wellbeing of the people and development of the society,” he said.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Government and labour had, on Thursday, agreed on N70,000 as the new minimum wage for Nigerian workers.

    NAN also reports that government had earlier proposed N60,000 which was later raised to N62,000, while labour demanded N494,000 and later reviewed it downward to N250,000.

    The labour leaders had, at the end of its meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja on Thursday, said that the they agreed to the 70,000 offer because of other incentives attached to it.

  • Edo poll: Court dismisses suit seeking Akpata’s disqualification as LP candidate

    Edo poll: Court dismisses suit seeking Akpata’s disqualification as LP candidate

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Friday, dismissed the suit filed by Kenneth Imansuangbon, seeking the disqualification of Olumide Akpata as Labour Party (LP)’s candidate for the Sept. 21 Edo governorship election.

    Justice Obiora Egwuatu, in a judgment, dismissed the suit on grounds that the suit was statue barred, having been filed outside 14 days after the cause of action arose.

    The LP conducted its governorship primary election in Edo on Feb. 23, where Akpata won and was declared as the winner.

    Dissatisfied with the declaration, Imansuangbon, through his Counsel, Anthony Malik, SAN, filed the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/472/2024 to challenge Akpata’s emergence.

    In the originating summons dated and filed on April 12, Imansuangbon sued Akpata, Oluyinka Alufohai, LP and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.

    The plaintiff had prayed the court to invalidate Akpata and Alufohai’s nomination as governorship and deputy governorship candidates of LP on the ground that Akpata submitted forged documents in his FORM EC9.

    But Akpata, through his Counsel Johnson Usman, SAN, filed among other processes, a notice of preliminary objection, challenging the competence of the suit on the ground that it was statute barred and the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain it.

    Usma equally argued that the originating summons was incompetent, having been accompanied by an incompetent written address.

    Delivering the judgment, Justice Egwuatu upheld Usman’s objection and agreed with the senior lawyer’s argument.

    The judge, who held that the suit was statute barred, said the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.

    He subsequently  dismissed the suit, thereby affirming the nomination of Akpata and Alufohai by the party.

  • Ondo guber: LP candidate promises N120,000 minimum wage

    Ondo guber: LP candidate promises N120,000 minimum wage

    Dr Ayodele Olorunfemi, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in the Nov. 16 election  in Ondo State, says he will implement N120,000 minimum wage for workers, if voted for.

    Olorunfemi, in an interview with NAN on Tuesday in Lagos, said that well-paid workers tended to be more productive than poorly paid ones

    “As at 2023 when we were campaigning, we assured our people that LP would be paying a minimum of N80,000 minimum wage in Ondo, that was before the economy got to where it is today.

    “With the situation in the market now , looking at the cost of living, if this state is put under our control, we shall not pay anything less than N120,000 as minimum wage.

    “That is the minimum we can pay and we believe we will be able to  afford it,” he said.

    The candidate said that the party would engage more workers in the state and motivate them to be productive and improve the state’s Internally Generated Revenue.

    “The fact that I know is that what we have now can pay the minimum wage.

    “We want our workers to be productive so that more wealth can come to the state,” he said.

    Olorunfemi said that if elected, his administration would rigorously pursue construction of a dry port to stop inflow of traffic into Lagos from the state and its environs.

    “When we take over as LP, the first agenda is to make sure there is a port in Ondo State, to boost business and the economy.

    “We are working with Alaba International Market Association in Lagos. We are going to work on how to have our own dry port to decongest Alaba International Market in Lagos.

    “We are getting a dry port at Ore and a very big international market that will reduce traffic inflow to Lagos,” he said.

  • UK Labour Party victory tonic for Nigeria’s counterpart – LP leader

    UK Labour Party victory tonic for Nigeria’s counterpart – LP leader

    Hon. Afam Ogene, Leader of Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, has commended UK’s election process which led to victory for LP over the ruling Conservative Party.

    Ogene, who represents Ogbaru Federal Constituency, said the opposition party’s victory should be a tonic for action for the Labour Party in Nigeria in the 2027 general elections.

    In a statement issued in Awka on Friday the lawmaker said that the election “tells vivid tales of hope for the opposition, competence and integrity of the electoral umpires in the UK.

    The UK opposition Labour Party won a huge parliamentary majority in the country’s general election, unseating the incumbent Conservatives after 14 years in control.

