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COVID-19: ‘Insist on mass testing of civil servants’, Oyo SPN charge NLC, TUC, ULC
The Socialist Party of Nigeria, (SPN) Oyo State Chapter on Wednesday charged the state leadership of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC) to insist on mass testing of all the civil servants in the State as a condition for their resumption.
While noting the decision of the Seyi Makinde-led government to make the wearing of face mask compulsory for all residents engaging in public or outdoor activities across the State, the SPN, however, observed that this decision which was purportedly conceived in order to ensure an effective containment of the spread of COVID-19 in the State will never be enough except equal or possibly greater attention and priority is given to the provision of facilities for mass testing and decent Centers for isolation and treatment across the 33 local government areas in the State.
According to the statement credited to Mr Taiwo Adisa, the Chief press secretary to Governor Seyi Makinde, the decision was reached as part of the resolutions of the meeting of the Six (6) Southwest Governors convened few days ago to discuss how to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 in the region.
The statement further revealed that the state government is set to train 100 local tailors and engage them for the production of 1million facemasks as part of the effort towards the enforcement of the order which would take effect immediately. Also announced is that 27th April, 2020 is now the “tentative” new date of resumption for the civil servants in the state against the earlier date of 20th of April, 2020 which was opposed by SPN.
The party in a statement signed by its state secretary, Ayodeji Adigun and made available to Mega Icon Magazine welcomed the order for the use of face mask for all residents engaging in public outing or activities in the state but frowned at the enforcement of any law that will criminalize non-use of face mask in the public whether now or in future.
The statement reads, “Despite the fact that we are aware that the use of face mask is not meant according to the WHO, for all individuals except those who are symptomatic and in health care setting, we strongly believe that this measure is necessary at this point in time in the State when there are now indications that number of cases of the virus is possibly higher than the official figure reported and the spread is now at the phase of community transmission. Besides, the fact is that the accurate number of cases of COVID-19 in the State cannot at this moment be ascertained owing to the poor state of health sector in the State and lack of adequate facilities for mass testing and decent centres for isolation and treatment across the State.
“It is in the consideration of this, we hold that except this measure of encouraging the use of facemask is combined with the provision of free hand sanitizers to ordinary people and hand washing facilities in communities and markets as well as provision of adequate facilities for mass testing and decent centres for isolation and treatment, the use of facemask alone can never be enough for the effective containment of the spread of COVID-19 in the State.
“We also hold that the use of face masks is not yet a substitute for a definite lockdown with the provision of cash grant of N50, 000 for every household for an effective compliance which is necessary for an effective mass testing for early detection and the isolation of cases and their contacts. Just having one walk-in sample collection centre located in Adamasingba Ibadan is not only grossly inadequate for Ibadan let alone the entire State but also undermines and disregards the measure of social distancing as advised by the WHO and NCDC as people including potential carriers of the virus have to travel in public transports to the venue.
“Again, as much as we agree that the use of facemask is necessary, we reject the government plan to enact a law with a view to criminalize residents who default. It is our opinion that government can encourage effective compliance by adequate and sufficient provision of free facemasks for the over 6milion residents in the State, not with the use of coercive measure like law.
“It is in the consideration of this we fault the decision of the Engr Seyi makinde-led government to limit the production of free facemask for the population of over 6million people to just 1million pieces. We advocate for the provision of adequate numbers of free facemask per resident. Given this background, the 100 local tailors the government intend to train and engage for the production of the facemask will never be enough. We hereby demand recruitment and engagement of more local tailors for the purpose of the production of the free facemask while we equally propose that their selection should be done through their Unions and the NLC which is the umbrella of all artisan associations in the State.
“Except the production of the free facemask is combined with other measures as stated above, we of the SPN will believe that the plan for the production of the facemask is either a ploy by the pro-capitalist politicians to award to themselves public fund under the pretense of a fight against COVID-19 or to downplay the growing demand for provision of facilities for mass testing and decent isolation Centers.
“This is more so that the attitude and body language of the Engr Seyi Makinde-led government suggest that it is eager to reopen the State secretariat when it is obvious that the cases of COVID-19 in the State have increased significantly compared to just a case recorded when the civil servants were asked to proceed on compulsory leave. It is in the light of this that we of the SPN reiterate our opposition to any resumption that will endanger the life of civil servants in the State while at the same time calls on the leadership of the NLC, TUC and ULC in the State to insist on a demand for mass testing of all the civil servants in the State as a condition for their resumption”, the statement concluded.
A former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo, has been sworn in as the Chairman of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), urging members of the party to rally support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeyemo formally assumed office on Friday following the inauguration of the newly elected State Executive Committee members who will manage the affairs of the party in the state for the next four years.
