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Hunger protests: NLC warns against the use of force to suppress the people’s right
NLC warns against use of force: The Nigeria Labour Congress, on Monday, issued a warning against any attempts to suppress Nigerians’ fundamental right to express their views, particularly in the light of the planned nationwide protests.
The NLC instead called on the government to engage the protesters constructively, rather than resorting to measures that could undermine citizens’ rights to voice their grievances.
The labour union also called on President Bola Tinubu to listen to the cries of Nigerians over hunger and widespread hardship in the country.
A section of Nigerians have been mobilised to start nationwide protests on August 1, under the hashtags #TinubuMustGo and #Revolution2024.
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The Presidency, however, described such calls as treasonable, as it also accused the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, and his supporters of spreading the hashtags.
In a lengthy tweet published on his X account on Saturday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, alleged that the sponsors of the protests were not democrats but anarchists.
“If they understand the meaning of their hashtags, they will realise they are clarion calls for treason. Wanting to end an elected government is high treason. Wanting revolution is a call for a coup d’etat, which is also high treason,” the presidential aide said.
The NLC, however, said the government should not engage in a “war-war” situation with Nigerians but to negotiate.
In a statement on Monday, the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, said, “As the date for the widely reported national protest looms, the Nigeria Labour Congress urges President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite the leadership of the protest movement for discussions on their grievances.
“The truth is that millions of Nigerians are angry about the state of the national economy. A situation where most Nigerian families are forced to eat one miserable meal a day and eating from the dustbin beckons for serious intervention by the government.”
Ajaero referenced a recent country living standards index assessment by the National Bureau of Statistics, which established that about 133 million Nigerians lived below the extreme poverty line.
He said, “When this statistics is added to the millions that are being recruited into the armies of the unemployed and under-employed Nigerians, one can easily situate the hardship, pain, frustrations and despair that many Nigerians are going through right now.
“The truth is that Nigerians have been hard pushed and super-pressed right against the walls of deep deprivation and acute want.
“It is, therefore, condescending and dismissive to describe the daily brutish ordeal that Nigerians are going through as a sponsored political dissent.”
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Bennett Igweh, has called on the residents and indigenes not to partake in the planned nationwide protest.
The FCT police boss, speaking with journalists in Abuja, on Monday, urged the residents to shun the protest.
He stated that the police had made significant efforts to ensure security in the FCT, adding that the protest could jeopardize it.
Related: Police share water, biscuits to protesters in Lagos [VIDEO]
“I want to appeal specifically to the residents and indigenes and everybody that is in FCT. Please, lions do not destroy their dens. You cannot see a lion that destroys its den, no. I would not like you to join this protest. I plead with you because we have suffered to ensure your safety.
“We have fought those people outside Abuja, we have been to Kaduna, Nasarawa, Niger to fight them (criminals), so that you can be safe. I have lost men. Last week alone in Gidango, I lost two policemen. The other day, I lost two again. Let our loss pay for the protest. I want to plead with you.
“We don’t need you to be in the streets before somebody will say he is trying the police might. Or you will say, you will do this, you will do that. Please, please, don’t destroy where you are living.”
Igweh said the government was doing its best by providing good roads among others.
He said, “If you check, the government has provided good roads. Whether it’s from the Minister of the FCT or the President, check the roads in FCT. From Wuse to anywhere you can check, even in the hinterlands.
“They are trying their best. I don’t need to talk to anybody, but I’m saying it because we have been in the FCT. We know when there are changes. There are changes now in FCT.
“And we don’t want miscreants to come from outside the FCT and start destroying them. We will go back to square one where we were before. I plead, I beg of you, do not join this protest.”
Also on Monday, the Chairman of the Gombe Network of Civil Society Organisations, Ibrahim Yusuf, said his members were not part of the planned protest in the country.
He then called for the reliefs promised by the President, noting it was yet to arrive in the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has said it will recognise only the candidates submitted by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress, confirming that the faction has already nominated candidates for 471 elective positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
INEC National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna, that the commission granted the Mark-led faction access to its nomination portal, following the Supreme Court judgment affirming its leadership, adding that the rival faction had no legal basis to submit candidates.
