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You exhibited political harlotry — LP knocks Okupe

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The leadership of the Labour Party has knocked the former Director General of its Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe, mentioning his act of deriding the party after his resignation only exhibited an act of “political harlotry.”

The party described him as a political opportunist whose foray into politics revolves around personal benefits.

National Publicity Secretary of the party, Obiora Ifoh, said this in a statement, in Abuja, on Tuesday.

He spoke in response to a social media post by Okupe who described the LP as a “Special Purpose Vehicle,” which provided refuge for him and others who were muscled out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), before the 2023 general elections.

Ifoh said, the party leadership, “like most Nigerians read on social media the purported resignation of the former Director General of our Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Doyin Okupe from the Labour Party.”

He noted that ordinarily, the party wouldn’t have responded to him but because of the media attraction it has been generating since Monday.

The LP Spokesman further said, “Needless to say after the general election, a few members of the party had left while many others have also joined the party.

“It is within the rights of any Nigerian to associate with any political parties of their choice.

“In the letter said to have been addressed to our National Chairman, Barrister Julius Abure, which is yet to be received, Okupe cited ideological conflict as the reason he left PDP, he also addressed the Labour Party pejoratively as a ‘Special Purpose Vehicle.’

“This response wouldn’t have been necessary if Okupe had left quietly or perhaps claimed ‘personal reasons’ for his actions but by way of him demeaning a party believed to have won majority of votes by Nigerians but was denied victory by the Nigerian system was a mischief carried too far.

“Okupe is aware that the Labour Party is ideologically rooted in the left of the centre and he admitted that he has been a rightist and a Liberal Democrat all his entire life, one wonders what he was looking for in a party that is opposed to his ideological leaning.

“What kind of political harlotry was he exhibiting by finding no qualms in jumping from one party to another with such ease.

“His exit from the Labour Party is not in any way surprising to us. In the true character of traditional politicians who move from one place to another, he was in PDP, from PDP to APC and then the Labour Party and we won’t be surprised if he goes back to his vomit and embraces either APC or PDP all over again. It is all about where food is ready.

“Labour Party is an ideological party, it has a clear-cut ideology which supports equal opportunity and social justice. It is specifically not a place for people like Doyin Okupe.

“Our system in the Labour Party does not support political opportunists. The system will naturally expose such political characters and eject them.

“I ask again, had the Labour Party declared winner of the presidential election, will Okupe remain with the party or jump ship in adherence to his ideological leaning.

“We must recall that Okupe was forced to abdicate office half way into the campaign because of the baggage he came with from the other party where he served.

“The courts whipped him into early political menopause, so he really didn’t contribute much to the Labour Party’s success in the 2023 electoral voyage, however we are glad he acknowledged that we offered him shelter.

“Finally, the leadership of the Labour Party wishes him well in his future political adventure. We will however remain positive that a new Nigeria is still possible.”

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Diri sets up committee on new minimum wage

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Gov. Douye Diri of Bayelsa has set up a committee to work out modalities for implementation of a new minimum wage for workers in the state’s civil service.

The committee is headed by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei.

Other members included the Head of Service, Mrs Biobelemoye Charles-Onyeama, the Commissioner for Finance, Maxwell Ebibai, his Labour, Productivity and Employment counterpart, Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai and the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Peter Akpe.

The committee has the end of May 2024 to submit its report.

Diri made the pronouncement on Wednesday at the 2024 Workers Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.

The governor assured that his administration would implement a new minimum wage once the committee submitted its report, adding that the state workers always have emoluments as their federal counterparts.

Diri stressed that the welfare of workers had always been a top priority of his administration as attested to by the numerous worker-friendly policies he initiated.

He equally promised to commence the building of a new befitting secretariat complex for civil servants to accommodate the increasing workforce.

The state’s helmsman, who described workers as the backbone of development in society, attributed the achievements in his first tenure to the support and contributions of civil servants.

He called for continuous harmonious working relationship with his government in order to bequeath lasting legacies.

