Tag: NEC

NEC to consult governors before subsidy removal

The National Economic Council (NEC) has agreed that the timing for the removal of oil subsidy should not be now but preparation work has to be done in consultation with the State Governments and other key stakeholders.

Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Dr Zainab Ahmed, stated this when she addressed State House correspondents on the outcome of the valedictory session of NEC.

The meeting was presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

She said the council also agreed to form an expanded committee to look at the process for the removal of the fuel subsidy.

According to the minister, this include determining the exact time and the measures that need to be taken to provide support to the poor and the vulnerable as well as ensure the availability of petroleum products across the country.

”Yes, What I said is that it is not going to be removed now – which means it will not be removed before the transition is completed.

”But then we’ve two laws that have inadvertently made the provision that we should exit by June.

”So if the committee’s work, which will include the representatives of the incoming administration, determined that the removal can be done by June than the work plan will be designed to exit as at June.

”But if the determination is that the period is extended it will mean that as a country, we will have to revisit the Appropriation Act for example, because the 2023 budget only made provision upto June.

”So if we’re extending beyond June it means we have to revisit the appropriation Act or amend the PIA.

”So these are the reasons why we had to do this consultation, we would like to get inputs from the governors, they’re going to provide us their representatives to work together with us to have a defined process that will take us towards the removal.

”But one thing that is clear is everybody agrees that the subsidy should be removed very quickly because the cost is only not inefficient but is also not sustainable, and that when the time comes for removal, the removal will be done once and for all.”

Also speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Gov. Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa disclosed that the council took reports of the presidential committee on flooding.

He said the committee was saddled with the responsibility of aggregating the causes of flooding, the losses incurred in the recent time and possible palliatives for victims.

He disclosed that 16 states had so far submitted their reports on flooding while the remaining 20 were expected to do same before the overall reports of the presidential committee would be presented to the National Executive Council.

April 27, 2023
“Ayu’s leadership brought misfortune to PDP” -Nnamani

Former Enugu Governor, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani, has called on the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Iyorchia Ayu, to vacate office forthwith, stressing that his leadership brought misfortune to the party.

Nnamani, in a statement in Abuja, noted that Ayu’s leadership has brought misfortune to the PDP because of his alleged ineptitude, greed and wickedness.

He said: “Ayu is just an unmitigated disaster. His leadership is an evil that befell the PDP. The only option left is to show him the exit door.

Ayu lacks the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately

“How can Ayu be relying on the PDP Constitution, section 57 (7), to seek refuge when he had flagrantly subverted the same section to sack key stakeholders of the party including me.”

“Section 57(7) of the PDP Constitution stipulates that “Notwithstanding any other provision relating to discipline, no executive committee at any level, except the National Executive Committee (NEC), shall entertain any question of discipline as may relate or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, Deputy Governors or members of the National Assembly.”

He recalled the Ayu-led NWC relied on the aforementioned section to expel him when it obviously lacked the power to do so pointing out that Ayu’s case now is akin to the evil that men do lives with them.

Nnamani said: “Ayu lacks the moral right to stay a day longer in office as National Chairman. If he still has any modicum of honour, he should quit immediately.

Senator Chimaroke Nnamani

“Look at the shame he has brought on the PDP. Look at the array of key stakeholders Ayu has sacked or forced to leave the party. Except Ayu is a man without shame or honour, he has no business remaining in office.”

He urged the NEC and the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party to wade in to show Ayu the exit door in order to save the party from complete extinction.

March 28, 2023
ASUU kicks against education loan, says its a monumental failure

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has kicked against the proposed introduction of education loans, stating that it has proven to be a monumental failure in Nigeria and some other countries where it was introduced.

Emmanuel Osodeke, President of ASUU, made this known in a statement he signed, after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the University of Calabar on Monday.

The lecturers also appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the government to release the withheld salaries of its members, adding that they view as casualisation, the payment of salaries to some of its members in the month of October based on pro-rata.

