The Grand Patron of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Government Ekpemupolo, has called on the people of Ogun State to massively vote for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 to continue to enjoy the gains of his administration. 

He made the call during the inauguration of the state chapter of the movement and donation of 26 campaign vehicles and other materials in Abeokuta, on Friday.

Ekpemupolo, better known as Tompolo, who was represented by the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services, Kestin Pondi, praised Tinubu for his bold policies which he noted, were making Nigeria attractive to investors again and stabilising the economy.

He pointed out that the bold reforms by the Tinubu administration have done away with perennial fuel queues in the country, and ensured more infrastructure development, regular payment of salaries and pensions among others.

“We have a president who said Nigeria must be better. Today, there is no more capital flight, investors are returning and the naira is stabilising.

“Go everywhere and tell them your son, your brother, your father must return to Aso Rock. Make them understand that he’s the best. The reforms have no doubt come with challenges but just like the challenges a woman in labour faces but rejoices at the birth of her child, we shall all be happy,” Tompolo said. 

Continuing, he noted that: “Every developed country has gone through this path Tinubu is taking us through and came out stronger. Nigeria will come out stronger with the policies and reforms of Tinubu. Let us keep faith with him. He means well for Nigeria.” 

Tompolo reiterated that the movement was in the state to work together with other campaign groups to ensure that the APC wins from top to bottom.

Also speaking, Governor Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement for the support, which she noted, will complement all other campaign efforts.

She said Ogun was ready to support the president as a mark of appreciation for the many good things the state was enjoying as a result of his policies and reforms.

Speaking directly to the electorate, the governor said: “No matter how confident we are, we have to come out and vote. There is no room for complacency, no need to say it is a done deal because the deal can only be done at the polling booth. We have received a lot from the president because we supported him before. If we do it again, it means we appreciate him and we want more.” 

APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola, said it was imperative to support Tinubu as “he has changed the narrative of our country.”

“For the first time since independence, we are seeing changes in all sectors of the economy. Things are changing for good, investors are coming back, international organisations have acknowledged the positive changes, the macro economy is doing well and the micro economy is picking up and will do better in no distant time” he stated. 

While pointing out that Tinubu is their own son and and they had resolved to give him no less than 2 million votes come January 2027, Adeola appreciated the Movement for the donation which he pointed out would aid the campaign.

National Coordinator of the Movement, Sunday Asuku, in a remark, advised the people to be at alert and not allow themselves to be deceived by the opposition who have nothing better to offer and do not mean well for the country.

“The right choice before Nigeria is Tinubu. With President Tinubu, we’re on track. Don’t allow anyone to use you to derail the journey. Come January 2027, vote for Asiwaju,” he said. 

Media Unit 

By Raphael Atuu, Abuja

Barrister Henry Nnanna Okeke, a member of the Governing Council of Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo, has commended. Enugu State Governor ,His Excellency ,Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for clearing verified pension backlogs and approved a ₦32 billion package to settle legacy gratuity arrears dating back to the year 2000 outstanding pension arrears owed to pensioners in Enugu State.

Okeke described the reported development as a significant step towards improving the welfare of retired civil servants who devoted their productive years to the service of the state.

He praised Governor Mbah for fulfilling his promise to pensioners, noting that the payment would bring relief to retirees who depend on their pensions and other entitlements to meet their daily needs.

According to him, pensioners deserve to enjoy the benefits of their years of service without unnecessary hardship, particularly after contributing to the growth and development of Enugu State.

The polytechnic governing council member noted that addressing pension arrears was an important demonstration of responsible leadership and a commitment to the welfare of citizens.

He said the reported clearance of the arrears would help ease the financial burden on affected pensioners and their families, while restoring confidence among retirees who had been awaiting their entitlements.

Okeke further urged the state government to sustain the progress by ensuring regular pension payments and preventing the accumulation of fresh arrears.

He stressed that the welfare of pensioners should remain a priority, adding that retirees deserve dignity, financial security and timely access to their entitlements after years of dedicated public service.

The commendation reflects the importance of policies that place the welfare of citizens at the centre of governance and ensure that government commitments translate into tangible benefits for the people.

Okeke reaffirmed his support for initiatives aimed at promoting good governance, accountability and sustainable development in Enugu State.

He expressed optimism that the Mbah administration would continue to implement policies and programmes that improve the living conditions of residents and strengthen the state’s development agenda.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an immediate salary increase for workers and the implementation of outstanding agreements with health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).

The congress said temporary wage awards were inadequate to address the growing economic hardship facing Nigerian workers, insisting that the government should prioritise permanent salary increases over relief measures that might not be implemented consistently.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.

The statement followed a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.

