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There will be no strike – FG *I’ll rather be in jail to see workers poorly paid – Ajaero
The proposed strike action by organised labour in the country under the aegis of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), will not hold as all the vexing issues that could lead to it will be resolved soon, the Federal Government, assured on Tuesday.
Nkiruka Onyeagocha, Minister of State for Labour and George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), both at the Second National Labour Adjudication and Arbitration Forum organised by the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), held in Abuja, gave the assurance that the government was on top of the situation.
has commenced discussions with organised labour to try to forestall a looming industrial action by workers over alleged poor implementation of the fuel subsidy removal palliatives, including payment of N35, 000 wage award.
Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who confirmed the talks, saying negotiations on the new minimum wage had since commenced, but would be gradual, to enable all the parties address all concerns by the workers, promised to resume the payment of wage awards to workers this week.
It was also the day Diket Plang, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, who bemoaned the persistent economic hardship in the country, assured that the National Assembly would support any move to introduce a living wage for Nigerian workers.
Onyejeocha said, “We have commenced negotiation with labour on the minimum wage on Monday. In fact, I will say that we started the engagement with organised labour immediately after the Christmas holiday, when I visited the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and that of Trade Union Congress in Abuja. The committee will adopt the principle of social dialogue and tripartite engagement to resolve most of the issues that might arise during the negotiation.”
Echoing the position, Akume, represented by Richard Pheelangwa, the Permanent Secretary in the SGF Office, also said the Federal Government was desirous of a minimum wage that was fair, sustainable, and beneficial to all stakeholders, said the government was pushing for a new minimum wage.
Stressing embracing alternative dispute resolution mechanism might sometimes provide a quicker way of resolving labour disputes, rather than the traditional conflict resolution method as a way of resolving disagreements, the SGF said: “This forum coincides with the commencement of deliberations by the Tripartite Committee on National Minimum Wage. This critical juncture underscores the immense significance of our gathering.
“It provides a crucial platform for open dialogue, constructive engagement, and the exploration of innovative solutions as we navigate the delicate process of determining a minimum wage that is fair, sustainable, and beneficial for all stakeholders.”
He stressed the need to embrace tripartism and social dialogue by recognising the fact that collaboration and mutual understanding between government, employers, and labour unions were paramount, he said each party must actively listen to the concerns and perspectives of the others, and foster the spirit of compromise and cooperation.
Even though he agreed that organized labour should push for payment of living wage, he argued that the workers, the committee must acknowledge the country’s economic challenges, urging the panel to take into consideration issues such as finding a sustainable equilibrium that protects worker well-being without jeopardising business viability and overall economic health is crucial.
In seeking to resolve labour disputes, traditional negotiation methods might not always yield the desired outcomes, he said, adding that embracing alternative mechanisms, like mediation and arbitration, could expedite resolutions, minimise disruptions, and foster trust among stakeholders.
Akume urged the leadership of the labour unions to also recognise measures undertaken by government for public good as well as wider public serving obligations discharged by the government to cushion economic hardships, beyond the minimum wage.
On her part, President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, said she was of the opinion that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms should be used in settling conflicts in the labour sector since it encompassed all the tenets of social dialogue.
But Joe Ajaero, NLC President, who informed that organised labour was not satisfied with the manner government was proceeding with the talks on new minimum wage, expressed fear over possible stalemate in the talks, adding that any governor or ex-governor that could not pay their workers the N30, 000 minimum wage had no business being on the new minimum wage committee.
“Of what essence is social dialogue or tripartite negotiation if the outcome will not be implemented? The agreement labour has with the Federal Government since October 16 last year is yet to be implemented. No matter what amount you negotiate in present Nigerian economy, in the next five years, it can’t buy a bag of rice. Instead of the for five years renegotiation of the national minimum wage the law must be adjusted to allow for yearly adjustment of wages based on the level of inflation and value of the naira.
“This is important because people have been coming up to say that if we increase salaries it will affect inflation, but should we leave salary to be constant while variables continue to grow? Workers are displeased with the poor implementation of the wage award by the government.
“It took you 24 hours to say fuel subsidy is gone and it is taking you more than eight months to decide what to do with it and you are telling us to give you more time. It took 24 hours to remove fuel subsidy but more than eight months no single CNG bus is on the road. It is better for me to be in jail than see workers earn poor wages that are less than what prison dogs consume.
