Politics
Unpaid salaries: Plateau, Abia, Benue govs-elect, others face workers’ fury
Some of the incoming governors, apart from dealing with unpaid salaries of active workers and retirees, will also be faced with the challenges stemming from the failure of their predecessors to implement the nationally agreed minimum wage in the midst of rising inflation, escalating prices of goods and services, and dwindling purchasing power.
Following the governorship election that was conducted in 28 out of the 36 states of the federation on March 18, 2023, a total of 16 governors-elect emerged to take over from their predecessors, who will complete their constitutionally approved second term in office, while a first term governor lost his re-election bid to the candidate of an opposition party.
However, seven out of the 28 newly elected governors will be faced with the uphill task of paying several months of withheld salaries owed by their predecessors.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that as of Friday, May 12, 2023, some state governors owed more than two years worth of salaries.
In Abia State, Dr Alex Otti, who emerged as the only governor-elect of the Labour Party and will take over from Dr Okezie Ikpeazu of the Peoples Democratic Party on May 29, will be faced with the challenge of repaying over 30 months’ salaries arrears to workers.
The Nigeria Labour Congress recently declared an indefinite strike in the state over the huge indebtedness to the workers.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, in a statement before the commencement of the strike, stated, “The NLC is angry over no less than six months’ salary and pension arrears owed core civil servants and over 30 months’ salary and pension arrears to other public workers in the state.”
Recently, the Nigeria Medical Association accused Ikpeazu and governors of Imo, Hope Uzodimma, and Benue, Samuel Ortom, of giving health workers in their states “sleepless nights” over unpaid salaries.
In Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia of the All Progressives Congress will not only take over the reins of power from the PDP’s Ortom, he will also be confronted by aggrieved civil servants.
Ortom, one of the governors flayed by the NMA for giving health workers sleepless nights over unpaid salaries, allegedly owes teachers at the local government level 11 months’ salaries; while other local government workers are owed 10 months’ salaries. At the state level, workers are owed eight months and pensioners 38 months, according to the Benue State NLC.
Reports have it that members of the state House of Assembly are also owed six months’ salaries, which led to the suspension of plenary.
In Plateau State, the incoming governor, Caleb Muftwang of the PDP, will be forced to settle outstanding salaries owed by his predecessor, Simon Lalong of the APC. The state is currently on shutdown due to the indefinite strike declared by the NLC and the Trade Union Congress.
In Taraba State, almost all categories of workers are being owed. From lecturers in the state owned university, to teachers. The Taraba State NLC had during the 2023 Labour Day celebration urged the governor to settle the six months’ salaries of local government employees, and five months for primary school teachers before handing over to the incoming administration.
The governor, Darius Ishaku will be handing over to his party man, Kefas Agbu.
In Zamfara State, findings by our correspondent revealed that the outgoing governor, Bello Matawalle, currently owes workers two months’ salaries.
In Cross River State, the incoming governor, Bassey Otu, will face angry environmental workers in the state.
Recently, the environmental workers protested the failure of the government to pay their four months’ salaries.
In Rivers State, the outgoing governor, Nyesom Wike, has been accused of owing teachers of staff schools of the state owned tertiary institution for seven years.
Wike, who will be handing over to his party man, Sim Fubara, has been urged by a coalition of civil societies organisations in the state to offset the outstanding workers’ pay before the inauguration of the incoming administration.
The National Vice-President of the TUC, Tommy Etim, called on all the affected governors to clear “their tables” and pay all outstanding salaries before handing over to their successors.
Etim, who is also the National President of the Association of Senior Civil Servants said, “As they are leaving, they should clear their tables and pay all outstanding salaries. These governors need to know that salary is a right and not a privilege. Failure to pay will also be a huge burden on the incoming administrations.
“Also, the governors have all set up transition committees; they must include what they owe in their handover notes. Let everybody know. However, in order to avert industrial crises, they must settle the outstanding salaries and other entitlements. They should do this to redeem their images. They must clear the salaries.”
