Category: News

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has openly criticized the proposal by state governors to set the minimum wage at N100,000, calling it utterly inadequate for the needs of Nigerian workers.

In a statement released on his official social media page, Sowore argued that such an amount cannot cover the basic cost of living in Nigeria, especially amid escalating expenses.

Sowore said: “Just hours after we called for a living wage, the governors came up with a N100,000 minimum wage proposal. They are fully aware that no worker can survive on that amount in Nigeria today. N100,000 can barely buy a bag of rice, not to mention rent, transport, healthcare, education, or utilities.”

He further accused the governors of being disconnected from reality, noting that they continue to push poverty wages while enjoying lavish lifestyles funded by taxpayers. “A minimum wage should uphold dignity, not force workers into perpetual hardship,” he added.

The activist’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions between labour unions and government officials over a new national minimum wage. Workers have been demanding a significant increase to reflect the current economic challenges, including inflation and rising costs of goods and services.

Sowore’s stance echoes the frustrations of many Nigerians who believe that the proposed N100,000 is a slap in the face, especially considering the high cost of living in urban areas. He emphasized that the government must prioritize the welfare of workers over political interests.

The debate over the minimum wage continues to stir controversy, with many calling for a more realistic figure that truly supports a decent standard of living.

A legal group, the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), has declared that the recent move by House of Representatives Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) is not lawful. Chinda recently clinched the APC governorship ticket for Rivers State in the party’s primary.

According to the lawyers, who include constituents from Chinda’s Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, the sole authority to announce a legislator’s defection during a House session rests with the Speaker. They assert that no such official declaration has been made regarding Chinda.

Drawing on Supreme Court precedents, ALDRAP maintains that the defection is invalid. The group’s statement, signed by Jesse Williams Amuga, Esq., emphasizes that a valid party switch requires the Speaker to announce it on the floor. They referenced the Supreme Court case Abegunde vs. O.S.H.A (2015) to support their position.

The lawyers further explained that under Section 68 of the 1999 Constitution, the primary condition for a legal defection is that the legislator’s former party must be in a severe crisis rendering it non-functional. They argued that in April 2026, when Chinda defected, the PDP was not in such a state. They noted that the Supreme Court had earlier resolved the PDP’s leadership dispute by recognizing the faction led by Nyesom E. Wike, and the party successfully conducted its primaries, nominating Senator Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate.

ALDRAP outlined the criteria set by the Supreme Court in the case Rivers State House of Assembly vs. Governor of Rivers State and Others for a valid defection: a crisis within the original party, a resignation letter submitted to that party, a membership card from the new party, and a formal announcement by the Speaker. The court also stressed the need for prior consultation with constituents.

The lawyers revealed that Chinda’s constituents had written to him in October 2025, opposing his planned defection and warning of recall proceedings under Section 69 of the Constitution. They have since filed lawsuits to have the Speaker declare Chinda’s seat vacant, citing the Supreme Court’s ruling in Oloyo vs. Egbe that only the Speaker can declare a seat vacant.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has appealed for peace after party members held a peaceful demonstration in Edo State, protesting alleged irregularities during the party’s primaries.

According to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria, the primaries to select candidates for the 2027 general elections took place across the country on Friday, covering presidential, National Assembly, and House of Assembly seats.

Some disgruntled members of the party in Edo took to the streets just before the primaries were set to begin. They voiced concerns over what they described as unfair practices by the National Working Committee in organizing the exercise.

Mr. Fred Owotorufa, the chairman of the NDC primaries in Edo, addressed journalists in Benin and insisted that the primaries must proceed and would finish before midnight. He urged all aspirants and their supporters to go to their respective wards and local government areas for the voting. Owotorufa assured them that the process would be transparent and equitable.

He explained that the results would be transmitted from the wards to the party’s local government offices, then to constituency offices, and finally to the committee in Benin for state-level collation. He emphasized that the entire process should be wrapped up by midnight, calling for sacrifice and dedication to the party and the nation.

Owotorufa clarified that the NDC does not favor any aspirant and has ensured a fair playing field for all candidates.

One of the protesters, Mr. Cletus Omoruyi, claimed that members were told to come early only to be later instructed to return to their wards. He expressed frustration, saying, “How is that possible? Look at the time. They are not being transparent; that’s why we are protesting.”

Another aggrieved member, Ms. Monica Enabulele, voiced her disappointment with the entire process, stating that they had expected the committee to be more proactive. “We are not confident that we will get what we hoped for from this process,” she said.

