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NASU, SSANU Halt Strike As NAAT Plans Continued Protests

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) comprising the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has announced the suspension of their indefinite strike, which was initiated over four months of withheld salaries.

This suspension will take effect on November 5, 2024, as detailed in a circular signed by NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU National President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim.

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On the contrary, the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) will proceed with its planned nationwide protests and picketing of the Federal Ministry of Finance if the government fails to fulfill its promise to pay approximately 50% of the five months of withheld salaries by the end of their two-week ultimatum, which started on October 30 and ends on November 13.

NAAT President Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma confirmed that members have received one month’s payment but are still awaiting the remaining funds.

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Ondo Gov’ship Will Signal Direction For 2027 – Makinde

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has asserted that the upcoming governorship election in Ondo State will serve as a key indicator of Nigeria’s political landscape heading into the 2027 elections.

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During the inauguration of the South-West PDP Zonal Office in Ibadan, which he constructed and donated in memory of the late Olusoji Adagunodo, former PDP National Vice Chairman (South-West), Makinde expressed that the 2027 general elections will represent a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian populace.

He stressed the necessity of unity within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), arguing that a cohesive approach would hinder the APC’s chances in the election.

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He predicted that Nigerians would voice their dissatisfaction with the ruling party in 2027, mirroring the sentiments expressed in Oyo and Osun states.

Makinde also addressed speculation regarding his own potential presidential candidacy, emphasizing that he would announce any such intentions personally rather than through intermediaries.

He encouraged PDP members to collaborate and consolidate their efforts, stating that the forthcoming general elections would be framed as APC versus Nigerians, rather than just APC versus PDP.

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“The people spoke in Oyo and Osun states. They will do the same across Nigeria. Don’t worry; don’t believe that outsiders have control over our party’s future. They may try, but they will only succeed if we allow it,” he said.

Makinde urged PDP members nationwide to unify, particularly in the lead-up to the Ondo election in two weeks, which he described as pivotal for the country’s future.

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Prominent figures at the event included Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, PDP Acting National Chairman Umar Damagum, and former governors Samuel Ortom and Okezie Ikpeazu.

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President Tinubu To Swear In New Ministers Monday

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is set to swear in newly nominated ministers at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

This announcement was made by Bayo Onauga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, via a post on his X account.

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On October 23, President Tinubu dismissed five ministers and appointed seven replacements.

The Senate confirmed these new ministers on October 30.

The confirmed appointees include Dr. Nentawe Yilwatda as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Muhammadu Maigari Dingyadi as Minister of Labour and Employment, and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Additionally, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole will serve as Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Idi Mukhtar Maiha has been appointed Minister of Livestock Development, Yusuf Abdullahi Ata will be Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, and Dr. Suwaiba Said Ahmad will serve as Minister of State for Education.

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Education Ministry Invalidates Odoh’s Appointment As UNIZIK VC As Federal University Gusau Disputes His Academic Credentials

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The Federal University Gusau in Zamfara State has denied any academic affiliation with Bernard Odoh, the newly appointed Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. This follows claims regarding Odoh’s professorship at Federal University Gusau in 2015.

In a letter dated October 28, 2024, in response to an inquiry from Kingsley Awuka Esq., the university stated, “Our records show that Dr. Ifeanyi Bernard Odoh never a staff nor a pioneer Head of the Department of Geology. Never shown up in the Department or though (sic) any course(s).”

This communication was issued by Mal. Shehu Suleiman, Senior Staff Officer for the Registrar.

The situation is further complicated by the Federal Ministry of Education’s recent declaration, which invalidated Odoh’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor, citing procedural violations.

In a letter from the ministry, dated November 1, it was noted, “It has come to the attention of the Ministry that your Council had gone ahead to appoint a Vice Chancellor for the University without the Representative of the Ministry, the internal council members and other Stakeholders.”

The ministry instructed the university to halt all appointments pending the new minister’s assumption of duty.

Odoh’s appointment occurred during an interview by the Governing Council led by Amb. Greg Mbadiwe on October 29, 2024.

However, reports says his candidacy has been supported by influential politicians within the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite questions regarding his qualifications.

