TheNewsGuru

Tag: Protest

  • JUST IN: APC members in Rivers protest at INEC headquarters

    … insist electoral commission must obey Court of Appeal ruling to relist party, candidates

    Thousands of protesting members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, from 8 a.m. today, blocked the main entrance of Rivers headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, insisting that the electoral commission must obey the ruling of Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt and relist the main opposition party in the state (APC) and its candidates.

    The aggrieved protesters, who were armed with placards bearing various inscriptions and chanting: “No APC, no elections in Rivers State,” were led by the party’s candidate for Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Oji Ngofa, who is Nigeria’s Ambassador to The Netherlands.

    INEC’s Head of Voter Education and Publicity, Mr. Edwin Enabor, addressed the protesters and he informed them that the Resident Electoral Commission (REC) in Rivers, Mr. Obo Effanga, had not got to the office.

    Ngofa, however, insisted that he and other APC members would not leave, until their protest letter was personally handed over to the REC of INEC in Rivers, for onward transmission to the National Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

    The protesters were still in front of INEC office, with the gate still blocked, as at press time.

    More details later…

  • Minimum Wage: NLC postpones strike, to hold nationwide protest Tuesday

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says it will on Tuesday hold a nationwide protest to drive its demand for the upward review of the national minimum wage from N18,000 to N30,000.

    The General Secretary of the NLC, Dr. Peter Ozo-Eson, said in a statement that there would be no strike for now.

    Ozo-Eson, therefore, asked members of the public to disregard reports that the strike would begin tomorrow.

    The statement read in part, “It has come to our attention that some sections of the news media have largely misrepresented our action plan in reaction to the delay in transmitting the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee on a new national minimum wage to the National Assembly by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “It should be recalled that the National Executive Council of the NLC met on December 17 last year and directed that we hold nationwide mobilisation of workers and our allies if, by December 31, 2018, the bill on the national minimum wage has yet to be sent to the National Assembly to be passed as an Act of Parliament.

    “We immediately announced then that on Tuesday, January 8, 2019, there will be a nationwide mass mobilisation and protests simultaneously across all states in Nigeria. This does not translate to a strike.”

  • Amnesty programme: Niger Delta non-violence agitators threaten protest

    Amnesty programme: Niger Delta non-violence agitators threaten protest

    Collations of all Niger Delta Non-Violence Agitators, have threatened to embark on peaceful demonstration over the non-implementation of the core objective of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).

    The group made this known in a petition signed by the beneficiaries, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.

    The petition was addressed to the Presidency, National Assembly and other stakeholders.

    They listed some of the core objectives of the programme to include award of scholarship to those interested in furthering their study as well as to organize and implement skills acquisition.

    It also includes providing empowerment opportunities in multinationals in the Niger Delta region.

    According to them, they have resolved to embark on a peaceful demonstration over their demand if the government continued to ignore their request.

    They also said that they have some delegates that had not undergone training under the scheme and were roaming the streets in the region.

    They, therefore, appealed to relevant organizations to intervene in order to forestall the planned demonstration.

    According to them, the non-implementation has seriously impacted on the ex-agitators and all the students of World Maritime University that are due for training on sea time since 2014.

    They said that they had made frantic efforts through correspondents and peaceful demonstration to the amnesty office in order for them to be certified as international seafarers which would enhance their employment in their chosen skills.

     

  • Breaking: Unusual security presence at NASS

    Men of the Nigeria Police Force are currently gathering in their numbers at the premises of the National Assembly. This maybe not unconnected to the proposed protest by the legislative aides over an accumulated allowances of N5.8 billion the legislature is said to own their aides.

    It would be recall that the legislative aides had earlier embarked on a protest few days after the resumption of the long recess carry placards with various inscription expressing their grievances of their unpaid allowances.

  • Biafra: Two policemen, four others die as IPOB members protest in Anambra

    There was pandemonium on Friday in Nnewi, Anambra State as a bloody clash between operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) left two policemen and four others (believed to be members of IPOB) dead.

    However, the Anambra State Police Command said only one policeman died in the protest while a Divisional Police Officer in the area was hospitalised after sustaining injuries in the clash that erupted when security agencies stormed the venue of the protest.