Mr. David Omokugbo, a party chieftain, demanded an explanation from the committee for the long delay before issuing the directive for direct primaries.

Activist lawyer Maduabuchi Idam has urged Rotimi Amaechi, the runner-up in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, to express gratitude toward Peter Obi for leaving the party prior to the contest. According to Idam, Obi’s departure spared Amaechi a more embarrassing outcome—a possible third-place finish in the race.

In a statement released on Friday, Idam remarked that both Amaechi and former President Goodluck Jonathan should acknowledge their own greed and lack of appreciation for the opportunities they have received. He noted that Amaechi’s second-place finish behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was entirely predictable and that even without any financial inducements for delegates, Atiku would have secured a landslide victory.

Idam argued that Amaechi had no genuine expectation of winning, unless he was deceiving himself. He claimed that if Obi had stayed in the ADC, Amaechi would have been relegated to a distant third position. The lawyer observed that history would record Amaechi as a two-time presidential runner-up without capturing the full context of his defeats.

Turning his attention to Atiku, Idam dismissed the former Vice President’s persistence as a political obsession bordering on existential necessity. He asserted that Atiku would continue contesting indefinitely, regardless of electoral zoning or public sentiment, until nature itself forces him to stop. Idam concluded by expressing hope that Nigeria would eventually liberate itself from the influence of kleptocrats and entrenched power brokers.

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has committed to ensuring a fair and unbiased primary election, with no candidate receiving preferential treatment. Party leader Seriake Dickson made this clear in a recent social media post, highlighting that no aspirant has been endorsed by the party’s hierarchy.

Dickson emphasized that all contenders are guaranteed equal opportunities and a level playing field as the party gears up for its primaries nationwide. This stance, he noted, extends even to his home state of Bayelsa, underscoring the NDC’s dedication to internal democracy and transparency.

As the NDC conducts its primary elections across the country, Dickson urged aspirants and stakeholders to place the party’s interests above personal ambitions. He called for mutual respect, understanding, and peaceful conduct throughout the process.

Describing the NDC as a ‘miracle baby,’ Dickson attributed its ability to meet INEC’s tight deadlines to the tireless efforts of the party leadership. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances under which the party has been built, working from morning till night to ensure its viability.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described President Bola Tinubu’s reported 30 percent approval rating as a clear indicator that a majority of Nigerians are unhappy with his governance, especially with the 2027 elections approaching.

In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party highlighted that escalating food prices, high unemployment, and persistent insecurity have worsened the living conditions of citizens nationwide.

The ADC referred to a recent survey conducted by Eagle Badger Data Analytics (EBDA), which found that only 30.2 percent of Nigerians approve of Tinubu’s performance, while 47.5 percent expressed disapproval.

According to the party, “A 30 percent approval rating is not a sign of achievement; it is a mark of outright failure.”

The group noted that nearly seven out of every ten Nigerians are either dissatisfied or uncertain about the country’s trajectory under the current administration.

The statement emphasized that many citizens are grappling with a high cost of living, as families can no longer afford basic necessities like food, transportation, rent, and school fees.

It also alleged that food prices have surged by more than 90 percent since May 2023, while overall prices have increased by approximately 80 percent.

“The government keeps touting macroeconomic indicators, but Nigerians do not eat statistics. They eat food,” the statement declared.

The ADC further accused the government of inadequately addressing insecurity, noting that farmers still cannot safely access their farms, and attacks by bandits, kidnappers, and other criminal elements persist across various regions.

The opposition party argued that after three years in power, the Tinubu administration can no longer blame previous governments for the nation’s challenges.

“Leadership is judged by results, not excuses,” the statement concluded.

The ADC maintained that the survey should act as a warning for the 2027 elections, insisting that Nigerians are demanding better leadership that prioritizes economic revitalization, job creation, and security.

In a surprising comparison that blends politics and sports, former Senator Dino Melaye has congratulated Atiku Abubakar on securing the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections. Drawing a parallel to a recent football victory, Melaye remarked that Atiku’s win was reminiscent of Arsenal’s Premier League success.

The ex-lawmaker took to social media platform X to express his admiration, stating, “Boss, you did it just like Arsenal.” This analogy highlights the underdog spirit and long-anticipated victory that both entities share.

