Why FCT workers continue strike despite Wike’s threats

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has defied Nyesom Wike’s threats and continued their strike. The FCT minister has been began striking since January 19 over welfare concerns.

There was huge turnout of workers at the offices yesterday. But renewed call has emboldened the workers. According Nigeria News Agency, FCTA secretariats, departments and agencies were scanty this morning.

The workers, under the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), are resisting Federal Government’s neglect of their welfare. Wike has tried to stop them through court orders, but is seen to have failed.

JUAC’s Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, in a circular on Wednesday, told the workers to “stay at home and pray for the success of the strike”.

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Nigerian Labour Congress, NLC, and Trade Union Congress, TUC, had, in a joint communiqué on January 28, told FCT workers to stand firm and “defend their rights with courage and dignity”.

Femi Falana, SAN, famous human rights lawyer is the lead counsel of the oppressed workers.

wike

Gov. Soludo exposes politicians behind Onitsha sit-at-home

Governor Charles Soludo has doubled down on his threat to shut down Onitsha Main Market for a week. He said that laws allow him to do whatever he likes in the market, and he is likely to extend the closure for two weeks.

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Speaking during a press briefing in the Government House Awka yesterday, Soludo called those behind the sit-at-home “saboteurs”.

“There are criminals, saboteurs, and, some politicians who are instigating the sit-at-home,” the governor told the press.

Recall that Governor Soludo ordered a one-week closure of Onitsha Main Market on Monday for observing sit-at-home. According to him, there were no reasons for such exercise as it leeks of hypocrisy and deliberate economic sabotage.

In response of the governor’s order, traders hit the Anambra economic hub with protests.

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ordered sit-at-home every Monday across Southeast in August 2021 following the unlawful rendition of it’s leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

It has long cancelled the order, but that came a bit late. Criminals had already seized the opportunity to carry out kidnappings, robberies and terror attacks in Igboland.

“We have dialogued with the leaders of the market since past two years, and, IPOB sit-at-home ended two years ago,” Soludo said.

He added that the state government has concluded plans to reconstruct Main Market and that stricter rules would be applied in the Africa’s biggest market.

Breaking: Gunmen abduct Tinubu, Shettima’s Youths leader in Zamfara

Finally, insecurity has bitten directly at President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Gunmen kidnapped Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau, the North-West Youth Leader of the Tinubu and Shettima campaign organisation in Zamfara State. A security analyst Bakatsine shared the incident on X few minutes ago.

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“Gunmen suspected to be bandits abduct Ambassador Bashir Isa Gusau, North-West Youth Leader of Tinubu/Shettima, Zamfara Chapter.

“Over 30 armed men stormed his home in Gusau and abducted him before his wife. Security agencies alerted, but no trace yet. How long will these bandit attacks continue?” Bakastine said.

As of the time of reporting there was no official comment from security agencies. But the whereabout Isa Gusau still remained largely unknown.

Insecurity, with hunger, is the biggest challenge overwhelming Tinubu’s administration since 2023. Kidnapping the president’s campaign official is not just a loss; it’s also a direct insult and yet another proof of the ever-increasing insecurity in Nigeria.

21 members of Kano State Assembly officially switch to APC

A whole of 21 members of Kano State House of Assembly have officially defected to the All Progressives Congress. They’ve dumped New Nigeria Peoples Party, (NNPP).

The lawmakers announced their defection earlier today, days after Governor Abba Yusuf resigned from NNPP.

• 21 members of Kano State Assembly officially switch to APC

Abba, who cited protracted legal battles and internal crises as his reason for defecting, is also going to officially join APC today.

The lawmakers that defected on Monday include the Speaker, Jibril Ismail Falgore representing Rogo, Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Bello Butu Butu (Tofa/Rimin Gado) Majority Leader, Lawan Hussain (Dala), Deputy Majority Leader, Garba Shehu Fammar (Kibiya), Chief Whip Muddasir Ibrahim Zawachiki (Kumbotso) and the Majority Whip, Zakariyya Abdullahi Nuhu (Gabasawa).

Others are Lawal Tini (Ajingi), Musa Tahir Haruna (Albasu), Ali Lawan Alhassan (Bagwai/Shanono), Ali Muhammad Tiga (Bebeji), Hafiz Gambo (Bunkure), Rabiu Shuaibu (Dawakin Kudu), Tukur Mohammed (Fagge) and Murtala Muhammad Kadage (Garko).

The political realignment has intensified across the country as more heavyweights joining the president’s party. Few days ago, 774 people left NNPP and join APC in Rimin Gado Local Government Area of the state.