Subsidy protest: Read text of President Jonathan’s broadcast

Dear Compatriots,

1.    A week ago, I had cause to address Nigerians on the security challenges we are facing in parts of the country, which necessitated the declaration of a state of emergency in 15 Local Government Areas in four states of the Federation. That course of action attracted widespread support and a demonstration of understanding. With that declaration, government had again signaled its intention to combat terrorism with renewed vigour and to assure every Nigerian of safety.

2.   The support that we have received in the fight against terrorism from concerned Nigerians at home and abroad has been remarkable. We believe that it is with such continued support that progress can be made on national issues. Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone who has expressed a commitment to support us as we strive to improve on the country’s security situation, and build a stronger foundation for the future.  The recent mindless acts of violence in Gombe, Potiskum, Jimeta-Yola and Mubi are unfortunate. I urge all Nigerians to eschew bitterness and acrimony and live together in harmony and peace. Wherever there is any threat to public peace, our security agencies will enforce the law, without fear or favour.

3.   This evening, I address you, again, with much concern over an issue that borders on the national economy, the oil industry and national progress.  As part of our efforts to transform the economy and guarantee prosperity for all Nigerians, Government, a few days ago, announced further deregulation of the downstream petroleum sector. The immediate effect of this has been the removal of the subsidy on petrol.

4.   Since the announcement, there have been mixed reactions to the policy. Let me seize this opportunity to assure all Nigerians that I feel the pain that you all feel.  I personally feel pained to see the sharp increase in transport fares and the prices of goods and services. I share the anguish of all persons who had travelled out of their stations, who had to pay more on the return leg of their journeys.

5.   If I were not here to lead the process of national renewal, if I were in your shoes at this moment, I probably would have reacted in the same manner as some of our compatriots, or hold the same critical views about government.  But I need to use this opportunity as your President to address Nigerians on the realities on the ground, and why we chose to act as we did. I know that these are not easy times. But tough choices have to be made to safeguard the economy and our collective survival as a nation.

6.    My fellow Nigerians, the truth is that we are all faced with two basic choices with regard to the management of the downstream petroleum sector: either we deregulate and survive economically, or we continue with a subsidy regime that will continue to undermine our economy and potential for growth, and face serious consequences.

7.   As you all know, the subject of deregulation is not new, we have been grappling with it for more than two decades. Previous administrations tinkered with the pump price of petroleum products, and were unable to effect complete deregulation of the downstream sector. This approach has not worked.  If it did, we would not be here talking about deregulation today. I understand fully well that deregulation is not a magic formula that will address every economic challenge, but it provides a good entry point for transforming the economy, and for ensuring transparency and competitiveness in the oil industry, which is the mainstay of our economy.

8.   As a President, elected and supported by ordinary Nigerians, and the vast majority of our people, I have a duty to bring up policies and programmes that will grow the economy and bring about greater benefits for the people.  Let me assure you that as your President, I have no intention to inflict pain on Nigerians.

9.    The deregulation of the petroleum sector is a necessary step that we had to take. Should we continue to do things the same way, and face more serious economic challenges? Or deregulate, endure the initial discomfort and reap better benefits later? I want to assure every Nigerian that whatever pain you may feel at the moment, will be temporary.

10.               The interest of the ordinary people of this country will always remain topmost in my priorities as a leader. I remain passionately committed to achieving significant and enduring improvements in our economy that will lead to sustained improvement in the lives of our people.

11.               I am determined to leave behind a better Nigeria, that we all can be proud of. To do so, I must make sure that we have the resources and the means to grow our economy to be resilient, and to sustain improved livelihood for our people. We must act in the public interest, no matter how tough, for the pains of today cannot be compared to the benefits of tomorrow.  On assumption of office as President, I swore to an oath to always act in the best interest of the people. I remain faithful to that undertaking.

12.                To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices.  On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13.               For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

14.               We are all greatly concerned about the issue of corruption. The deregulation policy is the strongest measure to tackle this challenge in the downstream sector. In addition, government is taking other steps to further sanitize the oil industry.

15.               To ensure that the funds from petroleum subsidy removal are spent prudently on projects that will build a greater Nigeria, I have established a committee to oversee the implementation of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme. I sincerely believe that the reinvestment of the petroleum subsidy funds, to ensure improvement in national infrastructure, power supply, transportation, irrigation and agriculture, education, healthcare, and other social services, is in the best interest of our people.

16.               Fellow Nigerians, I know that the removal of the petroleum subsidy imposes an initial burden on our people, especially the rising cost of transportation.  Government will be vigilant and act decisively to curb the excesses of those that want to exploit the current situation for selfish gains.  I plead for the understanding of all Nigerians.  I appeal to our youth not to allow mischief-makers to exploit present circumstances to mislead or incite them to disturb public peace.

