Kogi indigenes, concerned Nigerians stage pro-Yahaya Bello protest in London, urge Pres Tinubu to ensure adherence to rule of law

. Lambast opposition for alleged desperation

Kogi indigenes and concerned Nigerians gathered under the banner of the “Alliance For Emancipation and True Change” to stage a peaceful protest in the United Kingdom, calling on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) remains impartial and free from political interference.

They raised concerns that the Commission, with the handling of the corruption allegations against the former Governor of Kogi State, had given the impression of political persecution to Nigerians and the international community.

During the protest, held in London on May 20, 2024, the demonstrators stressed the importance of a fair and just prosecution process, in line with the rule of law, and condemned the alleged use of the EFCC by politicians to intimidate and harass perceived opponents.

They cautioned against the politicization of the EFCC’s activities and called for a review of its operating procedures to ensure transparency and accountability.

Speaking during the procession, Dr Shaibu Ojogbane, Publicity Secretary of the Alliance For Emancipation and True Change, and Chukwunonso Ezeani, Director of Research & Public Affairs, reiterated the alliance’s support for the government’s anti-corruption efforts but called for greater oversight to prevent selective justice and abuse of human rights.

The group said, “The protest against the former Governor today, apparently sponsored by the Opposition in the state, indicates desperation on their part. We are aware that at least one of the opposition candidates is currently in London.

”Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has restated his readiness to answer questions regarding his period of leadership in Kogi state; all he asks for is that the rule of law be adhered to, as it is glaring that in this particular case, the commission is serving the interest of some powerful Nigerians beyond the eye meets.

”With this in mind, we state without any fear of contradiction that the commission must be called to order without delay.

”We trust that Mr President will act swiftly so this situation doesn’t degenerate into a massive calling out of the government on matters related to selective justice, abuse of human rights and other issues associated therein.”

They urged the president to intervene promptly to prevent further damage to the government’s reputation and ensure the EFCC operates with integrity and impartiality.

According to them, the Opposition has also continued to ride on the activities of the EFCC to malign Governor Bello by sponsoring ethnic onslaught against him even outside the country.

The protesters said they deemed it important to stage a peaceful protest on the side of justice so that Nigerians were not misled by a few people.

*Rivers Councillors Accuse LGA Chairmen of Plots to Sabotage Gov Fubara

The Rivers State Councillors’ Forum has raised concerns about alleged plans by some local government area (LGA) chairmen to disrupt the peace in the state through protests.

The Forum claims that these protests are motivated by the recent payment of salaries by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

In a communique issued after a meeting in Port Harcourt, the Councillors alleged that the LGA chairmen are planning to mobilize “miscreants” to cause chaos.

The Forum stated that the chairmen, whose terms are ending soon, are resorting to making “unwarranted and unguided statements” to sabotage the governor’s administration.

They, however, praised Governor Fubara’s commitment to service delivery and his proactive and peace-driven policies.

“Our attention has been drawn to a purported plot by the Local Government Chairmen to mobilize some miscreants in the guise of Councillors forum to cause mayhem in the state,” the communique said,

“The Chairmen whose tenure is winding down in few days time, have resorted to making unwarranted and unguided statements to sabotage the government of His Excellency, Ama-Opusenibo Sir. Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, KSC.

“It is on record that His Excellency has paid all civil servants as well as the political class, hence any kind of political sabotage in the guise of protest amounts to nothing but a nuisance by the Chairmen and the Councilors

“His Excellency, Ama-Opusenibo Sir. Siminialayi Fubara GSSRS, KSC, the Governor of Rivers State is passionate, dedicated and committed to service delivery to the people of Rivers State, it can only take those that do not mean well for the State to oppose the proactive and people-driven policies of His Administration.

“His Excellency has paid salaries promptly, and his projects and programs are very visible and people-oriented.

“In fact, there’s no better time to speak, than now, on how wicked, greedy and self-centred these Chairmen have been in their ill-mannered treatment meted out on the Councillors and LGAs at large.

“These Chairmen receive timely huge amounts of allocations and IGRs, yet they have done little to show for it, say for one or two LGAs that actually used the funds judiciously to the benefit of the people of their LGAs.

“It is interesting to know that, Councillors under the dispensation of these LGA Chairmen have been nothing short of slaves. No wardrobe allowances, no training, no car loans, no constituency projects in our various Wards, no severance package, not even a conducive legislative complex for us to do our work, yet, they have the mind to sabotage the efforts of His Excellency.

“This is the reason they are illegally clamoring through the back door to elongate their tenure in office, which we (Councillors) are not part of it, and disassociate ourselves from such. Their actions are nothing short of greed and selfishness.”

NNPP Chieftain, Ambassador Oguntoyinbo Expresses Displeasure Over Proposed N48,000

Chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has expressed displeasure over the proposed N48,000 minimum wage by the Federal government, urging it to consider the current inflationary trend in the country in fixing the minimum wage for the workers.

Ambassador Oguntoyinbo said the N48,000 proposed by the Federal Government as minimum wage is unrealistic considering the current prices of foods and other commodities in the country.

It could be recalled that the Labour walked out of the minimum wage negotiation meeting on Wednesday when the government proposed N48,000 monthly minimum wage and the Organized Private Sector proposed N54,000 monthly minimum wage.

Ambassador Oguntoyinbo had earlier proposed a minimum wage of N200,000.

Ajadi in an interview on Thursday, said he followed with keen interest the meeting on negotiation of new minimum wages between the government and the Organized Labour and insists the government did not consider the current reality in arriving at N48,000

According to him, “The proposed N48,000 minimum wage is unrealistic in the present day Nigeria where Petrol is sold above N700 per litre in most filling stations. It is only the NNPC Filling stations that sell at N580 per litre.

“When we look at the prices of commodities in the market especially foodstuffs, it will be unrealistic for an average worker to eat not to talk of sending their children to school with N48,000 monthly.

“I agree that there are so many dead woods in the civil service, people who come to work but are doing nothing. May be the government should consider the idea of paying workers per working hours, so that those who are working genuinely will be adequately rewarded.

“I plead with the Federal Government to consider the survival of Nigerian workers and jack up the wage. Even states like Edo on its own has increased the minimum wage to N70,000.

“I agree with the decision of the Labour to reject the N48,000 but rather than walking out of the negotiation meeting, the Labour can reject the government proposal but should continue the negotiation.

“If Labour agrees on anything less than N200,000, then they are unrealistic too. I want them to state and explain to the government delegation why no worker can survive on N48,000 minimum wage,” Ajadi said.