The statement reads; The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which held at the University of Calabar, reviewed the current state of our struggle and resolved as follows:

1. NEC observed with concern the systematic disengagement of government from funding of Public Universities through the proposed introduction of education loan which has proven to be a monumental failure in our nation and some other countries where it was introduced. We find it troubling that the proponents of the policy are so eager to foist it down the throat of Nigerians when they have done more to push the working people of this country into poverty through sheer incompetence in handling the economic fortunes of our

2. The Union is disturbed by the surreptitious moves by the government to price university education beyond the reach of the poor Nigerian students and their parents through the introduction of various charges. We commend student bodies who have seen through this ruinous path and are rising up to the

3. The Union calls the attention of Nigerians to the lingering issue of renegotiation of the 2009 FGN-ASUU Agreement which was the initial issue that led to the just suspended strike More worrisome is the increasing anti-labour posture of government, suggestive of attempts to abrogate the principle of collective bargaining agreement. NEC rejects in totality government’s arrogant insistence on handling down an award instead of a bargained salary package.

4. The meeting also reviewed and condemned government’s attempt to casualize the job of intellectuals, as reflected in the pro-rated salaries paid to our members for the month of October 2022, as well as the continued withholding of our members salaries for the preceding eight (8) months, even when the backlog of the work are being covered by our members in various

5. ASUU calls on Nigerians of goodwill to, in the interest of our students and the nation, prevail on Nigerian government to urgently address all outstanding issues contained in the December 2020 FGN-ASUU Memorandum of NEC rejects with vehemence, the current attempts to impose master-slave treatment as mechanism for relating with Nigerian scholars under whatever guise by the ruling class. ASUU members are citizens, not slaves.

Finally, NEC appreciates the resilience of our members and their families. Their understanding and perseverance, in the face of hardship and provocation occasioned by government’s intransigence and insensitivity, shall be rewarded by posterity.

December 6, 2022
Ohanaeze Ndigbo denies electing new national youth leader

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, has denied media reports that Mr Livinus Obasi has been elected its new National Youth Leader.

The National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mr Alex Ogbonnia, made the denial in an interaction with newsmen in Owerri, on Monday.

Ogbonnia said that although the Organisation’s erstwhile Youth Leader, Mr Damian Okafor, was suspended, the National Executive Council (NEC), led by its President-General, Prof. George Obiozor, was still working hard to settle the issues that led to his suspension.

Ogbonnia, a former Chairman of the Organisation in Enugu, called on the general public not to be misguided by “deceitful media reports of a purported bye-election” to replace the suspended Youth Leader, adding that such reports were the handiwork of mischief makers.

“It is true that Okafor was suspended, but the NEC is working assiduously to resolve the issues, and when we do, the public will be duly informed.

“The NEC is not aware of any bye-election to replace Okafor. The said election lacks credibility; is not known to us, and was neither approved nor supervised by us. We therefore refuse to recognise Obasi as youth leader “, he said.

Speaking, Secretary of Ohanaeze Youth Wing in Rivers, Mr Chika Onuoha, denied being part of the election and advised the Organisation’s youths to desist from acts capable of causing disunity among its members.

He restated his support for the Obiozor-led NEC, adding that anything to the contrary would amount to insubordination and unruly behaviour.

“Those of us in Rivers will not work against the NEC because in Prof. Obiozor, we have a leader of high repute.
“We were not part of the said election that produced Obasi and we will exhaust all legal channels as we vehemently oppose moves to parade him as the new National Youth Leader,” he said.

October 24, 2022
State loans: NEC to engage CBN, finance minister on recovery

The National Economic Council (NEC) says it will engage the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning on recovery of CBN loans to states.

Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi State briefed State House correspondents after a virtual NEC meeting presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Umahi said NEC meeting also featured memorandum for consideration and endorsement of the reviewed National Social Protection Policy ( NSPP) by the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed.

“Council was invited to note the revised NSPP that replaces the 2017-2022 NSPP, which was reviewed in consultation with all states and other stakeholders.

“It is subject to review every five years for updates and accommodation of some of the emerging issues, which include pandemics, insecurity, and responsive social protection.

“The expected benefits of the revised NSPP include reduction of multi-dimensional poverty; promotion of social justice and equity and inclusive growth, reduction of unemployment, social and economic vulnerabilities and other threats to sustainable development.’’

He said that the council endorsed the presentation and the prayer of the minister.

Umahi said the revised NSPP would be transmitted to the Federal Executive Council for its own endorsement after which it would go to the National Assembly.

The governor said that NEC approved a review of the plan for immediate deduction of funds from state by the CBN.

“The governors are saying with the constant reduction in FAAC allocation to states, it would be very suicidal if the CBN goes ahead to carry out their proposed recovery of state loans.

