The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has suspended its indefinite strike and directed all affected workers, particularly primary and secondary school teachers to resume work on Wednesday.

Chairman of the union in FCT, Knabayi Adalo announced the suspension in a communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adalo explained that the decision followed the conclusion of conciliatory talks between the labour union, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), the Management of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

He said that the resolutions were formally adopted at the end of an emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting held at the Labour House, Central Business District, Abuja.

According to him, the suspension was agreed upon in the spirit of social dialogue and industrial harmony following key concessions reached regarding teachers’ career progression and administrative directives.

“On vacancy provision for education officers, it was resolved that promotion vacancies for education officers will align with established positions declared by the FCT Education Secretariat.

“The council noted that an upcoming exit of directorate officers would clear the path for the upward mobility of eligible officers.

“Also, following approval from the FCT Executive Council and subsequent communication to the FCT Civil Service Commission on the 2025 promotion examination, a new date will be announced to allow qualified candidates to take the examination.

“Regarding the deployment of officers benefiting from the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers back into classrooms, stakeholders agreed to maintain the FCT Executive Council’s directive, stepping down the process until further notice,” he said.

Adalo, however, issued conditions to guarantee full compliance by authorities.

He said that the NLC would set up a dedicated monitoring committee tasked with enforcing the agreed terms within specified timelines.

He warned that any failure by the FCTA or relevant authorities to implement the agreements would trigger an automatic resumption of the strike without prior notice.

He informed workers who participated in the strike that the union had secured a binding agreement that no worker or teacher would face reprisals, penalties, or victimisation for participating in the industrial action.

He commended the resilience of FCT teachers and praised the solidarity displayed by affiliate unions, the Ministry of Labour, and the FCTA management during negotiations.

The NLC had on Oct. 7, directed all workers in the FCT Administration, including those in the private sector, to commence an indefinite strike over unresolved labour disputes and policy grievances affecting teachers. (NAN)

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) has dismissed allegations that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.

The council’s spokesperson and Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, described the allegation as grave in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Timi Frank, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had alleged that the Federal Government was plotting to assassinate Atiku.

Atiku is the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

Alake challenged Frank to substantiate the allegation, urging security agencies to invite him for questioning and investigate the claim.

“This is a grave allegation that Frank must prove. We thus urge security agencies to invite him to substantiate the allegation,” he said.

He urged Frank to provide any information in his possession to facilitate a prompt investigation, stressing that every credible threat to life deserved serious attention.

Alake categorically denied any involvement by President Bola Tinubu or the APC-PCC in an alleged plot against Atiku or any opposition figure.

He also dismissed claims that security personnel attached to Atiku had been withdrawn, insisting that the former vice-president remained protected by the police and Department of State Services (DSS).

According to him, Tinubu recently directed security agencies to reinforce protection for presidential, vice-presidential, governorship and deputy governorship candidates nationwide.

Alake maintained that security arrangements for Atiku had never been compromised, adding that the former vice-president enjoyed two levels of state-funded protection.

“As a former vice-president of Nigeria, Atiku enjoys two levels of state-funded security protection. President Tinubu has increased security protection for him as a presidential candidate,” he said.

Alake described Tinubu as a statesman and committed democrat who recognised opposition politics as essential to Nigeria’s 27-year-old democracy.

He recalled that Tinubu had led opposition politics for 16 years before the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost power in 2015.

The APC spokesperson described Frank’s allegation as opposition rabble-rousing intended to heighten political tension.

He accused some opposition figures, including Frank, of using open letters and social media posts tagging foreign leaders and international organisations to attract attention.

Alake warned that politicians and their supporters might make provocative statements and frivolous allegations as the 2027 election campaigns gathered momentum.

He urged political parties, candidates and supporters to make factual, responsible public statements and avoid remarks capable of triggering unnecessary tension.

“Let our political competition be peaceful, lawful, and focused on the big issues that matter to Nigerians, not character assassination or wild, baseless allegations,” he said. (NAN)

By Laide Akinboade, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Rainbow Coalition, will secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

Wike vowed to deliver massive votes for Tinubu in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), insisting that opposition threats and political intrigues would not derail the President’s re-election bid.

