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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.
By Eric Elezuo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has been declared winner of the presidential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The declaration was made at the Trascorp Hilton Hotel, where the final collation of results was made.
The former Vice President polled a total of 1, 846, 370 votes to defeat his closest rival, former Governor of Rivers State, Hon Rotimi Amaechi, who scored just over 500 thousand votes. Alhaji Muhammed Hayatu-Deen came third.
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ADC Presidential Primary: Hayatu-Deen Alleges Rigging, Withdraws from Results Announcement
One of the presidential aspirants of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, says he will not attend the announcement of the party’s presidential primary election results, citing allegations of widespread vote rigging.
In a statement on his X handle on Tuesday, Hayatu-Deen expressed concern over reports of electoral irregularities from across the country.
The ADC aspirant noted that he witnessed some of the incidents.
“I will not be attending the announcement of the ADC Presidential Election Results today. I am concerned by reports from across the country of widespread vote rigging, some of which I myself observed, and will therefore be taking advice on my next steps,” the statement read.
The development comes amid keen competition for the ADC presidential ticket involving former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Minister of Transportation and former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and Hayatu-Deen.
The ADC presidential primary election collation exercise will take place in Abuja. Results are expected from across the nation.
Ahead of the nationwide presidential primary held on Monday, the ADC had urged aspirants, party leaders, delegates, and members to conduct themselves peacefully and uphold party unity.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described the exercise as a defining moment for both the ADC and Nigerians seeking a credible political alternative.
According to him, the party remained committed to internal democracy and a transparent leadership selection process.
“The ADC remains proud to stand today as the only truly democratic party in Nigeria because it is the only political party whose choice of presidential candidate is determined through open primaries,” Abdullahi stated.
The party also stressed that the conduct of aspirants and party members during the exercise would reflect the leadership culture the ADC seeks to promote.
Headlines
You’re Not Different from APC, INEC, Amaechi Slams ADC, Rejects Presidential Primary Results
A former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has rejected the results of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, alleging widespread voter disenfranchisement and electoral malpractice.
Amaechi, in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday, described the outcome of the exercise as “concocted results.”
He said he had earlier made it clear that he would only accept the outcome of the primaries if the process was free, fair and transparent.
“I will not accept results from a process that does not reflect the values that the ADC had pledged to uphold,” he said.
Amaechi alleged that about 80 percent of party members across the country were prevented from voting during the exercise.
“There’s no way that about eighty percent of members of the party were not allowed to vote, and you expect me to accept such results,” he stated.
The former Governor of Rivers State accused the party of engaging in practices it had previously condemned in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
According to him, the ADC cannot criticize vote buying, rigging and manipulation of election results by others while allegedly engaging in similar acts during its own primary.
Amaechi added that the development was unacceptable and contrary to the ideals upon which the party was founded.