“ The governors and NEC applauded the president, the vice president, Minister of Finance and the CBN governor for their efforts and commitment to states while noting that a lot of funds that were hidden from the states before the present administration have also been graciously given to states by the president and his team.

“ That has helped the states very much, so while commending them, NEC agreed to engage the CBN governor with the Minister of Finance and the governors forum and the NEC committee.

“ So, it was agreed that these deductions would have to be reviewed to seek other ways; that if it goes ahead, the states would suffocate and that would not be good for the nation; NEC agreed to set up a committee to engage the CBN governor and the finance minister.’’

On flooding, Umahi said the menace was extensively discussed and NEC offered condolences to those who had lost their lives and sympathy to the families and to the suffering Nigerians.

According to him, the flooding is due to climate change as the council will work towards forestalling future occurrence.

“NEC is commending the president, having met with some governors with regard to this flooding issue.

“ So, NEC agreed to set up a committee to look at the immediate solutions and interventions over the flooding and to see how we take care of those who were affected and states too.

“And also to proffer long-term solutions in line with what the Minister of Water Resources is doing together with the action plan of the president in this regard,’’ he said.

October 20, 2022
BREAKING ASUU: Resume lectures today, Osodeke tells lecturers

…says we’re doing this as law abiding Nigerians

President of ASUU, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke has directed all lecturers to commence work today after the highest body of the Union resolved to lift suspension on the eight months old industrial action.

TheNewsGuru.com, (TNG) reports this was contained in a statement issued and signed by Osodeke dated October 13, on Friday.

In the statement details of what led to the decision to ask their colleagues to resume duties are clearly stated.

See full statement below:

13 October, 2022

PRESS RELEASE

ASUU SUSPENDS ITS STRIKE ACTION

1. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Academic Staff Union of
Universities (ASUU) held an emergency meeting at the Comrade Festus lyayi
National Secretariat, University of Abuja, Abuja, on Thursday, 13 October, 2022.
The meeting reviewed developments since the Union declared an indefinite
strike action on 29th August, 2022.

2. During the intervening period, the Minister of Labour and Employment, through a referral, approached the National Industrial Court (NIC) for the interpretation
of “the provision of sections 4, 5, 6, 7,8 & 18 (1) of the Trade Dispute Act, Cap T8
Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, whether the on-going prolonged strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities which started since 14 February, 2022 is
legal even after statutory apprehension by the Minister of Labour and
Employment?” In addition, he asked for an interlocutory order against the continuation of the strike.

3. The National Industrial Court in its wisdom gave an order compelling ASUU to resume work pending the determination of the substantive suit. Given the nature
of the order, and in the opinion of our counsel, there was the need to appeal the interlocutory injunction granted against our Union at the Court of Appeal. The
Court of Appeal acknowledged the validity of the grounds of the Union’s appeal but still upheld the order of the lower court and ordered our Union to comply
with the ruling of the lower court as condition precedent for the appeal to be
heard.

4. NEC noted the series of meetings with the leadership of the House of
Representatives led by the Hon. Speaker, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as well as
intervention efforts of other well-meaning Nigerians both within and outside government and the progress made so far.

5. NEC deliberated on the recommendations of the Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila-led
Committee within the framework of the FGN/ASUU’s Memorandum of
Action(MoA) of 2020 on the contending issues that led to the strike action. For
the avoidance of doubt, the issues include:

* Funding for Revitalisation of public universities

* Earned Academic Allowances

* Proliferation of public Universities

* Visitation Panels/Release of White Papers

* University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) as a broad
spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an elternative
payment platform in the university system.

* Renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement.

6. While appreciating the commendable efforts of the leadership of the House of
Representatives and other patriotic Nigerians who waded into the matter, NEC noted with regrets that the issues in dispute are yet to be satisfactorily addressed.

7. However, as a law-abiding Union and in deference to appeals by the President
and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency,
President Muhammadu Buhari, and in recognition of the efforts of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, and other well-
meaning Nigerians, ASUU NEC resolved to suspend the strike action embarked
upon on 14’th February 2022. Consequently, all members of ASUU are hereby directed to resume all services hitherto withdrawn _ with effect from 12:01 on Friday, 14 October, 2022.

Thank you.

