Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has declared that all Southeast governors, regardless of party affiliation, are united in backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office, citing his commitment to equity, national unity, and infrastructural development.

Speaking during a documentary interview to mark the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration, Umahi revealed that plans are in progress for a Southeast political summit where regional leaders would formally endorse the President’s re-election bid.

Umahi, a former governor of Ebonyi State, called on Southeast stakeholders, including former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, to join the movement.

“I call on my brother, His Excellency Peter Obi, to join us and work with Mr. President. He must be part of this summit where we will collectively endorse President Tinubu for the 2027 election. I say it boldly, the Southeast is happy with the President,” he stated.

In the 2023 election, Obi dominated the Southeast, securing over 90 percent of the vote in the region, while President Tinubu received less than five percent.

The APC currently controls only two of the five Southeast states, Imo and Ebonyi, led by Governors Hope Uzodimma and Francis Nwifuru, respectively.

The remaining states, Enugu, Abia, and Anambra, are governed by the PDP, LP, and APGA.

However, signs of growing alignment are emerging.

Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo publicly endorsed Tinubu during a recent presidential visit, while Enugu’s Peter Mbah is said to hold a favorable view of the President.

Tinubu is scheduled to visit Abia State’s capital, Umuahia, this Friday.

Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno also expressed strong support for the President after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima.

“The President’s performance had made it imperative for him to get the support of all,” Eno said at the State House.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Umahi praised the President’s impact on the region.

“The Southeast is currently experiencing an unprecedented level of federal engagement, especially in infrastructure delivery,” he noted.

Highlighting major projects, Umahi cited ongoing federal road works including the Port Harcourt–Enugu, Enugu–Abakaliki, Enugu–Onitsha, and Onitsha–Owerri highways, as well as the continued work on the Second Niger Bridge.

“For the first time, the Southeast has a Minister of Works. That’s not symbolic, it is strategic,” he said. “What we are seeing are real, measurable projects on the ground.”

He revealed that Tinubu has already paid 30 percent of the cost for the Second Niger Bridge, a move Umahi described as changing old narratives of marginalisation.

“When I was governor and even deputy governor in Ebonyi State, one of our greatest worries was the absence of federal presence,” he recalled.

“Today, under President Tinubu, we have at least four federal projects actively ongoing in the state.”

Umahi also underscored the administration’s inclusive approach.

“The Igbo man is naturally enterprising. What we want is fairness and equal opportunity and that is what Mr. President is delivering,” he said.

He added that the forthcoming summit would help cement unity among Southeast governors and promote national integration.

“All Southeast governors, irrespective of political affiliation, are united in support of President Tinubu. The forthcoming summit will make that support official,” Umahi said.

“Leadership is not about self, it’s about the people. If someone else is already doing what you would have done for your people, support them.”

On national infrastructure, Umahi highlighted progress on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that over 80 percent of Section 1, from Ahmadu Bello Way to Lekki Deep Sea Port and Eleko Junction, was nearly completed.

He said Section 2, from Eleko Junction to the Lagos-Ogun border, is also underway.

“This road is not just a road, it’s a corridor of growth. It has solar-powered lights, CCTV infrastructure, and even carbon credit potential. It is designed as a six-lane concrete-paved highway,” he explained, noting toll collection would begin in December.

Sections 3 and 3B of the highway, covering 65 kilometers in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, have also been inaugurated, with local communities showing strong support.

Recalling the origins of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Umahi said “This project is breathing life into an old vision that was left dormant for over 40 years. It is part of the President’s broader effort to unlock Nigeria’s economic and trade corridors.”

He added that other strategic routes, the Trans-Saharan Trade Route and the Ogun-Ondo-Niger Corridor, are vital to long-term economic integration.

“These are legacy projects,economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and future-driven. The President is turning visions into tangible infrastructure,” Umahi said.

He also credited President Tinubu with conceptualising the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway nearly seven years ago.

“Now, he is bringing that vision to life. It speaks volumes about his consistency, leadership, and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s growth,” he concluded.

The leadership crisis within the Labour Party (LP) deepened on Wednesday as Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, issued a fresh directive for union members to prepare to take over the party’s national and state secretariats across the country.

Ajaero made this declaration during an emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the Labour Party in Abuja.

