₦airaland Forum

By Ceejay Oji
• Deputy Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abia State.

Every society depends on different kinds of people for its progress. Some cultivate the land, some heal the sick, some defend the nation, and others administer the affairs of government. Yet there is another class whose influence is often less visible but no less indispensable. They are the intellectuals. They are academics, lawyers, journalists, writers, researchers, professionals, clergy, policy analysts, and public thinkers whose responsibility extends beyond their occupations to the pursuit of truth and the defence of the public interest.

An intellectual is not merely someone with certificates or prestigious titles. Education alone does not make one an intellectual. The true intellectual is distinguished by integrity, moral courage, and an unwavering commitment to reason. Such a person questions assumptions, challenges falsehoods, scrutinizes authority, and defends what is right even when doing so comes at a personal cost.

Africa's greatest thinkers earned their place in history not because they echoed those in power, but because they challenged prevailing ideas. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe inspired generations through his advocacy for self determination and nation building. Kwame Nkrumah championed African unity beyond colonial borders. Julius Nyerere placed principle above ambition. Thomas Sankara rejected dependency and injustice. Chinua Achebe confronted uncomfortable truths about leadership. Wole Soyinka reminded us that loyalty to country must never become loyalty to those temporarily in office. Chief Gani Fawehinmi defended constitutionalism at immense personal sacrifice. Nelson Mandela proved that justice often demands sacrifice before it delivers freedom. Professor PLO Lumumba continues to challenge Africans to reject corruption, mediocrity, and intellectual complacency.

What united them was not political affiliation. It was the conviction that truth must never become subordinate to power.

One of the greatest dangers confronting any democracy is not simply the emergence of bad leaders. Nations have recovered from poor leadership before. What is far more dangerous is the silence of those with the knowledge, influence, and credibility to expose mistakes before they become disasters.

When intellectuals become silent, society loses one of its strongest systems of accountability.

Silence is not always imposed by oppression. Sometimes it is purchased through political patronage. Sometimes it grows out of tribal loyalty, religious partisanship, financial dependence, career ambition, or the desire to remain in the good graces of those in power. At other times, it is driven by fear of harassment, public misunderstanding, or coordinated attacks.

Whatever its source, the consequence is the same.

When informed voices withdraw, misinformation fills the vacuum. Propaganda flourishes. Praise becomes more abundant than evidence. Emotion replaces reason, and political loyalty begins to outweigh objective judgment.

A society where applause consistently drowns out honest criticism gradually loses its capacity for self correction.

There is a worrying tendency in our political culture to measure patriotism by the willingness to applaud rather than the courage to question. The scholar who asks difficult questions is branded a cynic. The lawyer who demands constitutional accountability is labelled anti government. The journalist who investigates public affairs is accused of hidden motives. Even ordinary citizens who raise genuine concerns are told to remain silent or risk being branded enemies of progress.

The easiest way to weaken a democracy is not to imprison every critic, but to convince society that every critic is an enemy.

Democracy was never designed to demand unquestioning loyalty. It demands informed participation. It requires citizens who can commend what deserves praise while questioning what demands explanation. Genuine progress is strengthened, not threatened, by scrutiny.

The decline of a society rarely begins with a shortage of educated people. More often, it begins when educated people stop using their knowledge in the service of truth. Degrees may decorate our walls, but without courage, scholarship becomes little more than decoration.

Why then do so many intellectuals remain silent?

The answer lies partly in the environment they now face.

Not every issue requires public commentary, and wisdom often requires restraint. However, when justice, constitutionalism, accountability, or the welfare of citizens is at stake, persistent silence ceases to be neutrality. It becomes an abdication of civic responsibility.

Across many African democracies, Nigeria included, legitimate questions about governance are increasingly treated as acts of hostility. Instead of addressing the substance of criticism, critics are branded enemies of government, accused of opposing progress, or dismissed as perpetual fault finders. In such an atmosphere, reason gives way to partisanship, and public debate becomes a contest of political loyalty rather than ideas.

This culture impoverishes public discourse. Many intellectuals begin to calculate the personal cost of speaking. Some remain silent to protect their careers. Others withdraw to avoid insults and organized harassment. Gradually, applause becomes safer than honesty, and conformity becomes more rewarding than independent thought.

History, however, teaches a different lesson. The men and women whose ideas transformed Africa were rarely celebrated in their own time. They were misunderstood, resisted, vilified, and sometimes persecuted. Yet history remembers them not for the comfort they preserved, but for the truths they defended.

Questioning government is not the same as opposing government. Asking whether public resources are being used effectively is not sabotage. Demanding transparency is not hatred. Evaluating policies by results rather than publicity is not disloyalty. These are the habits of responsible citizenship.

Democracy does not survive on elections alone. Elections determine who governs. Accountability determines how they govern. Between elections, it is the responsibility of citizens, an independent press, principled professionals, courageous lawyers, ethical religious leaders, and objective scholars to ensure that public office remains an instrument of service rather than a shield against scrutiny.

Governments deserve commendation when they perform well. Good policies should be acknowledged. Genuine progress should be celebrated. But praise should never replace critical judgment. Mature democracies make room for both commendation and criticism because they understand that accountability is one of the highest expressions of patriotism.

The true measure of an intellectual is not the number of degrees earned, books published, or titles acquired. It is the willingness to remain faithful to truth when truth becomes unpopular. Genuine intellectual independence demands the courage to commend what is right, oppose what is wrong, and remain consistent regardless of who occupies public office.

Every generation is judged not only by the leaders it produces but also by the citizens who either challenge or enable those leaders. Future generations will ask whether those with knowledge chose conviction over convenience and whether they strengthened democracy by speaking when it mattered most.

Those answers are being written today.

As Nigeria continues its democratic journey, our nation does not merely need louder voices. It needs more credible voices. It does not merely need more opinions. It needs more principled reasoning. It needs citizens whose first allegiance is to truth, justice, constitutionalism, and the common good.

The silence of the intellectual may offer temporary comfort, but history shows that societies pay a heavy price when those who know better choose applause over honesty. Democracy flourishes where truth is defended without fear and where power is reminded, respectfully but firmly, that it remains accountable to the people.

A society should never fear the voice of its intellectuals. It should fear the day they decide that speaking the truth is no longer worth the cost.

Now, over to you.

Do you think intellectuals in Nigeria, especially in Abia State, are doing enough to hold those in power accountable?

Have we reached a point where asking genuine questions automatically makes someone an enemy of government?

Or does the problem lie elsewhere?

Please share your thoughts.

By: Ceejay Oji
• Deputy Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abia State

Development is one of the most frequently used words in public life, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. Governments proudly unveil new roads, commission buildings, cut ribbons before television cameras, and flood the media with carefully produced images of achievements. To the casual observer, these spectacles appear to be undeniable proof of progress. History, however, teaches a different lesson. A society does not become developed simply because concrete is poured, paint is applied, or ceremonies are organized. Development is measured not by what is seen for a day, but by what continues to improve the lives of people for generations.

Visible projects have their place. Roads connect communities, schools educate future generations, hospitals save lives, and public infrastructure forms the backbone of every modern society. The mistake begins when these projects become the definition of development rather than one component of it. A government may build magnificent structures while unemployment rises, businesses collapse, healthcare deteriorates, education declines, and poverty deepens. In such circumstances, what exists is not comprehensive development but the appearance of it.

This distinction is not merely philosophical. It is one of the oldest lessons in development economics. Nobel Prize winning economist Amartya Sen argued that development should ultimately be understood as the expansion of people's freedoms and capabilities, not merely the accumulation of physical assets. Infrastructure matters because of what it enables people to become, not because of how impressive it appears in photographs.

History repeatedly demonstrates that prosperous nations were not built through publicity campaigns but through sustained investment in institutions, education, innovation, productive industries, healthcare, and the rule of law. These achievements rarely dominate the headlines because their greatest successes are often invisible. A child receiving quality education, an entrepreneur gaining access to affordable credit, a farmer reaching new markets, or a hospital consistently delivering quality care may never become viral news, yet these are the foundations upon which lasting prosperity is built.

There is an important difference between growth and transformation. Growth may produce impressive statistics or physical expansion. Transformation changes the conditions under which people live. A city may acquire more buildings without becoming more livable. An economy may record larger budgets while families struggle to afford basic necessities. Governments may celebrate increasing numbers of completed projects, and many citizens, particularly sycophants and praise singers, readily accept these as conclusive evidence of development.

Critical thinkers ask different questions. Beyond the commissioning ceremonies, media headlines, and public applause, they examine whether those projects have meaningfully improved the lives of ordinary people. Has employment increased? Is healthcare more accessible? Are educational outcomes improving? Are businesses finding it easier to survive and grow? Has the standard of living improved?

Ironically, those who ask such questions are often dismissed as perpetual critics, accused of standing in the way of development, or branded as enemies of the government. Yet genuine accountability does not obstruct development. It strengthens it by ensuring that public investments are judged not merely by their visibility but by their measurable impact on the wellbeing of the people they are intended to serve.

Modern politics, however, often rewards visibility more than value. A completed bridge is easier to display than improved learning outcomes. A newly painted public building attracts more attention than reforms that quietly strengthen institutions. A commissioning ceremony creates immediate headlines, while policies that reduce poverty or improve productivity may take years before their impact becomes visible. As political rewards become increasingly tied to perception, governments are often tempted to devote more energy to what can be seen than to what can be measured.

This is where public relations quietly begins to replace public performance. Political communication is an essential part of democratic governance because citizens deserve to know what their governments are doing. Transparency requires communication. The problem begins when communication no longer reports performance but instead manufactures it. Every activity becomes a media event. Every announcement becomes a celebration. Every project becomes evidence of transformation, regardless of whether it transforms anything beyond the landscape.

Perhaps the greatest illusion of development is the assumption that visibility automatically equals effectiveness. It does not. A project should never be judged simply because it was completed or because it performs its intended function. The real question is whether it improves the lives of the people it was built to serve.

A road may reduce travel time, a hospital may open its doors, and a school may stand proudly in a community, yet if families remain trapped in poverty, businesses continue to collapse, unemployment keeps rising, and the cost of living becomes unbearable, then development has fallen short of its true purpose. Infrastructure that fails to improve the overall wellbeing of citizens is little more than a visible achievement with limited public value.

This is where governments often confuse outputs with outcomes. They count the number of projects delivered, while discerning citizens count the number of opportunities created. They celebrate structures that can be photographed, while thoughtful citizens measure progress by whether they can afford food, secure decent jobs, access quality healthcare, educate their children, and live with dignity. Development is not measured by the number of projects completed but by the number of lives genuinely transformed.

One of the quietest threats to democracy is not corruption alone but the gradual substitution of evidence with perception. When governments become more concerned with appearing effective than with being effective, accountability begins to weaken. Public debate shifts away from measurable outcomes and becomes dominated by carefully curated narratives. Citizens gradually learn to judge governments by publicity instead of performance, by ribbon cuttings instead of results, and by political branding instead of genuine social progress.

History teaches that meaningful scrutiny is not hostility to development. It is one of its greatest safeguards. Democracies flourish when governments are judged not only by what they build but by what those investments ultimately achieve for the people.