Emmanuel Osodeke
President

13 October, 2022

October 14, 2022
ASUU Strike: NEC fix Thursday to hold emergency meeting to decide fate of Nigerian students

The striking Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will convene emergency National Executive Council, NEC meeting on Thursday, to review recent developments, especially the positive response from the federal government to its demands.

Preparatory to the meeting expected to take place at its headquarters in Abuja,the union has directed its zonal branches to collate the views of members through vote during the meetings expected to hold tomorrow in its various zones across the country.

The outcome of the meeting would result in suspension of the strike on late Thursday or Friday morning.

This came as report had emerge in the social media space earlier on Tuesday, claiming that the union had called off the almost 8-month old strike and subsequently directed members to resume academic activities on October 17.

ASUU president, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, while responding to enquiry to that effect, dismissed the report, saying the strike was yet to be suspended.

He, however,said the union was working towards the suspension of the action, saying the action would be dependent on the views of members from the zonal meetings.

The latest action of the lecturers’union came following the intervention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives,Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila.

The Speaker had on Monday,after a meeting with ASUU president and other members,assured that the strike would be suspended very soon, saying his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari over the union’s action was fruitful.

Earlier,human rights lawyer and counsel to ASUU,Femi Falana,SAN, had also said the union would soon call off its nearly eight-month old strike.

October 11, 2022
Delta 2023: Massive turnout as DUG inaugurates BOT, NEC ahead of campaigns(Photos)

… declare unwavering support for Edevbie

… fervently believe their candidate will triumph

Barely five days for campaigns to begin nationwide, over 1000 representatives of the 25 local government councils of Delta State converged in Uro, Isoko South on Wednesday as the Delta Unity Group, a pro-David Edevbie organisation of the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party inaugurated its organs ahead of the campaigns for the general elections.

The event which was hosted by Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, former Chairman of Delta ALGON in his country home, witnessed the swearing in of members of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and local government coordinators of the group.

The group said while they are strong members of the PDP, they believe in the competence and capacity of Olorogun David Edevbie to lead the state to greater prosperity and they are confident he will emerge victorious at the Supreme Court as the PDP candidate for the Governorship election.

Speaking at the occasion, former Secretary to the State Government, Hon Chiedu Ebie assured that in filing a 23 grounds of appeal at the Supreme Court, Edevbie’s lawyers had studied the judgement of the Court of Appeal and are very positive that the Supreme Court will deliver substantial justice in the matter.

He urged the gathering to remain positive and stand firm on the Edevbie mandate pointing out that there can be moments of anxiety but the truth shall always prevail.

“In the case of Bayelsa PDP, they won at the High Court, lost at the Appeal Court and won at the Supreme Court. It was the same in the Ebonyi case where Odii won at the High Court, lost at the Appeal and also won at the Supreme Court. David Edevbie’s case is on the same trajectory.”

The National Executive Council is chaired by Rt Honourable Peter Onwusanya with Comrade Michael Akpobire as Secretary.

Other members include, Hon Evance Ivwurie, Deputy Chairman; Rt Hon Daniel Reyeineju, Vice Chairman, Delta South;
Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, Vice Chairman, Delta Central; and Rt Hon Olisa Imegwu, Vice Chairman, Delta North.

Others are Hon Stanley Odali, National Assistant Secretary, Hon Fred Ofume, Treasurer; Barrister Robinson Ariyo, Legal Adviser; Sunny Areh, Publicity Secretary;
Hon Godwin Ejinyere, Organising Secretary; Olorogun Esere Ejifoma, Auditor; Comrade Isaiah Ingo, Youth leader Comrade Isaiah Ingo; and Chief Florence Ayomanot, Woman Leader.

The BOT is composed by
Prof Pat Muoboghare,
Chief Morrison Olori, Dr Isaac Akpoveta, Rt Hon Monday Igbuya, Chief Giwa Amu Theodora, Arch Joe Iroro, Rt Hon Tams Brisibe, Rt Hon Mercy Almona Ise, Pastor Champion Kpateghe and Pastor John Greatman Chukwuka.

September 22, 2022
What sacking Ayu would’ve caused in PDP – Atiku’s spokesman

Mr. Charles Aniagwu, Spokesman of the PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation, says sacking the party National Chairman, Iyorchia Ayu, would have deepened the party’s crisis.

Aniagwu stated this on Saturday in a Television programme monitored in Asaba, while giving reasons why the PDP was exploring other options toward resolving its current crisis.