Among those present were the LP National Caretaker Committee Chairman, Senator Nenadi Usman; Chief Peter Ameh, a representative of the 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi; former NLC President Abdulawaheed Omar; unionist Lawson Osagie; and the Acting President of the NLC Political Commission, Prof. Theophilus Ndubuaku.

This latest move comes nearly a month after Ajaero circulated an internal memo directing workers to be on standby, following a Supreme Court ruling that overturned a previous lower court decision.

Speaking to reporters, Ajaero criticised the LP leadership under Julius Abure, accusing them of arrogance and disregarding the rule of law.

“We are not quarrelling with anybody, and we should not allow it to be hijacked. You (The PUNCH) earlier asked if I still put the Nigerian workers on standby to take over LP offices. My answer is Yes. In fact, this is the time to move,” he said.

“I sent a letter after the Supreme Court judgment that every worker, every state council, should be on standby. In the next few days, everybody will move into action,” Ajaero added.

He also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government of seeking to destabilise the Labour Party.

“Nothing has changed. Whether military or civilian government, they are afraid of the word ‘Labour’ and they will fight tooth and nail to destabilise us, whether as the Labour Party or the Labour Congress,” Ajaero asserted.

“There is no worker or Labour leader who is not conscious of this. It is the potential we have that is attracting all these attacks,” he said.

Questioning the role of the judiciary, Ajaero continued: “Where on earth does a court rule when there is a consent judgment? It only happens in a banana republic.”

“It is not applicable anywhere. It is not the Supreme Court that registered the Party, and they are not the people who will organise it for us.”

“Tell them to remove their hands from the organisation of the Workers’ Party. It is a sin for you to destabilise it. It should be made clear that no amount of blackmail can stop us,” he warned.

Ajaero also claimed the NLC retains legal ownership of the Labour Party.

“The NLC is still in possession of the Labour Party certificate till tomorrow. This is the only party where the son of nobody can become somebody.”

“If you check the last 2023 election, you see that Okada riders won the election to go to the National Assembly. It has never happened before. You and I cannot buy a form of N10m or N100m.”

“Those of us in the movement cannot sit down here and allow people with greed to ask you to pay N20m to pick a nomination form. If we do that, we have lost our focus on having a workers’ party,” Ajaero said.

Reacting to the NLC leader’s comments, LP National Publicity Secretary Obiora Ifoh dismissed the takeover threat and the NEC meeting itself, calling it illegal.

“The threat is nothing new. We are used to their rascality. Ajaero is sounding like a broken record over his resolve to invade unannounced the national and state secretariats of the Labour Party, with his armies, to take over the party forcefully,” Ifoh said.

“Again, we must state clearly and categorically that if there is any person or organisation that has destabilised the Labour Party or who is working to destabilise the party, it is no other person than Joe Ajaero and the NLC,” he continued.

“Nigerians all over have asked Ajaero to concentrate on his primary assignment to fight for the welfare of workers.”

“We are calling on all genuine members of the Labour Party to distance themselves from the illegal activities of the Nenadi Usman group and ploy to manipulate members into parting with their hard-earned money through an illegal Congress they are planning,” Ifoh concluded.

A Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, has ordered that court documents be served on Professor Pat Utomi over his alleged involvement in the creation of a “shadow government” in Nigeria.

The order comes as the court prepares to hear a suit filed by the Department of State Services (DSS), which claims Utomi’s actions pose a serious threat to the country’s constitutional order.

In the ex parte motion presented by DSS counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, the court granted permission for the documents to be served on Utomi via courier at his Lagos address.

The case has been scheduled for hearing on June 25, by which time Utomi is expected to have responded.

The DSS argues that Utomi’s alleged attempt to establish a parallel governance structure is unlawful and could destabilize the nation.

In court filings dated May 13, the DSS stated that the proposed shadow government “constitutes a grave attack on the Constitution and a threat to the current democratically elected government.”

The agency contends that the formation of such a body could incite unrest and embolden separatist groups.

“If left unchecked, it might incite political unrest, cause inter-group tensions, and embolden other unlawful actors or separatist entities to replicate similar parallel arrangements, all of which pose a grave threat to national security,” the DSS warned.