Citizens must therefore learn to ask different questions. Beyond the ribbon cutting, what changed? Beyond the impressive photographs, whose lives improved? Beyond the announcements and publicity, what measurable outcomes followed? Did employment increase? Did educational standards improve? Did healthcare become more accessible? Did businesses become easier to establish and sustain? Did poverty decline? These are the questions that separate governance from performance art.

Projects have value. Publicity also has its place. But neither is development in itself. Their true value lies in whether they expand opportunities, improve living standards, strengthen institutions, and leave citizens better than they were before. Until governments are judged by those outcomes rather than by the visibility of their projects, societies will continue to mistake the illusion of development for development itself.

By: Ceejay Oji

The most dangerous thing a bad government can steal is not money. It is ambition.

Nations have survived wars, economic crises, corruption scandals and prolonged periods of poor leadership. History shows that societies can recover from enormous setbacks. Yet one form of damage leaves no visible scars. It is the slow destruction of public expectations.

A nation enters dangerous territory when citizens forget what good governance looks like, not because they deliberately rejected it but because they have lived with dysfunction for so long that they struggle to imagine anything better.

That is where the real crisis begins. It does not start inside parliament, government offices, presidential villas or governor's lodges. It begins in the minds of citizens. The greatest victory of poor governance is not only the poverty it creates. It is the poverty of expectations it leaves behind.

No society is born with low expectations. People naturally desire security, prosperity, quality education, accessible healthcare, functioning institutions, economic opportunity and a government that serves the public interest. These are not luxuries. They are basic expectations of citizenship.

The problem begins when disappointment becomes routine. Promises are abandoned. Projects are forgotten. Institutions weaken. Infrastructure deteriorates. Corruption becomes familiar. Elections arrive with fresh slogans but familiar outcomes. Citizens who once demanded transformation begin to settle for improvement. Those who demanded improvement settle for effort. Eventually even excuses become acceptable.

Albert O. Hirschman observed that societies often adapt to decline in ways that make decline harder to reverse. Human beings can adjust to difficult conditions. That resilience can also become a political weakness. When dysfunction becomes normal, people stop treating it as an emergency. Expectations quietly shrink.

A population that expects excellence is difficult to govern poorly. A population that expects little is easier to satisfy. Governments no longer need extraordinary achievements. They only need to appear better than disaster. Citizens stop asking whether the nation is becoming what it can be. Instead they ask whether things are better than before. One question measures possibility. The other measures survival.

Comparison has become one of politics' most effective tools. Governments defend present shortcomings by pointing to past failures. Roads were worse. The economy was worse. Institutions were weaker. Corruption was greater. Perhaps. But since when did yesterday's failures become today's standard? No serious business measures success against bankruptcy. No student defines excellence by failure. Leadership exists to unlock potential, not merely outperform failure.

Kofi Annan reminded the world that good governance is central to development and poverty reduction. Yet many societies celebrate ordinary responsibilities as miracles. Roads, electricity, water and salaries are treated as extraordinary gifts instead of basic obligations. Governments spend public resources, not personal wealth. When deprivation lasts too long, normal governance begins to look exceptional.

In his book R∆ped & Ens|aved: Abia's Era of k|eptocracy, Don Norman Obinna warned that corruption damages more than infrastructure. It damages expectations. It changes what citizens believe is possible. Roads can be rebuilt. Institutions can be reformed. Economies can recover. Restoring public belief is often harder.

The future of democracy depends on the quality of leadership and the quality of public expectations. Citizens must refuse to measure governments only against failure. They must judge leaders by promises, resources, opportunities and potential. As Claude Ake argued, development is ultimately about people. The real questions remain whether opportunities are expanding, institutions are stronger, businesses are growing, young people have hope and public resources produce public value.

Every generation must preserve what works and reject what weakens its future. Reduced expectations are among the most dangerous inheritances any society can accept. Once citizens expect less, leaders deliver less. Once leaders deliver less, citizens accept less. Mediocrity becomes normal. Potential becomes irrelevant. Ambition becomes another casualty of poor governance.

No society should allow yesterday's failures to define tomorrow's possibilities. The greatest triumph of poor governance is not simply failing to develop a nation. It is persuading citizens to lower their definition of development. Once that happens, people stop demanding excellence and begin negotiating the terms of disappointment.

Demand excellence. Expect competence. Never reward excuses. The future depends on standards.

By: Ceejay Oji.

There is a dangerous stage in the relationship between citizens and government that receives far less attention than it deserves. It is the moment when a people have suffered for so long that they begin to mistake relief for transformation, activity for progress, and survival for development. At that point, governance ceases to be measured by promises fulfilled and becomes measured against the failures of the past. Expectations collapse. Standards decline. Accountability weakens. And politicians discover the most profitable secret in public administration: a population with a short memory of promises and a long memory of pain is easier to impress than a population that remembers both.

This is the politics of white-washing governance.

White-washing governance is not the complete absence of performance. It is far more sophisticated than that. It is the art of doing just enough to appear transformational while carefully avoiding the deeper structural changes that genuine development requires. It is repainting a crumbling wall while ignoring the cracked foundation beneath it. It is the politics of optics over outcomes, appearances over substance, and applause over measurable progress.

History shows that some of the most enduring political manipulations have not been built on outright oppression alone. They have often been built on the exploitation of public desperation. When citizens are deprived for years, neglected by institutions, abandoned by leadership, and denied the dividends of governance, they become vulnerable to anyone who appears different from their oppressors. Hope becomes a political currency. Expectations become negotiable. Standards become elastic.

The tragedy is that the very suffering that should make citizens more demanding sometimes makes them less demanding.

Former South African President Nelson Mandela once observed that "a critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy." The same can be said of citizens. A democracy survives not merely because people vote but because they retain the capacity to question those they elected. The moment criticism becomes a crime and accountability becomes an act of betrayal, democracy begins its slow decline.

Across Africa and indeed much of the developing world, countless governments have mastered the science of governing through comparison rather than performance. Their strongest defence is rarely what they have achieved. Their strongest defence is reminding citizens how terrible their predecessors were.

The conversation is deliberately shifted from "Are we progressing?" to "Were things not worse before?"
That is a dangerous shift!

A nation cannot build its future by permanently comparing itself to its lowest moments. A student who scores thirty percent in an examination and later scores forty percent has improved, but improvement alone does not constitute excellence. Development must be measured against potential, promises, resources, and opportunities, not merely against previous failures.

This is why citizens must be careful whenever politicians demand gratitude for performing duties they voluntarily sought public office to undertake.
- Leadership is not charity.
- Government is not philanthropy.
- Public service is not a favour.

When roads are built, salaries paid, hospitals equipped, schools renovated, or public services improved, citizens should appreciate the progress. But appreciation must never replace scrutiny. Governments are not elected to be praised for functioning. They are elected to function.

Kwame Nkrumah warned decades ago that "the forces that unite us are intrinsic and greater than the superimposed influences that keep us apart." His warning was directed at colonial divisions, but its relevance extends further. Citizens must resist the artificial divisions created by politicians who survive by reducing governance to loyalty rather than performance. Once governance becomes a contest of personalities instead of results, public interest becomes the first casualty.

One of the greatest political strategies in modern governance is the management of expectations.

A government inherits a broken system. It identifies public anger. It amplifies every failure of its predecessors. It presents itself as the long-awaited solution. It raises enormous expectations. It promises a new era. It promises transformation. It promises prosperity. It promises to rewrite history.

Citizens invest their hopes, then reality arrives.
- The promised revolution becomes a renovation project.
- Structural reforms become cosmetic interventions.
- Economic transformation becomes media campaigns.
- Institutional rebuilding becomes public relations.
- Grand visions shrink into modest accomplishments.

Yet many citizens remain satisfied.
Why? Because suffering changes perspective.

- A man who has been denied food for weeks may celebrate a loaf of bread even if he was promised a bakery.
- A community abandoned for years may applaud the repair of a single road even when it was promised an industrial revolution.
- A workforce owed salaries for months may celebrate regular payment even when it was promised prosperity.

This psychological reality is understandable. It is also politically exploitable.

The Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe once argued that the trouble with many African societies is simply and squarely a failure of leadership. Yet there is another uncomfortable truth. Leadership failures persist partly because citizens sometimes reward leaders for doing less than they promised.

When standards are lowered, accountability becomes optional.

The problem is not that governments should not rehabilitate infrastructure. They should. The problem is not that governments should not improve public services. They should.
The problem arises when rehabilitation is marketed as transformation, maintenance is presented as innovation, and routine governance is sold as extraordinary achievement.

Development is not merely fixing what exists. Development is creating what does not yet exist. A nation advances when it expands opportunities, creates industries, builds institutions, stimulates innovation, generates employment, strengthens productivity, and improves living standards in measurable ways.

The Asian Tigers did not transform their economies through cosmetic governance. Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong pursued aggressive industrialisation, institutional discipline, educational investment, and long term planning. Rwanda's post genocide recovery was not built solely on repairing what was damaged but on constructing systems designed to prevent future decline. Botswana's rise was not sustained by publicity but by deliberate investments in governance institutions and prudent resource management.

History rewards builders, not decorators.

This distinction matters because governments increasingly operate in the age of perception management. Social media has amplified the ability of politicians to project activity. A road can be photographed from fifty angles. A building can dominate headlines for months. A ribbon-cutting ceremony can trend for days.

Yet none of these answers the fundamental question:
- Are citizens materially better off than before?
- Are more jobs being created?
- Are businesses growing?
- Are incomes rising?
- Are institutions stronger?
- Are opportunities expanding?
- Are promises being fulfilled?
These are the questions that determine progress.

Thomas Sankara famously declared that "you cannot carry out fundamental change without a certain amount of madness." By madness, he meant courage. The courage to challenge old systems. The courage to pursue transformative reforms. The courage to think beyond political convenience.

True leadership requires more than visibility, It requires vision. It requires the willingness to be measured against one's own promises rather than against the failures of predecessors.

The citizen's responsibility is equally important.

Every generation must decide whether it wants spectators or stakeholders.
- Spectators celebrate personalities. Stakeholders evaluate performance.
- Spectators defend politicians. Stakeholders defend principles.
- Spectators ask, "Who is speaking?" Stakeholders ask, "Is what he is saying true?"

A healthy democracy depends on citizens who understand that criticism is not opposition and accountability is not hostility. Indeed, accountability is the highest form of patriotism because it seeks to protect the public interest from the temptations of power.

- No leader should be permitted to hide behind the incompetence of those who came before him.
- No government should be allowed to recycle old promises indefinitely.
- No administration should be celebrated merely because it is less disastrous than its predecessor.
- The standard of governance must never be the failures of yesterday. It must be the possibilities of tomorrow.

That is the difference between leadership and white-washing governance.
- One seeks to transform society. The other seeks to manage perceptions.
- One builds institutions. The other builds narratives.
- One creates lasting prosperity. The other creates temporary applause.
And when the applause fades, nations inevitably discover that painted walls cannot substitute for solid foundations.