He said, “Yes, we gave the Mark-led faction the code based on the recent Supreme Court judgment that affirmed his leadership of the party and the faction has since submitted most of its candidates for a total of 471 – presidential (2), senatorial (109) and House of Representatives (360) constituencies.
“The court, however, did not say we should accept any submissions by the rival faction which, in any case, had lost its appeal for recognition.”
The ADC, however, called for the investigation and prosecution of its factional leader, Nafiu Gombe, following INEC’s clarification that claims that Gombe uploaded the party’s candidates for the 2027 general election through the commission’s nomination portal were false.
The Tuesday statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, followed INEC’s clarification that it did not grant Bala access codes to its restricted nomination portal and that only the Mark-led National Executive Committee was recognised by the electoral body.
Reacting to INEC’s clarification, the ADC welcomed the commission’s position and accused Bala of attempting to mislead Nigerians.
The party said the issue had gone beyond political disagreements and now bordered on an alleged attempt to deceive the public.
The statement read, “The African Democratic Congress (ADC) welcomes the prompt clarification by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which unequivocally confirmed that the document circulated by Mr Nafiu Bala purporting to show that he had obtained the commission’s access code and uploaded candidates on behalf of the ADC for the 2027 general election was forged, and that the claim itself was entirely false.
“The issue before us is no longer simply about the continuous false statements that have been issued by Nafiu Bala Gombe at the behest of his sponsors. It is about the clear and unmistakable attempt to mislead the Nigerian public.”
The ADC argued that falsely claiming access to INEC’s restricted nomination portal was a serious allegation that should attract the attention of security agencies.
The opposition party consequently urged the electoral commission to ensure that everyone connected with the alleged false claim is investigated and prosecuted.
“To publicly claim that one has gained access to INEC’s restricted nomination platform and exercised powers reserved for duly recognised party officials is a grave matter that deserves the immediate attention of law enforcement agencies.
“As a responsible party, the ADC therefore calls on INEC to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Mr Nafiu Bala and anyone else involved in originating or promoting this falsehood are investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” the party stated.
Atiku Abubakar’s Media Office accused INEC of granting Bala access to the commission’s nomination portal, an allegation the electoral body subsequently denied.
Responding to Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment on the ADC leadership dispute, Haruna said the commission would withhold its position until it obtained and studied the Certified True Copy of the judgment.
He said, “INEC cannot say anything until we see the judgment. We have to see the details of the judgment first. Hopefully, in the next two days, within 48 hours, the court should release the judgment. We will study it, and then the commission will take a position.”
The appellate court, in a split decision of two to one, delivered on Monday, affirmed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which held that the dissolution of the party’s state executives by the Mark-led leadership violated the ADC constitution and consequently restrained INEC from recognising the congresses conducted by the caretaker committees.
The appellate court, in its verdict, upheld the judgment of Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja, dismissing the appeal against the lower court, which the appellants had argued lacked merit.
Justice Abdulmalik had, in a judgment delivered on April 29, restrained INEC from giving recognition to the committee set up by the Mark-led leadership to conduct state congresses of the ADC.
The suit was filed by seven aggrieved state chairmen of the ADC, who had challenged their dissolution and the setting up of a state committee to conduct state congresses of the ADC, insisting that the action of the Mark-led leadership robbed them of the statutory powers to conduct congresses of the ADC.
In the judgment delivered on April 29, the trial court held that the Mark-led leadership was wrong to have dissolved the state’s leadership of the ADC and set up a caretaker committee for the conduct of the congresses.
According to the trial court, the ADC was wrong to have dissolved the state’s leadership when their tenure had not expired, and by so doing breached its own constitution.
Justice Abdulmalik held that the powers to conduct congresses belonged to the state executive, whose tenure was still running, adding that a mediation report showed that the tenure of the state executive was in 2023 extended by another four years.