An official of the NLC in Taraba State, Joel Wayas, told our correspondent that the organised labour was looking forward to the incoming administration as regards the payment of outstanding salaries and arrears owed some workers and retirees.
Wayas noted that while the workers had given up hope on the outgoing administration, they were looking forward to the incoming administration of Agbu Kefas of the PDP.
“There are thousands of retirees who have not been captured on the payroll and the issue of minimum wage is still there. Well, I don’t think the outgoing administration can do anything again. However, we are looking forward to the incoming administration. That is the reason why we voted for them in the first place. We are hopeful that they will heed the plight of workers in the state,” he stated.
The Chairman of the NLC in Benue State, Terungwa Igbe, said the workers would be happy if the outgoing administration paid the outstanding salaries before the governor’s exit.
Igbe also called on the incoming administration to prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.
He said, “You know what brought in this incoming administration is the failure of the outgoing administration to pay the salaries of the workers. We are urging them to be worker-friendly, let them prioritise the welfare of workers in the state.
“One of my prayers is also that the outgoing administration clears all the outstanding salaries it owes. It is very necessary to do that.”
The documents, which were displayed at INEC offices across the country in line with the Electoral Act 2026, are yet to be uploaded to the commission’s website as of the time of filing this report.
The process allows members of the public and eligible persons to scrutinise the information submitted by candidates.
The publication was carried out in compliance with Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act 2026, which requires INEC to display the personal particulars and supporting documents submitted by candidates.
Full list of presidential candidates
Bola Tinubu – All Progressives Congress (APC)
Atiku Abubakar – African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Peter Obi – Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)
Senator Sandy Onor – Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
Omoyele Sowore – African Action Congress (AAC)
Donald Duke – Peoples Redemption Party (PRP)
Okwori Ada Elizabeth Frederick – National Democratic Party (NDP)
Chukwu Anita Zugwai – Young Progressives Party (YPP)
Rufai Adekunle Omoaje – Action Alliance (AA)
Adenuga Sunday – Boot Party
Memeh Samuel – Democratic Liberty Alliance (DLA)
Nwanyanwu Daniel Danerechukwu – Zenith Labour Party (ZLP)
Okereke Sunday Chibuzor – Labour Party (LP)
Okereke Iken Esther – National Rescue Movement (NRM)
Abbas-Bin Aliyu – Action Democratic Party (ADP)
Dikwa Suleiman Mohammed – New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP)
Adebayo Adewole Ebenezer – Social Democratic Party (SDP)
Seyi Makinde – Allied Peoples Movement (APM)
Yusuf Kabiru – Action Peoples Party (APP)
Vice-presidential candidatesNigeria election countdown
Kashim Shettima (APC)
Rotimi Amaechi (ADC)
Rabiu Kwankwaso (NDC)
Shehu Hussaini (AA)
Egbeola Olawale Mertins (YPP)
Ike Chinazam (ADP)
Mustapha Usman Turaki (Boot Party)
Balogun Alex (DLA)
Chikwuemeka Uchenna Anthony (NDP)
Magashi Haruna Garba (AAC)
Umaru Babangida (PDP)
Konto Hajja Bintu (LP)
Hassan Khalid (ZLP)
Samuel Magdalene Gali (NRM)
Abubakar Isah (NNPP)
Buba Musa (PRP)
Bugaje Usman Mohammed (SDP)
Ibrahim Adamu Bala (APM)
Ofordile Peace Egobia (APP)
Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Campaign Council for the Osun State governorship election and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, has charged members of the council to focus on securing victory for the party, stressing that every other matter can wait until after the election.
Uzodinma gave the charge on Monday at a meeting of the campaign council held at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge in Asokoro, Abuja.
He described the campaign as a serious assignment, urging members not to treat it as an occasion for celebration or social activities.
According to him, the primary objective of the campaign council is to mobilise support and deliver victory for the APC in the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Uzodinma said the meeting was a working session and urged members to contribute meaningfully to the campaign.