The future of any democracy therefore depends on citizens who refuse to be hypnotised by comparisons, distracted by publicity, or satisfied with crumbs. A people who remember promises as clearly as they remember suffering become difficult to deceive.
Such citizens are not enemies of government. They are the guardians of progress.

For nations rise not when leaders demand praise, but when citizens demand excellence.

COURT OF APPEAL AFFIRMS FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGMENT AGAINST DAVID MARK-LED ADC LEADERSHIP, AWARDS ₦10 MILLION COSTS, UPHOLDS ELECTED STATE EXECUTIVES

By: CEEJAY OJI
Deputy Publicity Secretary of African Democratic Congress (ADC), Abia State.

In a landmark decision with far-reaching implications for internal party democracy in Nigeria, the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has dismissed an appeal filed by the Senator David Mark-led leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), thereby affirming the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing state congresses conducted by committees appointed by the disputed national caretaker leadership.

The appellate court, in a majority decision of two to one, upheld the judgment delivered by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Okon Abang held that the actions of the appellants were inconsistent with both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of the ADC Constitution. The court consequently dismissed the appeal and awarded ₦10 million costs against the appellants.

Justice Abba Mohammed, who delivered the dissenting opinion, took the view that the dispute was non justiciable. However, the majority judgment prevailed and remains the binding decision of the court.

At the heart of the dispute was the controversial dissolution of duly elected state executive committees across the federation and the subsequent appointment of caretaker structures by the national leadership.

The Court of Appeal agreed with the Federal High Court that the national caretaker leadership lacked the legal authority to truncate the tenure of elected state executives or replace them with interim committees.

Justice Abang emphasized that such actions violated Section 223(1)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which requires political parties to operate in accordance with democratic principles and internal democratic norms.

The court further held that the actions complained of were contrary to relevant provisions of the ADC Constitution, particularly Articles 7, 9 and 19, which regulate party administration, the tenure of elected officers and the conduct of congresses.

Accordingly, the Court reaffirmed that the power to organize and conduct state congresses resides in duly elected state executive committees and cannot be exercised by caretaker structures imposed outside the framework of the party's constitution.

The appellate court therefore upheld the orders restraining INEC from recognizing, monitoring or participating in any state congresses organized by committees appointed by the disputed national caretaker leadership.

The litigation arose from the leadership crisis that engulfed the ADC following developments that trailed the tenure of former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu.

A faction of the party led by former Senate President, Senator David Mark, and former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, assumed leadership responsibilities and initiated a restructuring process that included the appointment of caretaker committees and the proposed conduct of state congresses.

Opposing the move, Don Norman Obinna, Chairman of the ADC in Abia State, alongside six other elected state chairmen, instituted Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/58/2026 before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The plaintiffs sued on behalf of themselves and elected state executive committees nationwide, contending that the purported dissolution of state structures was unconstitutional, unlawful, null and void.

They argued that neither the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor the ADC Constitution conferred powers on the national caretaker leadership to remove elected state executives before the expiration of their tenure.

In April 2026, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik agreed with the plaintiffs and granted all the substantive reliefs sought, including orders restraining interference with the tenure and functions of elected state executives and prohibiting INEC from recognizing congresses conducted by the caretaker structures.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, the Mark-led leadership proceeded to the Court of Appeal in a bid to overturn the decision. The ruling on Monday 13th day of July, 2026, however, brought that effort to an abrupt halt.

By affirming the rights of elected state executives to complete their tenure, the Court of Appeal has strengthened judicial protections against the unlawful dissolution of party structures and reaffirmed the supremacy of party constitutions in the management of internal affairs.

The ruling presents a significant challenge for ongoing efforts to reorganize and unify the ADC ahead of future electoral contests, particularly preparations for the 2027 general elections.

For now, however, the Court of Appeal has spoken clearly, elected party structures cannot be arbitrarily dissolved, and internal democracy remains a constitutional obligation rather than a matter of convenience.

By: Ceejay Oji

(this is long but every Nigerian must patiently read this article before 2027)

PART I:

THE PURSUIT OF POWER, CENTRALIZATION, AND THE POLITICS OF CONTROL

Who Was Joseph Stalin?

Joseph Stalin (1878–1953) was the leader of the Soviet Union from the mid-1920s until his death in 1953. He is widely remembered as one of the most influential and controversial political figures of the twentieth century. Under his leadership, the Soviet Union transformed from a largely agricultural nation into a major industrial and military power and played a decisive role in the defeat of Nazi Germany during the Second World War.

However, Stalin is equally remembered for his extreme concentration of power, suppression of political opposition, widespread censorship, political purges, forced labour camps (the Gulags), and policies that resulted in immense human suffering. To his admirers, he represents strong leadership and rapid national development; to his critics, he stands as a warning about the dangers of unchecked political power and governance that prioritizes state objectives over the welfare and freedoms of ordinary citizens. It is this dual legacy that continues to make Stalin a subject of political and historical comparison decades after his death.

History seldom repeats itself in identical form, but political scientists have long observed that certain governing tendencies recur across different eras and political systems. As Mark Twain is often credited with saying, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it often rhymes."

At first glance, comparing Joseph Stalin, the Soviet dictator who ruled from the mid-1920s until 1953, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the democratically elected President of Nigeria, appears inappropriate. Stalin governed a one-party communist state characterised by totalitarian rule, while Tinubu governs under Nigeria's constitutional democracy.

However, comparative politics is less concerned with whether two leaders are identical than with whether they exhibit comparable patterns of governance. Political scientists routinely compare leaders operating under different constitutional systems to examine similarities in how power is accumulated, institutions are influenced, political opposition is managed, and economic narratives are constructed.

This paper therefore does not argue that Tinubu is Stalin, nor does it suggest that Nigeria has become the Soviet Union. Rather, it examines whether observable tendencies in Nigeria today resemble governance patterns historically associated with highly centralised political systems.

1. The Centralisation of Political Power

Perhaps Stalin's greatest political achievement was not industrialisation or military expansion. It was his extraordinary concentration of power.

Following Lenin's death in 1924, Stalin gradually removed rivals including Leon Trotsky, Lev Kamenev, Nikolai Bukharin and Grigory Zinoviev. Through party appointments, patronage and strategic alliances, he transformed the Communist Party into an extension of his personal authority.

Political historian Robert Service notes that Stalin understood a simple political principle, "Control the institutions, and eventually you control the nation."

The concentration of power need not occur only through violence. It can also occur through institutional dominance.

Critics of President Tinubu argue that a comparable, though constitutionally distinct, concentration of influence has emerged in Nigeria. Under the Nigerian Constitution, the President appoints numerous key officials, subject in many cases to Senate confirmation, including ministers, service chiefs, the Chairman of INEC, and the Chief Justice through constitutionally prescribed processes involving the National Judicial Council. Critics contend that these powers, combined with political influence, can strengthen executive dominance if institutions are insufficiently independent. Supporters respond that these appointments are lawful and part of the constitutional design.

The concern raised by some constitutional scholars is therefore not merely what powers exist, but how those powers are exercised in practice.

2. Political Dominance Beyond Elections

Stalin believed genuine political competition endangered his authority.

By the early 1930s, the Soviet Union had effectively become a state in which meaningful opposition no longer existed. Elections were largely symbolic because only Communist Party-approved candidates could participate.

Nigeria remains a multiparty democracy, and opposition parties continue to exist. Yet critics have increasingly expressed concern about the shrinking strength of opposition parties, driven in part by a wave of defections to the ruling APC. Opposition leaders have alleged that state institutions are being used to pressure rivals, while the Tinubu administration denies those allegations and maintains that defections reflect political choice rather than coercion.

By 2025 and 2026, the APC had further expanded its legislative dominance through high-profile defections from opposition parties. Supporters described this as evidence of confidence in the administration; critics argued it risked weakening democratic competition.

The comparison here is therefore not that Nigeria has abolished opposition, but that critics see a trend toward increasing political concentration.

3. Patronage as an Instrument of Political Stability

Political survival depends not only on force but also on loyalty.

Stalin maintained loyalty through a vast patronage network. Promotions, privileges and positions often depended on political allegiance. Those who remained loyal advanced; those who did not risked exclusion or worse.

Nigeria's political system is fundamentally different, but analysts frequently describe it as operating through patronage networks in which appointments, alliances and political influence help sustain governing coalitions. Supporters view this as ordinary coalition-building within democratic politics, while critics argue it entrenches elite power and weakens institutional independence.

Political scientist Richard Joseph famously described this phenomenon in Nigeria as prebendal politics—a system in which public office is often viewed as a source of patronage for political supporters.

4. Economic Reform Versus Public Welfare

One of Stalin's defining characteristics was his willingness to pursue sweeping economic transformation despite immense hardship. His Five-Year Plans rapidly industrialised the Soviet Union, but they also coincided with forced collectivisation, widespread famine and immense human suffering.
The state's justification was that temporary sacrifice would secure future national greatness.

Supporters of President Tinubu present a similar argument, though in a vastly different context and without the coercive features of Stalin's regime. Since taking office in 2023, the administration removed fuel subsidies, liberalised the foreign exchange market and pursued broader fiscal reforms. Government officials argue these measures were necessary to prevent fiscal collapse and restore long-term economic stability.

The reforms have been praised by institutions such as the World Bank and IMF for improving fiscal sustainability, yet they have also been accompanied by high inflation and a severe cost-of-living crisis affecting many households.

This creates an important analytical similarity. In both cases, leaders justified significant present hardship by appealing to future national benefits.

The crucial difference, however, is one of scale and coercion. Stalin imposed policies through a totalitarian state that denied political choice and used widespread repression. Tinubu's reforms are being implemented within a democratic system that continues to allow elections, judicial review, civil society advocacy and public criticism.

- COMING IN PART II

Part II examines the growing disconnect between leaders and citizens, the debate over development versus living standards, the relationship between political elites and ordinary people, and how governments respond to public complaints, criticism, and dissent.

To be continued.......

Great men are not measured solely by the offices they occupy or the wealth they possess, but by the values they uphold, the lives they impact, and the legacy they leave behind. Hon. Kingsheart Ukpai is one such man whose life of faith, leadership, service, and devotion to family has earned him admiration within the Church, the community, and beyond.

In recognition of his exemplary character and outstanding contributions to society, the Men's Christian Association (MCA) of Solid Rock Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Uzofuru Parish, Ebem Ohafia, will honour him with the prestigious Father of the Year Award during its Father's Day Celebration and Foundation Laying Ceremony for the Church Manse Building and Solar Installation on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, Uzofuru Parish Auditorium.

A loving husband and devoted father, Hon. Ukpai has consistently exemplified the virtues of responsible fatherhood, providing leadership, guidance, and unwavering support to his family. He is a dedicated child of God whose commitment to the growth of God's Kingdom has distinguished him as one of the Church's most dependable supporters and faithful servants.

His steadfast dedication to the Christian faith has earned him several notable honours within the House of God, including the Ambassador of Christ Award (2024), the Pillar of Support Award, and The Dependable Partner in Kingdom Advancement Award, among others. While many pursue recognition through traditional titles and worldly accolades, Hon. Ukpai has built a remarkable reputation through his commitment to God, humanity, and the advancement of the Gospel.

