Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Boycott CVR, Demand Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Warri Constituency Delineation

By: Michael Mike

The Ijaw and Urhobo ethnic groups of Warri Federal Constituency have declared their boycott of the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise, demanding that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must first implement the final report of the Supreme Court-ordered fresh delineation of electoral wards and units in the constituency.

The protesters who stormed the INEC headquarters in large numbers came from Warri North, Warri South and Warri South West Local Government Areas making up the Federal constituency.

The groups made their position known on Tuesday during a peaceful protest to the INEC headquarters in Abuja where they expressed deep worry over the INEC’s CVR in the area.

They Carried placards with inscriptions such as “Warri Federal Constituency: No Ward, No Units for CVR”, “CVR Today is Political Fraud in Warri Federal Constituency”  and “INEC, Give Us the Final Report.”

Spokesman of the groups, Chief David Reje from the Egbema Clan of Warri North Local Government Areas accused INEC of undermining the constitutional rights of the people by conducting the CVR with the “defunct arrangement” that the Supreme Court had earlier nullified.

Chief Reje, expressed their displeasure noting that despite INEC’s field exercise and stakeholder engagements, which produced a new delineation report in compliance with the apex court judgment, the commission has failed to release and implement the final report.

“Our patience and cooperation are being taken for granted as machinery has been set in place to disenfranchise us from participating in future elections.

“We can no longer wait while our democratic rights guaranteed by the Constitution and reaffirmed by the Supreme Court judgment are being eroded” Chief Reje warned.

The groups said they had travelled from Warri to Abuja to draw INEC’s attention to their plight, warning that they might be compelled to occupy the commission’s premises until their demands were met.

“They described the move as the second phase of their “non-violent struggle to restore political dignity.”

They further noted that they had come under “consistent pressure” from their people and could not guarantee that the agitation would remain contained if INEC continued to ignore the court order.

They demanded that ; INEC must immediately release and implement the delineation report and the CVR should only proceed on the basis of the newly approved electoral arrangements.

“We shall not stand idly by and watch our democratic rights and franchise frittered away. A stitch in time saves nine.” he maintained.

INEC National Commissioner, Abdullahi Abdulzuru, in his response assured the Ijaw and Urhobo groups of Warri Federal Constituency that their concerns over the implementation of the Supreme Court-ordered delineation of electoral wards and units will be addressed.

He commended the groups for adopting a peaceful approach in presenting their grievances and acknowledged receipt of their formal petition.

“I have listened carefully to your demands and read through your submission. I will tender the documents to the commission,” Abdulzuru said.

He further stressed that INEC is a law-abiding institution with no intention of disenfranchising any group of Nigerians.

“As a commission, we are committed to upholding the law. There is no intention, as far as INEC is concerned, to disenfranchise anybody from any exercise. We will get back to you be rest assured,” he added.

Prominent figures who signed the document tendered by the protesters include Dr Joel Bisina, Olorogun Victor Okumagba, Chief Godspower Gbenekama, Chief John Eramvor, Dr Paul Bebenimibo, Chief Sylvester Femi Okumagba, Chief Arthur Akpodubakaye, Chief Wilson Ogbodu, Chief Emmanuel Serondi and Chief Mrs Ann Gagiyovwi (JP)

Others are Rev. Samuel Ako, Amb.Jude Ebitimi Ukori (JP), Hon. Frank Pukon, Chief Mrs Vero Emmanuel Tangbewei and Comrade Mrs Margaret Ikinbor.

Ijaw, Urhobo Groups Boycott CVR, Demand Implementation of Supreme Court Judgment on Warri Constituency Delineation

Nigeria, Angola to Sign 15 MOUs as 5th Joint Commission Begins in Luanda

…Cooperation in technical manpower, migration partnership, transfer of sentenced persons, security, defence top list

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria and Angola are expected to sign no fewer than 15 Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) at the ongoing 5th session of the Nigeria-Angola Bilateral Economic Joint Commission (BEJC) in Luanda.

Nigeria’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the MoUs when signed will propel the existing bilateral relations between the two countries to a higher pedestal, and play very crucial roles in enhancing their mutual interest, strengthening domestic institutions, promoting economic and social growth, and building capacity for friendly countries.

She listed the areas covered by the MOUs to include: Establishing Nigeria-Angola Business Council; Economic and Technical Cooperation; Cooperation in Combating Illicit Production, Manufacturing, and Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances, and their Precursors; Migration Partnership;

Cooperation Waiver of Visa Requirements for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders; Cooperation on Transfer of Sentenced Person(s) and Cooperation in Correctional Administration and Reforms.