17.                To address the immediate challenges that have been identified, I have directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to embark immediately on all projects which have been designed to cushion the impact of the subsidy removal in the short, medium and long-term, as outlined in the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme Document.

18.                Tomorrow, 8th January, I will formally launch a robust mass transit intervention programme to bring down the cost of transportation across the country. The programme will be implemented in partnership with state and local governments, labour unions, transport owners, and banking institutions, and  supported with the provision of funding at zero interest rate as well as import duty waiver on all needed parts for locally-made mass transit vehicles, which will create additional jobs in the economy.

19.               We will keep these incentives in place for as long as it takes. I want to assure you that Government will not rest until we bring down the cost of transportation for our people.  Let me thank the transporters’ associations that have agreed to reduce transport fares. I have directed the Minister of Labour and Productivity to work with these associations to come up with a sustainable plan to guarantee this within the shortest possible time.

20.                In addition, I have ordered the mobilization of contractors for the full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt –Maiduguri Railway Line and the completion of the Lagos-Kano Railway Line. I have also directed the immediate commencement of a Public Works programme that will engage the services of about 10, 000 youths in every state of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory. This will create an additional 370, 000 jobs.

21.               Government has taken these decisions in the best interest of our economy, so that we not only have benefits today, but to ensure that we bequeath even greater benefits to our children and grandchildren.

22.                Let me assure Nigerians that every possible effort will be made to ensure that we march forward, with a collective resolve to build a Nigeria that can generate greater economic growth, create and sustain new jobs, and secure the future of our children.

23.                This Administration will aggressively implement its programme to reposition and strengthen our economy, while paying adequate attention to the immediate needs of our citizens.

24.                I assure you all that we will work towards achieving full domestic refining of petroleum products with the attendant benefits.

25.                As I ask for the full understanding of all Nigerians, I also promise that I will keep my word.

26.               Thank you. May God bless you; and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR

President

Federal Republic of Nigeria

January 7, 2012

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SSANU, NCSU, ASCSN ignore court order, join strike

Despite the court order obtained by the Federal Government to stop the planned general strike and mass protest scheduled to start tomorrow, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU) and the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), on Saturday, directed their members come out en-mass on Monday to commence the strike and the protest in their respective states and locations.

National presidents of SSANU, NCSU and the ASCSN, who reacted to the purported court order on Saturday, said they had not received any such order, while their umbrella body — the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) — were said not to have also received any order.

Therefore, the unions who are affiliates of NLC and TUC said they were fully mobilised for the take-off of the strike and mass protest tomorrow, and expected the government to announced the reversal of fuel price to N65 before midnight today.

SSANU President, Comrade Samson Ugwoke, said; “we are not aware; NLC is not aware that they went to court because we were not consulted; we were not served and we were not in court. A reasonable and sensible jurist will ask for the accused. It was only a one-party affair.

“We were surprised to hear that they said our action is illegal. How can it be illegal for me as a Nigerian to express myself? To say it is illegal is making mockery of the constitution.”

A letter earlier signed by the SSANU president had directed all members of SSANU to commence the strike tomorrow and join the protest.

Entitled; “Letter of authorisation to join the general strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC),” it said all members of the union should join the general strike in their respective jurisdictions.

The letter was addressed to all SSANU branch chairmen and members, while it was also copied to all vice chancellors of universities, all heads of inter-universities centres, the executive secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC) and the acting general secretary of the NLC.

The letter read; “SSANU, as a responsible affiliate of the Nigeria Labour Congress, is obligated to participate fully in the general strike/protests declared by the congress over the recent fuel price increase.

“This letter, therefore, authorises all SSANU branches and members to join the strike/protests in their respective jurisdictions.

“This is without prejudice to SSANU’s impending ultimatum over the non-implementation of the 2009 FGN/SSANU agreement, which expires on the 3 January, 2012. The national secretariat will communicate to you our next line of action on the issue, immediately after the NLC’s general strike.”

Ugwoke further said; “SSANU is a very responsible affiliate of NLC and we have always been involved in all activities of NLC. The reason for the strike is very clear; it involves all my members, we are all concerned as workers; the university sector and the citizens of this country.

“We have met and sent the authority letters to all branches and all Nigerian universities and all university centres across the country to comply fully with the indefinite strike and mass protest that will commence on Monday, 9 January 2012.