Beyond his faith and family life, Hon. Ukpai is a successful businessman and accomplished political leader. He previously served as Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Ohafia Local Government Area, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and organisational capacity. He currently serves as Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ohafia Local Government Area, continuing his record of service, community engagement, and purposeful leadership.

The Father of the Year Award is therefore a fitting tribute to a man whose life reflects faith, integrity, humility, leadership, and selfless service. In celebrating Hon. Kingsheart Ukpai, the Church celebrates a father, a leader, a kingdom builder, and a shining example of what it means to live a life devoted to God, family, and humanity.

This recognition becomes even more significant as it comes just two days before his birthday on June 23, 2026, making the occasion not only a celebration of his contributions to the Church and society but also a fitting prelude to another year in the life of a man whose impact continues to be felt across many spheres. As family, friends, associates, church members, and well wishers gather to honour him, they celebrate a legacy of service, a testimony of unwavering faith, and a life dedicated to uplifting others.

Indeed, the recognition of Hon. Kingsheart Ukpai as Father of the Year 2026 is both timely and richly deserved.

The Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Abia State, Hon. Don Norman Obinna, has expressed profound appreciation to party members across the state following the successful conclusion of the party's primary elections.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the State Chairman described the primaries as a significant step in the party's march towards victory in the 2027 general elections.

Hon. Obinna commended members of the Screening Committee, the State Executive Committee, the State Working Committee and all officials whose dedication, professionalism and sacrifices ensured the smooth and credible conduct of the exercise.

He also appreciated party members across the state for their various contributions to the success of the primaries, noting that the peaceful outcome of the exercise reflected the unity, discipline and democratic spirit that define the ADC.

The Chairman further thanked all aspirants who participated in the process, describing them as committed democrats whose confidence in the party's internal mechanisms has strengthened the ADC in Abia State.

While acknowledging that political contests often come with differing expectations, he appealed to any aspirant or member who may feel dissatisfied with the outcome of the primaries to explore the party's established dispute resolution channels, emphasizing that responsible democrats pursue lawful and institutional means of addressing grievances.

He reminded aspirants who did not emerge as candidates that they remain highly respected stakeholders whose contributions, influence and experience will continue to play a vital role in the growth and success of the party.

"No one who participated in this process should be defined solely by the outcome of the primaries. Every aspirant has earned the respect of the party and remains an important part of our journey. I therefore urge everyone to rally behind our candidates and contribute their strength, ideas and experience towards ensuring victory for our great party."

Hon. Obinna congratulated all candidates who emerged from the primaries and urged them to remain humble, inclusive and committed to carrying party members along as they prepare for the task ahead.

"The mandate secured at the primaries is both an honour and a responsibility. Our candidates must strengthen grassroots engagement and work closely with party members whose sacrifices have sustained the ADC over the years."

The ADC Chairman called on members to close ranks and move beyond the contests of the primaries, stressing that the collective success of the party remains the ultimate objective.

He noted that while the primaries have come and gone, the responsibility of presenting a credible alternative to the people of Abia State has only just begun.

"We must remain united in purpose and focused on our shared vision. Our success in 2027 will depend on our ability to work together and place the interest of the party above individual ambitions."

Hon. Obinna also appealed to the people of Abia State to support ADC candidates in the forthcoming elections, maintaining that the party remains the most credible platform for progressive leadership founded on transparency, accountability, social justice, prudent management of public resources, economic empowerment and people centred governance.

"The people of Abia State deserve leadership that listens, serves and places public interest above personal ambition. ADC offers that promise and is fully prepared to deliver a government that promotes development, creates opportunities and restores public confidence in governance."

The State Chairman expressed confidence that with unity, discipline and commitment, the ADC is well positioned to record significant victories across Abia State in 2027.

- CEEJAY OJI
(Media Aide to The Chairman African Democratic Congress, Abia State)
(Deputy State Publicity Secretary, African Democratic Congress, Abia State)

For:
- HON. DON NORMAN OBINNA
(Chairman African Democratic Congress, Abia State)

Where truth often trembles at the altar of power, and silence is polished until it masquerades as wisdom, there rises, from the quiet furnace of conviction, a voice that will not bend. Not with noise, not with spectacle, but with a steady, luminous insistence that truth must stand. Like dawn that does not argue with the night but simply outshines it, so emerges the figure of Hon. Don Norman Obinna, resolute, unyielding, and profoundly necessary to his time.

This recognition as a Hero of Our Time is not an ornament of prestige, it is a moral affirmation. It echoes a national philosophy that true greatness lies not in visibility, but in impact, not in titles, but in the enduring force of character. It aligns with a broader call to recognise individuals whose courage, service, and transformative contributions sustain the very architecture of society, especially in moments when nations grapple with uncertainty, institutional strain, and the urgent need for reform.

In this light, Don Norman Obinna stands as a living embodiment of that ideal. His career in investigative journalism has not merely chronicled events, it has interrogated them. He has consistently amplified truth in an age where narratives are contested and facts are often obscured. With intellectual rigour and moral clarity, he has illuminated the fault lines of governance, challenged opacity, and demanded accountability with a fearlessness that has become both his signature and his burden.

His work reflects the highest calling of journalism, not passive observation, but active engagement in shaping a more just society. At a time when the role of the media is evolving from simple reportage to a more dynamic force of influence and reform, he has stood at the forefront, using storytelling not only to inform, but to inspire, to provoke thought, and to ignite a culture of excellence and responsibility.

Even in the face of personal risk, including moments of direct confrontation with the machinery of power, his resolve has only deepened. Such experiences have not diminished his voice, they have refined it, reinforcing his place as a steadfast advocate for press freedom, transparency, and democratic integrity. His courage is not impulsive, it is principled, anchored in an unwavering belief that governance must remain accountable to the people.

Beyond the newsroom, his transition into political leadership as Chairman of the African Democratic Congress in Abia State represents not a departure, but an expansion of purpose. Here, his lifelong commitment to truth and public service finds institutional expression. He champions participatory governance, reform driven leadership, and a vision of politics that is accountable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the people.

His intellectual footprint further deepens this legacy. Through his writings, he has offered piercing critiques of systemic governance failures while articulating pathways toward reform and institutional strengthening. His work does not merely expose problems, it constructs frameworks for solutions, engaging both the conscience and the intellect of the nation.

Equally significant is his investment in the future. Through mentorship and initiatives aimed at nurturing emerging journalists, he is cultivating a generation equipped not only with skill, but with ethical grounding. In doing so, he ensures that the values of courage, integrity, and excellence will continue to shape public discourse long after the present moment.

To honour such a figure is to affirm a deeper national truth, that societies advance when they recognise and uphold those who operate, often quietly, at the frontlines of progress. It is to acknowledge that the strength of a nation is reflected not only in its institutions, but in the character of those who challenge, refine, and sustain them.

Don Norman Obinna represents that strength. He is not defined by visibility, but by impact, not by acclaim, but by consequence. His life’s work speaks to a rare convergence of courage, intellect, and service, a combination that not only influences the present but shapes the future.

In celebrating him, one does more than recognise achievement, one reinforces a standard. A standard that insists that truth must be told, that power must be questioned, and that excellence must be lived. And in that insistence lies the enduring significance of this honour, not merely as recognition, but as a call to sustain a culture where integrity remains the highest form of leadership.

ADC STABILISATION MOVE GAINS MOMENTUM:
STATE CHAIRMEN UNVEIL INTERIM LEADERSHIP AS OLD POLICE CASE IS REVIVED

by: Ceejay Oji

On April 7, 2026, State Chairmen of the African Democratic Congress ADC met in Abuja and took decisive steps to address a growing leadership crisis within the party.

For anyone just hearing about this issue, the situation did not start suddenly.

Over the past few months, the ADC has been drawn into a broader political realignment as it emerged as a potential coalition platform ahead of the 2027 general elections. This development brought increased attention and competing interests into the party, leading to disagreements over leadership and control.

The crisis deepened when multiple factions began laying claim to the party’s national leadership. This resulted in internal disputes, legal battles, and uncertainty over who truly holds authority within the party structure.

The situation became more complicated when the Independent National Electoral Commission declined to recognise any faction pending the outcome of ongoing court cases. This created a serious risk for the party, as the absence of a clearly recognised leadership could affect its ability to organise primaries and field candidates in future elections.

Faced with this reality, State Chairmen across the federation moved to act.

At their Abuja meeting, they announced a series of decisions aimed at restoring order and preserving the party.

First, the Chairmen rejected the factions associated with David Mark and Nafiu Bala, stating that both groups lack legitimacy within the party’s constitutional framework.

They also disassociated the ADC from external political interests linked to the disputed leadership arrangements, maintaining that the party remains under the control of its established structure.

On Nafiu Bala, the Chairmen stated clearly that he does not hold the office he claims, effectively dismissing his position within the ongoing dispute.

They further aligned with the stance of the electoral commission in withholding recognition from the conflicting factions until legal clarity is achieved.

The Chairmen also affirmed that Dumebi Kachikwu remains a member of the party, describing his earlier removal as invalid.

In addition, they dismissed circulating claims that their actions were influenced by the ruling party, describing such suggestions as baseless and unsupported by any credible evidence. They maintained that their intervention was driven solely by the need to preserve the party’s structure and ensure its continued functionality.

Most importantly, they announced the constitution of an interim leadership committee to oversee the affairs of the party pending the conduct of a national convention.

Members of the committee include Ogga Kingsley as acting chairman, Odion Kennedy as secretary, Muhammad Jidda as deputy chairman, Kabiru Hussaini as assistant secretary, Charles Omidji as national organising secretary, Johnny Derek as deputy organising secretary, Stella Chukwuma as treasurer, Don Norman Obinna as publicity secretary, and Samuel Gyang as financial secretary.

This structure is expected to ensure continuity, maintain party operations, and protect the interests of members and aspirants nationwide.

However, shortly after this intervention, attention began to shift away from the substance of the crisis.

Narratives started circulating on social media targeting some of the key figures involved in the Abuja meeting, including Don Norman Obinna, who is the Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress. A resurfaced police bulletin dating back to 2019, linked to Don Norman Obinna, has been widely circulated across social media platforms, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), drawing renewed attention to an already established public matter.

Central to these narratives is the resurfacing of a 2018 police bulletin.

For clarity, that incident is not new. It has long been in the public domain.

Observers note that the renewed focus on this past issue appears aimed at diverting public attention from the central matter of the party’s leadership crisis. By introducing an unrelated and previously resolved incident into current discourse, the narrative risks clouding understanding of the actions taken by the State Chairmen, which were directed at resolving internal challenges and stabilising the party.

In 2019, Obinna, known at the time for his outspoken criticism of the Abia State government, was arrested during a live radio programme at Flo FM in Umuahia. The incident attracted attention from media organisations and civil society groups, particularly around issues of freedom of expression.

It was widely reported, openly discussed, and has remained part of the public record since then.

At its core, the situation is straightforward.