“We have directed all the subcommittees to meet immediately and submit their ideas and proposals before Thursday. Every member of this council belongs to a subcommittee and has a role to play in ensuring our success in the August 15 governorship election,” he said.
He added that the purpose of the meeting was to formally mandate the subcommittees to reconvene and develop practical ideas and strategies that would strengthen the party’s campaign.
The governor directed chairmen of the various subcommittees to submit their resolutions and proposals to the council’s National Secretary, assuring them that the Central Working Committee would provide the necessary support to execute their assignments.
“I therefore urge all the chairmen of all the subcommittees to submit to the National Secretary of this committee all their resolutions and proposals that will enable them to work, and where they think the Central Working Committee will help them to actualise their mission,” Uzodinma said.
The APC campaign council chairman reiterated that the party had a single objective ahead of the election.
“We have only one mission, to win the election. Everything can come after the elections,” he declared.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has warned President Bola Tinubu against allowing the alleged manipulation of the August 15 governorship election in the state, cautioning that any attempt to subvert the will of the people could trigger a political crisis reminiscent of the violence that followed the disputed 1983 elections.
Adeleke issued the warning on Monday while addressing thousands of supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda Local Government Area during a campaign rally ahead of the governorship poll.
The governor accused leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun of allegedly sponsoring political violence and intimidation, urging President Tinubu to call party leaders and security agencies to order.
“Mr President, I want you to take note of my words. I am the Chief Security Officer of Osun. You are a Yoruba man and Osun is Yorubaland, yet your party chieftains are perpetrating political violence while you look the other way,” Adeleke said.
Calling for a peaceful and credible election, the governor said his administration was only demanding a transparent electoral process.
“Mr President, all we demand is a free and fair election. If anybody tries to do otherwise, the political crisis of 1983, when some people tried to rig Michael Ajasin in Ondo State out of power, may repeat itself again,” he warned.
Adeleke also alleged that security agencies, particularly the police, were being used to harass political opponents, urging the President to uphold the democratic principles he once championed.
“Mr President, call your people to order. Call the police chiefs to order. I am the governor here, not any other person. Accord has already endorsed you as its presidential candidate, so why are we suffering again?
“You fought for democracy in Nigeria and you must not allow your people to destroy it. Wake up to your responsibility, Mr President. Stop the shenanigans going on in Osun,” he said.
The governor maintained that protecting the integrity of the election was essential to preserving peace and democratic stability in the state.
Earlier, the Director-General of the Imole Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi, urged residents of Osun to turn out in large numbers on election day and vote for Adeleke’s re-election.
Oyewumi said the governor’s performance had earned him another term, urging eligible voters not only to cast their ballots but also to remain vigilant in protecting their votes.
“The good work of Governor Adeleke is enough reason for the people to return him to office. We urge all eligible voters to come out en masse, vote and protect their votes,” he said.
No fewer than 10 members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are receiving treatment in various hospitals across Ebonyi State after suspected political thugs disrupted a party rally in Ikwuator Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area, leaving several people injured and property destroyed.
The violence occurred on Saturday afternoon during a reception organised to welcome former All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Ifeanyi Nworie, into the PDP.
The event was initially scheduled to hold at a roadside village square in the community. However, eyewitnesses said suspected thugs wearing T-shirts bearing the image of a federal lawmaker stormed the venue, forcing the organisers to relocate the gathering to Nworie’s private residence.
The relocation, however, did little to prevent the violence, as the attackers reportedly traced participants to the new venue, where they allegedly unleashed another wave of attacks.
Several PDP supporters sustained varying degrees of injuries, while canopies, plastic chairs, public address systems and other valuables were vandalised during the incident.
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki after the attack, Ebonyi State PDP Chairman, Chukwuma Igwe, condemned the incident, describing it as a calculated assault on democracy and an attempt to intimidate opposition voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Igwe alleged that the attack was part of a growing pattern of intimidation against PDP members in the state, claiming that party supporters had faced repeated threats and assaults in recent weeks.