“So, we have mobilised our members across the country. Apart from the authority letters with the attachment of NLC communiqué, we have also sent text messages to all chairmen, secretaries and treasurers who are National Executive Committee (NEC) members of SSANU across the country. So, we have mobilised our members and we are ready.”

Forclosing the possibility of a last-minute negotiation, he said; “we take directives from NLC. I was at the NLC NEC meeting; we didn’t talk of dialogue. How do you dialogue? We met the government only once at the State House and if I may quote the president, he said the interactive session would be continuous and he was going to direct his Labour Minister to always invite us for such interactions until we reach conclusion.

“We were surprised that on 1 January, the New Year package that the president had for us was 100 per cent removal of oil subsidy about which he had not concluded negotiation with labour.

“Our stand is that there is no negotiation until we have returned to status quo ante; that is fuel price going back to N65 per litre. Then, that will mean that they have created a level ground to start discussion.

“So, if by tomorrow, peradventure, they announce it that they have returned to status quo ante, NLC will call NEC that will direct our members accordingly. Without reversal to N65 per litre, the action continues.”

On his part, while speaking on the said court order, the NCSU president, Comrade Kiri Mohammed, said; “we have not been served. If I have been served, I will know it is contempt, but we have not. It is like a Kangaroo court.

“We have sought legal opinion from our lawyers and the conclusion is that we can go ahead since we have not been served.

“So, all the civil servants will withdraw their services from Monday and none will go back until our demand of fuel price reversal to N65 is met.”

Comrade Kiri, therefore, directed civil servants to be fully mobilised and ignore the purported court order, urging them to come out and join the strike.

A text message also sent by NCSU General Secretary, Comrade Gerald Ukeni,  to all state councils of the union read: “You are by this text directed to mobilise our members to commence total strike with effect from Monday, 9 January, 2012. Ensure that during the period, union offices are kept open for coordination. Keep in touch with the national headquarters for further clarification. Aluta continua.”

Also, according to the president, ASCSN, Comrade Olakunle Olaitan; “our plans and strategy for the mobilisation are kept to our chest. You don’t divulge information on your strategy when mobilising, so that your detractor don’t have unclue advantage over you.

“Things will definitely take shape in the sense that we have resolved to go on strike and nothing can stop us because it is our constitutional right to protest and go on strike, more so that we are not aware of any court order. We were not served. Let them continue talking; I know that people wish, which is God’s will, will prevail. I will be part of the mobilisation from Lagos end because there is no way I can come back to Abuja. I am presently out of Abuja and in Lagos for the meetings of Trade Union Congress. We have not been served any court order.”

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Subsidy removal: Expect to pay more, telecoms operators tell subscribers

(NAN) The Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) said , Friday, that subscribers should expect to pay more for telecommunications services.

ALTON Chairman, Mr Gbenga Adebayo, was reacting to the fuel subsidy removal.

Adebayo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the situation would remain like that as long as fuel subsidy removal remained.

He said as in the other sectors of the economy, the telecoms industry would be seriously affected by the subsidy removal.

“Reason being that even though the core of our power is generated by the use of diesel, all other support services are dependent on the PMS.

“Therefore, with the increase in the cost of PMS, it is foreseen that it will also affect the cost of doing business, meaning that it will affect the cost of network operations as well.’’

He said telecoms users should not expect any reduction in tariff, but an increased tariff especially in some states where service providers encounter problems in the course of their businesses.

According to him, some operators cannot maintain their networks in some states in the South-East because of issues of multiple taxes imposed by the government and its agencies.

He warned that discriminatory tariff might be introduced in such states.

“If this problem by government agencies should continue, we may start introducing some kind of discriminatory tariff to cushion the effect of those states where operators are made to pay a lot more in local taxes and levies for service provision’’.

Adebayo explained that if that was allowed to happen, making calls from some states might be cheaper but expensive in others depending on operation cost.

He said where the cost of service provision went beyond normal, the load would have to be passed to the end users.

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Anxiety as Reps hold emergency session

Mother of all fears has reportedly gripped both the presidency and the leadership of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, over the decision of the leadership of the House of Representatives to convene an emergency session over the sudden removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government.

Sunday Tribune  reliably gathered in Abuja on Saturday that the news of the emergency session by the House of Representatives shocked the presidency and the ruling party when it was confirmed at a world press conference addressed by the leadership on Friday after the Jumat Service.

This development, according to our source , if not nipped in the bud, would  further fuel the growing mass protest against the increment across the states of the federation and  the FCT as well as heightening the tension already created in the country by the defiant Islamic group, Boko Haram.

It was learnt that series of meetings had been going on in the presidency in the last 24 hours which centered on how to prevail on the leadership of the House to shelve the emergency session.

