Lalong will now proceed to the National Assembly as Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial, a seat he won as affirmed by an appeal court ruling dated November 7, 2023.

“Lalong has resigned. But it was not at the FEC meeting itself. It must have been after the meeting because, if it were earlier, the President or SGF would have announced it during the meeting,” a presidential aide told our correspondent.

Lalong served as Director-General of the Tinubu Campaign Organisation in the months leading to the February Presidential election.

He ran for the Senate office but lost, according to results by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

However, he challenged the result in court and won at the Court of Appeal.

It was gathered that Lalong, a lawyer and two-term Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, tendered his resignation privately to the President after last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting at the State House.

Confirming this, a Twitter user in the President’s camp, Imran Mohammad said, “President Tinubu, Accepted Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, Resignation from the cabinet, his valedictory will hold next FEC meeting.”

However, our correspondent confirmed that there would be no FEC meeting this week, making last Wednesday’s meeting Lalong’s likely final appearance as a council member.

The former Plateau State Governor is due to be sworn in later this week by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, it was gathered.

Leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress are expected at the meeting holding on Tuesday (today).

A source familiar with the matter disclosed this on Monday night.

“The minister has convened a meeting with the Labour leaders for Tuesday,”  the source simply said.

The labour unions had, on Monday, ordered their affiliates to withdraw their services nationwide from midnight on November 14, 2023.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, disclosed this while addressing journalists in Abuja..

Osifo said the strike would remain until “government at all levels wake up to their responsibility.”

The strike is also to protest the battering of the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and some other executives of the congress in Owerri, Imo State, on November 1, as well as the pending labour issues in Imo State.

Ajaero was arrested by the police ahead of a state-wide protest in Imo, as disclosed by the NLC’s Head of Information, Benson Upah.

Although the police denied arresting Ajaero, stating that he was merely taken into protective custody to prevent a mob attack, the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, accused the labour leader of meddling in the political affairs of the state.

The NLC and TUC later wrote their affiliates such as the Academic Staff Union of Universities, National Union of Electricity Employees, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics among others ahead of the nationwide strike.

The letter to the affiliates was jointly signed by the National Secretary, NLC, Emmanuel Ugboaja and the Secretary General of the Trade Union Congress, Nuhu Toro.

The letter read, “In furtherance to the decision of the Joint National Executive Council of NLC and TUC, all workers in Nigeria are hereby directed to withdraw their services effective 12 midnight today, November 13, 2023.

“Consequently, all affiliates and state councils of NLC/TUC are directed to issue circulars for maximum compliance and these circulars be made available to the National Secretariats or posted to the NEC and WC Whatsapp platforms.

While we shall update you with developments as they unfold, do remain assured of our commitment to Nigerian workers and people.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has described the planned strike as an attempt to blackmail the government.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday said the planned action is an abuse of privilege and one that contravenes a restraining order by the Industrial Court against the strike.

He noted that Ajaero’s assault in Imo though condemnable is a personal issue that shouldn’t force the whole country into punishment.

The statement read,  “This decision by the NLC and TUC other than being an ego-tripping move is clearly unwarranted. It is an attempt to blackmail the government by the leadership of the NLC.

“We are still at a loss as to why the NLC and TUC decided to punish a whole country of over 200million people over a personal matter involving the NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, whose error of judgment led to assault on him in Owerri while he was planning to incite the workers in Imo State into a needless strike.

“While the Federal government does not condone any form of violence and assault on any citizen of Nigeria regardless of his or her social and economic status, it is on record that the Inspector General of Police has ordered an investigation into what happened to Ajaero while the Commissioner of Police in Imo State under whose watch the incident happened has been transferred out of the state.

“Calling out workers on a national strike over a personal issue of a labour leader despite a clear court order against any industrial action amounts to an abuse of privilege. Power at any level should never be used to settle personal scores. Rather, it should be used to promote collective progress and advance national interest.”

The statement added that the strike action is a sinister move to cause further hardship on the masses, noting that the labour movement should not be seen as one that shows disdain against the rule of law.

