The All Progressives Congress (APC) has emerged victorious in all 17 Chairmanship seats in the recently concluded Local Government Area (LGA) elections in Yobe State.

The Yobe State Independent Electoral Commission (YOSIEC) announced the results in Damaturu, the state capital, describing the election process as smooth and hitch-free.

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Dr. Mammam Mohammed, Chairman of YOSIEC, provided a detailed breakdown of the election results as submitted by the returning officers from each LGA.

He noted that in 15 out of the 17 local governments, the APC candidates ran unopposed.

“This declaration of local government election results is being made before the members of the Commission, observers, and the press. You have witnessed the electoral officers submitting the reports of the election in the 17 LGAs. We identified the total number of registered voters, rejected votes, and the number of votes cast to determine the winners in each LGA,” Dr. Mohammed said.

The detailed results are as follows:

1. Gujba LGA
APC – 31,959

2. Gulani LGA
APC – 33,405

3. Damaturu LGA
APC – 33,191
PDP – 152
AA – 44
LP – 35

4. Tarmuwa LGA
APC – 21,828

5. Machina LGA
APC – 24,198
PDP – 173
AA – 48
NNPP – 97
LP – 59

6. Nangere LGA
APC – 41,812

7. Geidam LGA
APC – 17,799

8. Yunusari LGA
APC – 37,781
PDP – 189
NNPP – 65
AA – 40

9. Yusufari LGA
APC – 28,930
AA – 15

10. Potiskum LGA
APC – 75,185
PDP – 450
AA – 509

11. Fika LGA
APC – 61,295
PDP – 140
NNPP – 92

12. Fune LGA
APC – 97,243
NRM – 11

13. Bursari LGA
APC – 30,799
PDP – 254
NNPP – 113
LP – 51

14. Bade LGA
APC – 55,295
PDP – 182
NNPP – 180

15. Jakusko LGA
APC – 50,268

16. Karasuwa LGA
APC – 35,191
PDP – 112
NNPP – 94

17. Nguru LGA
APC – 55,224
PDP – 780

Dr. Mohammed highlighted that the results were based on the numerical strength of votes cast, confirming the APC’s sweeping victory across all LGAs.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has lauded South Africa’s recent presidential election, emphasizing its efficiency and transparency.

Obi drew sharp contrasts between South Africa’s smooth electoral process and the contentious 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.

In an interview with AIT, Obi praised South Africa’s electoral integrity.

“With about 60% voter turnout and over 90% of polling stations opening on time, including provisions for diaspora voting, South Africa’s election results and updates were available in real-time without any technical glitches,” he stated.

Obi highlighted that the seamless online dissemination of results underscored the robustness and transparency of their system.

Conversely, Obi criticized Nigeria’s 2023 election, which experienced less than 30% voter turnout and over 60% of polling stations starting late.

He pointed out the lack of diaspora voting provisions and noted the election was marred by allegations of fraud, widespread irregularities, and technical glitches.

This, despite the significant expenditure of around a billion dollars, including a direct allocation of N313 billion and additional donor agency support.

Obi lamented the stark differences between the electoral processes of the two countries.

He noted South Africa’s state-of-the-art electronic board at its Election Results Center, which showcased results with unparalleled precision and speed.

“Meanwhile, Nigeria’s electoral process is mired in controversy and lacks transparency,”

“This glaring juxtaposition is a painful reminder of our country’s ongoing struggles with democratic governance.”

Emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive electoral reforms in Nigeria, Obi called for a system that ensures free, fair, and credible elections.

“We must learn from South Africa’s example and strive to build a system that restores the people’s faith in our democracy. The time for action is now, and we cannot afford to delay any longer in addressing these critical issues. A new Nigeria is possible!”

The spiritual director of Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Rev. Fr. Dr. Ejike Mbaka has called for members of the National Assembly to receive the same N62,000 minimum wage proposed for other workers.

This statement comes in response to the Federal Government’s wage proposal following the strike declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.

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In an interview with AIT, Mbaka expressed his belief that governors, senators, and members of the House of Representatives should earn the same minimum wage as ordinary Nigerians.

He expressed concerns about the growing disparity in earnings between elected officials and the general populace.

“We are pushing poor Nigerians to the brink of rebellion. That is my fear,” Mbaka said.

“If the government proposes N62,000 as the minimum wage for workers, why not apply the same to members of the House of Assembly, senators, and governors? They are all civil servants, so why should there be such a vast difference in their earnings compared to others?”

