The Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) has disclosed that it members, consisting the 36 state governors would be meeting to dicuss matters of national importance, particularly the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).

It explained that the emergency meeting had become imperative after the NLC announcement that its members would down tools in demanding that the Federal Government rescinds its decision on the recent hike in the prices of petroleum products and electricity.

The NGF’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said that the governors would center discussions on ways to avert the impending strike and possibly explain the government rationale behind the recent hike in prices of petroleum and electricity tarrif in a close-up manner to the NLC members.

Through a statement released to newsmen yesterday, Bello-Barkindo, said that the emergency meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Thursday (today) would also seek ways of settling the rift and find a mutual agreement.

According to him, all governors were expected to attend the first NGF emergency virtual teleconference to consider the matter of urgent national importance.

“The matter needs to be quickly resolved in order not to worsen the already bad situation of Nigerians as caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the statement said.

The United States (U.S) government has expressed satisfaction with the peaceful conduct of the Edo State governorship elections on Sept. 19.

The U.S. government made this known in a message posted on the Facebook page of the United States Diplomatic Mission to Nigeria on Wednesday, as it hailed the people of Edo people for a credible and peaceful poll.

This is coming barely a week after issuing a visa ban threat on would-be perpetrators of electoral fraud in the last Saturday Edo State governorship election.

The U.S. government also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the security agencies on the positive role played during the election, which it said, strengthened democracy in the country.

“Congratulations to the people of Edo State on a credible and peaceful governorship election.

“We thank the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigerian security services on the positive role they played in the election and commend their work in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.

“We recognize the critical role that Gov. Godwin Obaseki and Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu played in promoting peace.

“We also thank our civil society partners for their invaluable work in upholding democracy and accountability in this election,” the U.S. said.

The United States, however, expressed concern over cases of reported violence and vote-buying, including the intimidation of voters and civil society observers.

The U.S. government also called on all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, and the security agencies to improve the electoral process during the Oct. 10  Ondo State governorship election.

“The United States remains concerned with reports of some violence that did emerge during the election, and reports of vote-buying and intimidation of both voters and civil society domestic observers.

“We will continue to encourage all stakeholders, including INEC, political parties, and the security services to improve the electoral process in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election.

“As a democratic partner of Nigeria, the United States remains committed to working together to achieve our mutual goals of peace and prosperity for the citizens of both countries,” the United States added.

(NAN)

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that the death of 23 people, as confirmed by the Federal Road Safety Commission, “represents another disturbing and saddening incident in the litany of tragedies that have befallen our country.”

The president made his feelings known in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The presidential aide quoted Buhari as reacting to the petroleum tanker explosion earlier on Wednesday in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital, which claimed the lives of travellers, school children, bystanders, including some students of Kogi State Polytechnic.

Buhari said he was seriously worried about the frequency of these unfortunate and large scale tragedies in the country which cause needless deaths.

”These frequent incidents that result in loss of lives and property are national scandal caused by our indifference to safety standards.

”Many accidents are preventable if proper proactive and precautionary measures are put in place or properly observed as routine policies.

”Ours is a country where we move on whenever tragedies occur instead of taking preventive safety measures to forestall future calamities.

“However, refusal to do the right thing can cause potential tragic problems that harm innocent people,” he said.

The president, therefore, called on the county’s transport authorities, traffic and road management agencies as well as law enforcement officials to sit up and enforce safety standards with more seriousness.

According to him, Nigeria is not having a shortage of laws and regulations, but the nation’s problem is lack of zeal to enforce those laws and regulations for the sake of public safety.

He condoled with Kogi State government and the families of the victims of the tragedy.

(NAN)