Addressing Rivers Rainbow Coalition Youths, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor said the administration’s infrastructure projects and policy interventions had strengthened its appeal among Nigerians.

He maintained that political leaders should be judged by their performance and benefits to the people, not campaign promises.

Wike said the Rainbow Coalition was formed to support what he described as purposeful leadership and sustain development across the country.

He cited roads and bridges as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving Nigerians’ lives, particularly at the grassroots.

“We are not playing politics for the sake of it without bringing benefits to our people. After all, we are not looking for those who are fine or finer. We are looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and the Rivers people,” he said.

The minister insisted that Rivers State’s political future must be determined by its people’s interests and the benefits they stand to gain from the Federal Government.

Wike particularly pointed out that no fewer than 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently hold prominent Federal Government positions.

“What is important is: where is Rivers State, Where are we going, and how will the election benefit Rivers State? That’s what we’re talking about,” he said.

Wike criticised opposition politicians, describing some as political gamblers who lacked consistency and had failed to demonstrate a clear commitment to voters.

He warned against supporting politicians who make promises without delivering tangible results.

“You cannot vote for a political gambler. Every time, they come around making empty promises, but our people know better now,” he said.

Wike expressed confidence that voters would assess candidates by their records and the practical impact of their policies rather than political rhetoric.

“We want to win this election with a difference,” he added.

The FCT minister emphasised youth participation in the coalition’s mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 elections.

He directed that young people be adequately represented on committees organising presidential rallies and other campaign activities.

“The committee for the presidential rally must put a reasonable number of our youths,” Wike said, stressing that their energy and involvement would be crucial to the coalition’s success.

He urged supporters to remain united, strengthen grassroots structures and mobilise voters for the elections.

At a meeting with Rivers Rainbow Coalition youths, Wike criticised opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, questioning their credibility and suitability for the presidency.

He described Atiku as untrustworthy and called Obi a “fake man”, declaring that the coalition remained firmly behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda has promised a youth-friendly and inclusive government, with compulsory bursary payments by local government councils and improved technical education for young people.

He said the proposed administration would prioritise youth development, education and vocational training, stressing that empowering young people was critical to the development of the state.

Chinda thanked members of the Rainbow Coalition Youths, for their support for the political movement led by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

He said the meeting was convened to appreciate the youths for standing by the political leadership through difficult times, assuring them that their contributions would not be forgotten.

He said; “Our leader very sincerely appreciates that. And that is why he said, even if it is for five or 10 minutes. What we have come to do is to say thank you for what you have done. You are not forgotten. We appreciate you and will continue to appreciate you in different ways”.

Chinda described Wike as a youth-friendly leader, adding that those working with him would sustain his commitment to youth development.

He said the Rainbow Coalition would promote unity among political stakeholders in Rivers State, insisting that collective action was necessary to achieve its political objectives.

He declared the coalition’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, saying the youths of Rivers State were prepared to mobilise behind the President.

“The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President,” he said.

He added that Wike’s political engagements across the state were aimed at bringing people together and strengthening the coalition ahead of future political contests.

On youth development, he pledged that the proposed government would be inclusive and responsive to the needs and aspirations of young people.

He specifically said bursary payments would receive serious attention, with local government council chairmen expected to make students’ welfare a priority.

“In fact, when you talked about bursary, he whispered to me, ‘You must take it very seriously.’

“So it will be compulsory for every local government council chairman to take the issues of bursary seriously. Compulsory, without compromise,” he said.

He also promised reforms in the state’s education system, particularly the expansion of technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills.

The Rivers State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, assured Wike of massive grassroots mobilisation to secure victory for Tinubu and other coalition-backed candidates in the state.

The President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Justice Uranta, pledged to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and the diaspora for Tinubu and the coalition’s governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.

They pledged to mobilise grassroots support for President Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.