Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday, urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, not to relent in his drive for infrastructural development in the state.

Obasanjo, who spoke at the inauguration of a VIP lodge, an edifice located within the premises of Osun State Government House in Osogbo, recalled a private conversation he had with Adeleke, when he advised him not to stop dancing but to work very hard to improve lives of the residents of the state.

The former president, who declared himself as Adeleke’s dancing partner, also challenged the governor to unite the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, implement good policies that would affect people positively and ensure proper documentation of all his achievements as governor.

Speaking in a mixture of Yoruba and English language, Obasanjo said, “Some people once despise you, calling you a mere dancer. In reply, I told them that it is only happy people that dance. From now on, you are my dancing partner.

“What I have heard and seen since three days that I have been here if there is anyone doubting you, bring the person to your state to see for himself or herself. If you remember that at one time, I called you on the phone and I said ‘Don’t stop dancing’ but I added that, as you are dancing, ensure you are working.

“If I tell that I don’t know what happened before you get to government, I will be telling a lie. But you did something last week Sunday that I appreciate. You called leaders of your party together. I am happy that you called them and bring them together. Senator Olu Alabi is here, ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola is here and Fatai Akinbade too.

“You should bring everyone on board. That is the best thing to do. I have talked to two out of the three of them. It is a good move, which is not only good for your party, but for the state and the country. You said government is a continuum; you also said you are working on all abandoned projects; may God crown your efforts.

“Anywhere our path cross, we will dance and rejoice. If anybody want to abuse us, they should go ahead. In project management, there is no end to it, you have to prioritise within priorities.I am happy that you are taking them one after the other. You have to be honest with your conscience, with the people and with your God. You have to be a man of character.”

Speaking earlier, Adeleke said his administration had completed some major capital projects, while work was also progressing on many others captured under his infrastructure plan.

According to him, the VIP Lodge would enable his administration to minimise the cost of hosting important personalities visiting the state, adding that with the completion of the project, a major milestone in cost efficiency had been achieved.

Adeleke, nicknamed dancing governor because of his love for dancing, took the oath of office as the sixth elected governor of Osun State on Sunday, November 27, 2022, following in the political trajectory of his late elder brother, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who was the first elected governor of the state.

…Says Legislature Is Independent Of Executive.

A human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has faulted Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State for directing members of the state assembly to meet at the Government House, saying the legislature is independent of the executive.

Falana spoke on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, explaining that since both arms of government are independent, Fubara cannot change the sitting venue of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“I would like to assume that the governor issued that executive order before the intervention of the High Court in Rivers State,” Falana said on the show.

“The house is independent of the executive. So the governor cannot tell the house where to sit.”

Fubara had on Friday issued an executive order for the immediate and temporary relocation of the sitting of the Rivers State Assembly to the Auditorium, Admin Block of the Government House, Port Harcourt.

In an official Gazette, Executive Order of the Rivers State Government 001-2023, Fubara cited the unsafe state of the House of Assembly complex.

“NOW THEREFORE, I SIR SIMINALAYI FUBARA GSSRS, the Governor of Rivers State this 30th day of October 2023, Pursuant to the powers vested in me under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) hereby ISSUE, ORDER, AND DIRECT that all proceedings and business of Rivers State House of Assembly shall temporarily take place at the Auditorium, Admin Block, Government House, Port Harcourt until the repairs, renovation or reconstruction of the chambers of the Rivers State House of Assembly are completed,” part of the gazette read.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will picket the office of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos)’s premises nationwide on Monday over the hike in electricity tariff.

“We write to inform you of the picketing action scheduled to take place in the offices of the NERC and Electricity Distribution companies (DISCOS) in all states, including the FCT,” the unions said in a joint statement by NLC’s Ag General Secretary Chris Uyot and his TUC counterpart Anka Hassan

“The action will jointly take place on Monday, 13th of May, 2024 nationwide simultaneously. Therefore, the two Labour centres are directed to work together to carry out this important action. While counting on your usual cooperation, kindly accept the assurances of our goodwill and highest regards.”

Their action followed a hike in the tariff for electricity consumers who enjoy at least 20 hours of daily power supply.

Though the NERC had reviewed the tariff, the labour unions said they were picketing the agency’s office as well as the premises of distribution companies after a Sunday reversal deadline failed.

The recent tariff hike for electricity consumers has continued to draw comments from several quarters.

With inflation rising to new highs and Nigerians grappling with the removal of petroleum subsidy, the increase in tariff was met with stiff opposition.

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) had claimed that the Federal Government was raising funds for the “cash-trapped” DisCoS with the tariff hike.

But while defending the move, the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu said the Federal Government will pay about N1.8trn in electricity subsidy in 2024.

He argued that the Electricity Act, 2023 made provisions for the review of tariffs twice yearly.

“Review of tariff is actually legal once it is within the exclusive responsibility of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),” he said on an edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “The Act actually provides for review twice in a year, every six months.”

Following the clapback generated by the move, the House of Representatives asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the tariff hike.