Headlines
No State Will Pay Less Than N30, 000 Minimum Wage – Fayemi, Chairman Govs Forum
The Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, says a review of the revenue sharing formula is still the position of the governors to enable them implement the new National Minimum Wage without hitches.
He also promised that no state would pay less than N30,000 as minimum wage.
Mr Fayemi made this position known when he fielded questions from State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.
He stated that the agitation for the review of the revenue sharing formula by the governors’ forum dated right from the administration of the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“We feel that it’s time for the revenue sharing formula to change and we have made a representation to the President and Commander-in-Chief not just under the Buhari administration.
”This has been an ongoing agitation that started way back since the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo it continued on the President Yar’Adua and President Goodluck Jonathan.
”So, it’s not just something that has been brought out under President Buhari,” he said.
The governor revealed that already the forum had presented its position on the proposed review of the revenue sharing formula to Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for possible consideration.
He said: ”You also know that there is a process to this. The process is that the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC, which has the responsibility for this would do its own due diligence, consult widely with critical stakeholders.
”We have also made available our own representation to RMAFC.
”Now that we have a full fledged RMAFC in place with a Chairman and other members appointed, it is our expectation that this would be taken up by RMAFC with Mr President in a manner that we have taken it up.
”Whether that would affect negotiation for the minimum wage, I can tell you no. Minimum wage is a law.
”But as I have always said to you, a national minimum wage act is not a general minimum wage review. They are two separate things.”
Mr Fayemi, however, maintained that governors were committed to the minimum wage act, promising that no state would pay anything less than the approved N30,000.
The governor, however, stated that the consequential adjustment may not necessarily end up being the same among the States.
”Some of us have started paying N30, 000 as you may be aware, others want negotiations on the consequential adjustment to end before they start paying the minimum wage.
”And as you may be aware, what has happened so far is that the federal government has agreed a percentage of consequential adjustment with labour.
”What is happening currently in states and majority of our states have started that negotiation, which is to agree on what that consequential adjustment would be in the state.
”I have also said to many people who have asked me, fingers are not equal at the level of the states.
”So, consequential adjustment may not necessarily end up being the same, it will be different from state to state.
”But I can assure Nigerians that no state is going to pay anything less than N30, 000,” he added.
On his membership of the committee set up to reconcile the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, Mr Fayemi said himself and Governor Aminu Masari were selected to represent the Governors’ forum in the committee.
He disclosed that the committee had briefed President Buhari on its mission and activities so far.
”We already had preliminary discussions with both parties and we know that they are both desirous of peace in Kano. We have also briefed Mr. President on the mission of this body.
”It is not a federal government body I must say that but the federal government that is Mr President is not averse to anything that could assist in ensuring that there is peace in one or the most political states in our country.
”Anything to avoid a volatile situation that may result in an unfortunate development is not wanted and it is our expectation that given the positive response from both His Excellency the governor, Dr. Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, we would come to a resolution of the problem,” he said.
Mr Fayemi further revealed that the governors’ forum had taken steps towards addressing the political crisis involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adams Oshiomhole and Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo.
He said: ”I can assure you that we are fully seized of what is happening in Edo State and at the level of the party governors’ forum, we have engaged both parties, we hosted both parties, we appealed to them and their supporters.
”We have taken steps and we are still taking steps to ensure that peace reigns in Edo but that is not the matter for the Nigeria Governors Forum, its more of a (party) political issue but we are involved in that at the level of the party.”
(NAN)
Veteran journalist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Dele Momodu, has declared that a joint presidential ticket between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi represents the strongest strategy for the opposition to defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Momodu said the emerging ADC coalition is gaining momentum as a credible alternative to President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he accused of promoting “one-man rule” and weakening democratic institutions.
Momodu argued that an Atiku–Obi ticket offers both experience and electoral appeal, noting that both politicians already command significant national followings from previous elections. He recalled their collaboration in 2019, adding that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election provides a ready base of supporters that can be consolidated.
According to him, the coalition is further strengthened by the involvement of political heavyweights such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, making it a formidable opposition alliance.
“The candidates who placed second, third, and even fourth are aligning. That naturally builds a strong challenge,” Momodu said, suggesting that this development could unsettle the APC ahead of 2027.
He also accused the Tinubu administration of centralising power and undermining democratic processes, claiming that key institutions—including the legislature and electoral system—are increasingly influenced by the executive arm of government. He warned that such a trend poses risks to Nigeria’s democracy.
Momodu further alleged that opposition parties face systemic obstacles, including difficulties in accessing venues, legal pressures, and institutional interference. He argued that these challenges have made opposition unity not just strategic, but necessary.
Dismissing concerns about possible cracks within the ADC coalition, Momodu described such fears as speculative, insisting that current political realities have effectively forced major opposition figures to work together.
The Supreme Court has scheduled hearing for April 22 in the appeal filed by the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, in relation to the leadership dispute in the party.
Mark’s appeal is against the March 12 judgment of the Court of Appeal, which dismissed his appeal against the September 4, 2025 ruling by Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja refusing to grant some injunctive reliefs contained in an ex-parte application filed by a chieftain of the party, Nafiu Bala Gombe.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court, led by Justice Mohammed Garba chose the date on Tuesday after granting accelerated hearing in the appeal marked: SC/CV/180/2026.
The court ordered Mark’s lawyer, Jibril Okutepa (SAN) to file the appellant’s brief and serve on Wednesday.
It ordered the respondents to each file and serve on the appellant, a respondent’s brief within three days of being served with the appellant’s brief.
The appellant, according to the court, is to file a reply brief, if needs be, within one day of being served with the respondents’ briefs.
Headlines
Amid Denials, ADC Reportedly Secures Rainbow Event Centre As Venue for National Convention
Baring any last minute change, the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) under Senator David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola as National chairman and National Secretary respectively will hold the party’s National convention at the National Rainbow Event Centre in Garki on Tuesday, 14 April 2026.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has being denied two venues without any cogent reasons despite early arrangements, according to sources.
First, it was alleged that the Abuja Transcorp Hilton Hotels, which was initially approached, turned down the ADC request to use it’s facility.
The ADC, having sensed sabotage, has kept the Rainbow Event Center under rap as it’s definite venue.
The last National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party was held at the same venue.
Located adjacent the Nigerian Police Force Headquarters, the event centre will host the second NEC meeting of the ADC and it’s forthcoming national convention.
According to The Guardian’ report, the ADC leadership has communicated the venue to state chapters with the caveat not to escalate it.
The ADC is in a battle of survival against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and has approached the Supreme Court for intervention.
The INEC national chairman Prof Joash Amupitan has suspended recognition of the David Mark-led ADC rendering a leadership vacuum in the party.
INEC said it’s decision was on the basis of an Appeal Court pronouncement that ordered statusquo ante-bellum be maintained.
Reports say that why the venue is being quietly decorated moderately for the event, the ADC intends to fully move in the early hours of Tuesday.
The Guardian