    While the Labour Party got 412 seats, the incumbent Conservatives got 121.

    Ogene congratulated Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party in Britain and new Prime Minister, for his party’s victory Rishi Sunak.

    Ogene said victory was not only a win for the opposition party in Britain but that of all believers in democraticy, transparency and integrity.

    “The process in UK was free of glitches, as about 40 million voters took part, polls closed around 10 pm on Thursday and by daybreak the results were out.

    “There was no judicial ambush, as immediate transition took place to the admiration of all lovers of democracy and free and fair elections”, he said.

    “If we must practice democracy, we must also love, copy and abide by the transparency and accountability of democratic institutions in nations that allow the rule of law and democratic principles to thrive.

    “The British Labour Party’s victory inspires hope and optimism, demonstrating that positive change is possible, when people come together with a unified objective.

    “I urge the Nigerian Labour Party to draw inspiration from our British counterparts, close ranks, rally the people, and prepare to take the reins of power in 2027,” he said.

  • PDP, LP members defect to APC in Lagos

    PDP, LP members defect to APC in Lagos

    Hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) on Thursday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC)  at Mainland Constituency II in Lagos State .

    Receiving the detectors, Mr Rasheed Shabi, a  member of the State House of Assembly (Mainland ll) ,said President Bola Tinubu’s style of leadership endeared opposition members to the ruling party.

    Shabi added that the defectors joined  party to support the president towards  achieving his Renewed Hope Agenda.

    The lawmaker,  Chairman, House Committee on Environment (Parastatals), said the party had enough room to  accommodate more new members, assuring the defectors of equal treatment and fairness.

    “My dear defectors, the ruling party has your interest at heart.I ,therefore, urge you to be patient with President Tinubu led-government, everything will be fine, fuel price, food stuff prices will soon come down.

    “Congratulations to you for making the right choice, you are all welcome to the ruling party.

    “We will ensure that you will  benefit from all opportunities regarding the welfare of members without sentiments,” the lawmaker said.

    Shabi assured that he would continue to give his best to the people of  his  constituency.

    He urged the defectors, who are the Wards, A, B, and C  of the constituency, to be loyal and shun anti-party activities “so that you can enjoy the benefits of being APC member to the fullest.”

    In their separate speeches, some of the defectors from PDP and Labour Party described their former parties as weak in the state, promising to work hard to give APC  more weight at the grassroots

    Leading defectors from PDP, Mr Edupo Benjamin, noted that they were impressed by Shabi’s good work in the area of empowerment, facilitation of road projects, drilling of bore holes and others.

    Benjamin said that the lawmaker had been  providing books, school bags and tablet device for students, to help them in  their studies.

    Leading the Labour Party, Mr Azankpo Nobert, said they were convinced that APC was the place to be ,adding their former party abandoned them after the election.

    Nobert said the lawmaker was always available to listen to people and that he kept an open door always.

    In separate speeches ,some of the other defectors from PDP and Labour Party described their former parties as weak in the state, promising to work hard to give APC  more weight at the grassroots

    Also, Commenting, a APC Chieftain, Mr Tajudeen Agoro, who defected from PDP to APC in 2019, congratulated the defected members, saying that their decision was a wise one.

    “I can assure you will not regret your decision. In this party, you will be given opportunities to showcase yourself and tap  the benefits of politics.

    “Two things are the reasons we join politics: What we will benefit and what we will become.

    “All those opportunities are what I have benefited  since I joined APC in 2019. I believe that you would also get them,” he said.

    NAN reports that the event witnessed notable party leaders such as Mr Tunde Williams, a former Special Adviser to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Labour Matters,Mr Bosun Agori,and Mr Tony Fasanmi

    Leaders of the various wards at the constituency were also present.zx

  • Abure predicts win for LP in British weekend election

    Abure predicts win for LP in British weekend election

    The National Chairman of Labour Party, Mr Julius Abure, has predicted a comfortable win for the British Labour Party in the national election coming up at the weekend.

    The National Publicity Secretary Labour Party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, quoted Aburi as saying this in in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.

    According to Abure based on unbiased assessment of unfolding events in the electoral process that, the British Labour Party would have landslide victory to form the next government.

    “We profoundly express our solidarity to you and your entire team as you proceed to the general election in the United Kingdom.