    Confirming the incident, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, Mike Okoli, said, “I will confirm to you that we lost a policeman, an inspector in the clash. The DPO who went with him to that operation is hospitalised. I can’t tell you of any other casualties; this is the much I know.

    According to report by The Punch, the pro-Biafran agitators marched round Nnewi and environs on Friday sensitising the people about the need for a referendum to highlight the need for the Sovereign State of Biafra and the rejection of the 2019 general elections.

    Members of the group numbering about 2000 had stormed the Nnewi market, shouting “No referendum, no 2019 election.”

    Waving the Biafran flag as they moved round, the protesters asked people in the market not to participate in the 2019 general elections unless the Federal Government heeded their demand for the conduct of referendum to actualise Biafra Republic.

    It was learnt that trouble started when security operatives arrived at the scene in three Toyota Hilux pick-up vans and attempted to stop the protesters.

    Members of the group were said to have pounced on the policemen and destroyed their vans, with two people dead in the process. The development forced traders in the Nkwo Nnewi market to close their shops and scampering for safety.

    The IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, in a statement made available to our correspondent in Awka, said members of the group went on a peaceful demonstration to express their joy over the “second coming and appearance” of the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in Israel.

    Powerful said the reappearance of their leader was a testimony that the struggle for Biafra was divine.

    The statement partly read, “Our leader’s reappearance in Israel after the Nigerian government and her security forces, including the Nigerian Army, Air force and Naval forces invaded his compound at Afaraukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, Abia State, last year September is clearly an indication to all and sundry that God Almighty is behind the struggle for Biafra liberation.

    “Biafrans are equally today showcasing to the world that we are ready to boycott every Nigerian elections come 2019 especially the presidential election next year.

    “Our march today on the roads and streets across Biafraland must send signals to politicians and saboteurs among us that Biafrans are determined to leave the prison called Nigeria where British government experimented to lead black Africans and other black nations across the globe but failed to live up to the expectations for over 100 years because of the Hausa-Fulani caliphate dominations.

    “IPOB rally and march today (Friday) being November 23, 2018 is ongoing in all the states across Biafraland like Rivers, Enugu, Abia, Anambra, Delta, Imo, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa states and other Biafra clans and tribes fraudulently carved into Kogi, Benue and Edo States.”

    He said the group would not rest until a date was given for Biafra referendum to hold so that its people would decide whether to stay in Nigeria or not.

    He added, “IPOB is divinely ordained to retrieve Biafra sovereignty from this enclave called Nigeria. We are coming to show Nigerians and its handlers including their security apparatus what is called civil disobedience because IPOB is more of intellectuals.”

  • Zamfara APC primaries: Yari attacks Oshiomhole, says 'he's acting like a dictator, mini god'

    …calls on supporters to protest party’s cancellation of governorship primaries
     
    Gov. Abdul’aziz of Zamfara, on Friday called out his supporters for a peaceful protest over the decision of the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to cancel the party’s governorship primaries held on Wednesday.
    “I am calling on all our members to come out and storm the state Police Headquarters tomorrow (Saturday) by 10 am for peaceful protest.
    “We will continue with this decision until the national leadership of our party do what is right on this matter,” he said at a press conference in Gusau.
    The governor is having running battle with eight governorship aspirants in the state over the conduct of direct primaries.
    The governorship primaries held on Wednesday was cancelled by the party’s national secretariat and a fresh one is expected to hold on Saturday.
    According to Abu Fari, chairman of the election panel, the cancellation was due to harassment and intimidation of voters and snatching of election materials by thugs sponsored by politicians.
    Yari however dismissed the claim by the committee as false and warned its members not to step into Zamfara again.
    “Our issue is with the National Secretariat of APC where Adams Oshiomhole continue be a dictator to party members, he acts as a mini god.
    “You know, there is ongoing issue regarding the APC governorship primaries in the state, where the national headquarters sent a committee to conduct the election.
    “It was very unfortunate that the committee canceled the election on Wednesday.
    “We heard that the National Working Committee had dissolved the APC executive in the state and also send the same committee to Zamfara to repeat the exercise.
    “I want to call on the national headquarters of the party that we will not accept the decision and we are not satisfied with the committee, we don’t have confidence in that committee.
    “I am warning members of that committee that they should never come to Zamfara, they should never put their legs in this state, and anything that happens to them, Adams Oshiomhole should be held responsible.
    “We will continue with this decision until the national leadership of the party are ready to do justice,” he stressed.
    The governor dismissed insinuations that he had dumped the APC, saying nothing will make him leave the party.
    “I remain in APC and I will never leave the party. No amount of pressure will make me to leave the APC.”
    The governor added: “I was among the founders of this party, I was in Lagos, Nasarawa states for meetings before we gave birth to the APC, therefore no amount of pressure will make me to leave the party.
    “You know, changing political party is not my tradition, therefore I will not change the party and the rumour going round is not true, I am not under any pressure to leave the party.”
    Yari’s travails began when he anointed his commissioner of finance as the sole candidate of APC in the state, a decision challenged by eight aspirants including his deputy, Ibrahim Wakala.
    The aspirants locally known as the G8, are a former governor of the state Aliyu Shinkafi, a serving Senator, Kabiru Marafa, and Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali.
    Others include, Aminu Sani Jaji, Alhaji Dauda Lawal, Alhaji Abu Mahaji and Sagir Hamidu.

