…Warns  Opposition Against Defamation

Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, has dismissed as false a viral social media allegation that he ordered a political party to be denied access to a private facility for its town hall meeting, warning opposition figures against making defamatory statements.

Mbah, in a statement issued in response to the circulating video, described the allegation as “preposterous and utter falsehood,” insisting that he neither issued such a directive nor had any involvement in preventing the party from using the facility.

The controversy followed the circulation of a video on social media alleging that the governor directed the management of Amadeo Event Centre, a private facility, to deny a political party the use of its premises for a town hall meeting.

Reacting to the allegation, the governor said his attention had been drawn to the video, which he described as an attempt by the opposition to mislead the public and attract attention.

“My attention has just been drawn to a video circulating on some social media platforms, alleging that I gave an order denying a political party use of a private facility for their town hall event. This is preposterous and utter falsehood, because I did not,” he said.

Mbah further accused the opposition of relying on what he described as propaganda and falsehood rather than presenting substantive issues to the electorate.

“This is shameful and reveals a desperate pattern adopted by the opposition to attract attention,” the governor stated.

He emphasised that although freedom of expression was a fundamental feature of democracy, it should not be used as justification for making defamatory allegations against individuals.

“There’s no doubt that democracy guarantees freedom of expression. It should be noted, however, that it does not grant anyone the right to defamation,” he said.

The governor also maintained that democratic institutions provide avenues for individuals and groups to seek redress when they believe they have been wronged, rather than resorting to statements capable of damaging the reputation of others.

“Democracy also offers avenues to seek redress. So, let it be known that there are redlines that should never be crossed,” he added.

The statement’s accompanying commentary questioned why Mbah would interfere in the operations of a private establishment, stressing that Amadeo Event Centre was not a government-owned facility.

It also accused opposition figures of making allegations against the governor to gain public attention, insisting that the claims were politically motivated.

The development comes amid political activities in Enugu State, where opposition parties and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continue to engage in political campaigns and public debates ahead of future electoral contests.

Suspected bandits have abducted 29 women and a male child during attacks on four communities in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, with 11 of the female victims reportedly escaping from captivity.

The affected communities are Kwimo, Kalgo, Kakaki and Mabona.

The latest development was disclosed in an operational update by the Nigeria Police Force covering security operations across several states between October 27 and 28, 2026.

According to the report, the 11 women escaped from their abductors’ hideout following sustained tactical pressure from police operatives.

Security personnel are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining victims and apprehend those responsible for the abduction. The State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna is investigating the incident.

A resident, Mohammed Ibrahim, said a joint security team led by operatives of the Bangi Police Division immediately launched a pursuit of the attackers after the incident.

He said the security operatives tracked the assailants, leading to efforts to rescue the abducted residents.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed the attack and the ensuing security operation.

Mariga Local Government Area has experienced repeated attacks and kidnappings in recent months, raising concerns over the safety of residents, particularly those in rural communities.

In September, suspected bandits abducted dozens of farmers, most of them women, while they were harvesting groundnuts in the area. The police confirmed that more than 20 people were abducted, while the local government chairman put the figure at 47.

The recurring attacks have heightened concerns about the security of farming communities and the impact of kidnappings on residents’ livelihoods.

As of the latest available report, efforts were ongoing to rescue the remaining victims of the latest abduction.

The status of the male child and the exact number of victims still in captivity had not been independently established in the reports reviewed.

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed N70,000 wage award, demanding an increase in the monthly salary of the lowest-paid worker to N300,000 to cushion the effects of rising living costs.

The congress described temporary wage allowances as inadequate to address the economic hardship facing Nigerian workers, urging the government to implement a permanent salary review and honour outstanding agreements with organised labour.

The position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the TUC President, Festus Osifo, and Secretary-General, N.A. Toro, following a National Administrative Council meeting held in Abuja on October 8, 2026.

The congress said it had written to the Federal Government through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, demanding an immediate review of workers’ salaries in response to rising food prices, transportation costs, healthcare expenses and other essential needs.

According to the TUC, the government does not need to wait for negotiations on the national minimum wage before reviewing workers’ salaries, arguing that there is no legal ceiling on how much employers can pay.

It proposed raising the monthly salary of the lowest-paid worker from N70,000 to N300,000, with corresponding adjustments across other salary grades.

The congress also expressed concern over the implementation of the 2023 wage award, alleging that the arrangement had not benefited workers consistently across the country.

It said some workers were still owed one or two months’ payments, while others had yet to receive the allowance. Some beneficiaries, it added, experienced irregular payments and were repeatedly forced to demand their entitlements.

The TUC further claimed that more than 80 per cent of states and workers in the informal sector had not benefited from any form of wage award.

It questioned the rationale for introducing another temporary relief measure when outstanding obligations under the previous arrangement remained unsettled.

The congress maintained that ongoing negotiations on a new national minimum wage should not prevent the government from implementing urgent salary increases for workers grappling with mounting economic pressures.

Beyond salary adjustments, the TUC called on federal, state and local governments to introduce practical measures to reduce the cost of essential goods and services, ensure prompt payment of salaries and pensions, protect jobs and address exploitative labour practices.

TUC Accuses FG of Breaching Health Workers’ Agreement

The congress also accused the Federal Government of failing to implement an agreement with the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) on adjustments to the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS).

According to the TUC, representatives of organised labour, JOHESU leaders and government officials reached an agreement during conciliation talks at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.

The government delegation included the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate; and the then Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun.

The congress said JOHESU suspended its industrial action in good faith following the agreement but alleged that the government had failed to fulfil its commitments seven months later.

It described the delay in implementing the CONHESS adjustment as a breach of the agreement, warning that failure to honour commitments could undermine confidence in collective bargaining.

The TUC consequently demanded the immediate implementation of the salary adjustment, a clear timetable for execution, adequate budgetary provisions and consultations with the relevant unions to resolve outstanding issues.

It also pledged to support affected health workers and pursue lawful measures to compel the government to honour the agreement.

The congress said it was awaiting the outcome of its scheduled meeting with the Federal Government before deciding on its next course of action. It did not announce an immediate nationwide strike.

Nigeria’s national minimum wage was increased from N30,000 to N70,000 monthly in July 2024 after President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage law following negotiations with organised labour.

However, the increase has not ended calls for broader salary reviews and additional measures to protect workers’ purchasing power amid rising living costs.

The TUC maintained that Nigerian workers needed lasting improvements in their earnings rather than temporary relief measures, stressing that government agreements must be honoured and workers’ welfare prioritised.