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FCTA Workers’ Strike: JUAC Heads To Appeal Court.

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The Chairman of the Joint Union Action Committee (JUAC), Riftkatu Iortyer, and the union’s Secretary, Abdullahi Saleh, have approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja, seeking permission to contest an interlocutory ruling of the National Industrial Court that barred them and their members from embarking on industrial action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The appeal application, filed on Wednesday by a legal team led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, also includes Funmi Falana and three other senior lawyers.

In the motion brought under Sections 6, 6(b) and 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), alongside relevant provisions of the Court of Appeal Rules, the applicants are asking the appellate court to grant a stay of execution of the ruling delivered by Justice Emmanuel Subilim of the National Industrial Court on Tuesday, January 27, pending the determination of their appeal.

The union leaders argued that they had already filed a notice of appeal raising substantial and complex points of law, which they believe have strong chances of success at the Court of Appeal.

They contended that the order restraining them from embarking on industrial action violates their constitutional rights and should therefore be suspended until the appeal is decided.

Workers of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had embarked on an indefinite strike last week over what they described as unresolved labour and welfare issues, leading to the shutdown of major government offices across Abuja.

However, on Tuesday, the National Industrial Court ordered all FCTA workers to suspend the strike.

In his ruling, Justice Subilim held that while the matter qualified as a trade dispute, the right to embark on industrial action was not absolute. He ruled that once a dispute is referred to the National Industrial Court, any ongoing strike must stop pending the court’s final decision.

Reacting to the ruling, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warned that any worker who failed to resume duty would face sanctions.

“Are there no consequences for disobeying the law? Must we allow people to break the law flagrantly?” Wike said.

“I have given them a window, but from tomorrow, if they do not return to work, we will apply the big stick.

“From tomorrow, anyone who attempts to block the gate will be made a scapegoat. The law must take its place.”

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Isaac Fayose Sends Fresh Message To Sowore After Ekiti Attack, Urges Him To Join Peter Obi

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Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has called on African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore to join forces with Peter Obi and other opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Fayose argued that Sowore could not effectively challenge the government on his own, urging opposition figures to set aside their political differences and work together.

He made the appeal while reacting to the attack on Sowore in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

In a video posted on his verified Facebook page on Friday, Fayose condemned the incident and warned that it highlighted the risks opposition figures could face in the country.

The social media critic said other opposition leaders could experience similar attacks if they failed to unite against the government.

“Sowore, you can’t fight alone. You need to unite with Peter Obi and other opposition figures. What happened to you in Ekiti can happen to anyone. This government does not want opposition,” Fayose said.

The businessman also urged security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible for the attack, insisting that they must face justice.

Recall that Sowore had accused the Ekiti State Police Command and the Department of State Services (DSS) of removing CCTV footage showing the attack on him in Ado-Ekiti.

The AAC presidential candidate alleged that the removal of the footage was an attempt to conceal evidence of the incident and shield those responsible.

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‘Voice Of Jacob, Hand Of Esau’ – Reuben Abati Raises Alarm Over Speculations In Uzodinma’s Court Case

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Former presidential aide, Reuben Abati, has questioned whether the circumstances surrounding the court judgment that nullified Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma’s candidacy for the Imo West Senatorial District election reflected what some have described as the “voice of Jacob and the hand of Esau”.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show on Friday, Abati examined the controversy surrounding the ruling and warned against making unsubstantiated claims about possible external influence on the judiciary.

The former presidential aide stressed that the legal battle was not yet over, pointing to the Imo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which rejected the judgment and indicated its intention to challenge the decision at the Court of Appeal.

Abati explained that the Imo APC had raised constitutional concerns relating to Section 285, particularly the provision stipulating that pre-election cases must be instituted within 14 days.

According to him, the party argued that Senator Rochas Okorocha, who challenged Uzodimma’s candidacy, failed to file the case within the constitutionally prescribed period.

He noted that the Court of Appeal would have the opportunity to review issues surrounding the procedure, timing, technicalities and evidence presented before the lower court.

Abati maintained that the legal questions raised by the Imo APC should be resolved through the appellate process rather than through speculation about the circumstances surrounding the judgment.

He said, “So the matter is not ended yet. They will go to the Appeal Court, and then, the Appeal Court will be able to look at the issues either about procedure, about timing, about technicality, about evidence, how evidence was filed, and whether the procedure should have been originating summons or another thing.

“That’s the purpose of an Appeal Court.

“Finally on that subject is the fact this is the voice of Jacob and the hand Esau, without putting on the table the implications of that caveat, because I’ve seen some people saying there are questions to be raised about some people having powers over the judiciary. But we cannot speculate in that regard.”

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Pat Utomi Drops Details Of Peter Obi’s Strategy To Bring Down Food Prices.

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A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Pat Utomi, has said the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, plans to strengthen the naira to ₦500 against the US dollar if elected president.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

As of Friday, the naira traded at ₦1,346.86 per dollar on the official Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM), while the dollar exchanged for approximately ₦1,385 in the parallel market.

In a post on X, Utomi explained that strengthening the naira from about ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would help tackle inflation, reduce poverty and improve Nigerians’ purchasing power.

He described the proposed exchange rate as a key component of Obi’s economic agenda ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Utomi projected that the price of a loaf of sliced bread could fall from ₦1,750 to ₦800, while a 50kg bag of imported rice could drop from ₦55,000 to ₦27,500.

He further estimated that a medium-sized tuber of yam could decline from ₦2,400 to ₦1,200, while a 50kg bag of maize could reduce from ₦75,000 to ₦37,500.

According to him, the price of a bunch of plantain could also fall from ₦2,500 to ₦1,250, while a whole chicken could become cheaper, dropping from ₦7,000 to ₦3,500.

The NDC chieftain also listed petrol and cement among the commodities expected to become more affordable under the proposed economic programme.

Utomi said the party was convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by strengthening the naira from ₦1,350 to ₦500 per dollar would be a winning strategy.

“We are convinced that targeting a strategic appreciation of the exchange rate by reasonably strengthening it from ₦1,350/$ to ₦500/$ as part of our manifesto is a winning strategy.

“It offers a direct, multi-faceted approach to curbing inflation, reducing poverty, and lowering the cost of living,” he said.

He added that the proposal reflects the party’s commitment to improving the living conditions of Nigerians, particularly those affected by multidimensional poverty.

“It clearly demonstrates our concrete plan to uplift the 140 million Nigerians currently experiencing multi-dimensional poverty,” he said.

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