Findings revealed that the presidency had contacted some notable traditional and religious leaders, state governors , ministers, political leaders, as well as former presidents and heads of states on the need to wade in and  prevail on the lawmakers to put off the emergency session .

It was however gathered that all efforts had failed as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon.  Aminu Tanbuwal was said to have stood his ground that the session would hold, telling the government emissaries that the House “cannot be blind to issues in the country that require urgent attention.”

It was however gathered that the House derived the power to sit on Sunday from Order 5, Rule 18, sub-section 2 of the House Standing Rules and that most members who are Christians and Muslims agreed to the Sunday session after due consultations with them along with other principal officers of the House.

This is coming just as it was learnt yesterday that all the principal officers of the House had gone underground, making it impossible to have  access to them by  the federal government emissaries.

Sunday Tribune however learnt that the Federal government , sensing trouble, had reportedly  placed all its security agencies on red alert nationwide for easy mobilisation to any black spot in any part of the country, while heavy armed anti- riot policemen with armoured personnel carriers were stationed at the main entrance leading to the National Assembly as well as all the roads leading to the presidential villa, Aso Rock , Eagle Square  and the Federal Secretariat , Abuja.

Though the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prof. Rufia Ahmed Alkali could not be reached for comments as his telephone was put off when contacted, another national officer of the party who spoke under anonymity described the development in the country, especially the decision of the House of Representatives to convene an emergency sitting today, as “a threat to democratic  rule in the country.”

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Boko Haram: Bayelsa allays fears of Northerners in the state over reprisal attack

AS members of the dreaded Boko Haram step up their attacks on Christians and Southerners in the North, Bayelsa State government, on Friday allayed fears of the Hausa resident in the state over likely reprisal attack on them.

The state government assured all northerners, most specially the Muslim community and other non-indigenes not to panic or entertain fear of being attacked over the escalation of violence by Boko Haram terrorists in the North.

In a press statement, signed by the Bayelsa State Commissioner of Information, Communication and Strategy, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, a copy of which was made available to Sunday Tribune, the incumbent administration assured Northerners, residing in the state capital and other parts of the Bayelsa to go about their normal business without fear of attack, intimidation and molestation.

According to the statement, “The Boko Haram threat to Christians in the North and indeed the general security issues in some parts of the country are challenges in a developing society like ours and will definitely be subdued with time”

“The state government wishes to reassure our northern brothers and sisters that their safety is guaranteed under the law and there is no need whatsoever to panic”, the statement added.

It further reads in part, “Bayelsans respect the secularity enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which explains why there has not been and there will not be any crisis arising from differences in religion or worship”.

It emphasized that the people of Bayelsa were conscious of the fact that in the chequered history of the nation, President Goodluck Jonathan, from the South-South is piloting ship of Nigeria and would therefore not engage in any act that could disrupt the peace in the state, even in the face of Boko Haram threat.

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Subsidy protest: Jonathan cuts salaries of govt officials by 25 per cent

In a move to avert the impending Labour protests across the country on Monday, President Goodluck Jonathan, Saturday night, in a national broadcast. announced new policy measures to ameliorate the hardship on Nigerians occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy.

President Jonathan said that some of the measures include; the cutting of salaries of all political office holders by 25 percent; the directive that all ministries, departments and agencies(MDAs)  to reduce their overheads; and reduction of all overseas travels by government officials to the bearest minimum in 2012.

The President also promised to sanitise the oil industries, just as he promised to launch by tomorow a robust mass transit programme, in partnership with states, LGs, transport owners and banking institutions with zero percent interest rate.

“To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices.  On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

” For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.”

”

To save Nigeria, we must all be prepared to make sacrifices.  On the part of Government, we are taking several measures aimed at cutting the size and cost of governance, including on-going and continuous effort to reduce the size of our recurrent expenditure and increase capital spending. In this regard, I have directed that overseas travels by all political office holders, including the President, should be reduced to the barest minimum. The size of delegations on foreign trips will also be drastically reduced; only trips that are absolutely necessary will be approved.

13.               For the year 2012, the basic salaries of all political office holders in the Executive arm of government will be reduced by 25%. Government is also currently reviewing the number of committees, commissions and parastatals with overlapping responsibilities. The Report on this will be submitted shortly and the recommendations will be promptly implemented. In the meantime, all Ministries, Departments and Agencies must reduce their overhead expenses.

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Nigerians flee Boko Haram sectarian attacks

KANO: Hundreds of people fled their homes on Saturday in northeast Nigeria after deadly all-night gun battles between Boko Haram and security forces, police and residents said.