According to the suit, the DSS wants the court to declare the alleged “shadow government” or “shadow cabinet” as unconstitutional and to issue an injunction permanently restraining Utomi, his agents, and associates from moving forward with the initiative.

The security agency specifically seeks a declaration that under Sections 1(1), 1(2), and 14(2)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), “the establishment or operation of any governmental authority or structure outside the provisions of the Constitution… is unconstitutional, null, and void.”

The DSS argues that “the purported ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ being planned by Utomi and his associates” amounts to “an attempt to create a parallel authority not recognized by the Constitution.”

Asserting its legal mandate, the DSS said in a supporting affidavit that it serves as Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence and security agency, responsible for detecting and preventing threats to the country’s internal stability, including subversive activities.

“The defendant (Utomi), through public statements, social media, and other platforms, has announced the formation of this body with the intent to challenge the legitimacy of the democratically elected government of Nigeria,” the DSS stated.

The agency further alleged, “The ‘shadow government’ or ‘shadow cabinet’ is an unregistered and unrecognised body claiming to operate as an alternative government, contrary to the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

According to the suit, the DSS has been monitoring Utomi’s activities through “intelligence reports and open source material, public statements and interviews,” in which he publicly referenced the formation of a parallel cabinet and its designated “ministers.”

“Based on the intelligence gathered by the plaintiff, the activities and statements made by the defendant and his associates are capable of misleading segments of the Nigerian public, weakening confidence in the legitimacy of the elected government, and fuelling public disaffection,” the agency stated.

“It is in the interest of justice, national security, and the rule of law for this honourable court to declare the existence and operations of the defendant unconstitutional and illegal,” the DSS concluded.

Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed, who previously served as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Vice Chairman for the Northwest, has been selected to head the secretariat of a newly formed political coalition positioned to counter President Bola Tinubu’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Sources close to the coalition confirmed the development to Vanguard, revealing that during a strategic meeting held on Tuesday night, members finalized key structural decisions, including the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the coalition’s official political platform.

“Yes, it’s true. Off the record, yes,” the source confirmed.

“The ADC has been adopted as the coalition’s platform, and the secretariat will be headed by Dr. Lukman Salihu Mohammed.”

Dr. Lukman’s leadership role marks a significant political shift, especially in the Northwest, where he is known to command considerable grassroots support and political leverage.

The move is viewed as a substantial setback for the APC, particularly in a region considered vital for national electoral outcomes.

Though the coalition has not yet released a public communiqué detailing its plans, sources indicate that it is built on a complex mix of interests and requires careful management of internal dynamics.

“You know, the coalition is like a polygamous family. You have to learn to manage the egos of politicians, as they tend to have very big egos,” the insider said.

Dr. Lukman’s alignment with the coalition, despite his former high-ranking role within the APC, points to deeper political realignments and efforts to consolidate opposition momentum in the North.

The source further emphasized the need for inclusivity within the group.

“Even if the first child of the first wife is 30 years older, all first children are treated as equals. It’s about treating everyone as co-equals,” the source noted, highlighting the coalition’s emphasis on unity and equal representation.

Although the coalition’s full agenda remains undisclosed, the strategic adoption of the ADC and the appointment of a prominent political figure like Dr. Lukman indicate an organized push to challenge the APC’s grip on power.

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai have reportedly come together to form a new political alliance.

The trio has unanimously agreed to adopt the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the official platform for their emerging opposition coalition.

The decision was reached during a strategic meeting held on Tuesday night, which extended into the early hours of Wednesday.

A source familiar with the closed-door meeting, who chose to remain anonymous, confirmed the formation of the coalition to DAILY GAZETTE.

“They have adopted the African Democratic Party as the coalition party, all of them (Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai) are working together,” the source revealed.

Providing more details about the meeting, the insider added, “they came to the conclusion at a meeting last night, which lasted up till the early hours of this morning. You know politicians meet when we are asleep.”

The meeting, attended by major stakeholders and leaders of the emerging coalition, also led to the formation of various committees tasked with fine-tuning the alliance’s framework.

“All the leaders and stakeholders of the coalition were there, they set up committees to dot the Is and cross the Ts while preparing the way for the eventual public unveiling of the coalition,” the source explained.

While the exact date for the official unveiling remains undecided, the insider assured that it is on the horizon.