Mbaka faulted the excessive allowances received by lawmakers, which include sitting allowances, wardrobe allowances, newspaper allowances, and vehicle allowances.

He argued that such benefits should be redirected to the poor masses in the villages, highlighting the struggles of teachers, nurses, and doctors who are inadequately compensated despite their crucial roles in society.

“Our civil servants wake up early and work tirelessly throughout the week, yet their pay does not reflect their efforts, especially considering the current level of inflation in the country,” Mbaka stated.

He emphasized the need for realistic and fair wages for all civil servants to address the economic challenges faced by the average Nigerian.

Mbaka’s comments have sparked a debate on wage equality and the need for reforms in the remuneration of public office holders to better reflect the economic realities of the country.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has firmly rejected the assertion by state governors, represented by the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), that they cannot afford a minimum wage of N60,000, urging them to avoid creating a national crisis.

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In response to the governors’ claim that the proposed minimum wage is unrealistic, NLC spokesperson Benson Upah accused the governors of misrepresenting their financial capabilities.

He pointed out that the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations have increased significantly, thus enhancing the states’ ability to pay higher wages.

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Halima Ahmed, Acting Director of Media Affairs and Public Relations for the NGF, stated that implementing the N60,000 minimum wage would force many states to use their entire monthly allocations to cover salaries, with some potentially needing to borrow.

Contradicting this, Upah highlighted that FAAC allocations have risen from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion, making state governments financially capable of meeting the proposed wage.

Upah stated: “The governors’ claim that they cannot afford N60,000 as a minimum wage is unfounded. FAAC allocations have increased from N700 billion to N1.2 trillion, making the governments wealthier while neglecting the people’s needs.

“We are alarmed by the NGF’s statement suggesting states cannot pay N60,000, with some needing to borrow monthly. This claim, made during ongoing negotiations, shows bad faith and poor judgment.”

“The governors can afford a reasonable national minimum wage by cutting the high cost of governance, minimizing corruption, and prioritizing workers’ welfare. A national minimum wage is a baseline to protect the weakest and poorest workers, not a fixed pay structure for different states.”

Upah emphasized the need to consider economic realities: “In 2019, N30,000 was roughly equivalent to $100 with an exchange rate of N300 to $1 and 11.40% inflation.

“Today, with the exchange rate at N1,600 to $1 and inflation at 33.7% (40% for food), the minimum wage is effectively $37.5 for a family of six. Costs have risen over 400% due to fuel subsidy removal, making this dire for the poor.”

“Government policies on fuel subsidy removal, severe Naira devaluation, a 250% energy tariff hike, and a 26.5% interest rate increase are damaging the economy, especially for the manufacturing sector and the poor. This has resulted in reduced consumer spending and overflowing warehouses in the productive sector.

“Paying a meager national minimum wage poses a significant risk to both the workforce and the national economy, as state economies are largely driven by workers’ wages. We urge the governors to reconsider their stance to prevent a potential economic downturn.”

The NLC’s firm stance calls for state governors to re-evaluate their financial management strategies to ensure fair compensation for workers and support the national economy.

Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Peter Diugwu, has expressed strong confidence that his party will secure victories in the upcoming FCT council elections.

Speaking on Saturday in Abuja during a Bwari/AMAC town hall meeting, themed ‘Political Party Innovation and the Need for Youth Inclusivity,’ Diugwu highlighted the party’s extensive groundwork.

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“We are confident that the Labour Party will triumph in these elections, whether they are held today, tomorrow, or any day. We have a strong presence on the ground in the area councils,” Diugwu stated.

He also accused the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of planning to rig the elections, but expressed faith that divine intervention would ensure LP’s victory. “We are planning to win, but the PDP and APC are planning to rig the elections. With the Almighty God we serve, we will capture all FCT area councils and wards,” he added.

When asked about the potential influence of the FCT Minister, Diugwu dismissed any significant impact, noting, “Wike is from Rivers. Before you can assume the role of landlord in a new place, you must have stayed for 5-10 years. FCT is not a place where you use thugs to win elections. We have the highest security agencies here, and we are ready to defend our votes.”

Diugwu mentioned that the town hall meeting was a strategic move to gauge the party’s support and to ensure their members remain committed, especially in light of defections from other parties such as the PDP, APC, and SDP to the Labour Party.