The ADC is dealing with a leadership crisis that created uncertainty about its future. State Chairmen intervened to prevent breakdown and ensure the party remains functional. At the same time, unrelated past events are being brought back into conversation.

Understanding these two developments separately is key to making sense of everything currently unfolding.

By,
Ceejay Oji
Media Aide to The Chairman
Abia ADC.

‎FROM PRESENCE TO PURPOSE, TRACING THE GRADUAL CONSOLIDATION OF ABIA ADC
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‎In politics, there are moments that announce themselves loudly, and there are those that speak in quieter, more deliberate tones, yet carry far greater meaning. What the Abia State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress ADC has continued to demonstrate in recent times belongs to the latter.
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‎The Members and Stakeholders’ Meeting held on Friday, the 20th day of March 2026, at the Kolping Society Event Centre, World Bank Housing Estate, was one such moment. On the surface, it was a convergence of party leaders, members, aspirants, and grassroots mobilizers. In substance, however, it reflected something deeper, a party gradually aligning its internal compass and settling into a clearer sense of purpose.
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‎Across Abia State’s political environment, where uncertainty and shifting loyalties have become almost routine, the significance of structure is often underestimated. Yet, it is precisely this structure that appears to be taking shape within the ADC. The meeting itself, widely reported and followed, including coverage by Arise News, did more than gather people in one place. It revealed a growing willingness among members to think beyond immediate interests and towards collective stability.
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‎The presence of aspirants seeking various political positions added another layer of meaning. It suggested not just participation, but belief. In a system where political platforms are often tested by their ability to attract serious contenders, such presence is rarely accidental. It points to an emerging confidence in the party’s processes and its potential as a viable political vehicle.
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‎Perhaps the most telling moment of that gathering was the unanimous vote of confidence passed on the State Chairman, Hon. Dr. Don Norman Obinna. In many political settings, such gestures can be perfunctory. In this instance, it carried a different tone. It spoke to a leadership that, while operating in a complex environment, has managed to inspire a measure of trust, enough to hold together varying interests under a common direction.
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‎His address at the meeting reinforced this trajectory. By placing unity and discipline at the center of the party’s future, he was not merely outlining ideals, but responding to a broader political reality. Parties do not weaken from external opposition alone. More often, they fracture from within. The insistence on order, coherence, and respect for structure therefore was both timely and necessary.
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‎What is emerging from these developments is not a sudden transformation, but a gradual consolidation. Stakeholders who spoke echoed a shared understanding that growth must be intentional, and that "relevance cannot be claimed without internal alignment". Their voices, taken together, reflected less of rhetoric and more of a quiet resolve.
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‎It is within this context that the meeting should be understood. Not as an isolated event, nor as just another entry in the cycle of political gatherings, but as part of a broader pattern. A pattern that suggests that the Abia ADC is moving, steadily, away from the uncertainties that often define smaller political formations, and towards something more structured, more deliberate, and perhaps more consequential.
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‎In a political landscape that often rewards noise over nuance, the party appears to be choosing a different path. One that prioritizes coherence over chaos, discipline over disorder, and long term positioning over immediate gratification.
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‎In the end, politics does not reward intention alone. It rewards structure, timing, and the discipline to stay the course when distractions arise. The Abia State Chapter of the African Democratic Congress ADC appears to be inching towards that understanding. And while many may still be watching from a distance, history has often shown that movements are not defined at the point of noise, but at the point of quiet consolidation.

The difference, as always, is in those who recognize it early, and those who realize it too late!

Hon. Chijioke Chukwu is a Nigerian politician, legislative leader, and grassroots political mobilizer whose career has been defined by active engagement in opposition politics, institutional advocacy, and party organization within Abia State. Known for his assertive voice on governance issues and his deep connection with grassroots political structures, he rose to prominence through legislative service in the Abia State House of Assembly and has since emerged as a strategic figure within the leadership architecture of the All Progressives Congress APC in Abia State.
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‎Over the years, Chukwu has established himself as one of the notable political actors within Abia’s evolving democratic landscape, combining legislative experience, community engagement, and party leadership in shaping political discourse within the state.
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‎EARLY LIFE AND BACKGROUND
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‎Hon. Chijioke Chukwu hails from Ugwueke in Bende, located in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. Bende remains one of the historically significant political regions of the state and has produced several notable public figures who have played important roles in the political development of Abia State and the broader Southeast.
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‎Growing up within this politically conscious environment, Chukwu developed an early awareness of civic responsibility and community leadership. His formative years were shaped by close interaction with grassroots community structures and the social realities of life within rural and semi urban communities in Abia State.
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‎During his early educational years, he attended Igbere Secondary School, where he served as Senior Prefect, demonstrating early leadership ability and organizational discipline. These early experiences helped lay the foundation for the leadership trajectory that would later define his public life.
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‎EMERGENCE IN POLITICS
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‎Hon. Chijioke Chukwu’s entrance into the political arena was driven by a strong desire to contribute to governance and development within Abia State.
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‎As political conversations intensified across the state during the late 2010s, he became actively involved in political organization and public advocacy. Joining the All Progressives Congress APC, he quickly emerged as one of the vocal participants in debates concerning governance performance, infrastructure development, fiscal responsibility, and public accountability.
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‎Through grassroots engagement, public commentary, and party mobilization activities, he gradually built a reputation as a committed political organizer and advocate for responsible governance.
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‎POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY AND LEADERSHIP VISION
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‎Hon. Chijioke Chukwu’s political philosophy is rooted in grassroots mobilization, institutional engagement, and the belief that sustainable political success must be built upon strong community based structures.
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‎He has consistently emphasized that effective leadership must be anchored on accountability, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of the people. For him, politics is not merely a pursuit of office but a framework for advancing community development and strengthening democratic institutions.
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‎His leadership outlook reflects a conviction that political parties must function as platforms for representation and policy engagement rather than mere electoral vehicles. This perspective has shaped his approach to political organization and public service throughout his career.
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‎LEGISLATIVE CAREER
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‎Hon. Chijioke Chukwu achieved a major political breakthrough in 2019 when he was elected as the Member representing Bende North State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress APC.
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‎His election marked a defining moment in his political career and placed him among the emerging generation of political actors representing the interests of their communities within the state legislature.
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‎During his tenure in the Assembly, Chukwu distinguished himself as an active participant in legislative debates and policy discussions on governance, development, and issues affecting the welfare of the people of Abia State.
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‎In 2021, he rose to become the Minority Leader of the Abia State House of Assembly, a position that placed him at the forefront of opposition leadership within the legislature.
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‎As Minority Leader, he coordinated the activities of opposition lawmakers and played a significant role in articulating alternative viewpoints on governance and public policy. The role demanded strategic engagement, political coordination, and legislative oversight, responsibilities which he carried out within the framework of democratic accountability.
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‎Constituency Representation and Grassroots Engagement
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‎Throughout his legislative career, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu maintained strong connections with the people of Bende North Constituency.
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‎His approach to representation emphasized accessibility, grassroots interaction, and sustained engagement with community stakeholders. He regularly visited communities within the constituency, interacting with traditional rulers, youth leaders, women groups, and community development associations.
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‎Through these engagements, he sought to understand local challenges while promoting initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
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‎His interventions also included empowerment support and assistance to vulnerable members of the community, further reinforcing his reputation as a representative closely connected to the grassroots.
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‎POLITICAL ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC COMMENTARY
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‎Beyond legislative activities, Chukwu has remained actively engaged in the broader conversation on governance and political development in Abia State.
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‎Through media engagements, political discussions, and community forums, he has consistently advocated for transparency in governance, responsible leadership, and stronger democratic institutions.
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‎His political commentary often emphasizes the importance of accountability in public office and the responsibility of political leaders to remain responsive to the needs of the people.
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‎NATIONAL RECOGNITION AND APPOINTMENT
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‎In recognition of his growing influence in public affairs and his experience within legislative and political circles, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu was nominated by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a member representing the South East in the North West Development Commission.
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‎The appointment formed part of a broader federal initiative aimed at promoting regional development and addressing infrastructure and socio economic challenges across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
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‎His nomination reflected national acknowledgment of his political experience, legislative background, and growing relevance within Nigeria’s public leadership space. It also expanded his public profile beyond state level politics into a broader national policy environment.
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‎EMERGENCE AS APC CHAIRMAN IN ABIA STATE
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‎A defining moment in Hon. Chijioke Chukwu’s political journey came when he emerged as the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC in Abia State following the party’s state congress.
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‎His election into this strategic leadership position marked a new phase in his political career and placed him at the center of the party’s organizational and strategic direction within the state.
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‎As State Chairman, he assumed responsibility for coordinating party structures, strengthening internal cohesion, mobilizing grassroots support, and preparing the party for future electoral contests.
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‎His emergence also signaled a generational shift within the party’s leadership structure in Abia State, positioning him to oversee party consolidation and strategic mobilization ahead of future electoral cycles.
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‎Hon. Chijioke Chukwu represents a generation of political leaders whose influence is grounded not only in public office but also in sustained engagement with grassroots political structures and community development.
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‎From his early leadership experiences in school to his rise as a legislator, Minority Leader, and eventually Chairman of the All Progressives Congress APC in Abia State, his career reflects a steady progression built on organization, participation, and political commitment.
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‎His journey illustrates the enduring importance of grassroots mobilization and institutional leadership within Nigeria’s democratic system.
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‎As Abia State continues to navigate its political future, Hon. Chijioke Chukwu stands among the political actors actively shaping the conversation on governance, party development, and democratic participation within the state.
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‎Through his evolving role in party leadership and public service, he remains part of the broader narrative of political transformation and institutional engagement in Abia State and beyond.