“There is none for now, but it will be sooner than later, very soon,” the source said.

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to promptly implement the approved pension increments and release all outstanding palliatives allocated to pensioners.

This directive was made during plenary as lawmakers addressed the continued hardship faced by senior citizens across the country.

The appeal was directed to key federal institutions including the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Humanitarian Services, the Office of the Accountant-General, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD).

Presenting a motion of urgent national importance, Rep Ibrahim Ayokunle decried the dire living conditions of many pensioners, who he said are being forced to endure persistent suffering despite their years of service to the nation.

“Many pensioners across the country continue to suffer from inadequate income, inability to meet basic needs, and deteriorating health conditions due to these unresolved issues,” the motion read.

He recalled that in October 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had approved a N25,000 wage award as a palliative and an additional N32,000 increment for federal pensioners.

However, lawmakers expressed dismay that the implementation of these measures has largely stalled.

Ayokunle emphasized that the continued delay in executing these approved benefits undermines constitutional obligations related to citizens’ welfare and social justice.

“The non-implementation of approved pension increments and withholding of palliative measures undermine these constitutional principles and threaten social stability,” he stated.

The lawmaker also highlighted numerous unanswered petitions from pensioners and advocacy organizations, underscoring the urgency of government intervention.

“There is a need to uphold the dignity and welfare of our senior citizens,” he added.

Following deliberations, the House adopted a series of resolutions:

It requested the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Pension Commission to undertake a full audit of current pension payments.

It recommended establishing a dedicated task force to oversee the enforcement of pension-related policies and to handle grievances efficiently.

It urged state governments to follow the federal government’s lead in prioritizing pensioners’ welfare.

It encouraged collaboration between the Nigerian Pensioners’ Association and relevant government agencies to enhance oversight and advocacy efforts.

It also mandated its Committees on Finance, Pensions, Labour & Employment, Humanitarian Services, and Legislative Compliance to monitor and ensure the complete execution of these resolutions.

The Senate has moved forward with a legislative proposal aimed at formalizing the employment of domestic workers, apprentices, interns, and other informal sector employees in Nigeria.

The bill successfully passed second reading during plenary on Tuesday.

Sponsored by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), the bill, titled “A Bill for an Act to Regulate and Formalize the Employment of Domestic Workers, Apprenticeships, Interns and Other Informal Sector Employees and to Empower the National Directorate of Employment to Issue Licenses and Monitor Privately Owned Employment Agencies in Nigeria, and for Other Related Matters, 2025 (SB. 629),” seeks to introduce structured oversight in the informal employment landscape.

The legislation proposes empowering the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) to license and regulate privately run employment agencies.

These agencies would be required to register workers in a centralized database, ensure adherence to agreed terms and conditions, and guarantee social security coverage.

While leading the debate, Senator Musa emphasized the urgent need to address long-standing gaps in Nigeria’s informal labour market, which remains largely unregulated and often neglects workers’ welfare.

“The informal sector is often a residual labour market where income is not largely wage-dependent, working time is discretionary, and some jobs go unpaid,” Senator Musa said.

He stressed that the bill is aligned with global labour standards and seeks to improve working conditions across the informal sector.

“This bill is designed to correct the decent work deficit by promoting fair treatment, decent remuneration, and protection of workers’ rights in line with International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory.”

The bill also outlines clear criteria for employment agencies to qualify for licensing. These include full legal registration, transparent financial operations, and a clean compliance record.

Agencies must keep accurate records of staff and business operations, while designated NDE officers will be responsible for enforcement and compliance monitoring within their jurisdictions.

Senator Musa noted the bill’s potential to eliminate exploitative practices and provide a safety net for informal workers, who represent a significant portion of Nigeria’s workforce.

“This bill is a significant step toward formalizing the informal labour market and ensuring decent work conditions for millions of Nigerians. It also aims to improve data collection, workforce planning, and social security coverage for informal workers,” he added.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio subsequently referred the bill to the Senate Committee on Employment, Labour and Productivity for further legislative scrutiny. The committee is expected to return with its recommendations within six weeks.

If enacted, the bill is expected to introduce fairer employment practices, elevate job quality, and extend legal protections to workers across Nigeria’s vast informal sector.