Others are-Cooperation in Technical Manpower Assistance; Cooperation in the Field of Tertiary/Higher Education; Cooperation in the Fight Against Corruption; Cooperation in Youth Development; Cooperation in Policing and Security; Cultural Cooperation and Exchanges; Cooperation on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters; Cooperation on Defence and Intelligence;

Cooperation on Public Communication, Media, and Information Exchanges;

Cooperation in the Field of Mining and Mineral Processing; Cooperation on Land Transportation and Related Matters; and Cooperation in the Field of Health and Medical Sciences.

The minister however regretted that previous efforts to hold another session since the 4th session in Abuja in October 2001 were not successful but expressed delight that the event became possible after over two decades.

The Minister who spoke on Tuesday in Luanda, Angola at the opening of the Session, said: “Our gathering here today is the outcome of the recent efforts by both countries from February this year after decades of unfruitful efforts including the failed 2013 attempts by technical officials.

“The continued efforts toward resuscitating this Joint Commission by both countries over the years is aimed at strengthening the fraternal relations between Nigeria and Angola, whose foundation was laid when Nigeria’s Diplomatic Mission was established in Luanda in 1975. Prior to that, Nigeria contributed immensely to the liberation of Angola from Portugal and the recognition of the Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) as the legitimate representative of the Angolan people.”

Odumegwu-Ojukwu noted that the eventual reactivation of the Joint Commission attested to the continued efforts by both countries towards actualising the aspirations of their diplomatic relations for the mutual benefit of their people.

She said: “This reactivation, which has birthed the 5th Session of the Joint Commission, has provided an opportunity to resuscitate the moribund bilateral agreements between the two countries. I am specifically delighted to note that the collective efforts by both sides have yielded results in the drafting, strenuous vetting of 19 Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) together with two Twinning Agreements between the Government of Bayelsa State (Nigeria) and the Province of Namibe (Angola) as well as the Twinning Agreement between the Government of Nasarawa State (Nigeria) and the Province of Bengo (Angola), on very important areas of cooperation for final consideration during this Joint Commission meeting.”

The minister disclosed that she and her delegation looked forward to presenting several other vital issues for consideration, including cooperation and partnerships in the human and natural resources development, such as Technical Manpower Assistance to achieve human capital development, deliberation on the commencement of the Nigerian airline carriers’ flight to Angola and other Bilateral Air Services Matters; exploring abundant opportunities existing in the richly endowed oil and gas sectors of both countries, as well as the mineral resources.

She further said that the draft cooperation and collaboration for the Elimination of Double Taxation with respect to taxes on income and Prevention of Tax Avoidance and Evasion from the Ministry of Finance and Economy and deliberation on the progress made between the Central Bank of Nigeria and the National Bank of Angola in the finalization on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the proposed take-off of the operation by some selected Nigerian banks in Angola, among others, will also be considered.

The Nigerian side presented a draft of four broad Working Groupings of the participating MDAs for consideration by the Joint Commission. They include

Diplomatic, Consular and Migration Group, Defence and Security Group, Economic Trade and Investment Group, as well as Natural and Human Resources Development Group.

In his opening remarks, Angolan Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Domingos Vieira Lopes welcomed the Nigerian delegation, saying that his country looked forward to very fruitful outcomes.

He said: “This meeting is an opportunity to strengthen the ties and diplomatic relationship between African people. I am convinced that this meeting will open new dynamics in our diplomatic relationship. The relationship between the two countries began in 1975 when Nigeria was the first country to recognize Angola as an independent State. And the relationship has continued to grow.

“So, the signing of new cooperation instruments will boost our bilateral relations.

“I know that the mutual benefit would be enormous. These agreements and cooperation will help development and growth in both countries to the benefit of our people.”

Nigeria, Angola to Sign 15 MOUs as 5th Joint Commission Begins in Luanda

NUPENG calls off strike after DSS brokers truce with govt, unions

By: Our Reporter

The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has called off its industrial action after the Department of State Services (DSS) brokered a truce between the Federal Government, oil industry stakeholders, and organised labour.

It was gathered that the resolution followed a high-level meeting convened in Abuja with key government officials, representatives of Dangote Refinery, and leaders of major trade unions.

Those in attendance included the Minister of Finance, Mr Wale Edun; Minister of Labour and Employment, Mr Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Mrs Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and the Dangote Refinery delegation led by Alhaji Sayyu Dantata.

Also present were labour leaders: Mr Akpouha Williams of NUPENG, Mr Benson Upah of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and Dr NA Toto, mni+, of the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

After hours of deliberation, both parties resolved to uphold existing labour laws, with emphasis that employees must not be compelled to join any union, and should retain the freedom to either affiliate with or decline membership of any labour body.

Other outstanding issues of contention were also resolved, culminating in the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) by all stakeholders.

The agreement led to the immediate suspension of NUPENG’s strike action, which had threatened to disrupt petroleum supply and distribution across the country.

Government officials hailed the outcome as a significant step towards industrial peace, while labour leaders reaffirmed their commitment to protecting workers’ rights within the boundaries of the law.

NUPENG calls off strike after DSS brokers truce with govt, unions