Not satisfied with the judgment of the high court, the ADC, Mark, National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola and Abdullahi approached the appellate court to challenge the decision of the trial court.
They claimed, among others, that the trial court erred when it assumed jurisdiction over a matter that fell within the internal affairs of the ADC.
They also claimed that while the respondents in the suit lacked merit to institute the legal action, the fact that they did not exhaust the internal mechanism of the ADC for resolving party issues robbed the court of necessary jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
However, the appellate court in its majority decision held that it found no reason to deviate from the judgment of the trial court.
However, the latest appellate decision relates specifically to the parties’ state congresses and not the nomination of candidates for elective offices.
The ADC maintained that Monday’s Court of Appeal judgment did not affect the validity of its primaries or the emergence of its candidates.
In a statement issued by Abdullahi, the ADC said the judgment concerned only the conduct of ward, local government and state congresses and had no bearing on the direct primaries through which its candidates emerged.
The Eastern Bar Forum (EBF), the umbrella body of legal practitioners from Nigeria’s old Eastern Region, has commended the administration of Governor Hope Uzodimma after inspecting major infrastructure projects across Imo State, describing the state’s transformation as “real, visible and verifiable.”
The endorsement followed an extensive tour of key government projects during the Forum’s 2026 Quarterly Meeting and Convention in Owerri, where members unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor’s leadership and development agenda.
The convention attracted senior advocates, judges, jurists and legal practitioners from Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Rivers, Bayelsa, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
The inspection team, led by EBF Governor, Barr. D.O. Nosike, was received by the Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Paul Obinatu. Accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Development, the delegation visited several landmark projects executed by the Uzodimma administration.
Among the projects inspected were the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, the Control Post Flyover, reconstructed roads within Owerri Municipality, the Orashi Power Distribution Company, the refurbished Concord Hotel and the Imo Digital City Hub.
Speaking after the tour, members of the Forum expressed satisfaction with the quality, scale and strategic importance of the projects, describing them as clear evidence of a government committed to transforming Imo into a hub for investment, commerce and innovation.
According to the Forum, the inspection disproved claims that the administration’s achievements existed only in media reports, noting that the infrastructure they observed reflected deliberate planning, effective execution and prudent governance.
The legal body praised Governor Uzodimma for consistently pursuing developmental projects capable of driving economic growth and improving residents’ quality of life.
It identified the Orashi Power Distribution Company as a major investment with the potential to enhance electricity supply and support industrial growth across the state.
The Forum also highlighted the Imo Digital City Hub as one of the administration’s flagship legacy projects, commending its efforts to equip young people with skills in software development, robotics, website design, computer engineering, digital entrepreneurship and other technology-related fields.
The delegation further applauded the administration for the construction and rehabilitation of major road networks, including the Owerri-Orlu Expressway, Owerri-Onitsha Road, Owerri-Okigwe Road, Owerri-Mbaise Road, Owerri-Port Harcourt Road, as well as several internal roads across the state.
Members observed that by investing in both physical infrastructure and human capital development, the Uzodimma administration was laying a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth.
Consequently, the Forum unanimously adopted a vote of confidence in Governor Uzodimma, applauding his leadership, developmental vision and commitment to rebuilding Imo State.
The Eastern Bar Forum explained that its periodic inspection of government projects is part of its institutional responsibility to independently assess governance and development efforts across the states of the old Eastern Region.
The convention concluded in Owerri on Sunday with discussions on legal practice, constitutional issues, justice sector reforms and national development, with delegates maintaining that their findings in Imo underscored the value of transparent governance backed by measurable results.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on alleged certificate forgery, false declaration and money laundering before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Nnaji was arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik over allegations that he submitted forged academic credentials, including a University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) degree certificate and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate during his ministerial screening in 2023.
The anti-graft agency also accused the former minister of fraudulently receiving about ₦29.5 million in salaries and emoluments, alongside money laundering-related offences.