  • Osun: Police summon Saraki, Melaye, Bruce for “disturbing public peace and violently hitting policemen"

    Osun: Police summon Saraki, Melaye, Bruce for “disturbing public peace and violently hitting policemen"

    The police on Friday summoned the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce to appear for investigation for “disturbing public peace and violently hitting policemen to forcefully enter the Force Headquarters, Abuja.”
    The invitation came a few hours after Saraki led notable national leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in a protest to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Friday, calling on the commission to declare Ademola Adeleke winner of the Osun State governorship election.
    They also protested at the police headquarters, Abuja
    The Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, in a statement said the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, had directed an investigation into the “unprovoked and unwarranted attack on the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.”
    It said that the lawmakers led miscreants to assault policemen and damage properties, asking the senators to report to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday for investigation.
    According to the police, Saraki, Melaye and Bruce were captured on camera causing public disturbance and obstructing traffic on Shehu Shagari Way, Abuja, for hours.
    The statement read in part, “Senator Bukola Saraki, Senator Dino Melaye and Senator Ben Bruce were captured on camera disturbing public peace and public safety and causing innocent people to scamper for safety.
    “They were also involved in a violent attack on policemen at the Force Headquarters, pushing and hitting them in an attempt to forcefully enter the Force headquarters to cause damage to equipment and government properties.
    “They are hereby invited to report themselves to the IGP Monitoring Unit at the Force Headquarters on Monday, 8th October, 2018 for investigation.”
    During the protest, notable national leaders of the PDP were tear-gassed by the police during their protest over what they called the crooked way INEC and the police had been rigging elections in favour of the ruling All Progressives Congress in the country.
    Those who were tear-gassed were Saraki; the Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; and the Gombe State Governor, Ibrahim Dankwambo.
    Others who had a raw deal in the hands of the police were the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose; his Taraba State counterpart, Darius Ishaku; a former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido; Melaye; Ben Murray-Bruce; and presidential aspirants, Danti Baba Ahmed and Tanimu Turaki.
    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, however, escaped being tear-gassed as he didn’t follow the protesters to the Police Force Headquarters, where the men were tear-gassed.
    Dogara left shortly after the team visited the INEC headquarters at Maitama, Abuja.
    Secondus and his team were complaining about the outcome of the recently held Osun State governorship election, which they believed was won by the PDP candidate, Adeleke, but was allegedly rigged in favour of the APC candidate, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola.
    The protesters had stormed the police headquarters, Louis Edet House, but were prevented by the police from entering into the premises.
    Aside from firing tear gas, the police also fired gunshots into the air to disperse the protesters who scampered for safety in different directions, with some people sustaining injuries.
    Some of the protesters, as well as journalists who were affected by the tear gas, were revived with water.
    Initially, Melaye who was at the forefront of the protest led by Saraki, Secondus, Tambuwal, Lamido and others, tried to defy the police onslaught against them, but eventually ran for safety when the fume of the tear gas became unbearable to them.
    Earlier at the INEC headquarters, the PDP protesters had called on the commission to desist from having further inconclusive elections and to also be fair and firm in its conduct, urging it to stop working for the APC.
    They said Nigerians would not take anything less than free, fair and credible elections in 2019.
    At the INEC office, Secondus said, “You are pushing Nigerians to the wall and when you push them to the wall, there will be resistance. We hope we will not get there, but this will serve as a notice.
    “Nigerians have left you. You cannot change the will of the people by force, take note and stop directing the security agencies and INEC to rig elections. You must come out clean. What we expect from you is to conduct free and fair elections.”
    Also speaking, Saraki said, “We are here representing millions of Nigerians to speak to you, INEC, that you have a responsibility by law, by the constitution, to do what is right for all Nigerians.
    “Enough is enough of elections that are not credible. Enough is enough of impunity. Enough is enough of harassment. INEC, you met a standard, don’t take us back.
    “Nigeria has raised the standard of electoral processes, take us forward, don’t take us backward. The last two elections have been said all over villages, towns, Africa and other continents that it was a sham. INEC, enough is enough.
    “Just last night, the Senate and Congress in the United States issued a statement saying enough is enough. We must have credible elections in Nigeria.
    Also, Fayose said the result of the governorship election in Osun State had shown the APC was being rejected by Nigerians.
    He said, “We want to let INEC know a few things and remind them that the damage done to this country is enough. The damage done to our democracy and, by extension, the common man is enough.
    “If the people cannot choose their leader anymore, then we are in trouble. In 2014, the APC won the governorship election in Osun State by 114,000 votes.
    “But this last election, with all the rigging, the APC won by 400 votes, that is a statement enough to say that the APC is no more in demand in Nigeria.
    “We are not asking for favours, this country and this INEC belong to Nigerians and Nigerians must be respected by allowing them to make a choice.
    “If (former President Goodluck) Jonathan had behaved this way, we would not have a Buhari in power. We have a Buhari in power because somebody thought the rights of Nigerians must not be trampled upon by INEC and everybody received the present administration with open arms.
    Tambuwal said he expected the INEC chairman to be above board in his handling of the affairs of the commission.

