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Tariff hike: FG begs workers as electricity union insists on strike

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The Federal Government has appealed to members of the National Union of Electricity Employees not to down tools over the recent electricity tariff hike.

This is as the union insisted that they would withdraw their services should the government fail to rescind its decision on the removal of subsidy on the tariff payable by Band A customers.

The National President of the union, Adebiyi Adeyeye, in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday said the union stood by its warning to the Federal Government.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had on April 3 raised the electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours of power supply daily.

Customers in this category were said to be under the Band A classification and the increase raised their tariff to N225 per kilowatt-hour, from N66KWh.

In its earlier reaction, the union had warned the government to reverse the tariff hike saying, “If the government fails to address the crippling cost of electricity, NUEE will not hesitate to take strong action, including the swift withdrawal of our members expected to be used by DisCos to impose the tariff hike on the good people, to protect the livelihood of our members.”

Adeyeye said the supply of 20 hours of electricity is not feasible with the current infrastructure.

“We just want the citizen to know that this thing is not possible, it is not feasible, you cannot give what you don’t have. When we don’t have the energy to give to the people and you ask our people to go out and collect such money, you know it is dangerous. Most times we don’t disclose what to do to the public because our sector is very critical to the nation,” he stated.

While saying that the union has yet to give any ultimatum on strike, he stressed the NUEE is advising the government to do the needful “before we will withdraw our services”.

He explained, “The reason why we are saying this is simple, you ask our members to go the the public to collect 20-hour tariff from people that are not even experiencing a four-hour supply of electricity. There is no way there won’t be crises between our staff and those customers.

“We’ve recorded a lot of attacks on our members, even with the present situation. And these guys have nothing to defend themselves. They have targets to meet where there is no supply. Our members are being threatened by the DisCos, even when they know that what they are promising Nigerians is not feasible”.

He disclosed that the union must save its members from daily attacks, saying the hike would aggravate the attacks.

“We told our members that they cannot go out and collect that kind of tariff from unmetered customers. More than 70 per cent of these Band A customers are not metered. The government is just promising what we don’t have. We are the ones working there, we know we don’t have the transformers to distribute such load. 20 hours of electricity is not possible except for those on eligible lines. We were not carried before the tariff hike,” the union leader emphasised.

Adeyeye, who said the union would not accept any threat from anyone said, “On the issue of strike, it is not what we normally do directly. We said it that we would withdraw our services if the government fails to do the needful, and we are still under that ‘if’. They still have time to do the needful. It is very difficult for us to collect such money. We don’t have the equipment to supply even 10 hours of electricity to the people.

“We stand on our point, and they can’t bring people from anywhere to come and do this work. We Nigerians will do this work ourselves and heaven will not fall. If they fail to do the needful, we will withdraw our members, and we will never accept any threat from anybody. Nigeria belongs to all of us”.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged the union not to withdraw its members.

In an interview, Adelabu, who spoke through his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said the government was doing everything to improve supply in Nigeria and everybody will be happy at the end of the day.

“We just want to appeal to the labour union to understand what led to this. This is not about strike. it is about understanding; so that we can all work together. It is not anybody’s joy that there are blackouts all the time. These steps are being taken to solve the problems in the power sector. I beg the labour union to understand that this will galvanise the economy and create jobs.

“I want to appeal to the union to bear with us. It is for the good of the nation,” he stated.

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BREAKING: Kano Lawmaker Abdulmumin Jibrin Dumps NNPP, Rejoins APC, Endorses Tinubu for 2027

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The lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has officially returned to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and declared his full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.

Jibrin, who left the APC in May 2022, announced his defection during a political gathering held on Sunday in his hometown, Kofa, Bebeji Local Government Area of Kano State.

Confirming the move in a Facebook post on Monday, the lawmaker said his supporters had unanimously agreed to abandon the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Kwankwasiyya Movement to align with the APC.

He wrote, “Today, in a show of solidarity, I was warmly received by thousands of my constituents in my hometown of Kofa, Bebeji. The gathering resolved to leave the NNPP/Kwankwasiyya, join the APC, and endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office. From the beginning, almost 2,000 scholars from my constituency have prayed special prayers for the President and sought peace, development, and progress for Kiru/Bebeji, Kano, and Nigeria altogether.”

Jibrin’s return to the APC comes just two months after his resignation from the NNPP, following his expulsion over alleged anti-party activities and non-payment of membership dues.

Reacting to his suspension at the time, the former Director-General of the Tinubu Support Groups described the party’s action as “shocking and unjustified,” arguing that the interview he granted, which was cited as the reason for his suspension, did not merit such a “harsh penalty.”

He accused the NNPP leadership of violating due process and the principles of fair hearing by expelling him without an opportunity to defend himself. Jibrin, however, said he accepted the decision in good faith and chose not to challenge it in court.

The lawmaker dismissed claims that he defaulted on his membership dues, insisting that he had always met his obligations. He also criticized the NNPP leadership for failing to value its members.

While expressing gratitude to the NNPP for the support he received during his time with the party, Jibrin called on his followers to join him in his “new journey,” urging them to maintain peaceful relations with those who choose to remain in the NNPP.

Jibrin’s defection is seen as a major boost for the APC in Kano, a state that remains a key battleground as political alignments intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Fayose Meets Obasanjo in Abeokuta, Holds Closed-Door Talks at OOPL

The meeting has, however, sparked political speculation, coming at a time when discussions around the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national reconciliation efforts are gaining momentum.

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Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo behind closed doors at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Fayose, who arrived at the OOPL complex was received by aides of the former president before proceeding to Obasanjo’s private where the meeting was held.

Although details of their discussions were not made public, sources close to the meeting described it as “a private visit” that lasted for over an hour.

The former Ekiti governor, known for his outspoken political style and criticism of national leaders, has in recent times called for unity among southern political actors ahead of future political realignments.

The meeting has, however, sparked political speculation, coming at a time when discussions around the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and national reconciliation efforts are gaining momentum.

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Lagos shuts construction site, issues warning over illegal structures

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The Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) has sealed a construction site and issued a 72-hour ultimatum to another property within the Lekki–Ikoyi corridor for engaging in unauthorised development.

In a statement released on X (formerly Twitter), the agency said its officials sealed a building under construction at Femi Okunnu Road, Alexander Avenue, after the developers failed to obtain the necessary building permits.

LASBCA stressed that strict adherence to building regulations remains essential to curb the rise of illegal structures and ensure safety and orderly urban development across Lagos.

The agency also issued a 72-hour ultimatum to QMB Mart to dismantle all illegal structures erected on Coastal Road and under the powerline.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on E-GIS and Urban Development, Dr. Olajide Abiodun, the space in question was originally designated as a parking lot but had been converted into a commercial complex without proper approvals.

“The occupants allegedly turned the area into a commercial hub, erecting a laundromat, clubhouse, and eatery without authorisation,” Abiodun said. “Development in Lagos must follow due process. Any structure built without approval or any change in the use of government-allocated spaces without consent is illegal. We are committed to upholding the state’s master plan.”

The General Manager of LASBCA, Gbaye Florence, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to sustained monitoring and enforcement across all development zones.

“Our duty is to ensure that all buildings in Lagos meet safety and regulatory standards,” she stated. “Anyone who erects structures without approval will be identified, marked, and subjected to necessary enforcement actions.”

LASBCA added that the ongoing enforcement drive will continue across the state as part of efforts to eliminate illegal constructions and promote a safer, well-planned Lagos.

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