    “There is great assurance based on our unbiased assessment of unfolding events in the electoral process that, the British Labour Party will have a landslide victory to form the next government.

    “The British Labour Party has consistently in the last fourteen years provided a progressive opposition which put the Conservative Party on her toes since 2020’’, he said.

    He said British LP leader, Keir Starmer had demonstrated high level of statesmanship and transformative leadership at the Parliament.

    Aburi said this gave him a comparative advantage over Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, who is also the candidate of the Conservative Party.

    He further said: “This undoubtedly has put the British Labour Party in a comfortable lead in the public opinion and the ongoing electoral process.

    “The July 4, 2024 election is a decisive moment in the history of Democracy in the United Kingdom.

    “It is a decision between unstable neoliberal economy policy and progressive regulated market economy which is people-centred and transformative.

    “Nigerian Labour Party shall continue to strengthen the bond of solidarity between her and the British Labour Party’’.

  • Obasanjo’s ‘third-term agenda’ a misinterpretation – LP chieftain

    Obasanjo’s ‘third-term agenda’ a misinterpretation – LP chieftain

    The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria says prompt overhaul of electoral system that will guarantee credible elections nationwide remains a major task before the 10th National Assembly.

    The LP Deputy National Chairman, Dr Ayo Olorunfemi made this remark in an interview with NAN on Sunday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to a bill seeking a single term of six years for the President and state governors, brought up recently by 35 members of the House of Representatives.

    The bill also canvasses the rotation of the presidency among the six geo-political zones of the country.

    The 35 legislators, under the auspices of Reformed-minded Legislators, said both proposals would lead to reduction in the cost of governance.

    The spokesman for the group, Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, added that the move would unite the country and ensure seamless power transition and promote the development of the country.

    Reacting, Olorunfemi said that though the six-year single tenure for the  President and governor remained laudable, the priority should be on reformation of electoral laws and guidelines.

    According to him, this is much more needed no than the proposed single- tenure rotational presidency.

    “Our problem now is how to completely overhaul our electoral system through electronic voting and transmission of result real-time online,” he said.

    Olorunfemi said that the single term of years presidency was proposed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but was misinterpreted as third term agenda.

    “That was what Obasanjo wanted to do and some people with bad intentions turned that to a third term agenda,” Olorunfemi added.

    He urged the National Assembly to look into the process of appointment of judges and the chairman of the electoral commission.

    The LP boss said that such appointments should be through a competitive selection process  by professionals rather than  by the President.

    He said that National Assembly should,at all times ,pursue  efforts  towards deepening  democracy .

  • Minimum wage: Strike not an option, N494,000 unrealistic – LP tells labour

    Minimum wage: Strike not an option, N494,000 unrealistic – LP tells labour

    The Labour Party (LP) in Nigeria has urged workers’ unions to re-negotiate with the government  on new minimum wage rather than embarking on industrial action.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Mr Obiora Ifoh, made the plea in an interview with NAN on Monday in Lagos.

    He was reacting to the strike declared nationwide strike by the organised labour over its demand for a new minimum wage .

    Ifoh said that strike was not an option because it would cause more hardship and sufferings.

    “Our immediate reaction is that the organised labour should not throw Nigerians into more hardship.

    “Nigerians are already grappling with a lot of challenges and we do not need to exacerbate the situation.

    “I think the demand for N494,000 minimum wage is unrealistic. It is really unrealistic.

    “It is a figure that cannot be sustained because it will imply that Nigeria will take all that money it has to pay the civil servants,” Ifoh said.

    Ifoh said that the labour union should continue to engage  the Federal Government on a figure that would be acceptable to both parties.

    “Negotiation should continue until they get something better.

    “Asking Nigerian workers to stay at home will affect everything ,including the cost of living and Nigerians cannot afford that now.

    “Negotiation is not a one-off thing.

    “If the Federal Government is not willing to go above N60,000 minimum wage , I think that the Organised Labour should work with what is available while it continues to negotiate.

    “We know this government has not gotten it right. It is still trying to test the waters,” the LP spokesman said.

    He said that the party would not want any action  that could further cause hardship.

    NAN reports that despite earlier pleas by the Federal Government for consideration, the organised labour on Monday commenced an indefinite strike  to push for a new national minimum wage for workers.

    The industrial action followed a series of unsuccessful negotiations involving both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) and  government’s  representatives .