“Our national economy and social activities should not suffer because of the personal interest of any labour leader.

“This flagrant disobedience to a court order and lack of respect for the judiciary should not be what the organised Labour would champion.

“The labour movement has always been a champion of the rule of law and respect for the judiciary. It is a sad irony that the current labour leaders have shown disdain and utter disregard for the court orders.

“We reiterate that this strike action is illegal, immoral, unjustifiable and irresponsible. What the strike notice issued Monday night after official hours suggests is it’s designed for a sinister and hidden agenda to cause undue hardship and civil disturbance in our country. This is unacceptable,” it concluded.

He said Plateau State remained a very suitable business and investment hub because the government had vigorously addressed some of the major security challenges in the state by tackling their root causes.

Lalong spoke at a panel discussion on “Securing our Future: An Urgency for Now” which was held at the Transcorp Hilton Abuja, a statement by his Director of Press and Public Affairs, Macham Makut said on Tuesday.

According to the statement, “Lalong said most of the negative narratives about insecurity is exaggerated and also instigated by people from outside the state in collaboration with those within the state who want to make economic or political gains through violence. He said the state has addressed major issues that border on religion, injustice and ethnicity which are usually the triggers or faultlines exploited during any misunderstanding by groups or individuals. This he said has been done through dialogue, consultation and collaboration where threats to security are addressed before they reach violent dimensions. In addition, Governor Lalong said the state has faced headlong acts of criminality through support to security agencies with equipment and other logistics for better response to security demands. He said Operation Rainbow has also stepped in to work with vigilante and other community watch groups to deal with the situation which has greatly improved. He also advocated for a review of the revenue sharing formula and state police which must accommodate adequate funding, checks and balances and a very strong mechanism against abuse. This he said will enable the states to properly respond to security challenges as and when due. The Governor cited the recently organised local government elections conducted peacefully in Plateau State as an example of the dividends of peace and security which is being consolidated upon. Lalong advised other states to replicate the Peace Building Agency which has proven to be very useful in addressing conflicts because it is backed by law.”

Governor Simon Lalong’s spokesman, Dr Makut Macham also revealed that the government has lifted the ban on operations of tricycle, commonly referred to as Keke in the state. However, no tricycle will be allowed to operate between the hours of 6 pm to 6 am.

The approval was given after a meeting of the State Security Council held at the new Government House in Jos on Tuesday, September 7.

The statement read “Beginning from Wednesday, 8th September 2021, the curfew in Jos North will be enforced from 10 pm to 6 am. This will tally with the current status of the curfew in Jos South and Bassa Local Government Areas which still remains from 10 pm to 6 am. Similarly, Governor Lalong also approved that beginning from Wednesday, 8th September 2021, the ban placed on operations of tricycles will be lifted from 6 am to 6 pm daily. This means that no tricycle will be allowed to operate between the hours of 6 pm to 6 am. Governor Lalong also thanks to all stakeholders within and outside the state for their concerns and goodwill towards addressing the recent ugly developments, assuring that his administration will continue to pursue the path of peaceful coexistence while dealing with criminals and crises merchants who are bent on tarnishing the enviable image of the state.”

The ban on motorcycles will however remain in place within the Jos/Bukuru metropolis. It was also stated that law enforcement officers would continue to ensure that violators are arrested and punished according to the law.

The curfew comes hours after a fresh crisis broke out in Yelwa Zangam, a village in Zangam District of the state. Over 30 persons were allegedly killed in the renewed hostilities.

According to the statement, the 24-hour curfew will come into force from 4 pm on August 25 until further notice.

The statement said “The proactive decision became necessary following imminent threat to lives and properties within the local government area and the need to forestall the breakdown of law and order, It will also enable security agencies to deploy appropriately to maintain security as they search for the attackers of the villagers continues. The governor has appealed to the citizens of Jos North to cooperate with the government by abiding by the 24-hour curfew commencing 4 pm, 25th August 2021, as security agencies have been mandated to ensure that those who violate the curfew are arrested. The Governor is calling for calm as he is seriously grieved by the attacks. He again sympathises with the victims but wants them to show restraint and allow the government to handle the matter to disallow hoodlums from taking advantage of the unfortunate situation to cause mayhem and destruction in the state.”

