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Peter Obi Raises Alarm, Says INEC Chair Acting On Behalf Of Appointing Authority.

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Former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, of following directives allegedly set by President Bola Tinubu.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that Obi made the allegation in a short interview clip with News Central Television.

The former Anambra State governor further claimed that INEC is effectively acting as an agent of President Tinubu, adding that he had recently written to the INEC chairman warning him about the temporary nature of his office.

According to him, “If anybody had told me that we could use Professors to run our elections and it would be worse, I would have said a capital no.

“I wrote to the present INEC Chairman and said, ‘Remember, you will not be here forever’.”

When asked directly whether he considers INEC an agent of the president, Obi responded: “Yes, completely. Whatever the INEC Chairman is doing today, he is acting the script written by the man who employed him.”

Meanwhile, the promoter of the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), Umar Ardo, has said he had previously cautioned Peter Obi and former Kano State governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, against aligning with the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Naija News reports that Ardo stated that the party’s legal challenges were still unresolved despite reported interest from the two politicians.

He made the remarks on Thursday during an appearance on Arise Television’s Morning Show.

Ardo also said his opposition to the registration of the NDC by INEC predated the involvement of Obi and Kwankwaso, noting that he had publicly rejected the registration shortly after it was announced on February 6.

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Tension In Akwa Ibom Hospital As Medical Unions Shut Down Services Over Alleged Assault.

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The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH), Prof. Ememabasi Bassey, has appealed to medical unions in Akwa Ibom State to return to their duty posts and resume healthcare services for the public.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This follows a disruption of services after a confrontation between hospital staff and officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), and other health bodies had withdrawn their services in protest, alleging the unjust arrest and assault of a senior cardiologist, Prof. Eyo Ekpe.

Concerned about the impact of the industrial action on patients, the CMD, while addressing a press briefing at the hospital, urged the unions to suspend the strike. He also condemned the conduct of the EFCC, describing it as the action of overzealous officers that did not reflect the agency’s mandate.

He stressed that while the unions have the right to protest, they must also consider the condition of vulnerable patients, including those in intensive care, accident victims, and newborns requiring urgent attention.

In his words, “We are appealing to our colleagues and unions to consider the human lives involved. Patients are suffering. Newborn babies and critically ill persons are at risk. Whatever grievances we have, human life must come first.

“If not for anything, the Accident and Emergency unit should not be shut, the ICU, even the Special Care Unit for babies, too. My dear union leaders, I plead that you keep these doors open; the harm has already been done, but let us not forget our vulnerable and sick ones.”

Prof. Bassey added that hospital management, including Prof. Ekpe and other senior staff, had remained on ground since the incident to stabilise critical departments and ensure patients continued receiving care.

He also urged security agencies to exercise restraint in the discharge of their duties, assuring that efforts were underway with the intervention of the Minister of Health, the Akwa Ibom State Government, and other stakeholders to prevent a recurrence.

Meanwhile, the CMD disclosed that the disputed issue centred on the verification of a medical report allegedly issued on behalf of a suspect under investigation. He said investigations revealed that the document was fake and did not originate from UUTH.

According to him, “Some actors working in concert with lawyers or whoever for the suspect had opened a folder with no official footing and written a fake medical report on it. To check the authenticity of a medical report is a rigorous process, and after all was done, it was discovered that the document was fake.”

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Benue LG Workers Shut Down Council Operations Over Two-Week Strike On Unpaid Salaries.

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Local government workers in Benue State on Thursday commenced a two-week warning strike over unpaid salaries, delayed promotions, and unresolved pension remittances, bringing activities in all 23 local government councils to a halt.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The industrial action followed the expiration of a 14-day ultimatum and a subsequent seven-day extension issued to the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia by the Benue State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE).

In a notice dated May 13, 2026, and signed by State President Joshua Adah Adiniya and State Secretary Aseneshi Musa Yusuf, the union accused the government of failing to address long-standing welfare concerns affecting council staff.

Titled “Notification of Strike Action,” the statement said the union had exhausted all avenues of dialogue before resorting to industrial action.

“Unfortunately, the Benue State Government has remained adamant and ignored all the opportunities offered by the union to resolve these disputes and avert the consequences,” the union stated.

The workers are demanding immediate payment of March and April 2026 salary arrears, implementation of overdue promotions, resolution of BEPCON remittance issues, reinstatement of local government staff disengaged in 2011/2012, and settlement of outstanding salary obligations.

NULGE said its State Executive Council, during a meeting held on April 21, 2026, had resolved to intensify pressure on the government, but noted that no meaningful response had been received.

“The union has been pushed to the wall and is left with no option,” the statement added, directing all local government workers to begin a two-week stay-at-home warning strike effective Thursday, May 14, 2026.

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Confusion Clears As Head Of Service Explains 40% Allowance Approval For Workers

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The Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) has clarified its position on the reported approval of a 40 per cent peculiar allowance for federal civil servants.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

It stated that it did not approve or formally communicate any such allowance to the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC) or any labour union.

The office further explained that the authority responsible for issuing and circulating such official salary-related circulars lies solely with the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC).

In a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mrs. Eno Olotu, the OHCSF noted that the circular in question was issued by the NSIWC on April 23, 2026.

It also clarified that a meeting convened by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation on May 12, 2026, was purely an intervention and reconciliation session aimed at encouraging dialogue between organised labour and the NSIWC, with the goal of maintaining industrial harmony and preventing any disruption in labour relations within the federal civil service.

Recall that on April 24, 2026, the OHCSF had announced that the Federal Government approved a broad welfare package for civil servants. The package reportedly included full Duty Tour Allowance for approved training programmes, an upward review of peculiar allowance across salary structures such as CONPSS and CONRAISS, as well as increases in estacode, book allowance, and other entitlements.

The government also approved a ₦10 billion housing loan scheme designed to improve access to affordable home ownership for public servants.

The OHCSF reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining peaceful labour relations and sustaining constructive engagement with all stakeholders to ensure continued industrial harmony in the federal civil service.

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