Notably, a document indicated that Odoh, promoted to Associate Professor in 2022, has not held significant administrative roles such as Head of Department or Dean, nor has he supervised any PhD candidates.

According to sources at UNIZIK, candidates for the vice-chancellor role typically must have spent at least ten years as a full professor.

One source stated, “Sadly and typical with corrupt practices, there are said to be unholy plans to foist Dr. Ben Ifeanyi Odoh… who is presently not qualified to become a full professor as at the time.”

Additionally, it was argued that Odoh’s designation as a visiting professor at Federal University Gusau in 2014 does not meet the criteria for his current professorship status.

“Even the salary he collects is that of a reader, as at now,” noted a source, emphasizing the discrepancy between his listed title and actual qualifications.

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LP Crisis: Governor Otti Considering A Move To ZLP

Amidst ongoing unrest within the Labour Party (LP), speculation is rising about the political future of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti.

The LP has been facing significant internal strife and leadership disputes between the Julius Abure group and the Nenadi Usman group

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In a surprising turn of event during Saturday’s Local Government Election, the Labour Party, despite being the ruling party in Abia, failed to secure any chairmanship positions.

The results announced by Prof. George Chima, Chairman of the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), confirmed that the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) won 15 chairmanship seats, while the Young Progressives Party (YPP) claimed two.

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Chima praised the commission’s efforts, stating that the election process was “free, fair, and credible” and commended the swift organization of the elections, which typically takes much longer.

The ZLP’s victories spanned various Local Government Areas (LGAs) including Isiala Ngwa South, Umuahia North, Aba North, among others.

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Sources close to Governor Otti suggest he is contemplating a move to the ZLP, particularly as the LP continues to experience mounting instability.

Some believe that a switch to the ZLP might provide Otti with a more stable political environment, allowing him to pursue his developmental agenda for Abia State more effectively.

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While Otti has publicly expressed loyalty to the Labour Party, his recent interactions with ZLP officials have sparked rumors regarding a potential defection.

According to reports, discussions are ongoing, with Otti considering the advantages of aligning with a party that may offer better support for his initiatives moving forward.

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US Presidency: Kamala Harris Beats Donald Trump In Iowa State Poll

… Over 70 million Americans have voted

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A recent Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll indicates that Kamala Harris has taken the lead over Donald Trump in Iowa, a state he previously secured in the last two presidential elections.

Harris is now favored by 47% of likely voters, compared to Trump’s 44%.

This shift comes as a surprise, given Iowa’s recent trend towards the Republican Party, which has seen Trump achieve solid victories in both 2016 and 2020.

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Notably, the poll reveals that Harris has gained significant support from women, especially older and independent voters, which is driving her late surge.

Trump maintains strong backing from his traditional supporters, including men, evangelicals, rural voters, and individuals without college degrees.

However, Harris’s rise marks a significant turn for Democrats in a state that many had considered a guaranteed win for Trump.

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Pollster J. Ann Selzer noted, “It’s hard for anybody to say they saw this coming. She has clearly leaped into a leading position.”

This poll follows a September survey where Trump held a 4-point lead over Harris, and earlier in June, he had an 18-point advantage over Joe Biden.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is still on the Iowa ballot despite abandoning his independent campaign for Trump, garners 3% of the vote—down from 6% in September.

Support for Libertarian candidate, Chase Oliver stands below 1%, with a few voters undecided or withholding their choices.

The poll, conducted from October 28-31 with a sample of 808 likely voters, has a margin of error of ±3.4 percentage points.

Despite both candidates focusing their campaigns on key battleground states, they have not actively campaigned in Iowa since the primaries concluded.

Harris’s support from women is particularly strong, leading Trump by 20 points among female voters.

Independent voters are also shifting towards Harris, with independent women backing her by a 28-point margin.

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This demographic was crucial in the lead-up to the election, as independents had consistently supported Trump previously.

Senior voters are also showing support for Harris, especially among women aged 65 and older, who favor her by a significant margin of 63% to 28%.

Linda Marshall, a 79-year-old voter, articulated her reasons for supporting Harris, emphasizing issues related to reproductive rights and democracy.

