Nelson Ugwuagbo

Traditional rulers from across Northern Nigeria, led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, have converged on Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, for a two-day meeting aimed at addressing critical issues affecting the region, particularly the worsening insecurity in the North-West.

The conference, organised under the auspices of the Northern Traditional Rulers Council (NTRC), begins today and will end tomorrow. Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State is expected to declare the meeting open, while the Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar, will serve as host.

Several first-class traditional rulers arrived in Birnin Kebbi on Monday ahead of the opening session. Among those in attendance are the Emir of Kagara, Malam Ahmed Garba Gunna; the Etsu Nupe, Dr. Yahaya Abubakar; the Shehu of Bama, Alhaji (Dr.) Umar Kyari Umar El-Kanemi; and the Emir of Biu.

On arrival, the Shehu of Bama and the Emir of Biu paid a courtesy visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, at his guest house in Birnin Kebbi.

The meeting is expected to focus on strategies to address the escalating insecurity, as well as other pressing socio-economic challenges confronting the northern region.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has issued a four-week ultimatum to the Federal Government to conclude ongoing negotiations with unions in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

NLC President, Joe Ajaero, made this known on Monday during an interactive session with labour correspondents in Abuja. The session followed a meeting between the NLC leadership and representatives of tertiary institution-based unions held at the Congress headquarters.

Ajaero criticized the government’s no-work-no-pay policy, describing it as an unfair sanction against members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for embarking on a nationwide strike.

“We have decided to give the Federal Government four weeks to conclude all negotiations in this sector. They have started talks with ASUU, but the problem goes beyond ASUU,” Ajaero said.

He warned that failure to meet the deadline would prompt the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) to convene and decide on nationwide industrial action involving all affiliated unions.

“The era of signing agreements, holding negotiations, and then threatening the unions involved has come to an end,” he stated. “The so-called policy of no work, no pay, will henceforth be no pay, no work. You can’t benefit from an action you instigated.”

Ajaero further accused the government of being responsible for most industrial actions in the country, noting that “90 percent of strikes in Nigeria are caused by the government’s failure to honour agreements.”

A legal practitioner has cautioned activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against his planned protest to demand the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, warning that such action could jeopardize ongoing efforts by stakeholders to secure Kanu’s freedom through political and diplomatic channels.

Speaking on Complete Politics with Chukwuma Okeke, the Barrister said while Sowore has the right to lead demonstrations, the approach and timing of the planned march to Aso Rock are “misguided” and could be counterproductive.

He argued that several Igbo leaders, including the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, governors, lawmakers, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains, have already made extensive appeals to both the previous and current administrations for Kanu’s release.

The Barrister maintained that Sowore’s call for sitting governors to join the protest was unrealistic and disrespectful, noting that it would be inappropriate for governors to publicly demonstrate against the same government they serve under.

“You don’t expect a sitting governor to join a street protest. There are more decent and strategic ways to pursue Kanu’s release,” he said.

He further suggested that the government has no legal basis to continue detaining Kanu, insisting that several court rulings, including judgments from the ECOWAS Court, had favored his release.
However, he warned that any confrontational approach could harden the government’s stance.

“Nobody can force a government to act through intimidation. We should not jeopardize the progress made so far. The international community is already watching, and at some point, the government will have no choice but to release him,” he added.

The Barrister also questioned the timing of the proposed protest, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations, describing it as “a wrong signal” that could fuel tension and misunderstanding.

“Why choose October 20, the same day as EndSARS remembrance? It could be seen as an attempt to exploit past tragedies or promote personal ambitions,” he said.

He cautioned that protests at this stage could be misinterpreted and potentially hijacked, emphasizing that diplomatic engagements were still ongoing behind the scenes to resolve the matter.

Reacting to suggestions that Sowore might be using the protest to position himself politically or draw attention to his movement, the Barrister advised him to “carry on with his plans” without dragging Southeast leaders or politicians like Peter Obi into the campaign.

“He has the right to protest, but he should not call out Southeast governors or political leaders as if they are his subordinates. That’s an insult,” he stated.

The discussion also touched on allegations that some Southeast elites may have sent conflicting messages to the presidency—pleading for Kanu’s release publicly while privately warning that his freedom could trigger unrest in the region. The Barrister dismissed such claims, saying disagreements among leaders are natural and do not diminish the broader call for justice.

He expressed confidence that Kanu would eventually regain his freedom, citing past cases where prolonged detentions ended without trial.

“Mandela was in detention for 27 years. When it was time, he was released. Nnamdi Kanu will also be released when the time comes,” he concluded.

No fewer than three persons were feared dead on Thursday morning when a trailer conveying a 40-foot container toppled and crushed a tricycle at Mgbaemene Bus Stop, near Upper Iweka, along the Onitsha Owerri Expressway.

According to eyewitnesses, the trailer whose registration number was defaced  was navigating through a bad section of the road inward Upper Iweka when it lost balance and fell, with the container landing on the tricycle carrying two passengers.

One witness said the incident occurred around 6:48 a.m., adding that the poor state of the road contributed to the crash.

“The accident happened because of the large potholes that have taken over the road. Tricycle operators usually use the small remaining portion of the lane. As the tricycles were trying to manoeuvre, the trailer also attempted the same, but it lost control and fell,” the witness said.

Emergency responders were yet to arrive at the scene as of the time of filing this report, while residents and passersby made frantic efforts to rescue those trapped under the container.

President Bola Tinubu has forwarded a request to the Senate seeking the confirmation of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The request was read during Tuesday’s plenary by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also presented other communications from the President on appointments requiring legislative approval.

According to the President’s letter, the nomination was made in line with constitutional provisions that mandate Senate confirmation for such appointments.

The request has been referred to the Committee of the Whole for further legislative consideration.