Atiku’s emergence as the ADC flagbearer was announced by Tunde Ogbeha, the chairman of the party’s presidential primary committee. According to Ogbeha, Atiku garnered a staggering 1,846,370 votes, defeating competitors Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and Rotimi Amaechi, who secured 177,120 and 504,117 votes, respectively.

This marks Atiku’s sixth attempt at the presidency, having previously contested in 2007, 2019, and 2023. The former vice president remains a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, undeterred by past setbacks.

On May 19, Arsenal clinched their first English Premier League title in 22 years after Manchester City’s draw with Bournemouth. The Gunners’ long-awaited triumph resonated with fans worldwide, including Melaye, who saw a reflection of that perseverance in Atiku’s primary victory.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has leveled serious allegations against Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accusing him of trying to prevent a crucial party event from taking place. According to the PDP, the planned gathering at A Class Event Centre in Abuja, where former President Goodluck Jonathan is set to be officially endorsed as the party’s presidential candidate, faced interference.

In a statement released on Friday, the party revealed that the event center’s management informed them of external pressure aimed at canceling the event. The PDP insists that it has already made full payment for the venue and met all necessary requirements for the program.

The party further stated that security agencies have been duly informed about the convention, which is scheduled for Saturday, May 30, 2026, in the Wuse 2 area of Abuja. Emphasizing its commitment to the event, the PDP disclosed that its legal team has been instructed to remind the event center about the binding agreement signed with the party.

Despite what it describes as intimidation tactics, the PDP has declared that the convention will go ahead as planned. The party’s statement read: “We are confident that Nigeria operates under the rule of law. Any attempt to employ force to suppress political dissent and opposition is unacceptable and must be opposed by all conscientious citizens.”

The PDP also criticized Wike, arguing that the FCT minister has no constitutional power to dictate which political meetings can be held in Abuja or their locations. The party labeled any move to obstruct the event as undemocratic and called on its leaders and members across the country to attend as scheduled.

Earlier, DAILY POST reported that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had instructed owners of hotels, event centers, and public facilities in Abuja to only engage with political party leadership recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The administration also warned that properties used by what they termed illegal organizations could face the loss of their land titles.

The directive, issued in a statement by Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, stated that the policy aims to enhance security in Abuja and prevent public facilities from being utilized for activities that could disrupt public peace.

The North-Central forum of the All Progressives Congress has clarified that it has no desire to create turmoil within the party as the 2027 general elections approach. This declaration came as the group formally withdrew a previous ultimatum directed at the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda.

Earlier, the forum had demanded that Yilwatda step down within two weeks or face legal proceedings, citing alleged irregularities during the APC primaries. However, in a statement issued late Thursday by its National Chairman, Alhaji Saleh Zazzaga, the forum rescinded that demand and offered a full apology to Yilwatda.

According to the statement, the ultimatum was based on incorrect information and a misinterpretation of the actual circumstances within the party. The forum expressed that it had been misled and now recognizes the need for unity and stability.

“The North-Central APC Forum is a body of well-intentioned stakeholders committed to the growth of our great party. Our earlier call for the resignation of the National Chairman was fueled by misinformation and a lack of full understanding. Now that we are aware of the true facts, we withdraw the ultimatum and offer our sincere apologies to the national chairman and all APC leaders,” the statement read.

The group emphasized that it is not an agent of destabilization and has no intention of instigating a crisis. It suggested that external forces may have manipulated its earlier stance on the primaries.

The forum urged all party members to rally behind the Yilwatda-led National Working Committee to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 elections. It also reiterated its promise to deliver six million votes from the North-Central zone to Tinubu.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has chosen Ibrahim Kashim, a former Secretary to the Bauchi State Government, as its governorship candidate for the 2027 elections. The selection was made through a consensus process, as announced by Paul Daniel, the chairman of the party’s electoral committee for the primary election, during a press briefing in Bauchi on Friday.

Daniel explained that the decision came after extensive consultations with party stakeholders and other aspirants, emphasizing that the consensus approach underscores unity within the NDC. He declared Kashim as the official candidate for the upcoming poll.

Abdullahi Maigari, the NDC chairman in Bauchi, praised the party’s rising popularity across the state, highlighting that it is one of the few political groups free from internal conflicts. He expressed strong confidence in Kashim’s experience and ability to tackle the socio-economic issues affecting the state.

In his acceptance speech, Kashim expressed gratitude to party leaders, delegates, and supporters for their trust. He vowed to prioritize education, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment, infrastructure, and transparent governance if elected. He also urged residents and party members to rally behind the party’s vision as the 2027 elections approach.