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While Harris’s overall support among voters under 35 shows a slight lead, the poll suggests that older voters—who tend to vote more reliably—could play a crucial role in her potential success.

Conversely, Trump retains a higher enthusiasm rate among his supporters, with 76% expressing strong enthusiasm compared to 71% for Harris.

Nonetheless, both candidates have a large percentage of committed supporters, with 91% of likely voters reporting their decision is made.

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The issues motivating voters reveal stark differences: Trump’s supporters prioritize inflation and the economy, while Harris’s base is more focused on the future of democracy and reproductive rights.

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Bobrisky Released From EFCC Custody

Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, has been released from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) custody after denying claims in a viral audio recording that he paid a N15 million bribe to EFCC officials to have money laundering charges dropped.

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Bobrisky was detained late Thursday night at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport while preparing to board a KLM flight to Amsterdam, intending to continue to London.

Following his arrest, he took to social media to inform his followers that he had sustained injuries during the incident.

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After his detention, Bobrisky was moved to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for questioning regarding the bribery allegations.

The contentious audio, shared by social commentator Martins Otse, features Bobrisky allegedly stating that he bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to avoid legal action.

However, Bobrisky refuted the claims during a statement at the EFCC headquarters, challenging Otse to prove the authenticity of the recording.

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A source familiar with the situation revealed that Bobrisky firmly denied any financial transactions, asserting that no EFCC official had solicited a bribe from him.

“He denied everything regarding releasing money as a bribe to have the money laundering charges dropped. He insisted that nobody asked him for money at the EFCC, and he didn’t give anything to anyone,” the source stated.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale confirmed Bobrisky’s release but did not provide further comments on the ongoing case.

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2027 Election Will Be APC vs. Nigerians – Makinde Declares

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has declared that the upcoming 2027 general election will be a contest between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Nigerian people.

He made this statement during the commissioning of the Late Olusoji Adagunodo zonal secretariat of the PDP in Ibadan on Saturday.

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In attendance were the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; former Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia; as well as other party leaders from across the six geopolitical zones.

Makinde emphasized that the direction of his political future would be determined solely by himself.

He urged members of the PDP to collaborate and work together to restore the country’s leadership.

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“People have been complaining and speculating. Let me clarify: nobody will set an agenda for me apart from myself,” he stated.

He addressed the ruling party’s alleged attempts to prevent unity among opposition parties, asserting that cooperation between him and Governor Adeleke is independent of the ruling party’s influence.

“The next election will be APC versus Nigerians, not just APC versus PDP. We need to unite our party and let the people of Nigeria have their say,” Makinde continued.

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Osun State Governor Adeleke echoed these sentiments, urging party members to move past previous divisions for the greater good of the PDP.

“It’s better for us to resolve conflicts inside Government House than outside. We must focus on building strong administrative and operational structures,” he stated.

Acting National Chairman Damagum praised the late Adagunodo as a kind and humble figure whose contributions significantly benefited the party.

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He expressed optimism that through unity, the PDP can reclaim power in all South-West states and across the country.

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Ondo Guber: Labour Party Slams Channels TV For Limiting Debate To Two Parties

The Labour Party (LP) in Ondo State has expressed strong opposition to Channels Television’s decision to limit the upcoming governorship debate to candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The party described this move as misguided and unrepresentative of the political landscape in the state.

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In a statement issued on Saturday, Prince Olu Johnson Egbodofo, Director of Publicity for the Labour Party Campaign Organisation, condemned the organizers for designating the APC and PDP as the two leading candidates in the election.

He claimed the debate was designed “with a view to manipulate the choices of the people, ever used to determine participation.”

Egbodofo elaborated that the LP had previously alerted the organizers to this error, which they had promised to rectify, but no changes have been made.

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“The attention of the Labour Party and its candidates in the Ondo State Governorship Election scheduled for the 16th day of November 2024 has been drawn to an advert by Channels Television of its planned live debate on Sunday, 3rd November 2024, for candidates of the ruling APC and PDP, which Channels ill-advisedly described as ‘the two leading candidates in the election,’” he stated.