He said that as a listening party, the PDP was taking a second look at the issues based on what was permissible by the laws of the party.

Aniagwu said that sacking Ayu would create a constitutional crisis for the party which would snowball into greater problems than what the party was currently facing.

According to him, the suggestion that the National Chairman must step down has been overtaken by events following the vote of confidence by the National Executive Committee (NEC).

“People may misinterpret it to mean calling the bluff of certain stakeholders but that is far from it because the party leadership examined the issues vis-a-vis the provisions of the party’s constitution as amended in 2017.

“When you look at that constitution, there are principal officers called the National Working Committee led by the National Chairman. In the order of hierarchy, the Deputy National Chairman, who must also come from same zone with the National Chairman, is next in line.

“The third in line is the National Secretary; when you look at these positions, the National Chairman is from the North, the second in command is also from the North by virtue of the provision of the party’s constitution.

“In section 45 of the party’s constitution, in the event of removal or resignation of the National Chairman, the National Deputy Chairman takes over and acts in that position pending when the party is able to organise another election.

“Alternatively, the party will convene a NEC meeting where it will take a decision as to how to rearrange the hierarchy of the party,” he said.

Aniagwu added that because the offices were elective positions, even if Ayu were to step down so that the National Chairmanship seat is conceded to the South, the provisions of the constitution of the party would also be offended.

“A southerner can only become National Chairman if we also removed the Deputy National Chairman of the party who the lot immediately falls on, by provisions of the law.

“Even if the party is able to solve that puzzle by bringing both National Chairman and Deputy to South, the third person in the hierarchy of the National Working Committee of the party is the National Secretary – Sen. Samuel Anyanwu from Imo.

“Now, if you decide to bring these two positions to the South, have you also made arrangements to take the National Secretary to the North?

“Because of these legal impediments, the party, after examining it, felt that given the time, which is just about six months to the general elections, that it may likely snowball into some form of crisis within the party.

“The party felt that if we proceeded to make these changes, that there is the tendency that we could dive into a crisis worse than the one we are seeing at the moment.

“The leadership of the party is intelligent enough and I am happy that Gov. Nyesom Wike and other leaders appreciate the need for the party to move as a whole into the 2023 general elections,” he said.

He said that the party adopted possible options which led to the resignation of Sen. Walid Jibrin and the emergence of Sen. Adolphus Wagbara as Chairman, Board of Trustees.

“The emergence of Wagbara in the south to join the Vice presidential candidate and National Secretary had created some form of balance in the interim.

“But what is most important is that there is a bigger elephant here which is winning the 2023 general elections because Nigerians are looking up to the PDP to rescue the nation from where we are at the moment.

“I am convinced that our leaders, who have been craving for these changes, will appreciate the fact that the party is listening.

” But, because of time, probably when the party may have won the elections in 2023, by the grace of God, we can then proceed to make some of these alterations that may not be injurious to our quest to win the general elections,” Aniagwu said.

September 10, 2022
I will meet expectations of PDP, Nigerians – Atiku

The Presidential candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has pledged that he would meet the expectations of the party and Nigerians when elected president in 2023.

Abubakar made the promise during his remarks at the PDP 97 National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

He appreciated the NEC members for their support during the party’s convention in May where he emerged as the presidential candidate of the PDP.

“I cannot thank you enough. My promise is that I will meet your expectations and the expectations of Nigerians.

“Let me also use this opportunity to thank our outgoing BoT Chairman for his services and sense of patriotism for our great party,” Abubakar said.

The former vice president also expressed his commitment to ensuring that the internal crisis in the party was resolved.

“Many speakers have alluded to family disagreement, family disagreements are normal even in normal families as well as political families.

“But what I can assure you is that we are determined to resolve those issues internally. There are not really fundamental disagreements, it is normal,” Abubakar said.

He appealed to all party members to ensure that it’s challenges were resolved internally within the provisions of the party’s constitution.

“As a political party we have our constitution, our rules and our regulations.

“I want to urge that no matter the level of disagreement, it should be resolved within our constitution, within our rules, within our regulations.

“We have all what it takes to guide us to continue to nurture this political party, to provide a platform for all Nigerians to realize their collective and individual aspirations.

“Therefore, I wish to appeal to all members of our party to make sure that all our disagreements are resolved internally,” Abubakar said.

September 8, 2022