The latest clashes with the Boko Haram came amid growing fears of wider religious violence in Africa’s most populous nation, roughly divided between a mainly Muslim north and predominantly Christian south. The previous night, 10 people were gunned down in a church, the latest such attack in an escalating wave of violence since Christmas Day bombings of churches and other targets killed scores of people.

Police said after the overnight fighting in the northeastern town of Potiskum, where the Boko Haram attacked a police headquarters and robbed and burnt two banks, that they had not yet determined the death toll. “Our men engaged Boko Haram gunmen in shootouts for most of the night, which led to some deaths and injuries,” Yobe state police commissioner Lawan Tanko told. “It is too early to give figures because we are still investigating the incident.” Dozens of soldiers were deployed on Saturday and took up positions around the police headquarters, firing sporadically. The town is part of a region placed under emergency rule by President Goodluck Jonathan a week earlier.

Dozens of Boko Haram men stormed Potiskum and launched gun and bomb attacks on the police headquarters. They also threw a bomb into a nearby police barracks but no-one was hurt, said residents. People in nearby neighbourhoods fled their homes in fear of military raids in the aftermath of the attack, they said. “Virtually all the residents have fled their homes for fear of attack by soldiers who came to the town this morning,” said Idris Bakanike, a resident of the Dogo Tebo area near the police headquarters. “We are afraid the soldiers will raid and burn our homes like they do in Maiduguri each time Boko Haram attack,” said local resident Amiru Umar.

Soldiers in the northeastern city of Maiduguri have been accused of burning homes and shooting residents after attacks, accusing residents of complicity with them. Nigeria has been convulsed by a recent spate of attacks. A Christian rights activist and a hospital source said 10 men were gunned down inside a church on Friday evening in downtown Yola city, the capital of Adamawa state in northeastern Nigeria. Earlier Friday over a dozen other Christians were shot dead in Mubi town in the same state. It was the deadliest attack in the region in the wake of an ultimatum last Sunday for Christians to leave the north.

Five gunmen opened fire on Christian Igbos at a house in Mubi in a daytime attack as they mourned the death of a friend shot the night before. Residents and a relief official reported up to 17 dead, while police said 12 were killed, with between two and five people killed the previous night in the same town. On Thursday evening, gunmen stormed a church in the northeastern city of Gombe and opened fire as worshippers had their eyes closed in prayer, killing six people, including the pastor’s wife.

A purported spokesman for the group, Abul Qaqa, last Sunday issued a three-day ultimatum for Christians to leave the north. He also said a state of emergency declared in hard hit areas last weekend by President Goodluck Jonathan would not stop the sect. “We are extending our frontiers to other places to show that the declaration of a state of emergency by the Nigerian government will not deter us... We can really go to wherever we want to go.” afp


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Adamawa imposes curfew after Boko Haram killings

The Adamawa Government has declared a dusk to dawn curfew in major towns across the state, following Friday incident in which unidentified gunmen killed 12 people in a church in Yola.

The Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Abdurrahman Jimeta, who disclosed this on Saturday, said that the curfew affected major towns like Mubi, Numan, Michika and Gombi.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that unidentified gunmen in two separate attacks killed 14 people between Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.

Jimeta urged the people of Adamawa to remain calm and be law abiding, noting that government had taken necessary steps to contain the situation.

Also speaking on the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the command, Mr Altine Daniel, an Assistant Superintendent of Police confirmed that 12 people were killed in the church attack while four other victims injured were receiving treatment.

Altine also confirmed that 14 people died in the two separate attacks that took place in Mubi on Thursday and Friday.

She said that the police had not ascertained the perpetrators of the act but had drafted men to strategic places for stop and search exercise.

Altine appealed to the public to assist the police and other security agencies with necessary information that could led to the arrest of the perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Gov. Muritala Nyako, has announced a N25 million reward for any person that could give information to the arrest of the culprits. (NAN)

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Over 50 Injured As Angry Youths Attack Muslims in Sapele

 ENRAGED youths, numbering over 2,000, armed with battleaxes, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons went on rampage, Friday, sacking and inflicting injuries on over 50 Muslims at the Hausa quarters, Sapele in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.


A northern security guard was shot dead in a separate incident by a gang of armed robbers that attacked a school in Sapele on Thursday.


Vanguard gathered that the youths were incensed by the uninhibited attacks on churches and killing of Christians in the northern part of the country by the Islamic Boko Haram sect.


Two of the persons suspected to have carried out the onslaught were, however, arrested by the police in Sapele.


There was pandemonium following the attack on Muslims, who were ordered to vacate the town in their own interest since Boko Haram members had also issued ultimatum to Christians to leave the north.