After taking his plea, Nnaji’s counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ogwu Onoja, applied for bail. The prosecution did not oppose the application, leaving the decision to the court.
Justice Abdulmalik subsequently granted Nnaji bail in the sum of ₦20 million with one surety in like sum.
The court ruled that the surety must be a federal civil servant not below Grade Level 15 with a verifiable residence of at least four years. The surety is also required to provide evidence of employment, including an appointment letter and salary slips for the last three months, subject to verification by the relevant authority.
The judge further directed Nnaji to surrender his international passport and all other travel documents pending the determination of the case.
The matter was adjourned until September 21, 2026, for the commencement of trial.
Nnaji’s prosecution follows his arrest by the ICPC on July 1 after the execution of a bench warrant issued by the Federal High Court. The commission alleged that he repeatedly failed to honour invitations during its investigation into the alleged forgery of his academic credentials.
The former minister resigned from office in October 2025 after the allegations became public. However, he has consistently maintained his innocence, insisting that his resignation was not an admission of guilt but a step taken to allow due process to take its course.
Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has announced legal action against individuals circulating what he described as false and defamatory reports surrounding the death of a nurse allegedly linked to his residence.
Speaking on Sunday while inspecting the Ebonyi section of the Calabar–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja Super Highway, Umahi said he had instructed his legal team to prosecute those responsible for spreading the claims.
Social media reports had alleged secrecy surrounding the death of nurse Mary Habila inside the minister’s compound in Ebonyi State.
Rejecting the allegations, Umahi explained that the deceased’s family became alarmed after she failed to respond to calls, forced open her room, and immediately sought medical assistance.
“The family broke the girl’s door, called doctors from DUFUTH, who took her to the hospital and did everything possible to revive her, but she could not be saved,” he said.
According to the minister, the incident was promptly reported to the police, making allegations of a cover-up baseless.
“The family reported the matter to the police, so where is the secrecy?” he asked.
Umahi disclosed that the deceased’s parents, who are currently in Ebonyi State, would address journalists and also institute legal action against those spreading what he described as false information.
He added that he had directed that an autopsy be conducted, subject to the approval of the deceased’s parents.
Condemning what he described as the exploitation of a tragic death for online content, Umahi warned against spreading unverified information.
“You don’t create content with someone’s death,” he said.
The minister described the late Mary Habila as a dedicated nurse at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, noting that she had attended to him professionally for about three years.
Umahi also dismissed reports linking him to an alleged kidnap suspect said to have been recruited into the Ebonyi security outfit, Ebubeagu.
“Can those making these allegations produce a photograph showing me with the person?” he asked.
He maintained that he neither knew the suspect nor could reasonably be expected to know everyone recruited into the security outfit during his tenure as governor of Ebonyi State.
Reaffirming his opposition to kidnapping, Umahi said the crime deserves severe punishment and insisted the allegations against him were politically motivated. He vowed to continue defending his reputation through legal means.
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, on Monday appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja to answer charges of alleged certificate forgery and false declaration brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Nnaji arrived at the court ahead of proceedings before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, where he was scheduled to be arraigned on allegations bordering on forgery and the submission of false information during his ministerial appointment process.
The ICPC accused the former minister of presenting allegedly forged academic credentials and making false declarations in documents submitted to relevant public authorities while seeking nomination and screening for ministerial office in 2023.
The charges followed the conclusion of an investigation launched after a petition questioned the authenticity of the certificates reportedly presented by Nnaji during his nomination and confirmation.
Before filing the charges, the anti-graft agency had obtained a 14-day remand order against the former minister in June, alleging that he repeatedly failed to honour several invitations for questioning despite multiple notices.
Nnaji subsequently challenged the remand order, seeking to have it set aside, but the commission proceeded with criminal prosecution after completing its investigation.
The allegations attracted national attention following an investigative report published in October 2025, which claimed that the former minister forged the academic certificates allegedly used to secure his appointment.
Despite the accusations, Nnaji has consistently denied any wrongdoing and is expected to enter his plea as the case begins before the Federal High Court.
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