By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s planned trip to Makkah, Saudi Arabia, is for the Islamic lesser pilgrimage, known as Umrah, and prayers for Nigeria, according to presidential aide Oluwasegun Dada.

Dada, the Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, made the clarification on Thursday while responding to comments by human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who questioned the purpose of the President’s planned foreign trip.

Sowore had urged Nigerians to pray for Tinubu, drawing comparisons with the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, who travelled abroad for medical treatment before visiting Saudi Arabia.

However, Dada dismissed suggestions that Tinubu’s trip was for medical reasons, insisting that the President was travelling to perform Umrah and seek divine guidance for Nigeria and his political journey ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The presidential aide recalled that Tinubu visited Makkah twice in 2022 to perform the lesser pilgrimage, first in April ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and again in December before the 2023 general election.

According to Dada, the President believes his prayers during the two visits were answered, describing the planned return to the holy city as a continuation of his religious practice before major political milestones.

He added that seeking divine intervention before embarking on important undertakings was a common religious practice among Muslims.

To support his position, Dada cited Tinubu’s recent official engagements, including his appearance at a campaign event in Kaduna, meetings with former African Development Bank President Akinwumi Adesina and Nigerian Tourism Development Authority Director-General Ola Awakan, as well as his chairmanship of the Federal Executive Council meeting.

The aide argued that these engagements demonstrated that the President had continued carrying out official responsibilities.

Meanwhile, the Presidency had earlier announced that Tinubu would travel to Makkah on Thursday, October 29, to perform Umrah and pray for Nigeria’s peace, unity, stability and continued progress.

According to the official announcement, the President is expected to return to Nigeria next week after completing the spiritual exercise.

By staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has vowed to prosecute and jail individuals found guilty of electoral fraud if elected president in the 2027 general election.

Obi made the declaration on Wednesday during an NDC town hall meeting in Akwanga Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, where he addressed party supporters on electoral integrity and the need to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions.

The former Anambra State governor warned that individuals who attempt to manipulate election results would face legal consequences, regardless of their positions or political affiliations.

Speaking on how his party would respond to electoral malpractice, Obi said his administration would take decisive steps to prevent election rigging and ensure that offenders were held accountable.

He stated that strengthening political parties and reforming the electoral process would be central to his proposed measures to protect the credibility of future elections.

Obi also warned officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other individuals involved in election administration against participating in electoral fraud, insisting that anyone found guilty would face prosecution.

Beyond electoral offences, the NDC candidate called for stricter eligibility requirements for individuals seeking elective positions, proposing that aspirants should demonstrate that they attended primary and secondary school.

He further warned that anyone who forged academic certificates or falsely claimed educational qualifications would face imprisonment.

According to Obi, his proposed administration would uphold the rule of law and ensure that public officials and ordinary citizens were treated equally before the law.

He maintained that Nigeria needed an electoral system in which votes counted, political institutions functioned effectively, and electoral laws were enforced without discrimination.

Obi said his ambition was driven by the desire to transform the country and establish a system where democratic principles and accountability were respected.

His comments come as political parties and prospective candidates intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with electoral transparency and the credibility of the voting process expected to remain major campaign

By Staff Reporter Rukevwe Odeh

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed ₦70,000 monthly wage award for workers, demanding an immediate salary increase and the full implementation of outstanding agreements with health sector unions.

The congress urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to introduce a permanent salary adjustment rather than rely on temporary financial interventions, which it described as inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers.

The Federal Government had approved a ₦70,000 transportation allowance for workers across all levels for six months, beginning in November 2026, following a conciliation meeting with the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

However, the TUC maintained that workers required sustainable improvements in their earnings to cope with rising costs of food, transportation, healthcare and other essential services.

TUC Proposes ₦300,000 Minimum Salary

The labour congress argued that the Federal Government could increase the salary of the lowest-paid worker from the current ₦70,000 minimum wage to ₦300,000 monthly without waiting for negotiations on a new national minimum wage.

According to the TUC, there is no legal provision establishing a maximum salary that employers can pay workers.

The congress also pointed out that some state governments had introduced minimum wages exceeding ₦100,000, arguing that the Federal Government could adopt a more substantial salary increase and make corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.

It insisted that ongoing negotiations over the national minimum wage should not prevent the government from taking immediate action to improve workers’ earnings.

TUC Questions Previous Wage Award Implementation

The congress explained that its rejection of the proposed intervention was partly informed by the incomplete implementation of the previous wage award introduced in October 2023.

According to the TUC, some workers were still owed one or two months of payments, while others reportedly received nothing.

It further alleged that payments to some beneficiaries were irregular, with workers sometimes waiting one or two months between payments despite repeated demands.

The union also claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector did not benefit from any form of wage award.

The TUC argued that introducing another temporary payment without addressing the shortcomings of previous arrangements could undermine workers’ confidence in government commitments.

Beyond salary increases, the congress called for the immediate implementation of the outstanding agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), particularly the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

The TUC said the agreement was reached following negotiations aimed at resolving the prolonged industrial dispute involving health workers.

According to the congress, JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was reached, but the Federal Government had yet to fulfil its commitment regarding the CONHESS adjustment.

The union said seven months had passed since the agreement was reached, describing the delay as unacceptable and warning that failure to honour agreements could weaken trust between the government and organised labour.

It called on the government to implement the agreed adjustment without further delay, provide the necessary budgetary provisions and publish a clear timetable for resolving all outstanding issues.

The congress also urged federal, state and local governments to introduce practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It called for the timely payment of salaries and pensions, protection of existing jobs, an end to exploitative labour practices and renewed efforts to strengthen productive sectors of the economy.

The TUC stressed that economic hardship affected not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and those operating in the informal economy.

The congress maintained that government interventions must be inclusive, adequately funded and supported by clear implementation plans.

It said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action.

The TUC reiterated that workers were demanding improved living conditions, fair remuneration and respect for agreements, insisting that temporary relief measures should not replace lasting improvements in workers’ welfare.