Lateef Fagbemi,Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF-MoJ), who said dialogue and peaceful relationship between government and labour promoted development, assured that the government was going to implement all key recommendations from the NECA forum.
Taiwo Adeniyi, NECA President, who stated that the organisation would ensure that priority was given to the welfare of employers, maintained that employers and employees, along with the government, were encouraged to engage in social dialogue to improve industrial harmony in the country.
Hours after Mohammed Hayatu-Deen did, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on Tuesday, also flatly rejected the outcome of the presidential primaries, of the African Democratic Congress, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, described the announced results as “concocted,” insisting that the process failed to meet the standards of transparency and fairness earlier promised by the party.
He said in a statement: “I unequivocally reject the concocted results being announced,” Amaechi stated.
He said he had previously maintained that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent, stressing that the exercise did not reflect the democratic values the ADC claimed to represent.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold, to rescue Nigerians from the impunity and gross mismanagement that our country is currently facing in the hands of the ruling party,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that a significant number of party members were denied the opportunity to vote during the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he stated.
The former Rivers State governor questioned the moral basis of the ADC criticising the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over alleged electoral malpractice while allegedly engaging in similar conduct internally.
“A party that criticizes the ruling APC and INEC for vote buying, rigging and writing of results, cannot be engaged in vote buying, writing of results, and other electoral malpractices that leads to the disenfranchisement of voters who are party members. This is not acceptable!” he declared.
Amaechi said the ADC was envisioned as a platform to amplify the voices of ordinary Nigerians and provide credible political alternatives irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social background.
His rejection of the outcome is expected to deepen tensions within the opposition party following the conclusion of its presidential primary election.
“These timeless virtues of devotion, selflessness, and submission to divine will are values our nation desperately needs today,” were the exact words with which Godswill Akpabio, attempted to rouse Nigerians to the ethos of unquestionable faith and service to the country.
Akpabio, Chairman of the National Assembly, who drew example from Prophet Ibrahim, admonished Nigerians to emulate his unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
The Senate President, who conveyed his sentiments via a statement by Eseme Eyiboh, also used the specifically hail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Kashim Shettima and Muslim faithful in Nigeria and around the world as they celebrate Eid El Kabir.
Stressing that the occasion called for prayer and sober reflection on the theme of sacrifice, he added: “This sacred occasion reminds us of Prophet Ibrahim’s unwavering faith, obedience, and willingness to sacrifice for the sake of Almighty Allah.
“To our dear President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima and Muslim brothers and sisters, I felicitate with them on behalf of my family, constituents and the Senate on this blessed Eid. May the lessons of sacrifice, compassion, and generosity that define this season strengthen your faith and bring peace to your homes.
“As you share with the less privileged and extend love to neighbours of all faiths, you embody the true spirit of Nigeria. To all Nigerians, I urge us to use this solemn period to pray fervently for peace, security, and prosperity in our land. Let us pray for our troops in the frontlines, for farmers to return safely to their fields, and for unity to prevail over division in our Nation.
“Eid El Kabir also calls us to deep reflection on the future of our country. Just as Prophet Ibrahim was tested, Nigeria is in a season of testing. The sacrifices we make today in patience, in tolerance and in choosing hope over despair will determine the Nigeria our children inherit.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration, supported by the National Assembly, is anchored on that same principle: that meaningful progress often requires collective sacrifice.
“May Almighty Allah accept your prayers and sacrifices. May He heal our land, guide our leaders, and bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Barka da Sallah. Eid Mubarak.”
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps.”
These were the exact words of Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, one of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), with which he cast a slur on the ongoing presidential primaries of the party, hinging his position on reports of fraud trailing the exercise.
Hayatu-Deen, a second timer in the search for the nation’s number one job, ran against Atiku Abubakar, Nigeria’s former Vice President and Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation.
In a statement on his assessment of the exercise which began on Monday, the renowned economist Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), used his X platform to convey his dissatisfaction with the process.
The ADC which said the collation for the exercise would take place in Abuja had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesman, who described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative, maintained that it remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” he said adding that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
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