Nelson Ugwuagbo

The National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives – Federal Health Institutions Sector (NANNM-FHI) on Wednesday commenced a seven-day warning strike, following the expiration of a 15-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government over unresolved welfare issues.

The industrial action, which began despite appeals from the Federal Government, is scheduled to end on August 5, 2025.

NANNM-FHI had issued the ultimatum on July 14, 2025, demanding improved welfare, fair allowances, and better working conditions for nurses across federal health institutions. However, the union said the government failed to engage with it meaningfully during the period provided.

“As far as we are concerned, there has been no communication from the government to this moment. That is why we are saying the strike is going on, and nothing is stopping it. Even if the government calls today or tomorrow, it won’t stop the strike. They had enough time,” the union’s National Chairman, Morakinyo Rilwan, said on Tuesday.

The nurses’ demands include the upward review of shift allowance, adjustment of uniform allowance, implementation of a separate salary structure for nurses, increased core duty allowance, mass employment of nurses, and the establishment of a dedicated nursing department in the Federal Ministry of Health.

Rilwan clarified that the decision to strike was driven by union members, citing widespread frustration over what he described as longstanding government neglect.

“This strike is not initiated by the leadership of the union; it was initiated by the members, and they said this is what they want,” he stated.

He added that the nurses are prepared to face the consequences of the Federal Government’s usual “no work, no pay” stance and are ready to make the necessary sacrifices to press home their demands.

Factional National Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Umar Farouk, has cautioned Peter Obi over his continued association with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warning that such actions could cost him the party’s presidential ticket in 2027.

Farouk, speaking during an interview with Trust TV on Wednesday, stated that the LP’s presidential ticket is not automatically reserved for any individual, including Obi, who was the party’s flag bearer in the 2023 general elections.

He noted that the party is open to allowing Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, Obi’s former running mate, to contest for the presidency if he so desires.

“Datti is qualified to contest for the presidency as much as Peter Obi,” Farouk said. “So, the seat of that candidacy is not reserved for anybody. It is open for a competitive contest.”

He added that anyone interested in contesting on the party’s platform would be required to formally express interest, purchase the nomination form, mobilise support, and participate in the party’s internal electoral process.

Farouk criticised Obi’s engagement with leaders of the coalition-backed ADC, insisting that such alliances are unacceptable.

“If those people didn’t come back to us, they lose that opportunity,” he said. “There’s no way you’ll continue to romance with other political parties and then still come back with one leg in the Labour Party. No. Ab initio, you may be disqualified.”

Farouk’s remarks come days after Baba-Ahmed expressed interest in running for president in 2027, should Obi choose not to contest. Baba-Ahmed, however, maintained that he is not desperate for the position and reaffirmed his support for Obi, stating the former Anambra governor deserves another opportunity to contest on the Labour Party’s platform.

A group of Ghanaians has staged a protest against Nigerians residing in the country, accusing them of involvement in criminal activities, including prostitution, ritual killings, and kidnapping.

In a viral video circulated on Tuesday, the protesters, numbering in the dozens, marched with placards bearing inscriptions such as “Armed robbery and violent attacks must stop,” “Our health at stake due to mass prostitution,” “Who protects the rights and freedom of Ghanaians?” and “Nigerians are kidnapping and using people for rituals.”

Some placards specifically accused the Igbo ethnic group, with messages such as “Our kids are getting missing because of Igbos.” The protesters also displayed a picture of a man who they claimed was killed by a Nigerian in the Accra area.

One of the protesters, a woman believed to be in her 30s, called for the expulsion of Nigerians, saying, “Nigerians must go because you can’t be in someone’s country and be doing anyhow.”

Another protester alleged that Nigerians, particularly Igbos, had taken over local markets and were engaging in activities contrary to Ghana’s laws on foreign business operations.

“These Igbo, they are in every part of the country and have targeted our markets. Not just Igbo, Nigerians are in almost every village. Our laws do not allow foreigners to engage in certain businesses. They even have an Igbo king in Ghana. They have hijacked our lands. It’s just a matter of time; we will take back our country,” he stated.

As of the time of reporting, there has been no official response from the Nigerian government or Ghanaian authorities regarding the protest.

The first lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has announced a ₦1 billion donation through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) to support families displaced by a recent attack in Benue State.

The First Lady made the announcement on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the Benue State Government House, following the June attack on Yelewata community, which claimed over 100 lives.

During the visit, Senator Tinubu met with victims’ families and state officials, expressing sympathy over the tragic incident.

She said the intervention aligns with RHI’s mission to restore hope and improve livelihoods for vulnerable families across the country.

“On behalf of the governing council of the Renewed Hope Initiative, we are making a donation of ₦1 billion to support displaced families to regain stability, return to their sources of livelihood, and build better lives,” she stated.

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has suspended 87 government officials for failing to attend a key government function.

The suspended officials include 25 commissioners, 14 senior special assistants, 24 special assistants, and 22 permanent secretaries. They are to proceed on a one-month working suspension without pay.

The directive was announced in a statement issued on Monday night by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Monday Uzor.

According to the statement, the suspension takes immediate effect. During the period, the affected officials are prohibited from signing any official documents.

“The Governor of Ebonyi State, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has directed that the underlisted government functionaries proceed on a one-month working suspension without salary for failure to attend an important government function,” the statement read.

Commissioners among the suspended officials were instructed to hand over to their respective permanent secretaries.

Uzor added that the governor remains committed to upholding discipline and ensuring that all government officials demonstrate the highest standards of conduct and dedication to service.

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has refuted reports claiming it advised former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to withdraw from the 2027 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, the group also denied allegations that it urged northern leaders not to support Obi’s presidential ambition.

Describing the reports as false and mischievous, Ohanaeze said the claims were being circulated by individuals it referred to as “street urchins” seeking to mislead the public.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been alerted to a misleading report circulating on social media alleging that the apex Igbo body warned Mr. Peter Obi against contesting the 2027 presidential election,” the statement read. “It also claimed that Ohanaeze cautioned the North against backing his candidacy. We wish to categorically state that such a mischief-driven and misleading statement did not emanate from the dignified apex Igbo body.”

Chukwu said the statement was the handiwork of a group he described as “clandestine starving street urchins who parade a phantom, ludicrous brown-envelope Ohanaeze, with POS as their address”.

He reaffirmed that the organisation, under the leadership of Senator John Azuta Mbata (President-General), Prince Okey Nwadinobi (Deputy President-General), and Emeka Sibeudu (Secretary-General), has not made any statement regarding the 2027 presidential election or endorsed any candidate.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo is committed to the wellbeing of the Igbo nation and national development through justice, fairness, and equity,” the group stated. “We remain non-partisan and have not taken any position on the 2027 presidential election.”

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) has expelled former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, and imposed a 30-year ban on him, barring any form of affiliation with the party.

The party’s National Working Committee (NWC) announced the decision in a statement on Sunday, stating that the expulsion was in accordance with the SDP constitution, manifesto, ideology, and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and Electoral Act which empower political parties to regulate their membership.

In the statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, the SDP warned members against associating with El-Rufai or individuals who do not align with the party’s values.

“El-Rufai is hereby banished and banned from applying for membership, identifying with the name, insignia, logo, symbol, mark, or any activities, organs, agencies, and institutions of the SDP or donating to, supporting, contributing to, or participating in any affairs of the SDP for a period of 30 years effective from today,” the statement read.

El-Rufai had defected to the SDP after resigning from the All Progressives Congress (APC). He is also a prominent member of an opposition coalition that recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its political platform ahead of the 2027 general elections.