Breaking News in Nigeria Today 25th January 2019

Latest Breaking News in Nigeria Today, 25th January 2019: NASS Confirms Receipt of Minimum Wage Bill from Buhari and others. Read iDonsabi.com for more details.

1. Keyamo Invites  Oby Ezekwesili to Join Buhari’s Re-election Bid

Spokesman of President Buhari campaign organization, Festus Keyamo has called on Oby Ezekwesili to coalesce with Buhari to win the forthcoming presidential elections.

Keyamo’s call came following the decision of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria, ACPN, to reject its presidential candidate, Oby Ezekwesili and support Buhari’s re-election bid.

Following that decision, Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal from the presidential race.

She cited that she stepped aside to help in a new coalition that will dethrone the incumbency.

2. Appeal Court Bars CJN Onnoghen’s Trial by CCT

An FCT Court of Appeal on Thursday stopped the move by the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT to try the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Walter Onnoghen.

A three-man panel of the court led by Justice Abdul Aboki, granted an interim order for the CCT to temporarily stop its trial of the CJN pending the ruling on his application for stay of proceedings.

The appellate court barred the trial move by the CCT till 30th January, a date it fixed to deliver ruling on an appeal the embattled CJN had lodged before it.

3. INEC Says Oby Ezekwesili’s Withdrawal from the Presidential Race is Too Late

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared ACPN’s Presidential Candidate, Oby Ezekwesili’s withdrawal from the 2019 presidential race as too late.

INEC in a statement by its chief press secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi said, “November 17 was the last date for withdrawal”.

Ezekwesili announced her withdrawal on Thursday citing that she stepped aside to help in a new coalition that will ensure neither the APC nor the PDP smells power.

4. NASS Confirms Receipt of Minimum Wage Bill from Buhari

Nigeria Senate confirmed that it has received a letter from President Buhari on the National minimum wage bill.

The letter was read by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over Thursday’s plenary.

In the letter, President Buhari urged the legislators to immediately commence actions on the bill.

Recall that the National Council of States approved the new national minimum wage of N27, 000 on Tuesday this week.

NLC however, rejected the N27, 000 minimum wage insisting that they have pegged it at N30, 000.

ALSO READ: Labour Plans to Shift their Minimum Wage Struggle to NASS

5. US Announces Repercussions for Election Malpractices

The United States on Thursday announced some repercussions for anyone who instigates election-related violence or undermining the democratic process.

Some of the repercussions listed include visa restrictions, for anyone who interferes with the electoral process.

The United States had earlier announced that the US government does not support any specific candidate or party in the upcoming elections.

6. Appeal Court Sacks Jerry Gana as SDP Presidential Candidate

Abuja Court of Appeal has declared a former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The decision to declare him as the presidential candidate of SDP was unanimously reached by a three-man panel led by Justice Abdul Aboki.

By declaring him the rightful candidate, the court has set aside the 14th December, 2018 judgment of the FCT High Court which declared Jerry Gana as the SDP presidential candidate.

7. Buhari Explains to Obi of Onitsha How He Appointed Security Chiefs

President Buhari who had visited Obi of Onitsha, Nnaemeka Achebe on Thursday explained to Obi Achebe how he appointed the heads of security agencies in his government.

He said the appointment of the security chiefs were purely based on their competence and merit.

The president delivered his explanations in response to concerns by the traditional rulers that he had marginalized the South East in his appointments especially in the military.

Buhari explained further saying: “In the south east, there are five states, in the north, there are 19 states. In the south east, out of the five states, I think five members of the Federal Executive Council are from this region, Trade and Investment, Foreign Affairs, Labour, Science and Technology, and seven of the northern states have only ministers of state”.

According to the president, his appointment of most people in key positions in his government was based on their professional records and not on his personal knowledge of who they were.

8. UK Warns against Election Influencing, Lists Consequences

The British High Commission on Thursday just like its US counterpart warns that there would be serious consequences for any politician or their supporters who makes any attempt to influence or incite violence in the upcoming 2019 election.

The consequences for any politician or supporter found contravening this directive could mean withdrawal of their eligibilities to travel to the UK, access UK based funds or could even lead to prosecution under international law.

SEE ALSO: Briton Standing Trial in Nigeria Flees the Country

9. National Minimum Wage Bill Passes Second Reading

The National Assembly has given the National Minimum Wage Bill sent by President Buhari an accelerated hearing.

Senate on Thursday gave the bill accelerated hearing, as it immediately passed first and second reading.

Contributing to the debate on the bill, Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani said the minimum of N27, 000 was inadequate, and he suggested N30, 000.

Reacting in the debate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu cautioned that the minimum wage should apply same for both federal and state workers.

According to Ekweremadu, “All over the world, National Minimum Wage cut across boards.”

After the bill passed first and second reading, Ike Ekweremadu adopted the seconding reading and set up a Committee to work on the bill and return in two weeks time for final passage into law.

10. Gunmen Abducts APC House of Assembly Candidate

Unknown gunmen numbering three on Thursday abducted the APC candidate for the Edo House of Assembly, Michael Ohio-Ezomon.

The gunmen stormed his house at Eme-Ora, Owan West LGA of the state.

The Chairman of the local government, Frank Illaboya confirmed the incident.

The candidate’s orderly was also reportedly killed.

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