***Reaffirms Sept. 30 ultimatum, strike threat

By Sam Otuonye

As President Bola Tinubu gets set to address Nigerians on Thursday, October 1, to commemorate the country’s 66th year of Independence, the Nigerian public servants have listed wage increase and reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit ( PMS), otherwise known as petrol as the things expected to dominate the speech and make them renege on their earlier threat of embarking on a strike action.

Nigerian public servants under the aegis of Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), which made the declaration in a statement on Tuesday, reaffirmed their September 30, 2026 ultimatum to the federal government over the rising cost of petrol as well as their demand for a wage award and the commencement of negotiations for a new national minimum wage.

The workers union, which issued a three-day warning strike notice to the Federal Government, beginning October 2, said they would have no other option than to commence their warned strike action, if the government fails to slash the price of petrol, announce a wage award and introduce other measures to cushion the crushing hardship in the country.

The statement, which listed members of the JNPSNC to include the Nigerian Civil Service Union (NCSU); Medical and Health Workers Union (M&HWU); Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN); and National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees (AUPCTRE); Nigeria Union of Public Service, Reportorial, Secretarial, Data Processors and Allied Workers (NUPSRAW); National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Products Workers (NUPPPPROW); and National Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE), said it had mobilised public servants across the country for a three-day warning strike if the Federal Government failed to address the issues raised in its letter to President Bola Tinubu before the deadline.

The union in its statement, signed by the National Secretary of the JNPSNC and General Secretary of the Nigeria Civil Service Union, Olowoyo Gbenga, noted that it had earlier written to President Bola Tinubu on September 21, demanding that the price of petrol be slashed to N500, the immediate announcement of a wage award and the beginning of negotiations for not less than N500,000 minimum wage from 2027, among others.

The statement warned that if the president fails to address the unions demands during the Independence anniversary speech, “public servants nationwide would commence a three-day warning strike beginning October 2, 2026”, stressing that the concerns of Nigerian workers should no longer be ignored.

According to the statement, “the three critical issues requiring urgent attention are as follows: reduction of fuel price to N500 per litre. The Federal Government should take urgent steps to bring down the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N500 per litre.

“This can be achieved through the provision of an intervention fund to address landing costs and support oil and gas operators.

“It is equally important for the Federal Government to ensure the sale of crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and operators of modular refineries at appropriate terms in order to facilitate increased domestic refining and help bring down the price of petroleum products.

“The current price of PMS, ranging from N1,450 to N2,000 and, in some locations outside major communities and cities, as high as N2,500 per litre, is unacceptable to Nigerian workers.

“The Council maintains that the economic hardship occasioned by the high cost of fuel is placing the survival of Nigerian workers, their dependants and the general populace under severe pressure, making it increasingly difficult for Nigerians to live normal and dignified lives.

Continuing, the union demanded that “the federal government should urgently approve a wage award for Nigerian workers to cushion the effects of the prevailing harsh economic conditions being experienced by workers, their dependants, and vulnerable Nigerians.

“The Council believes that urgent action on this demand will further enable public servants to consolidate their loyalty, commitment and productivity within the public service ecosystem.

“The Federal Government should urgently establish a tripartite committee to commence and facilitate negotiations for the new National Minimum Wage expected to become due in 2027.

“The Nigerian workers’ demand for the immediate constitution of the committee is informed by the need to avoid any administrative or procedural delay that could affect the implementation of the new National Minimum Wage once it is eventually negotiated and passed into law by the National Assembly.

“Consequently, the Council states that failure by the Federal Government to take the necessary steps to address these issues on or before 30th September 2026 will leave Nigerian workers with no option but to commence a three-day warning strike, with effect from Friday, 2nd October 2026, to press home their demands.

“It is imperative to state clearly that the Independence Day address of the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria should adequately address these critical issues.

“Failure to address the concerns raised by the Council, will attract the displeasure of Nigerian workers and their dependants, as well as other vulnerable Nigerians who continue to bear the brunt of the prevailing economic hardship,” the union warned

*** Another N1.63 trillion missing public funds

*** Says magnitude of findings requires urgent, independent,  transparent action

By Chidera Orji

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has given the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, seven days to account for $6.23 million election money and over N1.63 trillion missing public funds.

SERAP made the demand in a letter dated September 26, 2026, signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare.

According to SERAP,  the Auditor-General’s 2023 report published on August 7, 2026, exposed the missing funds.

SERAP listed the funds as N1.25 trillion unrecovered intervention loans given to state governments; N116.18 billion loans to distressed and liquidated banks; N262.86 billion shared under Anchor Borrowers Programme; and $6.23 million payment linked to alleged election funding request said to be made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

SERAP asked the CBN governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and the apex bank to explain how over N1.25 trillion intervention loans given to states and N116.18 billion loans to distressed banks disappeared, and to publish names of those who collected the money and how they plan to recover it.

The group also told CBN to give full details of the N262.86 billion shared under Anchor Borrowers Programme, including names of beneficiaries, how much each person got, how the money was used and how CBN wants to recover it.

On the $6.23 million election money, SERAP asked Cardoso and CBN to explain how the money was spent after an alleged request by former President Buhari, and to publish a report of internal investigation, who is responsible and how the money will be recovered.

“The accountability of public institutions, including the CBN, is a crucial pillar of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.

