The Deputy Director-General of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Presidential Campaign Council, Dino Melaye, has pledged that an administration led by the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, would not interfere in the selection of the Senate President or Speaker of the House of Representatives if elected.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Melaye made the declaration during an appearance on Arise Television, where he said the ADC would allow lawmakers to elect their leaders independently.

He maintained that the party was committed to democratic principles and an independent National Assembly.

“To start with, an Atiku presidency will not determine who is going to be the Senate president, the president of the Senate, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“Atiku is a Democrat. ADC is a very democratic political party. So we are going to allow the people to elect their leaders,” he said.

Melaye argued that allowing lawmakers to choose their leaders would promote legislative independence and strengthen the National Assembly’s oversight of the executive arm of government.

He said an independent legislature would be better positioned to scrutinise government activities and hold the executive accountable.

“And I told you that wherever you have the members electing their leaders, there is some modicum of independence.

“So to start with, the ADC will make sure that the National Assembly is truly independent, and if the National Assembly is truly independent, that will drive their oversight functions over the Executive,” he said.

Speaking on how government spending would be monitored, the ADC campaign official said relevant National Assembly committees would be empowered to question government officials and examine public expenditure.

He specifically mentioned the Committees on Establishment, Finance, and Budget and Planning as possible channels for investigating government spending and ensuring accountability.

“The Committee on Establishment is responsible for questioning this type of spenders because they have direct oversight function over the State House. The committee on finance is there. The committee on budget and planning is there,” Melaye said.

Nigerian socialite and nightlife promoter Paschal Okechukwu, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, has expressed gratitude to God after surviving a frightening experience during a recent flight.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The businessman disclosed that he encountered the worst air turbulence he had ever experienced while travelling by plane.

In a post shared on his Instagram Story, Cubana Chief Priest revealed that the aircraft shook violently, leaving him terrified and fearing that he might not survive the journey.

He explained that the experience was so disturbing that he thought his life was about to end.

The socialite also admitted that the incident left him shaken, as he struggled to overcome the fear he experienced while the aircraft battled the turbulence.

He said: “Experienced the craziest turbulence ever in my life, I still can’t feel my heart I thought it was over, Thank God for journey mercies.”

In another development, Cubana Chief Priest has called on President Bola Tinubu to sack the Minister of Works, David Umahi.

The socialite described Umahi as one of the worst ministers the South-East had produced, arguing that the region had little to show for having one of its own in charge of the Ministry of Works.

He also criticised another minister from Imo State, whom he described as the worst minister the region had ever had.

According to Chief Priest, the ministers have failed to create visible opportunities for the Igbo people despite occupying important positions in the Federal Government.

Arise Television presenter Rufai Oseni has criticised the presidents of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Festus Osifo, over their disagreement on workers’ welfare.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Ajaero and Osifo recently disagreed over the Federal Government’s approval of a ₦70,000 transport allowance for public sector workers for six months.

The TUC rejected the arrangement, insisting that the NLC could not negotiate on behalf of its members without its involvement.

Osifo described the agreement as an aberration, arguing that both labour centres must participate in negotiations affecting their respective affiliates.

Reacting during Tuesday’s edition of the Arise Television Morning Show, Oseni described the two union presidents as unworthy of being called labour leaders. He accused them of failing to defend Nigerian workers amid worsening economic hardship.

The presenter also lamented that the labour movement had become politicised and divided, leaving workers without adequate representation as their purchasing power and disposable income continued to decline.

He said, “For Osifo and Ajaero, both of you should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself, and that’s why you see that Labour has been dead in this administration.”

Oseni recalled that labour leaders in the past were more united and coordinated in challenging government policies affecting workers.

He further argued that the current leadership had failed to hold the Federal Government accountable for its promises to Nigerian workers.

“Wages cannot really take you anywhere. A lot has happened as regards disposable income of the people, but labour has just been quiet.

“This government failed on many promises made to labour, and labour has just been quiet about it,” he said.