Headlines
We’re Already Paying Our Workers New Minimum Wage, Abia Govt Counters NLC
The Abia State Government has refuted claims by the national leadership of the organized labour that it is one of the 14 states yet to implement the new National Minimum Wage.
The government described the claims as false and misleading.
Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, addressed the issue during an interaction with journalists at the Government House in Umuahia.
Ajagba clarified that Abia is among the first states to begin the implementation of the new wage for its workers, having commenced the process in October this year.
“It is a misinformation that Abia State has not started the implementation of the new minimum wage.
” Of course, Abia workers have been paid the first salary according to the new minimum wage in their October salary and that has also been done this last November.
“So, it is not true that Abia State is one of those states that has not started implementation of the new national minimum wage,” Ajagba stated.
Pastor Ajagba, while reaffirming the commitment of Governor Alex Otti in prioritizing the welfare of Abia workers, reiterated that the present administration has always demonstrated commitment to industrial harmony and welfare of Abia workers and wondered why Abia should be named among states yet to implement the new wage.
He noted that the issue was the grey areas which the Organized Labour observed after the implementation, which government has also shown firm commitment to addressing same and assured that whatever shortcomings arising from the implementation will be well taken care of.
“His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti has always demonstrated his commitment to ensuring industrial harmony and also to make sure the welfare of Abia workers receive priority attention.
“It is on record that Abia State was one of the States that signified the intention and actually went ahead to contact the Organized Labour when the Federal Government concluded the issue of minimum wage.
“We rounded off our deliberations in October and the first payment was made the same October
“After the payment was made to the Organized Labour made some observations which the communicated back to us . In the same spirit of being a very responsible government we assured them that it should be looked into.” Ajagba explained.
While describing Abia and the government of Dr Alex Otti as responsible and responsive, Pastor Ajagba noted that the organized labour has always enjoyed a cordial working relationship with the state government.
Also speaking, the State Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Comrade Ihechi Eneogwe confirmed that Abia State government has already commenced implementation of the new minimum wage from October this year, pointing out that the issues was some anomalies observed in the salaries of workers between grade levels 8 to 16.
They noted that the Organized Labour is in talks with the Abia State Government in to endure the error noted is addressed , assuring that it would be corrected.
In his words, the NLC State Chairman, Comrade Ogbonnaya Okoro said,
“Let me categorically say that Abia State implemented the minimum wage in October but it did not favour all the workers. It favoured workers between level 1 to 7.
“From 8 to 16 were not properly taken care of. And when we noticed that anomaly, the Organized Labour wrote a letter reminding the government that we have not tidied up the remaining loose ends, that there is need for workers between level 8 and 16 should be better placed.
“Immediately that minimum wage was implemented in October those in level 7 were taken higher payment than those in level 10. And it’s not supposed to be like that.” Okoro maintained.
The Commissioner for Finance, Mr Uwaoma Ukandu, his Labour and Productivity counterpart, Comrade Sunny Onwuma, the State Head of Service, Dr Ngozi Obioma, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma among other top government officials were present during the briefing.
Attention has shifted to the Supreme Court, which has fixed April 30 (today) for judgment in the leadership tussle within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
A five-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Garba will resolve the appeal filed by the David Mark-led faction concerning the authentic leadership of the party.
Also on Thursday, the court is expected to determine the leadership dispute rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Two PDP factions—one led by Kabir Turaki and the other by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—are laying claim to the leadership of the party.
The Supreme Court had on April 22 reserved judgment in the ADC crisis to a date to be communicated to the parties involved in the tussle.
However, on Tuesday, the ADC formally wrote to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, pleading for the quick delivery of judgment in the leadership tussle at the national level.
The party claimed it would suffer irreparable harm if judgment in the protracted battle was not delivered within the period allowed by the Electoral Act for fielding candidates for the 2027 general elections.
