By Patience Santos
The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, joined the state chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in a peaceful protest against the Federal Government’s decision to remove fuel subsidies. The protest, led by the incumbent state NLC Chairman, Idris Lafene, started at the Labour House in Minna and ended at the state Assembly complex.
During the march, Garba emphasized the need for the government to consider the human impact of its economic policies and programs. He urged the Federal Government to rethink its stance on the fuel subsidy removal, as it was causing significant hardship for the people.
Lafene criticized the policy, calling it anti-people and attributing it to the increased hardships faced by ordinary Nigerians, especially the workforce. The protesters urged the government to intervene in various sectors, including transportation, education, health, agriculture, and small and medium enterprises, to mitigate the effects of the subsidy removal.
They also highlighted the various challenges faced by Nigerlites, such as security issues, bad roads, infrastructure decay, and soaring food prices. Lafene called for a review of salaries and benefits for workers, pensioners, and casual workers across the board.
The Speaker of the state Assembly, Abdulmalik Daji, expressed support for the NLC’s objectives and assured them that their message would be delivered to the President. He mentioned that the Assembly had proposed motions to the state government, focusing on increasing workers’ salaries and providing palliatives for the less privileged to offset the impact of the fuel subsidy removal.
The protesters appreciated the Deputy Governor’s participation, considering it a significant boost to their cause. They urged everyone to maintain peaceful demonstrations and remain hopeful for a better future.
In conclusion, the protest led by the NLC in Niger State saw the active involvement of the Deputy Governor and other leaders, advocating for a reconsideration of the fuel subsidy removal and seeking measures to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians due to the policy.
[02/08, 18:04] Rex Sawa Boy: Yakubu asserts that INEC has nothing to hide.
By Patience Santos
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has emphasized that it has nothing to hide concerning the conduct of the 2023 general election. INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, made this statement during the Post Election Review of the 2023 General Election with media stakeholders in Lagos.
Yakubu acknowledged that while the 2023 elections faced various challenges, there were also several positive aspects that emerged from the process. He expressed the commission’s commitment to continuous improvement in the conduct of future elections nationwide.
The media executives who covered the elections at the state, local government, and community levels were invited to provide their insights during the review. Yakubu emphasized the importance of these interactions in widening the scope of consultations on election matters.
As part of the review process, INEC sought to understand the constraints faced by the media during the elections, from accreditation to accessing polling units and collation centers. The commission also sought feedback on security arrangements and advice for improvement.
In response to challenges faced by certain Nigerians, including journalists and INEC officials, who were unable to vote due to being stationed away from their registered voting locations, Yakubu mentioned that INEC might approach the National Assembly to consider amending the law to accommodate such situations.
Through these interactions and discussions with stakeholders, including the media, INEC aims to gather valuable recommendations to inform any necessary amendments to the electoral laws. The commission remains committed to enhancing the electoral process and ensuring transparency in future elections