National
LP Flays APC Over Attacks on Labour President
The Labour Party (LP) has criticized the All Progressive Congress (APC) over the recent attack and brutality meted out on the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero in Imo State.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary,Obiora Ifoh said Federal Government and the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC have kept mute even as virtually all Nigerians and international community are all united in condemnation of the beastial act.
He said the leadership of the Labour Party has watched with keen interest, waiting patiently for the APC and the government of the day to at least speak up but nothing seems to be coming forward.
“Not as if we are surprised at the happenstance because we have warned about the brutalization that have been programmed against any form of opposition.
“We did alert the nation that some key leaders of the opposition camp particularly, the Labour Party have been earmarked for vilification and persecution, an action they have since commenced.
We want to remind the government that infringement on human right is a crime acknowledged by the world all over and mob action against the leadership of the Nigerian workers must be viewed as a crime meted on over 50 percent of Nigerians whom Ajaero represents directly or indirectly.
There is no need to remind the perpetrators of the action that there is certainly a consequence for such act.
On that note, the Labour Party is aligning with the leadership of NLC and TUC to demand for the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, Imo State, the Area Commander, and other officials who are believed to be involved in the mistreatment and degradation of Comrade Ajaero and fellow workers.
The Labour Party had a few month ago petitioned the Chairman, Police Service Commission on the continued stay in office and discharge of duties of the present Commissioner of Police in Imo state who once held sway of the Adamawa State Police Command.
Even against the directive of the Commission, that the CP be redeployed immediately, he has blatantly disregarded the order.
Not too long ago, certain decisions of the state Police command in Imo State were seen to be against our party’s candidate and the party at large.
A particular case that readily comes to mind is the invasion and destruction of our party secretariat by known thugs and agents of the state government while the police looked away.
These same faces have also been fingered in the mob attack on Comrade Ajaero. They are still walking the street free with the government giving them the needed defence.
We are using this medium to call on the Police hierarchy to immediately rejig the entire police structure in Imo state. Their role in the attack on Labour Union leaders was done in bad fate and a clear evidence that someone is clearly blowing the trumpet they are dancing.
Finally, we are calling on all workers in Nigeria to rise up to this moment and stand solidly behind their leaders in this difficult time and in this battle against the forces that have sworn to perpetually keep them in penury. No retreat, no surrender.
Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appealed to the Federal Government to step up and deal with rising insecurity in the state as the death toll from the recent attacks by suspected herdsmen on Ukum and Logo local government areas in the state has risen to 56.
The governor made the call on Saturday when he visited the scenes of attacks by suspected herdsmen in Ukum and Logo local government areas to ascertain the impact of the attacks.
Addressing journalists after the visit to the affected communities in the two local government areas, Alia condemned the violent attacks on the defenseless people and called for greater action from security agencies to nip these killings in the bud.
The governor used the visit to engage with community leaders and their people whom he assured of a better deal in addressing all forms of insecurity.
He also called for calm and urged the people to resist the will to resort to self-help
Security has also been beefed up in the Sankera axis where these attacks happened to restore confidence, while emergency services and relief items have been extended to the two local government areas.
In neighbouring Plateau State, also in the North Central geopolitical zone, over 100 people have been killed in the last two weeks when bloodthirsty marauders unleashed mayhem on communities in the Bokkos and Bassa local government areas of Plateau State.
Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Bauchi deputy governor, has denied reports claiming that he slapped Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, during a high-profile event in the state.
The alleged incident was said to have taken place on Friday inside a white coaster bus conveying dignitaries from Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport to the Bauchi emir’s palace.
The dignitaries were en route to the turbaning of Mohammed Abubakar, a former governor of the state.
According to unverified reports, an argument broke out after the minister allegedly made disparaging comments about Bala Mohammed, Bauchi state governor.
Jatau was said to have slapped the minister in reaction, reportedly in the presence of Vice-President Kashim Shettima and other prominent figures.
But Muslim Lawal, spokesperson to the deputy governor, described the claim as “false and baseless”.
“No, no, no, how can the deputy governor slap the minister? I don’t think that ever happened in Bauchi because I know my principal is a responsible person,” he said.
“The number two person cannot slap a minister or whoever person that people are talking about. We are not even aware of that. I am just hearing this from you.”
Lawal questioned the credibility of the viral report and called on anyone with evidence to present it.
“Did you see the evidence of the slap? I didn’t see it, I’m just hearing about that from you,” he said.
“But my belief is that there is no way the deputy governor will slap a minister. I don’t think such can ever happen in Bauchi, not even my principal or whoever is in his position.”
He said there was no reasonable provocation for such an act.
“What is even the issue that will make the deputy governor slap a minister?” he asked.
“I was not in the car and if there is any evidence that the deputy governor did such, maybe we can speak on that, but as of now, I don’t even know about it. That’s our position.
“And I don’t even think that the deputy governor, even if it is not in the presence of the vice-president, can do that.”
Siminalayi Fubara, suspended governor of Rivers, has called on residents of the state to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
In his Easter message in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday, the governor said the season represents a time for reconciliation and unity.
“Easter is a sacred season of reconciliation and unity. It is a time when the peace of Christ dwells richly in our hearts, restoring relationships, comforting the afflicted, feeding the hungry, and healing the brokenhearted,” Fubara said.
Fubara also reiterated his commitment to delivering good governance to the people of Rivers state.
“I reiterate my unwavering commitment to delivering good governance to the resilient and dignified people of Rivers state,” he said.
“Therefore, I call on the good people of Rivers state to continue to support and align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of our dear President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while looking forward to a better tomorrow.”
Fubara added that the transformation desired by all is achievable when people act together as one, committed to peace, unity, and progress.
“Let us not lose sight of our collective strength. The transformation we all desire is achievable when we act together as one people under God, committed to peace, unity, and progress,” the governor said.