Plateau Peace Advocates for Good Governance and Social Stability, PPAGGSS has called on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Plateau State to resist divisive tendencies and preserve what it described as a rare moment of political unity across the state.
In a statement issued by its National Coordinator, Ibrahim D. Lengshak, the group warned that allowing internal cracks within the party could reverse the gains recorded in recent efforts to stabilise the state politically and socially.
According to the group, Plateau is witnessing an unprecedented level of political convergence, cutting across party lines and interests, a development it said should not be sacrificed on the altar of personal ambition or external manipulation.
PPAGGSS specifically cautioned both longstanding members of the APC and new entrants into the party to avoid actions or utterances and promotion of divisions and sharing ratios only known to those promoting the division.
The group urged party faithful to draw inspiration from leading political figures in the state, including Governor Caleb Mutfwang, APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda, and former governor Simon Lalong, whom it credited with setting aside political differences to foster cohesion.
“So far, these leaders have not disappointed us in their common zeal for the good of the state and the party and it behoves those who claim to support them not to break ranks.
“The unity we are beginning to see on the Plateau is not accidental. It is the product of deliberate efforts by leaders who have chosen to rise above differences for the common good,” Ishaku said.
PPAGGSS noted that the alignment among these leaders represents a strategic foundation for peace and development, stressing that their example should guide grassroots supporters and stakeholders within the party.
The group also raised concern over what it described as the activities of “divisive elements” seeking to exploit perceived differences within the APC for personal gain.
“These are individuals who neither laboured for the present stability nor contributed to the building of consensus, yet they are eager to sow discord for selfish reasons,” the statement said.
It warned that such tendencies, if unchecked, could plunge the state back into a cycle of political fragmentation that has historically undermined governance and security.
Emphasising the broader implications of unity, PPAGGSS said that a cohesive political front is essential in addressing the lingering security challenges affecting communities across Plateau.
According to the group, insecurity remains a shared concern that transcends political affiliations, making it imperative for stakeholders to close ranks rather than deepen divisions.
“Plateau cannot afford to return to an era where political differences weaken collective resolve. The threats we face today require unity, cooperation, and a shared commitment to peace,” Ishaku added.
The group, therefore, urged APC members to project a united front in both words and actions, stressing that sustaining the current atmosphere of cooperation would be critical in consolidating peace, strengthening governance, and advancing development across the state.
BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR—The organized labor movement on Monday hailed a recent ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) confirming that the right to strike is implicit in Convention 87 as a landmark victory for workers worldwide.
However, the ruling has sparked a fresh domestic debate, with labor representatives strongly criticizing the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) for attempting to downplay the judgment’s impact.
The controversy escalated following a television appearance by the Director-General of NECA, Mr. Adewale Smatt-Oyerinde.
Speaking on TVC, Oyerinde argued that the right to strike is not automatic and asserted that workers must still adhere strictly to existing local labor laws, specifically citing Section 43 of the Trade Dispute Act (TDA).
He also suggested that a meeting of social partners to establish complimentary conditions remains a necessary precondition before any strike action can be declared.
Labor representatives quickly fired back, labeling Oyerinde’s remarks as an “unnecessary academic exercise in futility” and a selective interpretation of international law. Critics accused the NECA boss of being economical with the historical background of the dispute, pointing out that the issue had already undergone exhaustive debate across various levels of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The legal battle began when the global Employers’ Group challenged whether the right to strike was protected under Convention 87.
After the ILO Governing Board affirmed the right through a majority decision, the Employers’ Group appealed the matter to the ICJ. As the highest judicial body in the world, the ICJ’s subsequent ruling in favor of workers is considered definitive and legally binding.
Labor advocates emphasize that Nigeria ratified Convention 87 in 1960, signaling a long-standing commitment to its principles. They argue that following the ICJ’s conclusive verdict, both the Nigerian government and employer bodies like NECA are obligated to obey the law unconditionally rather than selectively hiding behind local statutes to weaken workers’ rights.
Reassuring the public and the business community, labor stakeholders maintained that a strike has never been the first option for workers, but rather a last resort. They cautioned that an adversarial interpretation of the ICJ ruling by employers would only harm industrial harmony, urging instead for mutual respect and total adherence to international legal frameworks to guide future industrial relations in Nigeria.
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