Secretary of a Muslim Media group in Sapele, Sadiq Oniyesaneyene Musa who spoke to Vanguard on the attacks by Sapele youths said, "We are disturbed by this attack on Muslims in Sapele and the order that all Muslims in Sapele should return to the north. I am a Muslim and an Itsekiri from Delta state, where do they want me to go to, this is my homeland".


Musa said the youths besieged Muslims in the town very close to the mosque that was bombed, last year, and injured a lot of faithful.


"We called the director of the State Security Service, SSS, Asaba and the Area Commander and they responded. The Joint Task Force, JTF, on the Niger-Delta also deployed soldiers to take care of the situation", he said.



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Govt’s move against Labour backfires

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday condemned the invasion of its Secretariat, Labour House, Abuja by youths right under the noses of the police. 


According to the Acting General Secretary of the Congress, Comrade Owei Lakemfa, “the youths numbering about 70, who were hired by government agents, later apologised for their action, claiming that they were not told they were being brought to the NLC. 


“They revealed that they were promised N1,000 each to carry out the invasion. Subsequently, they forced the agents that brought them to pay the N1,000 fee right in the presence of the cameras.”
NLC further noted that the aim of the invasion was to cause a fracas and claim that workers are divided over the issue of fuel price increase. 


The statement reads in part: “It is instructive that while the invasion was on, the FCT Police Command ignored calls by NLC officials to come and escort the thugs out of the Labour premises.  Also, the heavily armed security men who had cordoned off part of the NTA Link Road where Labour House is situated, did nothing to stop the invaders. 


“The NLC views this incident as another desperate attempt by the increasingly isolated and unpopular Jonathan administration to stop the mass movement against its insensitive and ridiculous fuel price increases of between 120-220 per cent.


 “As part of its desperate moves to abort the people’s mass protests and intimidate Nigerians, the Presidency this morning turned out heavily armed units of the Presidential guards.  The troops blocked roads, cordoned off parts of the city, harrassed and frisked passersby.
“We condemn this “show of force” designed to intimidate peace-loving Nigerians.  The NLC also condemns this misuse of the army and warn that the police and armed forces are citizens like the rest of us who are equally affected by the negative impacts of the fuel price hike, and should therefore not be taken for granted.


“The Labour Movement specifically asks Abuja residents to  hold demonstrations in  various parts of the city and its surburbs, and march to the city centre  by 8 am from Monday 9th January, 2012.


 “Fraudulent text messages were sent around this morning, claiming that government had reverted PMS (petrol) price to N65 and that on the strength of this, Labour had called off the general strike, rallies and mass protests which commence on Monday 9th January, 2012.  Another text message claims that the strike and commencement dates have been shifted.  There is no truth in these claims. 


“The NLC informs Nigerians that on this issue of strikes and protests, only statements or messages from the Labour Movement should be taken as authentic.
“We reiterate that the right of Nigerians to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental one which no government can abridge.  The NLC will work with the patriotic Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to bring those who brutalise Nigerians and their bosses who issue the orders  to justice.”


The Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, could not be immediately reached for comments.
The Assistant Director of Press in the ministry, Mr. Solomon Olowookere, who spoke to our reporter, said the ministry knew nothing about it.
‘’I know nothing about it. As you are speaking to me, I’m not even in Abuja,’’ he said on the telephone.


