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Tag: Senate President Godswill Akpabio

  • Tinubu Orders Cost Analysis for New Minimum Wage

    Tinubu Orders Cost Analysis for New Minimum Wage

    — President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, to prepare and present the cost implications of a new minimum wage by today. This directive is aimed at establishing a realistic and sustainable wage figure for negotiations with organized labour.

    The order comes after the Federal Government’s offers of ₦48,000, ₦57,000, and ₦60,000 were rejected by labour unions, leading to an indefinite nationwide strike that was suspended yesterday. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had proposed ₦615,500 and ₦494,000, respectively, as the new national minimum wage, citing economic hardships and inflation.

    Tinubu convened a meeting with key government representatives, including the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu, the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, and the CEO of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, Mele Kyari. The meeting focused on resolving the contentious issues surrounding the new minimum wage.

    Mohammed Idris, speaking after the meeting, emphasized the government’s commitment to finding a balanced and realistic wage solution. He stated, “The President has directed the Minister of Finance to calculate the numbers and report back by today so we can have figures ready for negotiation with labour.”

    Idris reiterated that the government is not opposed to wage increases but must ensure that any promises made are sustainable and realistic. He added, “A new wage award must be acceptable and sustainable, involving not just the federal government but also sub-national entities and the organized private sector.”

    Following the suspension of the strike, the NLC and TUC explained their decision in a communiqué, highlighting the government’s commitment to a higher minimum wage than ₦60,000. They also expressed disappointment over the government’s inaction regarding the reversal of electricity tariff hikes and the discriminatory classification of electricity consumers into bands.

    The communiqué detailed the NEC’s examination of key issues, including the government’s proposal for a higher minimum wage and demands for the reversal of the electricity tariff hike. It noted that labour withdrew from the Tripartite National Minimum Wage negotiation due to the government’s refusal to go beyond ₦60,000.

    Labour has resolved to relax the strike for one week to allow for further negotiations. The tripartite committee resumed discussions yesterday, adopting an agenda for the one-week continuous negotiation period. Labour leaders warned that the strike would resume if no agreement is reached.

    In related developments, the Senate has urged the Federal Government to expedite actions to prevent further industrial unrest, criticizing some unionists for excessive actions during the strike, such as shutting down the national grid. Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized the importance of continued negotiations and legislative support for a new minimum wage.

    ActionAid Nigeria also called on the government to resolve the industrial action promptly, highlighting the economic and social hardships caused by the strike.

    The coming days will be crucial as the government and labour unions work towards a mutually acceptable resolution on the new minimum wage.

  • “Senate Reshuffles Committees Amid Uproar Over Minority Leadership”

    “Senate Reshuffles Committees Amid Uproar Over Minority Leadership”

    By Milcah Tanimu

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has announced a reshuffling of standing committees, naming Senator Jimoh Ibrahim as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan as Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Local Content. This rearrangement, made during plenary, comes three months after the initial committee composition.

    Akpabio, addressing the Senate, cited the need for effectiveness as the reason behind the committee leadership changes. The new appointments include senators taking over committees previously chaired by sacked senators.

    Among the notable changes, Amos Yohanna was named Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth and Community Engagement, Patrick Ndubueze as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Steel Development, Shuaibu Lau as Chairman of the Committee on Tourism, and Binos Yaroe as Chairman of the Committee on State and Local Government Affairs.

    However, an uproar ensued during the announcement of two minority leaders, with the Senate Minority Leader and Minority Whip seats becoming vacant due to court decisions. Senator Abba Moro was named Minority Leader and Osita Ngwu as Minority Whip, both receiving the majority support of their colleagues in the opposition.

    The announcement faced opposition from the Labour Party (LP) representatives, who raised concerns about their exclusion from the minority leadership positions. Senator Okechukwu Ezea protested what he deemed as an injustice against other minority parties, claiming that the PDP took three minority leadership seats. The Senate session turned rowdy, with LP lawmakers rejecting their party’s exclusion.

    In response, Akpabio defended his role, stating that he only announced names forwarded to him by the opposition caucus. He urged the opposition to put their house in order before presenting names and emphasized the importance of respecting the voice of the majority. After about 15 minutes of contention, the Senate President addressed the opposition, maintaining the legitimacy of the announced appointments.

  • Senate Convenes Emergency Closed-door Session Amid Ndume’s Walkout

    Senate Convenes Emergency Closed-door Session Amid Ndume’s Walkout

    By Daniel Edu

    On Tuesday, October 17, Senate President Godswill Akpabio called for an impromptu closed-door session during the Senate’s plenary proceedings. This unusual move followed the walkout by Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, after Senate President Godswill Akpabio ruled him out of order.

    Ndume had cited order 54 of the Senate Standing Orders to raise a point of order. He expressed concerns about the Senate president’s conduct in the chambers, which, in his view, did not align with the established rules.

    Ndume stated, “Mr. President, there are some things we do in this chamber that are against the rules. Sir, nobody is too big to learn…”

    Akpabio intervened at this point, requesting a copy of the Standing Orders. He proceeded to read order 54 and contended that it did not support the point Ndume was making, subsequently ruling him out of order.

    Expressing his frustration, Ndume collected his papers and files, visibly upset, and left the chamber, proceeding to his office. However, he received a call from a colleague, instructing him to return to the chamber for an executive session.

    The closed-door executive session was ongoing at the time of this report.