On 14/2/26, Chidi Anselem Odinkalu posted an article captioned “Fraudsters-In-Law; The Conspiracy Against Abia State.” In it, he fed the reading public with an odious diatribe concerning Uche Ihediwa and Chibuzo Aguocha. He claimed, inter alia, that the Attorney General of Abia State, Hon. Justice Uche Ihediwa (as he then was), failed to prosecute Paris Refund criminals despite a suggestion to that effect by Odetoyinbo J. (as he then was). He equally claimed that Hon. Justice Uche Ihediwa entered into a consent judgment with them wherein 5% of their fee was to be paid to his ally, Friday Chibuzo Aguocha, for his benefit.
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‎I have tremendous respect for Odinkalu and his perceived moral crusade, but in this instance, he obviously goofed and went off the mark. His write-up was not fact-checked in line with the golden principle of journalism, and I think the proper thing to do is to place facts on both sides of the divide and draw his conclusion, while allowing the public to draw theirs too. As a Professor of Law, he woefully failed to give us a fair hearing despite the fact that he could have contacted the relevant parties whose names may be tainted, knowingly or unknowingly, by his article, unless he set out to do a hatchet job. Unlike Odinkalu, I will be mindful of the fact that the matter is sub judice and refrain from a media retrial.
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‎In 2012, the Government of Abia State, led by Sen. T. A. Orji, entered into two (2) contracts with Ziplon Concept to recover its share of the Paris Refund from the Federal Government. The first contract put the consultancy fees at 15%, and 1% of the recovered sum was to be paid to the Ministry of Justice. The second contract put the consultancy fee at 24%. That Government also entered into another recovery contract over the Paris Refund with Mauritz Walton. The Governors’ Forum equally entered into a contract with Ned Nwoko for the same purpose. In 2018, the Government of Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu entered into a contract with Zilcon Higgs Int. Ltd. to recover money from the Federal Government.
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‎In 2017, the Federal Government paid Abia N16,347,000,000, and these contractors separately claimed to be instrumental to the recovery of the said sum. Four of them dragged Abia State to court. Ned Nwoko later withdrew from the matter. For clarity, I shall deal with these cases and those by Zilcon Higgs Int. Ltd. seriatim.
‎
‎1. SUIT NO. – FCT/HC/2470/2017
‎
‎Between MAURITZ WALTON NIG. LTD. v. ABIA STATE GOVT.
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‎This company filed this case to recover its fees at the same FCT High Court. It proceeded at a frenetic speed. When Uche Ihediwa SAN became the Attorney General in June 2019, he strenuously fought an obvious attempt by Mauritz Walton to obtain judgment against the State in this case.
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‎It is important to note that the FCT High Court foreclosed the defence of the Defendants and adjourned for the adoption of the Claimant’s Written Address. Ihediwa rushed to the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, with an application to stay proceedings, which was granted.
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‎For this obstruction, Mauritz Walton wrote the petition referred to by Odinkalu but withdrew the same by a letter to the Governor dated 8/12/23, which Odinkalu suppressed in his diatribe.
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‎2. SUIT NO. – FCT/HC/CV/0175/2017
‎
‎Between ZIPLON CONCEPT v. GOVT. OF ABIA STATE & 2 ORS.
‎
‎Mauritz Walton filed an application to be joined as a party in this suit. In refusing the application, Odetoyingbo J. (as he then was) opined obiter, that when four people claim to have done the same job, then there is an obvious crime. He advised Abia State to report the matter to the Police. The Attorney General then reviewed that advice and took a decision in the best interest of the State.
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‎Under my watch, the issue of who recovered what was investigated by EFCC Enugu Zonal Command. Mauritz Walton and Ziplon can confirm that fact.
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‎While this matter was in court, the Government of Abia State paid N100,000,000.00 to the Company as part payment of the debt, without the knowledge of the Attorney General at that time. In law, this part payment was an admission of debt, irrespective of the State’s claim that it was paid under a mistake of fact.
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‎The Company subsequently approached the State Government with a new proposal. That Company retained the professional services of Chibuzo Aguocha, Esq., and not Abia State as alleged by Odinkalu (see letter from Ziplon to Chibuzo Aguocha dated 8/11/22). Odinkalu is challenged to produce a letter of instruction from the Government to Chibuzo Aguocha.
‎
‎Ziplon informed the Government that they would recover more funds for Abia State. They wanted Government to agree to pay them the balance of what they were owed on the Paris Refund together with their fee on the new recovery. After negotiation, the Governor of Abia State approved the proposal (see letter dated 26/8/22). The parties then entered into the consent judgment with Ziplon Concept Nig. Ltd.
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‎The agreement provided that if Ziplon Concept recovered any other money, they were to be paid the owed N3,923,301,694.19 as “agreed consultancy fees… subject to the terms below.”
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‎The terms, which Odinkalu deliberately mischaracterized as retention fees, were that the sum of N830,000,000.00 and about $5.7 million should be deducted from their fee to offset the claim of Mauritz Walton if he succeeds in court. The Government was also expected to contribute the same sums. Five percent (5%) of their fee was to be paid to Chibuzo Aguocha, whom they retained.
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‎The million-dollar question that should worry Odinkalu is whether Ziplon Concept Ltd. has recovered any money to warrant a recourse to the terms of settlement. The answer is a resounding NO.
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‎Ziplon did not pay a dime to me for the four years I served as Attorney General. Odinkalu, or anyone, is challenged to prove the contrary. Odinkalu’s assertion that Ziplon had me in their pocket is strenuously challenged.
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‎3. SUIT NO. – FHC/ABJ/CS/686/2022
‎
Between (1) GOVT. OF ABIA STATE (2) ZILCON HIGGS INT. LTD. v. RMAFC & 2 ORS.
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‎The records show that on 26/5/18, the Government of Abia State also entered into a recovery contract with this Company. They recovered N8,173,397,587.14 and took their commission upfront. They now sought to garnish the Abia State Government account for the money owed to Ziplon (as stated above).
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‎They contend that Zilcon Higgs Int. Ltd. is a partner/consortium of Ziplon as provided in Clause 3 of the consent judgment. The Court would have to resolve whether Zilcon Higgs Int. Ltd. is a partner and/or in consortium with Ziplon, having regard to the meaning of both concepts.

‎I shall not venture further because, unlike Odinkalu, I know that matters that are sub judice should not be discussed in the media.
‎
‎IN CONCLUSION:
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‎1. Uche Ihediwa, as Attorney General of Abia State, did not allow a kobo to be paid to Ziplon, Mauritz Walton, or anybody who claimed to recover any money for Abia State during his tenure as Attorney General, i.e., 2019 to 2023. He did not receive any money from them. He was authorised to enter into the terms of settlement, which was then considered in the best interest of the State. Chibuzo Aguocha acted as attorney to Ziplon in the negotiation, and his fee is to be deducted from Ziplon’s fees if it materialises. He did not act as a front for Mr. Ihediwa, as unfortunately alleged by Odinkalu.
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‎2. No money has been paid to Ziplon on account of the consent judgment and cannot be paid on account of a recovery of money by Zilcon Higgs Int. Ltd. Odinkalu and the lawyers should study the meaning of partner and consortium in company law and fight to protect Abia’s money. Chidi Odinkalu saw a petition by Mauritz Walton to the Governor of Abia State. He did not see the retraction and withdrawal of that petition dated 8/12/23 by Mauritz Walton.
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‎3. It is unfortunate that our names are being destroyed and maligned without allowing us to be heard. Where is the doctrine of fair hearing before this odious diatribe? This reaction shows he did not even fact-check his information.
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‎4. I remain ready to face any complaint made against me at any forum. I will leave him to his conscience. His piece adds to the list of hot air articles he has authored. People now gloss over his pieces because they are, at times, factually incorrect.
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‎- Chief Uche C. Ihediwa, SAN

DON NORMAN OBINNA: THE INTELLECTUAL FORCE BEHIND MEDIA ACTIVISM, VOICE OF ACCOUNTABILITY, AND VANGUARD OF DEMOCRATIC RENEWAL

By: CEEJAY OJI.


‎Don Norman Obinna, also known as Agu Ibeku, is a Nigerian investigative journalist, media executive, author, political activist, and public affairs commentator. He currently serves as the Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC, recognized by the David Mark led National Working Committee of the party. He is also the Founder and Head of Realm Media.
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‎Don Norman Obinna holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos. His academic training focused on investigative journalism, media law and ethics, political communication, research methodology, and public affairs reporting. His postgraduate education deepened his analytical engagement with governance systems, public accountability, and media responsibility, areas that would later define his professional and political career.
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‎He began his professional journalism career in mainstream media and rose to become Associate Editor at New Telegraph, a national Nigerian newspaper. In this role, he participated in editorial leadership, newsroom management, political reporting, and public affairs analysis. His experience in institutional journalism exposed him to the operational dynamics of the Nigerian media landscape and sharpened his editorial and investigative competencies.
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‎Following his tenure in mainstream journalism, Obinna founded Realm Media, where he serves as Founder, Publisher, Chairman, and Editor in Chief. Under his leadership, The Realm News emerged as an investigative digital media platform focused on governance accountability, public finance scrutiny, and political analysis, particularly within Abia State. He remains actively at the helm of Realm Media. In addition, he founded the Realm Journalism School, where he serves as Chairman, mentoring and training emerging journalists and strengthening professional media development initiatives.
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‎On March 1, 2019, Obinna was arrested while participating in a live radio program in Umuahia. He was charged under Nigeria’s Cybercrime Act and related state laws in connection with allegations of cyberstalking and defamatory communication tied to his criticism of political figures. This episode was widely regarded by observers as an attempt to intimidate a critical voice calling for accountability and good governance in Abia State. During this period, the Committee to Protect Journalists publicly condemned the arrest, describing it as part of a broader pattern of attempts to suppress critical journalism in Nigeria. The incident positioned Obinna within national conversations concerning press freedom and the application of cybercrime legislation against journalists.
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‎Don Norman Obinna is also a renowned author of intellectually rigorous and thought provoking works. One of his notable books, Raped and Enslaved, Abia’s Era of Kleptocracy, is a political and governance critique examining corruption, systemic mismanagement, and elite capture in Abia State. The publication reflects his longstanding advocacy for transparency, institutional reform, and public accountability.
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‎Over time, Obinna transitioned from journalism into partisan political leadership and currently serves as the Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC, a frontline opposition party in Nigeria. He is officially recognized in this role by the David Mark led National Working Committee, with no valid dispute over his position. In his capacity as State Chairman, he oversees party restructuring efforts, grassroots mobilization, coalition building, and strategic preparations toward future electoral cycles, including the 2027 general elections. He has publicly articulated ADC’s commitment to political reform and alternative governance in Abia State.
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‎Beyond print and digital journalism, Obinna frequently participates in live radio discussions and political analysis programs. He maintains active engagement on social media platforms, where he comments on governance issues, party activities, and national political developments.
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‎Don Norman Obinna represents a rare convergence of intellect, courage, and institutional vision in Nigeria’s contemporary public life. In an era where many retreat into comfort or compromise, he has consistently chosen scrutiny over silence and responsibility over rhetoric. His journey from investigative journalism to political leadership is not a departure from principle but a logical expansion of it.
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‎What distinguishes Obinna is not merely the offices he occupies, but the clarity of thought and moral conviction that animate his work. Whether in the newsroom, in the classroom mentoring young journalists, on the airwaves dissecting public policy, or within the strategic corridors of party leadership, he remains anchored to one enduring philosophy, that governance must answer to the people and that institutions must serve the public good rather than private ambition.
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‎His intellectual formation in media law, ethics, and political communication finds practical expression in his fearless interrogation of power structures. His stewardship of Realm Media reflects not only entrepreneurial foresight but an unwavering commitment to investigative rigor and civic enlightenment. His authorship demonstrates depth of research and analytical courage, offering readers frameworks through which to understand systemic decay and envision reform.
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‎As Abia State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Obinna embodies a generation of political actors determined to reconstruct systems rather than inherit their dysfunction. His leadership style combines strategic patience with bold articulation. He understands that transformation is deliberate, organized, and sustained.
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‎Above all, Don Norman Obinna stands as a testament to what happens when scholarship meets conviction and when media consciousness evolves into structured political action. His career is defined not by noise but by impact, not by mere participation but by principled intervention.
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‎In the unfolding story of governance reform and democratic accountability in Nigeria, his name resonates among those who choose to build rather than bow. His trajectory reflects present relevance and signals enduring influence in the chapters yet to be written.
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‎Don Norman Obinna remains a voice, a force, and a vision.