  • Protest: We will conduct credible elections in 2019, INEC assures PDP

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has assured the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party of its commitment to the conduct of credible elections in 2019.
    INEC gave this assurance through two of its National Commissioners, May Agbamuche-Mbu and Mohammed Haruna, who addressed PDP members, who had stormed its office in Abuja to protest the outcome of the Osun State governorship election.
    The protest had been led by the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus; and other party members that included Senate President Bukola Saraki, Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and ex-governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, Senators Ben Murray-Bruce, Dino Melaye, among others.
    On its Twitter handle, INEC said, “National Commissioners May Agbamuche-Mbu and Mohammed Haruna today assured @OfficialPDPNig leaders of #INEC‘s determination to conduct credible general elections in 2019. The party leaders & their supporters were at INEC hqtrs on a peaceful protest over #osunDecides2018″

  • BREAKING: Police disrupt PDP protest, rough handle Melaye, others [Video]

    BREAKING: Police disrupt PDP protest, rough handle Melaye, others [Video]

    The protest led by the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the National Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja against the declaration of Gboyega Oyetola as the winner of the governorship election held in Osun State on September 22 and the subsequent rerun on September 27 is turning violent.
    In a video shared by Sen. Ben Bruce some few minutes ago, a particular officer was seen manhandling Sen. Melaye.
    The protest, led by the party chairman, Prince Uche Secondus; President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara; Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State; serving senators and House of Representatives members.
    The leaders are demanding the immediate declaration of its candidate, Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the keenly contested election.
    Watch video below:

  • [BREAKING] IPOB: Court orders release of protesting women, strikes out case

    A Magistrate Court in Owere, Imo State, has ordered the release of over 100 women detained after a protest demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

    Recall that the women were arrested on August 18 and detained following allegations of alleged treason and unlawful assembly among other offences.

    There have been campaigns and demands for their release, especially on social media. Global rights group, Amnesty International, on Friday also condemned the detention of the women protesters describing it as a violation of their rights.

    In an interview on Friday, the lawyer representing the women, Sam Amadi, confirmed their release, saying they were let off following a directive of the Imo State director of public prosecution.

    “Yes, they have been released. The DPP gave a directive for the case against them to be struck out, earlier today and we took it to the magistrate, along with the detained women. The court ordered the immediate release of the women. All them who came to the court were released from there.

    “Only about 12 of them who were not in this prison are expected to be released from the Okigwe prison where they are held. The case has also been struck out,” Mr Amadi said.