The congress disclosed that it had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, seeking an immediate salary review to cushion the impact of rising living costs.

According to the TUC, the government does not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before increasing workers’ salaries, arguing that there is no legal ceiling on how much employers can pay their employees.

“The Federal Government should review increasing workers’ salaries. This was hinged on the fact that the government does not require the minimum wage to be negotiated before increasing workers’ pay, as there is no maximum wage law in the country,” the statement said.

The congress proposed that the government increase the salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 from the current N70,000, with appropriate consequential adjustments across other salary grades.

It maintained that negotiations on the national minimum wage should not be used to delay urgent salary increases for workers struggling with rising food, transportation, healthcare and other essential expenses.

The TUC said its leadership had held consultations with government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, during which it rejected the proposed wage award.

Explaining its position, the congress said the previous wage award negotiated in October 2023 had not been fully implemented, raising concerns about the government’s commitment to another temporary relief arrangement.

“The wage award agreed between FGN and organised labour on the 2nd of October 2023 was to be implemented until a minimum wage was agreed in 2024 but was never implemented holistically,” it said.

The congress alleged that some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others had not received the allowance at all.

It added that payments were irregular even for beneficiaries, with some workers experiencing delays of one or two months and having to make repeated demands before receiving their entitlements.

The TUC further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.

“How do we go back to the same wage award that never benefited all workers? How can workers be expected to trust fresh promises when previous obligations remain outstanding?” the congress asked.

It insisted that permanent salary increases would provide more dependable relief than temporary allowances, which it said had failed to reach workers uniformly.

“Negotiations of a new national minimum wage must not become an excuse for postponing urgent pay increment,” the statement added.

Beyond salary increases, the congress called on federal, state and local governments to introduce measurable interventions to reduce the cost of essential goods and services.

It also urged the authorities to ensure timely payment of salaries and pensions, protect existing jobs, curb exploitative labour practices and revitalise the productive sector to create decent employment opportunities.

According to the TUC, economic hardship affects not only federal workers but also state and local government employees, pensioners, private-sector workers and people in the informal economy.

It called for adequately funded interventions with clear implementation timelines, stressing that government announcements must translate into tangible improvements in Nigerians’ living conditions.

The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to honour an agreement reached with JOHESU following months of industrial action.

It said Osifo led a delegation of organised labour, including JOHESU leaders and a representative of another labour congress, in negotiations aimed at resolving the dispute.

The negotiations culminated in a conciliation meeting at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, where both parties agreed on a communiqué.

The Federal Government delegation was led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, alongside the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The TUC said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith after the agreement was signed but accused the government of failing to fulfil its own commitments.

According to the congress, the agreement provided for the resolution of outstanding issues relating to the adjustment of CONHESS. However, it alleged that the adjustment remained unimplemented seven months after the agreement.

“While the workers have kept their side of the bargain, the government hasn’t kept its side of the agreement,” the statement said.

The TUC described the delay as a breach of good faith, warning that failure to honour agreements could undermine confidence in collective bargaining between the government and organised labour.

It demanded the immediate implementation of the CONHESS adjustment, publication of a clear implementation timetable, provision of the necessary budgetary allocations and resolution of all outstanding issues in consultation with the relevant unions.

The congress maintained that health workers should not be expected to continue providing essential services while commitments made to them remained unfulfilled.

“The TUC demands tangible action, not further assurances,” it said, pledging to support the affected unions and pursue lawful measures to compel the government to honour the agreement.

Reaffirming its position, the congress said workers were not seeking favours but demanding improved living conditions and respect for their rights.

“Workers’ welfare is not a privilege. Agreements must be honoured. Workers’ rights must be respected. Government must comply,” the statement added.

The TUC said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike.

The dispute comes amid Nigeria’s prolonged cost-of-living crisis, which has intensified pressure on organised labour to secure higher wages and measures to protect workers’ purchasing power.

In July 2024, President Bola Tinubu signed the new national minimum wage law, raising the statutory minimum monthly wage from N30,000 to N70,000 following negotiations between the Federal Government and organised labour.

The agreement followed months of disagreement over workers’ earnings amid the effects of petrol subsidy removal and other economic reforms on transportation, food and household expenses.

Although the N70,000 minimum wage established a new statutory floor for eligible workers, it did not automatically resolve demands for adjustments across salary grades or address the broader rise in the cost of living.

The 2023 wage award was introduced as an interim relief measure during negotiations over the new minimum wage. The TUC’s latest position has renewed concerns about the implementation of that arrangement, with the congress insisting that future relief should focus on permanent salary increases.

The JOHESU dispute presents a separate but related challenge involving remuneration and the implementation of agreements in the health sector.

The congress said it would decide on its next steps after receiving the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government.