It stated in part: “Without the delivery of judgment within the next three days from the date of this letter, the ADC stands the grave and irreversible risk of being excluded from participating in the 2027 general elections.
“This would disenfranchise millions of Nigerians who have subscribed to the ideals of the ADC and deny them their constitutional right to freely associate and contest elections through a political party of their choice.”
At the April 22 hearing, Jibrin Okutepa, SAN, who represented David Mark, urged the Supreme Court to allow the appeal, arguing that the apex court had earlier, on March 21, 2025, held that “no court has jurisdiction to entertain matters bordering on the internal affairs of political parties.”
During the hearing, Okutepa urged the apex court to hold that the Federal High Court in Abuja lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
However, Robert Emukperu, SAN, who represented the first respondent, Nafiu Gombe, urged the court to dismiss the appeal and affirm the judgment of the lower court, which held that the suit was premature.
It will be recalled that a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed Mark’s appeal, ruling that it was premature and filed without leave of the trial court.
In the PDP matter, the first appeal, marked SC/CV/164/2026, stems from a decision of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, who restrained the party from proceeding with its planned convention pending the determination of a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido.
On November 14, the court issued a final order restraining the PDP from conducting its national convention.
Justice Lifu held that Lamido was “unjustly denied” the opportunity to obtain a nomination form to contest for national chairman, in violation of the PDP constitution and internal regulations.
The Court of Appeal later upheld the decision on March 9, prompting the PDP to appeal.
The second appeal, SC/CV/166/2026, was filed by the PDP, its National Working Committee (NWC), and National Executive Committee (NEC).
It arose from a judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho, which stopped the party from holding its Ibadan national convention.
The Court of Appeal upheld that decision, agreeing that INEC should not validate the outcome of the convention.
After hearing all arguments, the Supreme Court reserved judgment, stating that the date would be communicated to the parties.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lambasted the administration of President Bola Tinubu over insecurity bedeviling the country.
In an interview with News Central, Obasanjo said any government that cannot protect lives and property of its citizens has no basis to exist.
The former leader was reacting to the recent wave of insecurity, which has confronted Nigeria, resulting in the killing of several citizens and abduction of others.
“Let me tell you, the government that cannot give security of life and property of its citizen has no right of existence.
“The elected members of our National Assembly have no right to fix their own salary and their own emolument.
“It’s not in our constitution for them to do that. It’s the revenue mobilization and allocation commission that should do it,” he said.
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has offered its presidential ticket to Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 elections, signaling intensifying efforts to forge a united opposition as key political deadlines approach.
In a post on X on Sunday, the party indicated a two-week window for both politicians, currently linked to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), to defect and secure its platform’s presidential ticket.
“All we need right now. Just all we need. Two weeks to deadline,” the NDC said, accompanying the message with an image of Obi and Kwankwaso and the caption: “Nigeria will be OK.”
The development comes amid renewed calls for opposition consolidation ahead of the next general elections. Supporters of both men recently launched the “OK Movement”, aimed at mobilising support for a possible joint ticket.
Organisers of the movement have begun setting up national, zonal and State structures, suggesting early groundwork for a broader political alliance.
However, the ADC is currently grappling with internal divisions that could affect its participation in the elections. The party is facing a leadership crisis, with competing factions contesting control of its structure.
The dispute is now before the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which has reserved judgment in an appeal arising from the leadership tussle.
The uncertainty comes as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) maintains its timetable for the 2027 polls, setting May 30, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to submit membership registers and nominate candidates.
Opposition parties, including factions of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), have called for an extension of the timeline, arguing that the schedule is too tight given ongoing internal restructuring and legal disputes.
The NDC’s offer highlights the shifting dynamics within Nigeria’s opposition landscape, where alliances remain fluid and negotiations are ongoing.
Both Obi and Kwankwaso are influential political figures with significant regional support bases, and any alignment between them could reshape the balance of power ahead of the elections.
INEC has yet to indicate whether it will adjust its timetable, as preparations for the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum.