The inauguration ceremony, held at the party’s State Secretariat in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, marked the climax of the party’s 2026 congresses in the state.
The South-West Zonal Legal Adviser of the APC, Kolawole Majaro, administered the oath of office on Adeyemo and 35 other members of the State Executive Committee.
The executives had emerged through a consensus arrangement during the March 3, 2026 state congress held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Ibadan, under the supervision of a committee led by Amos Gombi from the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
In his acceptance speech, Adeyemo described his emergence as a renewed call to service, pledging to strengthen the party and sustain unity among members.
He appreciated party leaders within and outside the state for ensuring a smooth and successful congress process.
Adeyemo also commended members of the Local Organising Committee, particularly Fatai Ibikunle and Afeez Bolaji Repete, for their contributions to the success of the exercise.
He said, “This new State Executive Committee under my leadership is being put in place to add value and strengthen our great party in view of the challenges ahead.
“We have used the opportunity of the congresses to showcase our collective commitment to unity and harmony as progressives and democrats.”
The new chairman expressed optimism that the atmosphere of peace within the party would be sustained ahead of future party primaries and the 2027 elections.
According to him, the party’s target is to secure 90 per cent of the votes in Oyo State for President Tinubu while also reclaiming the state’s Government House in 2027.
Adeyemo praised the President’s leadership, saying the administration was delivering on its promises.
“President Tinubu is, no doubt, performing beyond our expectations and the best way to appreciate his good work is to retain him in Aso Rock until 2031,” he said.
“Against all odds, the President is pursuing his Renewed Hope Agenda with vigour and passion, while the positive results are being felt across sectors of the economy and national life.”
Other members of the newly inaugurated executive include Taofeek Lamidi as Deputy Chairman, Fatai Adesina as State Secretary, Adekemi Opatunde as Woman Leader, Olawale Sadare as Publicity Secretary, Olalekan Oladejo as Youth Leader, and Remi Adepoju as Organising Secretary.
Also inaugurated were Ajiboye Akinsanya as Treasurer, Sunday Aborisade as Legal Adviser, Tinuade Adigun as Auditor, Lukman Owonikoko as Assistant State Secretary, Fatimah Hassan as Deputy Woman Leader, and Jimoh Osundara as the Leader of Persons Living With Disabilities, among others.
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The notice was presented yesterday during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dala said the allegations stem from Abdussalam’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government (2023–2024) and his current role as deputy governor. He accused the deputy governor of diverting funds meant for the 44 local government councils.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling N462 million. Between February and July 2024, he allegedly collected N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of special assignments, amounting to N726 million.
Dala also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office, claiming he facilitated payments of N10 million from each council to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, totaling N440 million, in violation of state procurement laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and undermines public trust,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under the Constitution.
The impeachment notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional threshold to proceed. The Speaker has acknowledged receipt, and the House is expected to serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If approved, a panel may be constituted by the state Chief Judge to investigate the claims.
As of filing, Abdussalam had yet to respond publicly to the allegations.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, on Thursday announced his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring that he had joined the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa State, made the announcement during a media briefing in Abuja, attributing his decision to what he described as irreconcilable differences within the PDP.
The lawmaker said the emergence of the NDC would strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system by providing a credible opposition platform.
According to him, the party recently received its certificate of registration from the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said, “Last week INEC issued a certificate of registration and we now have the newest party in Nigeria known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress and our symbol is victory, the victory sign.
“So, my dear Nigerians, you now have a credible alternative opposition party known as the Nigeria Democratic Congress.”
Dickson noted that although the party’s registration took longer than expected, its eventual approval was a welcome development for the country’s democratic landscape.
“Yes, it is coming at this time. We would have wished it started some years or months back. We don’t control INEC and their processes; they delayed. We don’t also control the judiciary, but thank God it has finally arrived,” he said.
The senator also stressed that Nigeria’s democracy must not slide into a one-party system, insisting that political diversity remained vital for national stability.
“This nation cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria cannot be a one-party state. Nigeria is not designed to be a one-party state.
“We are a very diverse nation culturally, religiously and politically and that is the beauty of our country.
“So anyone or any party promoting one-party rule in Nigeria is mistaken. We build political parties and get involved in movements to access power for the good of the people, not for our personal benefit,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission recently announced the registration of two new political parties.
The parties are the Democratic Leadership Alliance and the Nigeria Democratic Congress, bringing the total number of registered political parties in Nigeria to 21.
The announcement was made by the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, during the commission’s first quarterly consultative meeting with political party stakeholders for 2026.
According to him, the Democratic Leadership Alliance completed the required verification process, while the Nigeria Democratic Congress was registered in compliance with a Federal High Court order.
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