Written By:
CEEJAY OJI

The release of the 2027 general election timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, marks the formal commencement of Nigeria’s democratic cycle. Timetables are not merely administrative schedules; they are constitutional signposts that remind both leaders and citizens that sovereignty ultimately resides with the people.
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‎However, a timetable alone does not guarantee credibility. Credibility is built deliberately through institutions, political actors, and an alert citizenry.
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‎First, what must be done to ensure the credibility of the 2027 elections?
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‎INEC must deepen transparency at every stage of the process. This includes timely publication of guidelines, strict adherence to the Electoral Act, transparent management of voter registration, and open demonstration of technologies such as BVAS and result transmission portals well ahead of election day. Procurement processes, recruitment of ad hoc staff, and distribution of sensitive materials must be insulated from partisan influence. Real time communication with the public is essential to prevent misinformation and distrust.
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‎Security agencies must operate with visible neutrality. Their constitutional duty is to protect voters, not intimidate them. Election security must prioritize deterrence of vote buying, ballot snatching, and violence, especially in historically volatile areas. Professional conduct on election day is not optional; it is foundational.
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‎Political parties also bear responsibility. Internal democracy must be strengthened. Candidate selection processes must reflect merit, competence, and broad consultation rather than imposition. When primaries are flawed, the general election is already compromised. Parties must sign and genuinely respect peace accords, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric and ethnic or religious mobilization.
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‎Civil society organizations, media institutions, and observer groups must intensify voter education, fact checking political claims, and monitoring campaign finance compliance. An informed electorate is the strongest firewall against manipulation.
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‎NOW, WHAT MUST THE ELECTORATES DO?
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‎Democracy is not sustained by complaints but by participation. Citizens must ensure they are properly registered and that their details are accurate. They must collect their Permanent Voter Cards early and resist inducements. Vote buying thrives where poverty meets political cynicism. Rejecting financial inducement is not merely moral; it is strategic. A sold vote mortgages four years of governance.
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‎Voters must go beyond party symbols and personalities. The central question should be, who has demonstrable competence, integrity, and a verifiable track record? Examine past public service, policy clarity, consistency of values, respect for the rule of law, and ability to unite rather than divide. Scrutinize campaign promises. Are they costed? Are they realistic? Do they address structural issues such as economic diversification, security reform, education, healthcare, and institutional strengthening?
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‎A credible candidate is not necessarily the loudest or the wealthiest. Credibility rests on character, competence, courage, and commitment to constitutionalism.
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‎HOW CAN CITIZENS PROTECT AND MAKE THEIR VOTES COUNT?
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‎First, show up early and remain patient. High voter turnout reduces the statistical impact of manipulation. Second, insist on due process at polling units. Ensure that accreditation is properly conducted and that results are openly counted and recorded. Third, document irregularities responsibly through lawful channels. Fourth, follow the results through official portals and cross check published figures with polling unit records, where legally accessible.
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‎Citizens must also protect their votes long before election day by engaging in policy conversations, town halls, and issue based debates. Democracy is weakened when elections are personality contests devoid of ideological clarity.
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‎Beyond election day, vigilance must continue. Democratic accountability does not end at the ballot box. Elected officials must be engaged, questioned, and evaluated consistently. The culture of four year silence between elections must end.
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‎Finally, Nigeria’s 2027 elections must not be framed merely as a contest for power but as a referendum on institutional maturity. If conducted credibly, they can strengthen public trust, attract investment, stabilize governance, and renew national confidence. If mishandled, they risk deepening cynicism and disengagement.
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‎The timetable is now out. The clock has started ticking. Institutions must act responsibly. Political actors must rise above narrow ambition. Citizens must remember that democracy is not something that happens to them; it is something that depends on them.
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‎The integrity of 2027 will not be determined on election day alone. It will be determined by what all stakeholders choose to do between now and then.

I am a history enthusiast with a strong interest in Africa, its history, political systems, democracy, and the broader forces that have shaped the continent. I am particularly interested in sources that go beyond simplified or sanitized narratives and engage honestly with Africa’s complexities, including pre colonial governance, colonial disruption, post independence politics, and contemporary challenges.
Can anyone recommend credible books, academic resources, archives, documentaries, or scholars that present Africa’s history and political development with depth, balance, and intellectual honesty? I am looking for rigorous, well sourced materials rather than propaganda or overly romanticized accounts.

‎“Africa’s struggle is no longer for independence, but for authorship. Until Africans write their own economic rules, secure their own territories, educate their own consciousness, and defend their own resources, freedom will remain a ceremony rather than a condition. History will continue to repeat itself, not because it is forgotten, but because it is allowed to govern the present.”
‎- Ceejay Oji

History is meant to teach, not to trap. Yet for Africa, history often feels less like a lesson and more like a shadow that refuses to lift. The story of colonization is not merely a distant memory of foreign domination; it is a living structure whose consequences continue to shape political choices, economic systems, security conditions, and even the psychology of African societies. This reality compels a troubling question: are Africans truly free, or merely well controlled?
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‎Colonization did not end simply because flags were lowered and independence declared. While formal political rule by Western powers ceased, the deeper architecture of control remained intact. Borders were drawn without regard for ethnic, cultural, or economic coherence, deliberately planting the seeds of internal tension. Economies were engineered to export raw materials rather than develop local industries, ensuring permanent dependence. Educational systems rewarded imitation over innovation, while governance models emphasized authority over accountability. Independence, therefore, became symbolic, political in appearance but structurally incomplete.
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‎Beyond what is commonly discussed lies a more complex and unsettling truth: Africa’s continued subjugation is sustained by systems so normalized that they are rarely questioned. One such system is monetary control. Several African countries remain tied to foreign controlled currency arrangements that limit monetary sovereignty and restrict policy flexibility. This prevents industrial expansion, weakens local manufacturing, and places economic destiny beyond domestic control.
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‎Debt dependency represents another quiet mechanism of domination. Under the language of development and aid, African nations are locked into borrowing cycles that prioritize repayment over human development. Infrastructure projects often enrich foreign contractors and lenders while leaving African states with long term financial burdens. Development, in this context, becomes extractive rather than transformative.
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‎Equally underexplored is the role of insecurity as a strategic tool. Conflict in Africa is frequently explained away as ethnic rivalry or poor governance, yet research points to patterns of arms flows, proxy conflicts, and destabilization linked to external economic interests. Resource rich regions are disproportionately plagued by violence, weakening state authority and enabling cheap, unregulated access to minerals. Insecurity, therefore, is not accidental; it is functional.
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‎The continued looting of Africa’s mineral wealth stands as one of the clearest examples of modern colonialism. Africa supplies a significant share of the world’s critical resources, yet remains economically marginalized. Raw materials are extracted with little value addition, exported cheaply, and reimported as expensive finished goods. This system ensures Africa remains a supplier, never a competitor.
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‎Internal complicity deepens these challenges. Some African leaders and elites act as intermediaries for foreign interests, trading national welfare for personal enrichment. Weak institutions, corruption, and suppressed civic dissent allow exploitation to persist without foreign occupation. Control has been internalized.
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‎Perhaps the most damaging legacy of colonization is psychological. A dependency mindset persists, where African solutions are undervalued and foreign approval is treated as legitimacy. This intellectual subordination shapes policy, education, and ambition, reinforcing external dominance without coercion.
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‎Confronting these realities demands more than awareness; it requires deliberate structural reform. First, Africa must pursue economic sovereignty by prioritizing local value addition, regional manufacturing, and intra African trade. Exporting raw materials while importing finished goods must be replaced with industrial policies that reward processing, innovation, and technological development within the continent.
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‎Second, monetary and financial autonomy must be strengthened. African states should gradually renegotiate restrictive currency arrangements, deepen regional financial cooperation, and build institutions capable of independent fiscal and monetary decision making. Debt must be approached strategically, with transparency, regional bargaining power, and a shift from consumption based borrowing to productivity driven investment.
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‎Third, security architecture must be African led. Dependence on foreign military presence often reinforces instability rather than resolving it. Regional security cooperation, intelligence sharing, and locally accountable armed forces are essential to breaking the link between insecurity and exploitation.
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‎Fourth, leadership reform is non negotiable. Strong institutions, not strong individuals, must become the foundation of governance. Anti corruption mechanisms, independent judiciary, and active civil societies are essential to dismantling internal collaboration with external exploitation.
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‎Equally important is intellectual and psychological decolonization. African education systems must prioritize critical thinking, local research, and indigenous knowledge alongside global learning. Development should be measured by social impact and self reliance, not external praise or rankings.
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‎Finally, Africa must reclaim its narrative power. Who tells Africa’s story influences how Africa is treated. Research, media, and policy discourse must increasingly originate from African perspectives, grounded in lived realities rather than external assumptions.
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‎The question of freedom, therefore, is not merely whether Africa is controlled, but whether it is willing to confront the full architecture of that control, both external and internal. Until Africans reclaim ownership of their resources, currencies, security systems, institutions, and narratives, freedom will remain fragile and conditional. History must be remembered honestly, but it must also be transcended. Only then can Africa move from being well controlled to truly free.