He said vehicles were damaged and several people were attacked with dangerous weapons, adding that at least eight victims were receiving medical treatment following the latest incident.
“We have called this press conference to draw the attention of Nigeria and Nigerians to undemocratic actions deliberately orchestrated to undermine the conduct of the 2027 general elections in Ebonyi State,” he said.
The PDP chairman called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Armed Forces and other security agencies to discharge their constitutional responsibilities by protecting all political parties and ensuring a level playing field ahead of the elections.
He maintained that the PDP would not be intimidated by what he described as anti-democratic forces, regardless of those allegedly behind the attacks.
“As political activities commence in the coming days, we urge our members to remain peaceful and law-abiding.
“We also call on the Ebonyi State Government to play by the rules of democracy, bearing in mind that no one has a monopoly on violence or misconduct,” Igwe stated.
He further urged security agencies to remain impartial in the discharge of their duties and safeguard citizens’ constitutional rights to freely associate and participate in political activities.
Meanwhile, the Ebonyi State chapter of the APC has denied involvement in the incident.
Responding to the PDP’s allegation, APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, described the party as a peaceful organisation guided by the leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru, whom he said strongly opposes political violence.
According to Emegha, individuals dissatisfied with Nworie’s political decisions may have masterminded the attack rather than APC members.
“So far as it has to do with APC in Ebonyi State, we watch the body language of our dear Governor. He doesn’t want to offend anyone. As such, we must toe his path.
“There is no time APC will have a hand in violence because if anyone gets involved, the governor will abandon such a person,” he said.
He added that Governor Nwifuru believes political disagreements should not degenerate into violence, stressing that political opponents could become allies in the future.
“People who are no longer comfortable with Ifeanyi Nworie’s political behaviour may be responsible for the incident,” Emegha added.
The violence also affected journalists covering the event.
No fewer than 10 journalists travelling in the official vehicle of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, were reportedly attacked while on their way to the rally at the invitation of Nworie.
The assailants allegedly smashed parts of the NUJ-branded vehicle in an attempt to gain access to it and reportedly searched for fuel with the intention of setting it ablaze before the driver successfully manoeuvred out of the area.
One of the alleged attackers, Friday Agbom, an APC chieftain and legal practitioner, reportedly warned the journalists against returning to the community, describing them as “political journalists.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police had not issued an official statement on arrests or an investigation into the incident.
Politics
Breaking: Court of Appeal Sets Aside Judgement Ordering Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Parties
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, declared the judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void.”
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to deregister the parties over their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the affected political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — approached the Court of Appeal seeking to nullify the Federal High Court judgement.
However, the three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the judicial power to entertain the case in the first place.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the delivery of the judgement despite an order by the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings, which included the delivery of the judgement.
The appellate court described the Federal High Court’s decision as “a nullity,” stating that the action of the trial court amounted to “judicial impertinence” or what the Supreme Court had described as “judicial insubordination.”
The court further held that the first respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the action in the first place, and consequently set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The judgement of the trial judge was perverse,” the Court of Appeal held.
-
Crime5 days agoCivil Defence arrests suspected fraudster in Enugu
-
News4 days agoCJN bans use of ‘Barrister’ title as name prefix at Supreme Court
-
Crime1 day agoTroops dismantle criminal syndicate operating in S/East, S/South, recover cache of stolen weapons
-
News4 days agoEnugu intensifies fight against quackery in laboratory practice – Commissioner
-
News2 days agoEnugu community alleges imposition of traditional ruler, insists on election
-
News4 days agoEnugu Govt urges Town Union PGs to embrace inclusive leadership
-
News5 days agoTinubu Dissolves Committee on Sale of Federal Assets
-
News18 hours agoNYSC makes NERD clearance mandatory for corps members’ mobilisation