The Bayelsa helmsman also approved an annual step increment for civil servants, release of funds for completion of the state secretariat of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

“The committee is to immediately look into what the Federal Government has done on the proposed minimum wage and see the possibility of domesticating it in Bayelsa.

“It is given until the end of May to submit its report.

“My dear workers of Bayelsa, you have done so well. You know that you are the engine room of this government. We have succeeded because you have done so well. We receive commendations everywhere we go.

“In terms of infrastructure, human capacity building and other sectors, we have done well. I say you should continue to keep it up.”

According to him, together, we are building a Bayelsa of our dreams, a beacon of hope, a model of progress and a testament to our unity of purpose.

“The tangible evidence of these fruitful collaborations is that abundantly, we have made it clear for all to see in the plethora of transformative legacy projects that now span the length and breadth of our state, touching the lives of all Bayelsa people.

“Let us continue to work together so that the future of our state will be established.

“Beyond the ongoing renovation, we will look at the option of building a new state-of-the-art secretariat complex to accommodate the expanding workforce,” he said.

Earlier, the workers eulogised the governor for his labour-friendly policies that had improved their working condition.

In a joint address by the chairman of the NLC, Comrade Barnabas Simon, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Laye Julius, the workers specifically thanked the governor for approving payment of wage award to all categories of workers in Bayelsa.

“We thank you for the regular conduct of promotion exercises and implementation, prompt payment of salaries of workers and pensioners, among others.

“Organised labour in Bayelsa is most sincerely grateful for your kind and favourable disposition to the needs and aspirations of workers in the state.

“Your open-door policies and swift response to most of our demands in the last four years is highly appreciated,” they said.

They, however, appealed for an upward review of the wage award, improved transportation system for workers, and mapping out of acquired lands for civil servants.

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Gov. Sani unveils N500m loans scheme for workers

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Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has unveiled a  N500 million revolving loans scheme for civil servants in the State.
Sani disclosed this on Wednesday in Kaduna during the 2024 May Day Celebration .
Sani symbolically distributed  dummy cheques to some workers amidst cheers while announcing the more economic empowerment initiatives for the workers
He also reaffirmed his commitment to prioritise workers’ welfare and equip them appropriately within available resources.
Sani emphasised the importance of a motivated workforce for the success of his administration’s Rural Transformation Agenda, addressing the theme ‘People First’.
Sani stressed the centrality of citizens in development and governance, highlighting the strategic partnership forged with labour unions to advance workers’ interests and improve living conditions.
He also listed ongoing efforts to attract investments, provide training, and enhance job opportunities for the citizens.
Sani assured continued attention to human capital development and poverty reduction through various government interventions.
The governor further disclosed ongoing consultations with labour unions at both federal and state levels to negotiate a decent salary increase for the state and local government workers.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Magaji, commended Sani for his personal attendance at the May Day Celebration, marking a significant departure from the past nine years.
He also expressed gratitude for the governor’s prompt payment of salaries and allowances as well as the involvement of labour unions in decision-making processes
The highlight of the occasion was a  march past by various unions and affiliates of the NLC as well as the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
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Lagos-Calabar Coastal road: ‘You have no claim’ – Umahi attacks Landmark Beach owner

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Minister of Works, Dave Umahi has said the Group Chief Executive Officer and founder of The Landmark Group, Paul Onwuanibe, cannot claim compensation from the Federal Government in connection with the demolition of structures for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The Federal Government is currently demolishing properties along the shoreline to create a pathway for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.

The Landmark Group, owners of the Landmark beach in Lagos State, is believed to be one of the organisations that will be highly affected by the demolition.

However, Umahi has insisted that infrastructures belonging to Landmark were spared, hence the owner can’t make claims on the Federal Government.

Addressing journalists, the minister said the beach was on the right of way and shoreline.

He said: “No claim for Landmark, we spared all his infrastructure, we don’t pay for the demolition of shanties because it is on our right-of-way, 15 meters from the shoreline, so he has no claim.

“We made all efforts to spare his infrastructure. The Landmark owner is acting like a politician, me I’m an engineer.

“While he does all the politics, I am an engineer, I’ll do the engineering work. I don’t know the attention he is seeking.”

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