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APC senatorial candidate, Bamidele tells INEC who to impress in 2019
Former House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele, has charged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to distance itself from impressing and massaging the ego of politicians before and during the 2019 general elections.
Bamidele said the electoral body should rather conduct itself and the election in a manner that would impress and leave Nigerians and the international community satisfied that an unbiased umpire allowed people’s votes to count.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate in Ekiti Central District spoke on Sunday at his Iyin Ekiti hometown during an event to appreciate Nigerians who were at the burial ceremonies for his late father, Pa Stephen Bamidele, on Friday.
Bamidele also urged politicians
across party lines to avoid conducts and statements capable of heating up the polity and truncating the country’s democracy as campaigns for the elections begin to gain momentum.
The former Lagos State commissioner said: “The coming elections should not be do-or-die. Nigerian voters should be given the free will to elect whoever they like, INEC shouldn’t come out to impress any politician, but Nigerians.
“Politicians must understand that all eyes are on Nigeria. The whole world is watching and we should not disappoint the confidence reposed in the country as the pacesetter in the African continent.
“Politicians in Nigeria are less than five per cent of the total population. So, it would be a great disservice to our dear nation for a few to plunge the entire nation into crisis just because they want to win election.
“Nigeria after 20 years of democratic practice should grow to the level that won’t make us a laughing stock in the comity of nations. We must uphold civility and imbibe the culture of issue based campaign, rather than making inflammatory comments and hate speech.
“I am particularly pleased that the INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, has set up a committee to monitor campaigns of parties. The Nigerian Broadcasting (NBC) and other regulatory bodies have started imposing sanctions on the appropriate places, all these will help in stabilizing the system and make our democracy works better.
“I am a contestant in the coming election, but I will campaign hard and gain the confidence of the people, rather than rolling out thugs and other powers to subdue my opposition to win election,” he said.
US car giant Ford on Wednesday announced 4,000 more job cuts in Europe, mostly in Germany and Britain, in the latest blow to the continent’s beleaguered car industry.
“The company has incurred significant losses in recent years,” Ford said in a statement, blaming “the industry shift to electrified vehicles and new competition”.
The move will affect 2,900 jobs in Germany, 800 in the UK and 300 in western Europe by the end of 2027, a Ford spokesman told AFP.
“It is critical to take difficult but decisive action to ensure Ford’s future competitiveness in Europe,” said Dave Johnston, Ford’s European vice-president in the statement.
The company also said it was adjusting the production of its Explorer and Capri models, resulting in reduced hours at its Cologne plant in the first quarter of 2025.
Europe’s car industry has been plunged into crisis by high manufacturing costs, a stuttering switch to electric vehicles and increased competition in key market China.
Germany’s Volkswagen has been among those hardest hit, announcing in September that it was considering the unprecedented move of closing some factories in Germany.
“The European automotive industry is in a very demanding and serious situation,” Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume said at the time.
Ford had already announced in February 2023 that it was planning to cut 3,800 jobs in Europe, including 2,300 in Germany and 1,300 in Britain.
The company said then it was planning to reduce the number of models developed for Europe, concentrate on the profitable van segment and speed up the transition to electric vehicles.
Ford currently has around 28,000 employees in Europe with 15,000 in Germany, according to the company’s works council.
President Bola Tinubu has approved the dissolution of the Governing Council of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra State, and the removal of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, and Registrar, Mrs. Rosemary Ifoema Nwokike.
The council, chaired by Ambassador Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe, comprised five other members: Hafiz Oladejo, Augustine Onyedebelu, Engr. Amioleran Osahon, and Rtd. Gen. Funsho Oyeneyin.
A statement released on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that the council was dissolved following reports of procedural violations in appointing the vice-chancellor.
According to the statement, the council had allegedly appointed an unqualified candidate, disregarding due process, which triggered tensions between the university’s Senate and the council.
The Federal Government expressed dismay over the council’s actions, emphasizing the need for adherence to the university’s governing laws in decision-making.
“The council’s disregard for established rules necessitated the government’s intervention to restore order to the 33-year-old institution,” the statement noted.
In a related development, President Tinubu also approved the dismissal of Engr. Ohieku Muhammed Salami, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.
Salami was accused of suspending the university’s Vice-Chancellor without following the prescribed procedures, a move the Federal Ministry of Education had previously directed him to reverse.
Despite the Ministry’s directives, Salami reportedly refused to comply and resorted to issuing threats and abusive remarks towards the Ministry’s officials, including the Permanent Secretary.
The Federal Government reiterated that the primary role of university councils is to ensure the smooth operation of academic activities, strictly adhering to the laws establishing each institution.
Tinubu warned university councils against engaging in actions that could destabilize their institutions, as his administration remains committed to enhancing the nation’s education system.
The Ekiti State Government has reached an agreement with labour leaders in the state, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the payment of the N70,000 minimum wage approved by the Federal Government.
Addressing journalists at a brief ceremony in Ado-Ekiti on Tuesday, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Folakemi Olomojobi, announced that the payment would commence immediately.
She lauded Governor Biodun Oyebanji for prioritizing the welfare of workers despite the state’s limited resources.
“This development demonstrates the governor’s commitment to improving the livelihood of our workers,” Dr. Olomojobi stated, highlighting the proactive measures taken by the administration to ensure prompt implementation.
In their remarks, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, Comrade Sola Adigun, and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Chairman, Comrade Olatunde Kolapo, expressed their appreciation to Governor Oyebanji for fulfilling his promises to workers.
They confirmed that the new minimum wage would apply to all cadres, including employees in ministries, parastatals, agencies, and pensioners.
The Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC), Comrade Femi Ajoloko, described the implementation as a fair and commendable adjustment.
“This decision reflects the governor’s magnanimity and his dedication to fostering a productive workforce in Ekiti State,” he said.
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