He noted that as a media-friendly organization, they reached out to Channels, particularly Seun Okinbaloye, the debate’s anchor, urging them to use their media platform responsibly and ensure a fair representation of all political parties and candidates.

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Egbodofo pointed out that Chief Olusola Nehemiah Ebiseni, the LP’s gubernatorial candidate, contacted several Channels officials on October 25. “Seun Okinbaloye expressed regrets for the exclusion of the Labour Party and promised to make amends throughout the week,” he said, explaining that due to these assurances, they had refrained from pursuing legal action against the compromised debate.

He emphasized that previous gubernatorial debates organized by Channels have included at least three candidates, asserting, “At no time was the subjective and unfair terms of ‘leading candidates’ used to determine participation.”

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Egbodofo further stated, “For the avoidance of any doubt, the Labour Party is the first political party since 1999 to have been voted two terms and administered Ondo State from 2009 to 2017, in which outstanding Government Chief Olusola Ebiseni and Adedayo Awude were its Governorship and Deputy Governorship candidates in this election.”

He added that the LP is the immediate predecessor of the current APC administration in Ondo State and is one of Nigeria’s largest political parties today, countering the narrative presented by Channels.

“We wish to let the world know that our party and candidates are available for this debate, even at this eleventh hour. We are still skeptical that Channels will lend itself to the deliberate rigging of the Ondo State Governorship Election by pre-judging the capacities of political parties and their candidates,” he concluded, urging Channels to uphold its reputation and reconsider the structure of the debate.

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There Will Be Dire Consequences For Withholding Rivers’ Allocations, Ijaw Congress Warns FG

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The Ijaw National Congress (INC) has issued a stern warning to the Federal Government regarding its decision to withhold statutory allocations to Rivers State, following a high court ruling.

The organization cautioned that failure to comply with the court’s decision could lead to serious repercussions.

Professor Benjamin Okaba, President of INC, made this statement during the 10th Anniversary of the Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) held in Warri, Delta State.

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He emphasized the provocative nature of the court’s ruling, which ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to halt federal allocations to local government areas in Rivers State.

Okaba advised President Bola Tinubu to handle the situation in Rivers State with care, as it is becoming increasingly contentious.

He warned, “If the alleged persistent and discriminative assault on Governor Siminalayi Fubara continues unchecked, they will surely get what they want from the Ijaw nation.”

He further stated, “Let me use this opportunity to advise the Federal Government, led by Bola Tinubu, to be very conscious of handling and managing the crisis in Rivers State. In light of the High Court judgement stopping or renting statutory allocations to Rivers State, INC considers that as very provocative to the Niger Delta and it is also unconstitutional.”

Emphasizing the potential consequences of ongoing discrimination and intimidation, Okaba asserted, “We want to make it clear also to the entire world that if the persistence of the discriminatory attack, insult, and intimidation of the governor continues unchecked, there might be dire consequences.”

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Recalling the words of former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, he said, “If you deny the Ijaw people, even if it is 50 percent of their God-given wealth, a day will come; a day will surely come when the Ijaws will revolt back.”

He urged the Federal Government to approach the Rivers crisis with caution.

He called for calm among the Ijaw community, reassuring them that the court’s judgment would not endure.

Okaba praised the IWC for its role in supporting the Ijaw struggle and encouraged its members to continue their efforts.

His Highness Godspower Tam Oporoma, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Ijaw National Affairs, dismissed claims that Ijaw women were barred from discussing socio-political issues.

He stated, “In Ijaw culture, there were no norms or taboos where no woman could talk or comment on issues affecting them,” urging IWC members to remain active in socio-political matters.

Dr. Vivian Dabota Ige Elenwo, President of Ijaw Women Connect (IWC) Worldwide, expressed gratitude for the organization’s achievements in empowering Ijaw women and emphasized the importance of participation in socio-political and economic issues.

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She praised the founder of IWC, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone, for her visionary leadership and commitment to the group’s mission.

“We want to appreciate the founder and pioneer president, Mrs. Rosemary Aken John-Oduone, for her unwavering dedication, leadership, and foresight to lay the foundation for the success of this organisation,” she said.

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