    Representatives of labour had  on May 28 walked out of the Tripartite Committee meeting on minimum wage after the government increased its offer from N57,000 to N60,000.

    Recall that the government and the Organised Private Sector  had initially proposed ₦48,000, then  ₦54,000 and N57,000, which were all rejected by  labour.

    The organised labour had also proposed  ₦615,000 as new minimum wage, but later came down to  ₦497,000 and then to ₦494,000, to reflect the current rising cost of living.

  • LP appoints members for its newly created directorate

    LP appoints members for its newly created directorate

    The Labour Party (LP) has appointed members of its newly directorate, aimed at repositioning it for better performance.

    Mr Obiora Ifoh, the National Publicity Secretary, LP, said this in a statement in Abuja.

    “This is part of the repositioning efforts of the party toward integrating millions of our youths and particularly, the OBIDIENT family into the larger family of the LP,” he said.

    He named them to include: Mr Marcel Ngogbehei – Director, Mr Ajiu Elumelu – Deputy Director, (Diaspora), Mrs Mariam Ismaila – Deputy Director and Mr Chukwuemeka Okafor – Deputy Director.

    He named the rest to include Mrs Angel Innocent – Deputy Director, Tony Ashekomeh – Deputy Director, Mr Emeka Ezechi – Deputy Director, Mr Josiah Omenuwoma – Deputy Director, Mr Emmanuel Odusote – Deputy Director and Mr Adeyeye Tosin – Deputy Director.

    Ifoh said the terms of reference of directorate included; to coordinate the registration of all members of the OBIDIENT community, to integrate them fully into the structure of the party and to ease diaspora participation in the affairs of the party.

    “Others are receive complaints and deal with same and where they are unable to deal with same, refer such complaints to the leadership of the party.

    “Coordinate collection of dues and donations to the party and to ensure that all OBIDIENTS are financial members of the party.

    “Work closely with the National Youth Leader, National Women Leader, and National Organising Secretary in order to create programmes that will fully and effectively assimilate all members of the OBIDIENT family to the party,” he said.

    Ifoh said the directorate would be inaugurated on Thursday, June 6 at the NEC Hall, LP National Secretariat, Utako, Abuja.

  • Intellect doesn’t give Soyinka the right to insult anybody – Datti

    Intellect doesn’t give Soyinka the right to insult anybody – Datti

    Yusuf  Datti Baba-Ahmed, the former Vice Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, has clapped back  at Nobel Laureate, Prof Wole Soyinka, over his comment that Peter Obi, LP’s presidential candidate, was unfit to lead the country.

    According to Baba-Ahmed, he could say a few things to Soyinka that could destroy him for good but he wouldn’t say that.

    He added that intellect doesn’t give Soyinka the right to insult anybody.

    Recall that Soyinka had said that Obi’s failure to reign on his supporters attacking others with opposing views online was a pointer that he is unfit to lead a country like Nigeria.

    The literary icon also accused Obi of encouraging ‘Obidients’ to attack him and others with opposing views online.

    However, while responding to Soyinka’s comment, Friday, on Arise Television, Baba-Ahmed said what Soyinka was doing was an attempted distraction, adding that he wouldn’t not join issues with him.

    “The learned elder statesman, Prof Wole Soyinka is scared in advance about what good Peter Obi will bring to Nigeria. He’s scared in advance that the end is still looking very likely for his principal, for bad governance.

    “What Wole Soyinka is doing now is an attempted distraction, which I beg you excuse me from joining issues with Wole Soyinka, please.

    “You and I have much better things to do. For all I know, he could continue to throw punches at my principal, at me, as small as I am. If he continues to do that, all I can do is to grieve in my heart and continue to pray for him.

    “You see, intellect doesn’t give you the right to insult anybody. I remember this Soyinka insulting late General Abacha, insulting him to the core that he was daft. Nothing gives him the right to do that. Abacha was not an academic. He was a soldier for God’s sake. And a good soldier in his own way in his own right.

    “I beg you, let’s push Soyinka and his likes aside; we have better things to talk about.

    “Nobel Laureates are loved and cherished by their people. Soyinka keeps getting insulted, and it is his responsibility to maintain his dignity and respect, not Peter Obi’s.

    “I could say a few things to Wole Soyinka that could destroy him for good, but I wouldn’t say that.”