In a related development, the National Industrial Court (NIC) yesterday restrained the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) from embarking on the indefinite strike planned for Monday.
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Muhammad Bello Adoke (SAN), had gone behind the labour unions to get the court injunction.
The three-member panel of Justices, chaired by the President of the NIC, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, granted the exparte application filed by the minister and moved by Matthew Echo. 
The motion was brought pursuant to Order 11 Rules 1& 2 of the National Industrial Court Rules 2007, Section 19 of the National Industrial Court Act 2006, Section 254C (1c) of the 1999 Constitution and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.
The order was granted after the Minister undertook to indemnify NLC and TUC in the event that the motion exparte is later ascertained by the Court as one which ought not to have been granted.
Other members of the panel are Justices Benedict Kanyip and Maureen Esowe.
Ruling on the application, the panel said it was mindful of the decision of the Court of Appeal in Oshiomhole V. Federal Government delivered in 2007, which stated conditions under which industrial strike could be stopped.
Taking a cue from the above decision, the panel granted reliefs 1, 4 and 5 as follows:
*An order restraining the Defendants from embarking or compelling other persons to embark on a strike action or general strikes, mass rallies and street protests across Nigeria pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
*An order restraining the Defendants from embarking and/or inciting the general public to embark on and/or incite the Nigerian citizenry and the general public to embark on general strike, street protests, mass rallies or any other action that would be inimical to the economic affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
•An order granting leave to the Claimant/Applicant to serve the NLC and TUC with the originating processes in this matter vide substituted means to-wit by publication in national dailies……
Justice Adejumo, however, struck out two reliefs sought by the AGF.
They are: "An order restraining the Defendants from interfering with the exercise of the constitutional powers of the executive arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the allocation and use of the scarce resources of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including but not limited to the transfer of resources previously allocated to the subsidy of premium motor spirit (PMS), among others, for the medium and long term socio-economic benefit of present and future generations of Nigerians.
"An order restraining the Defendants from interfering in any way with the executive implementation (in ways and means) of the 2012 Appropriation Act and other connected duties of the Executive Arm of the Federal Government of Nigeria in the management of the economic affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.’’
Justice Asejumo said the court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the issues raised by the claimant/applicant.
The case was adjourned till January 12 for hearing of the motion on notice. 
In a 30-paragraph affidavit of urgency deposed to by Mr. Yusuf Mok, an assistant director, Civil Litigation in the Ministry of Justice, the AGF averred : *That the Defendants' call for general strike was made without any formal declaration of a dispute right relating to labour relations or employee rights.
•That prior to the Defendants' call for strike action or general strike, mass rallies and street protests across Nigeria, there was no reference of any dispite by the Defendants to Arbitration.
*That the Defendants Joint Communique dated 4th January, 2012, calling for indefinite general strike, mass rallies and street protests be held across the country with effect from Monday 9th January, 2012 was made to the general Nigerian public over and beyond their respective members.


•That the Defendants, by their Joint Communique dated 4th January, 2012 threatened that from Monday, 9 January 2012, all offices, oil production centres, air and sea ports, fuel stations, markets, banks, amongst others will be shut down.
*That the removal of subsidy is not a dispute of right of the defendants or their members adding that the defendants did not also raise any dispute arising from a collective and fundamental breach of contract employment on their part, among others.’’
Reacting to the restraining order of court yesterday, the NLC asked members of the public to ignore what it called a black market injunction.
The congress said in a statement signed by its Acting General Secretary, Owei Lakemfa: ‘’There are rumours circulating that the desperate Jonathan administration has purchased a black market injunction possibly from the National Industrial Court (NIC). The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is not aware of any such injunction. We were not served any paper of court appearance. We were not present in court nor were we represented in any capacity. Also, the NLC was not served any court summons nor were we served any court order. 
‘’The cretins in the Jonathan administration imagine that by seeking to drag the judiciary in the mud, they can avert the general strike, rallies and mass protests that will begin on Monday 9th January, 2012. They cannot make the simple analysis that the whole populace is angry and that Nigerians do not need any group to ask them to protest an evil policy that seeks to impoverish them. 
‘’The NLC asks Nigerians to ignore this childish ploy and rumour. There is no going back on next week’s protests and shutdown. 
‘’The issue of the strikes and protests against an obnoxious policy is not an industrial relations one; it is not between an employer and an employee. Rather, it is one between the Nigerian people versus the Jonathan government. 
‘’So, if the issue was taken before the National Industrial Court, then it is the wrong place to shop for a black market injunction. To obtain an injunction from a court that has no competent jurisdiction is to try playing ping pong with the judiciary. 
‘’Labour reiterates that the constitutional and fundamental right of Nigerians to protest cannot be annulled. 
‘’The NLC asks Nigerians to ignore such rumours. The strikes, mass rallies and protests will go on as scheduled. The NLC advises the Jonathan administration to listen to the people or face their justifiable wrath.’’ 

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Nigeria court orders halt to planned strike

Abuja - An industrial court in Nigeria ordered unions to stop a planned nationwide strike over spiralling gasoline prices, giving authorities legal power to break up any work stoppages by labour groups.

The order by the National Industrial Court came on Friday as protests continued in other Nigerian cities over the removal of government-sponsored fuel subsidies. The nation's House of Representatives said it would meet on Sunday to address the concerns of the people, but Nigeria's president appears unwilling to pull back from eliminating the subsidy.

Gas prices have risen from $1.70 per gallon (45 cents per litre) to at least $3.50 per gallon (94 cents per litre) since the subsidy ended Sunday. That's caused prices to inflate for food and transportation across Nigeria, a nation of more than 160 million people where most live on less than $2 a day.

The court order by Justice Babatunde Adejuwon came after a filing by the federal government to stop the Nigeria Labor Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria from holding a planned strike on Monday. Only government lawyers attended the hastily called court hearing in Nigeria's capital Abuja.