“The magnitude and nature of these findings require urgent, independent and transparent action, as they raise fundamental questions about the custody, expenditure, accounting, safeguarding and recovery of public resources,” parts of the letter read.

*** As Fani-Kayode mocks him over repeated attempts at Presidency

*** Money won’t be Tinubu’s problem, says Umahi

President Bola Tinubu’s Political Adviser, Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, has advised that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political ambition would not be achieved through desperation, adding that African Democratic Congress, ADC, candidate, is joking about his 2027 presidential ambition.

Addressing members of the Jigawa State Academics Forum, Masari said: “Even Atiku himself knows he is just joking and kidding.”

This is as Nigerian High Commissioner to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his long quest to become Nigerian President.

Masari claimed that the All Progressives Congress, APC, is Nigeria’s dominant political party, adding that the 2027 election is a choice between continuing the Tinubu administration’s programmes and returning to the opposition.

He cited infrastructure development, economic diversification, security and poverty reduction as areas the administration was prioritising.

Masari also commended the Jigawa State Academics Forum for endorsing President Tinubu and Governor Umar Namadi for another term.

Fani-Kayode shaded Atiku in a piece titled, ‘The Seventh Bid of Waziri’.

According to him, Atiku has spent 33 years trying to become Nigeria’s President.

The ex-Minister of Aviation equally highlighted Atiku’s political journey as well as his fight with former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Fani-Kayode noted that Atiku began his quest in 1993 when he contested the Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential primary.

According to him, Atiku later contested the 2007 election under the Action Congress, took part in the PDP primary in 2011, contested the APC primary in 2015, and was PDP’s candidate in 2019 and 2023.

The Nigerian ambassador to South Africa added that Atiku’s repeated attempts to become President are surprising given how long he has remained in the race.

“Waziri Atiku Abubakar, the former Vice President of Nigeria, has attempted to become President of our nation no less than six times and his latest attempt is the 7th.

“In a country of 230 million people one man has been trying to be President for 33 years, has failed each time, and is now attempting it again for the 7th time,” Fani-Kayode wrote.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has said lack of funds will not be a challenge in the 2027 election campaigns for President Bola Tinubu, Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Umahi made the declaration at the grand finale of the Ohanivo New Yam Festival held at Oshiri Primary School, Oshiri Development Centre, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

At the event, traditional rulers and other stakeholders from Onicha, Ohaozara and Ivo local government areas endorsed Tinubu for another term as President and Nwifuru for a second term as governor.

The endorsement followed a motion moved by a member of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Chief Ifesinachi Odii, and supported by Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa.

The community said the two leaders deserved another term based on what it described as their infrastructural projects and other achievements.

The people of Ohanivo also urged Nwifuru not to be distracted by the activities of what they described as “political merchants”, assuring him of their support ahead of the 2027 election.

Addressing the gathering, Umahi said his kinsmen were mobilising support for Tinubu, Nwifuru and other APC candidates.

He said he had more than 5,000 billionaire friends whose financial support, according to him, would be available during the election campaigns.

“We have nothing to worry about. Nothing. If it comes to money, I have over 5,000 billionaires who are my friends. Money will not be a problem.

“This election will be a movement. It will be a movement. The movement of our peace in Ebonyi State. The movement of our peace in Southeast,” Umahi said.

The former Ebonyi governor said the APC would embark on grassroots mobilisation across the state, urging residents to vote for Tinubu, Nwifuru, Senator Anthony Ani and other APC candidates.

“We go from house to house to educate our people. All our votes will be for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, all our votes will be for Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, and all our votes will be for Senator Anthony Ani and other APC candidates. This is the movement,” he said.

Umahi, however, urged APC supporters not to destroy campaign posters or disrupt the activities of opposition parties.

“You are free to campaign… But don’t cause trouble,” he said.

He added that he would continue to work with Nwifuru to secure what he described as “eight years” for the governor.

“We cannot be deceived. Southeast will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and make it a move,” Umahi said, adding that there was “no vacancy” in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Nwifuru, who also spoke at the event, recalled the political developments that preceded his emergence as governor in 2023, saying the support he received from Ohanivo and other communities had strengthened his confidence to seek a second term.

“Today, this is my first time receiving a blessing personally for my second time in office. I tell you this for free. A lot of clans and tribes have been inviting me to attend their functions, and I deserve to take a blessing from them, and I had a chance.

“Because I waited for that of Ohanivo first. I say, ‘Four plus four,’” Nwifuru said.

The governor also commended Umahi for his role at the federal level, describing his representation of Ebonyi and the Southeast in the Federal Executive Council as effective.

He acknowledged the contributions of Ebonyi indigenes serving in the National Assembly and urged residents to assess lawmakers based on the development they attract to their constituencies.

Chairman of the occasion, Chief Enekwachi Akpa, said the New Yam Festival was a celebration of thanksgiving, culture, hard work, unity and prosperity.

He urged youths and indigenes in the diaspora to remain connected to their roots and contribute to the development of the community.

Earlier, President General of the Ohanivo Development Association, Hon. Darlington Okereke, said the festival had contributed to peace and unity in the area.

He said the gathering was also an opportunity for the people to thank God for a bountiful harvest and strengthen their bonds as brothers and sisters, while stressing the need to preserve the culture and traditions of the people.