The forum said the region is fully ready for cattle ranching in order to curbing the incessant herders/farmers crisis in the North and other parts of the country.

Chairman of the forum and Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, disclosed this on Tuesday, while speaking on Channels Television’s News @ 10.

Lalong, who stated that some states in the region were ready with land but need funds, added that the they have been in support of ranching for quite some time.

The governor, while reacting to the recent quit notices being bandied across the country, admitted that the rising insecurity in the northern region and other parts of the country, could be linked to cattle rustling.

He, however noted that ranching offers the “the only way to control the insecurity.”

“We were advising the federal government to also give grants to states that are ready with land,” he said.

“We are not saying that it is compulsory for states that are not ready. But many states in the North are ready.

“We need some grants to start so that these people will not be moving here and there. We need to also keep them in one place. It’s business. So definitely, that’s the only way to control the insecurity.”

Lalong, who is the Executive Governor of Plateau State, said all stakeholders, including members of cattle herders associations across the country, were on board with the idea of ranching.

“But there is this lack of funds to the state, there is lack of encouragement to the state,” he said.

NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi who described the killing as “obnoxious, wicked, unwarranted and morally reprehensible”, added that it raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture.

He said “This sad narrative raises serious questions on the general security situation in the country and around the capability of the nation’s security architecture. Since insurgency engulfed the country more than a decade ago, each time it seems like the situation is coming under control, the enemy strikes again. This has happened consistently.  The farmers were attacked while harvesting their produce totally oblivious of the danger that awaits them in nearby bushes. This method is consistent with the senseless bombings of busy markets, bus stations, schools and abattoirs whenever the terrorists feel overpowered by the security operatives or feel their backs against the wall. Governors are concerned that the carnage is degenerating beyond explicable limits, yet again, and the catalogue of destruction is not only seeming to be endless and intractable but it has an adverse effect on everything in the state and the country at large.”

The Northern Governors Forum also condemned the killing of the rice farmers. Chairman of the forum and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong averred that the entire country was deeply saddened over the killing of the innocent rice farmers who committed no crime except going to the farm to earn a living.

This action came following a draft that was submitted by the Commissioner of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality in Plateau State, Mrs. Tamwakat Weli.

The draft was finally approved by the state executive council chaired by the state governor, Simon Lalong during its recent meeting. The Governor tasked the commissioner to “change the phase of tourism in the state by coming out with the necessary policy and guidelines for the development of tourism in the state”.

Mrs Weli, in reaction to the new development, expressed appreciation to the state governor for the approval, while commending every stakeholder in the creation of the draft.

“Your unflinching support towards achieving this dream for our beloved state is highly appreciated and commendable”. The Draft Tourism Policy was necessary to enable speedy growth and development of our numerous tourism endowments and potentials for the socio-economic development of our dear Plateau state”.

As a result of this new policy, the State of Tourism and Peace may be well back on its way to living up to its alias. However, the speed at which this would come int realization would depend on how far the government is willing to muster support and funding for this new policy to become a success.

Meanwhile, the Governor on his re-election has pledged to create an atmosphere in which more youths can gain employment in the state.

Lalong said the mandate given to him is further revalidation of the trust that the people have in him with respect to what his government has achieved in the last three and half years.

He said his government kept all its promises including payment of backlogs of salaries and the maintenance of peace even in the face of threatening crisis.

On what new projects he will embark on in his second term, he noted that most of the things he will do are a reflection of the continuation of things on the ground.

Emphasizing on his intention for the youths, he expressed that employment of young people is a priority for him as the Governor of the state.

“My motive is to try and see the possibility of now going to engage and employ youths” who are idling away.

Lalong said the people of Plateau State voted their hearts and as such he was not afraid when the supplementary elections got underway.

The governor said he will run an all-inclusive government, stressing that no one will be left out, not even those who ran against him.