"Economic activities within the country will be adversely affected, as will the health and safety of the citizenry, if the impending strike is allowed to hold," Adejuwon wrote in his order.

The Nigeria Labour Congress issued a statement after the ruling dismissing the order. "There is no going back on next week's protests and shutdown," it said.

Peter Esele, the president of the Trade Union Congress, said on Friday night he hasn't seen the court's ruling. "We will respond after we study what's happening," Esele said.

The order does not specify any punitive actions or fines the groups could face if they hold a strike Monday. It does allow authorities to interfere with any strike action — though others can still protest.

Acts of violence 

Meanwhile, Nigeria's federal police promised on Friday to protect peaceful protesters ahead of the planned strike, but security forces blocked others from demonstrating near the oil-rich country's seat of power.

Inspector General Hafiz Ringim said he met with other leaders of Nigeria's security agencies over the protests that began after the government ended the subsidy on Sunday. While promising to protect the peaceful, Ringim gave a strong warning that security agencies would use force if necessary.

"I want to urge the organisers and participating groups in the strike to be conscious, take charge of their members and refrain [from] any acts of violence or any conduct likely to cause breach of the peace as government will deal decisively with acts of" violence, he said.

However, Ringim's promise to allow peaceful demonstration clashed with what occurred only a short distance away from police headquarters in Abuja. A heavy presence of police, soldiers and other security agents — some carrying gas masks — blocked protesters from demonstrating in the national parade ground near federal offices.

An Associated Press reporter saw about 100 protesters at one point.

"The president of Nigeria is asking us to make sacrifices, but our question is: 'What sacrifices has he shown he's ready to make?'" asked protester Henry Okelue.

Few have seen any benefit from the country's vast oil wealth over decades of production that have seen Nigeria become a top crude oil supplier to the US While the government has promised to invest part of an estimated $8bn in savings from the elimination of the subsidy back into needed projects, many remain convinced kleptocrat leaders will embezzle the money.

No meaningful infrastructure 

Nigeria, an OPEC member nation, produces about 2.4 million barrels of crude oil a day. However, virtually all of its petroleum products are imported after years of graft and mismanagement at its refineries.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan again defended eliminating the subsidy, saying the majority of Nigeria's capital budget last year came from borrowed money.

"No meaningful infrastructural development is possible in such an environment," Jonathan said, according to a statement from the presidency.

Whether the strike goes forward or a settlement will be reached remains unknown, though the public largely remains angry about the subsidies being suddenly removed. Hackers upset with the government targeted the website of the country's Ministry of Transportation on Friday, replacing its home page with a defiant message that said officials "sabotaged this country into a monolithic tyranny."

"Nigerians are stirring and with it, revolution is brewing," the message read.

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PDP Worries Over Gov Poll In Adamawa, Bayelsa, Others

As violent reactions have continued to trail the removal of fuel subsidy in some parts of the country, palpable tension and  anxiety have gripped the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over possible backlash as it prepares for elections in five states.

The party, according to a source, who is a member of PDP’s National Caucus, is “in shock and disbelief” over the timing of the action of the Federal Government on New Year day.

But the National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke told Saturday Tribune that there were no reasons for the party to entertain any fears about the elections, saying, the effects of the government’s action, “whether positive or otherwise, are to be borne by all Nigerians, irrespective of political affiliations, religion and ethnic placement”.

The source told our correspondent that the party was taken aback by the sudden action of the government, claiming that not even the Acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, knew about the New Year day shocker.

“The issues were actually well discussed at the party level; we were convinced of the government’s intentions for the economy, but our problem now is that no one, not even the acting national chairman of the party was in the know of this sudden action.

“In the first place, the wrong time of the festive period cannot be wished away; how do you expect someone who had gone home, for instance for celebration, with the aim of returning to his base with the little he has as transport fare to react to this ugly development?

“Secondly, as a party, we are going into some very crucial elections in about four or five states. With the reactions still on, how do we face the people to sell our party because the whole thing will be pushed back to the PDP at the polls; in some states? Elections are holding as early as January and February this year, in states like Adamawa and Bayelsa for instance. For an enlightened electorate, this is enough to vote out a party from office. To be candid with you, we are in deep shock and disbelief,” he said.

Meanwhile, there are indications that the Bayelsa State governor, Chief Timipre Sylva, may unveil his new political platform on which to contest the February 12 governorship election in the state.

A source close to the governor told our correspondent that already, Sylva was on the verge of completing his nomination form.

He however, declined to disclose the political party the embattled governor had found as an alternative after he was disqualified from contesting the governorship primaries of PDP.

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