- Ceejay Oji

In Nigeria’s ever-shifting political chessboard, one name that has constantly stayed at the center of intrigue is Chief Nyesom Wike. From being a Local Government Chairman in 1999 to currently serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Wike’s career has been nothing short of a power marathon. But the question Nigerians are now asking is simple: is President Tinubu about to outgrow Wike politically?
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‎FLASHBACK TO 2023: In the heat of the 2023 elections, Wike broke ranks with his party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and allegedly worked behind the scenes to deliver Rivers State to President Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Many political watchers believe his actions greatly weakened PDP’s chances, especially against Atiku Abubakar.
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‎For his efforts, Tinubu appointed him Minister of FCT, a position typically reserved for APC loyalists. That move wasn’t just reward, it was strategy. Wike, allegedly, was expected to use the power of The FCT to secure Rivers (and perhaps the South-South) for Tinubu in 2027.
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‎BUT HERE'S THE TWIST: Recent developments suggest a different narrative.
‎Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike’s former political godson turned archrival, is reportedly in talks with Tinubu for reconciliation. If the deal pulls through and Fubara pledges allegiance to the President, Rivers might go to Tinubu in 2027 without needing Wike at all.
‎This changes everything, because the reason Wike was valuable was because of his control over Rivers. If that power slips through his fingers, what then would be his bargaining chip?
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‎For the benefit of President Tinubu's bigger Game Plan, APC is Expanding. Across Nigeria, governors and power blocs are defecting to APC like it’s the Noah’s Ark. From the North to the East, politicians are abandoning ship and pledging loyalty to Tinubu. It’s no longer about just winning 2027, it’s about dominating it.
‎So here’s the blunt truth, Tinubu 'MAY' NOT NEED WIKE ANYMORE.
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What Wike offered in 2023, that is, alleges disruption of PDP and control of Rivers is gradually becoming irrelevant. Tinubu already has what he needs. PDP as at today is a shadow of itself, majority of the Governors are with him, the APC has the majority in the National Assembly. Also, "behind the scene" power players are obviously behind him. So what will be the role of the owner of 'Rivers state political structure?'
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‎Wike is not new to political storms. He’s been in government non-stop for 26 years. But his current situation demands reinvention:
‎Will he try to reclaim control of Rivers and challenge Fubara?
‎Will he accept a reduced national role and stay loyal to Tinubu?
‎Or
‎Will he pull a surprise move and realign again before 2027?
‎‎Time is ticking, Tinubu’s inner circle is expanding, and there may soon be no seat left at the table for those who are no longer useful.
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‎‎Chief Nyesom Wike may still wear a ministerial title, but in Nigerian politics, relevance is never about the office you hold, it’s about the influence you command.
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‎One thing is clear: President Tinubu is known for rewarding loyalty. His political journey has always reflected a keen sense of compensation for those who stand by him when it matters. Wike’s current position as Minister of the FCT is arguably a testament to that reward system. But the lingering question is: how long can Wike remain loyal?
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‎Given his long history of strategic repositioning, defiance of party structures, and preference for power over party loyalty, it is fair to ask: Will Wike stay the course with Tinubu—or chart a new path if the winds shift?
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‎If Rivers is truly slipping from his grip, and Tinubu continues consolidating power without him, is Wike still an indispensable political ally, or gradually becoming expendable?
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‎Time will tell. But one thing remains true: Tinubu rewards loyalty, but he also plans ahead. And in that plan, only the truly useful remains relevant.
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Imagine a football match where only one team is allowed on the field. No opposition. No competition. Just one team, kicking the ball around, scoring goals uncontested, and declaring themselves champions every time. Sounds ridiculous, right? Yet, that’s exactly what Nigeria risks becoming under a one-party system.
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‎Recently, APC National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje, boldly predicted that by December 2025, the PDP will "cease to exist." To him, this was good news—an opportunity for APC to stand as the only political force in Nigeria. He even attempted to justify this, arguing that APC’s dominance is a sign of national alignment and political maturity. But make no mistake: this is not progress. It’s a dangerous detour from democracy.
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‎Democracy is built on competition—of ideas, of visions, of policies. It thrives when leaders know they can be voted out. When people have real choices. When dissenting voices are not just tolerated but valued.
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‎But look around: opposition figures are being co-opted or silenced. Political defections are celebrated as trophies, not red flags. Dissent is branded as disloyalty. And slowly, a one-party reality creeps in—disguised as political success.
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‎If we lose opposition, we lose accountability. We lose the pressure that keeps leaders on their toes. We lose debate. We lose innovation. Worst of all, we lose the soul of democracy.
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‎Nigeria doesn’t need a ruling party that crushes all others. It needs a ruling party that’s held accountable by a bold, vibrant, and constructive opposition.
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‎To every Nigerian: don’t be blinded by the illusion of "unity" through political monopoly. True unity comes from inclusion, dialogue, and a balance of power.
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‎We must resist the slide into authoritarianism masked as democracy. One-party rule isn’t the future. It’s a return to the past we struggled to leave behind.
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‎Let Nigeria remain a country of choices, not a stage for just one political actor.

Chijioke Nwoke Oji
18/05/2025

I, Prof Gregory Ibe, the Abia state governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 election, extend my warmest congratulations to Barr Sly Ezeokenwa on his validation by the Supreme Court as the authentic National Chairman of our great party.

The Supreme Court's landmark reaffirmation of Barr Ezeokenwa as the validly elected National Chairman is a testament to the authenticity of the National Convention that produced him as leader of the National Working Committee of APGA last year. I therefore commend the judiciary for being the last hope of the common man and for upholding the truth.

I urge Chief Edozie Njoku to refrain from further actions that could factionalize our party and instead embrace this moment as an opportunity for rebuilding, strengthening, and repositioning our party for greater exploits in future elections.

In these challenging times, APGA must seize this moment to reinvent herself and present a credible platform for providing better political leadership. I enjoin Barr Ezeokenwa to be magnanimous in victory by reaching out to Chief Njoku and exploring avenues for healing through the establishment of a national peace and reconciliation committee.

I call on all APGA faithful across the nation to support the Barr Ezeokenwa-led National Working Committee in ensuring the emergence of a people-centric political platform that could subsequently lead to the emergence of a true people-driven Nigerian government, as envisioned by our party's founding fathers.

Once again, congratulations to Barr Sly Ezeokenwa on this well-deserved validation. May this milestone mark the beginning of a new era of growth and success for APGA.

Prof Gregory Ibe, PhD, OFR(Enyi Abia)

Barr. Etigwe Uwa SAN, has expressed his deepest condolences to the family, colleagues, and loved ones of Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on 5th November 2024.

Etigwe Uwa described the late Chief of Army staff as a dedicated public servant whose selfless service to the Nation and exemplary leadership will be missed. In his words, "I mourn the loss of a distinguished and dedicated public servant, whose selfless contributions to the Nigerian Army and our nation will be deeply missed. General Lagbaja's exemplary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to service left an indelible mark on our country and he will be greatly missed".

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria went ahead to console the Governor of Osun state, Gov. Ademola Adeleke and the citizens of Osun state, praying that God will grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. "I pray that Almighty God grants his family, friends, colleagues and the entire people of Osun state, the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations".

Rest in peace, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja.

Etigwe Uwa, SAN

The Resident Pastor of Assemblies of God Church, Gregory University Uturu chapel, Pastor Victor Dimoji has appreciated God for the life of the proprietor of Gregory University Uturu, Prof Gregory Ibe.

Speaking on Sunday 10 December while leading the congregation in prayers of thanksgiving for the 60th birthday ceremony of Prof Ibe, Pastor Dimoji thanked God for the vision of Gregory University Uturu.
He enjoined the congregation to remain steadfast in rendering fervent intercessory prayers, both for the good health of Prof Ibe and sustenance of the vision of Gregory University Uturu.

Addressing the congregation, GUU's Deputy Registrar, Communication, Rev. Sleek Ogwo averred that Prof Ibe has achieved so many landmarks before attaining the milestone age of 60 and encouraged the church members to emulate the good examples of the university founder.

Testifying about the tangible impacts of Prof Ibe, Nnanna Nnate, a 300 level student of the institution described Prof Ibe as a gift to humanity and role model, stressing that his entrepreneurial grace has continued to rub off on many within the university community. Continuing, Nnate hailed Prof Ibe for providing a serene and conducive environment for academic pursuit in Uturu and prayed God to richly bless him with many more years in good health and prosperity.

Similar sessions of intercessory prayers were held in celebration of Prof Ibe's 60th birthday in many chapels within GUU, including, St Gregory the Great Catholic Chapel and the Anglican Chapel of Peace.

The event was spiced with a colourful night party. The event which was held at 'Country club', the hometown residence of Prof Gregory Ibe in Uturu was attended by friends and well wishers of the entrepreneurial guru. The highlight of the night event was cutting of birthday cake, to the glory of God.

Prof Gregory Ibe, the proprietor of Gregory University Uturu, was born into the royal family of HRH Eze Cyril Ibe on 10th December 1963 in Kaduna State.

Member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Advisory Council and Abia state Governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Prof Gregory Ibe, has congratulated Hon. Joseph Boakai on his recent emergence as President of Liberia.

Speaking through a congratulatory message personally endorsed by him, Prof Ibe applauded Liberians for successfully conducting a free, fair and credible polling exercise that led to the emergence of a worthy Pan African Leader as President.
Recalling how Hon. Boakai graciously accepted to deliver the maiden convocation lecture of Gregory University Uturu in 2014 while serving as Liberian Vice President, he prayed for a productive Presidential tenure that will impact positively on every sector of the Liberian economy.

Part of the message reads thus, "I have received with immense joy your victory at the recently conducted Presidential election in Liberia and subsequently wish to convey my warmest felicitation to you. While thanking God for this gladsome development, I want to appreciate the Liberian electorates for successfully conducting a free, fair and credible election which has resulted in the emergence of a true and worthy Pan African Leader as President".

Continuing he said, "I recall with nostalgia how you graciously accepted to deliver the maiden convocation lecture of Gregory University Uturu in 2014 while serving as Vice President to Africa's first elected female President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Your humility in accepting to honour our invitation ultimately resulted in the delivery of an impactful scholarly lecture which in turn led to the naming of our college of Social and Management Sciences after you".

In conclusion Prof Ibe said, "Knowing your political pedigree, wealth of experience and vast diplomatic assets, I am convinced you will surpass the performance of your predecessors. I therefore pray for a fruitful and productive administration that will impact positively on every sector of the Liberian economy".

Correspondents report that Hon. Boakai emerged as Liberia’s new leader after his rival and sitting President George Weah conceded a tight election to mark a peaceful transfer of power. Liberia's elections commission said on Friday that 78-year-old Boakai managed to secure a narrow victory with 50.9 percent of the vote to Weah’s 49.1 percent.

- Sleek Ogwo ,ANIPR

Member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Advisory Council and governorship candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) Prof Gregory Ibe has commiserated with the government and people of Abia state on the tragic accident that occurred on Tuesday at Waterside Aba, which claimed many lives.

Speaking on the heels of the unfortunate incident, Prof Ibe, who consoled Governor Alex Otti and members of the bereaved family, expressed deep concern over the worrisome preponderance of road crashes on the bridge axis of waterside in Aba and called for an immediate solution to the perennial traffic challenge in the area to prevent further loss of lives.

According to Prof Ibe, "I received with sadness news about the tragic road crash on the waterside axis of Aba which claimed many lives and wish to commiserate with our Governor, Dr Alex Otti and members of the bereaved families over the painful loss of their loved relations. While not approving of death in any form, I think dying through a road crash is a harsh and brutal way of signing off from this earth. It is a black Tuesday as i deeply mourn the unfortunate victims of this accident".

Continuing, he said, "I believe this is one fatal incident too many on this same waterside bridge and therefore presents a worrisome traffic challenge that must be urgently addressed to prevent reoccurrence and subsequently avoid further loss of precious lives".

Tragedy struck when a trailer carrying a container of goods lost control while descending Ogbor Hill in Aba in the early hours of Tuesday and consequently crashed into some vehicles at the waterside bridge killing many people in the aftermath.

It will be recalled that a similar incident that equally claimed many lives occurred at the same waterside bridge in February 2022, leading to the closure of the popular Ahia Udele market by the previous administration.

- Sleek Ogwo, ANIPR

The Abia state candidate of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 governorship election, Prof Gregory Ibe has congratulated Chief Alex Ikwechegh( Onye ocha N'Aba) on his recent court of appeal victory affirming his election to the House Representatives.

Speaking through a congratulatory message, Prof Ibe commended the sheer determination, tenacity of purpose and doggedness which characterized the political engagements of Chief Ikwechegh from the party primaries stage through the polling phase and down to the litigation processes.

While commending Chief Ikwechegh for his steadfastness in fighting to enforce his electoral mandate, Prof Ibe enjoined the incoming law maker to work to sustain and surpass the legislative legacies of late Hon Ossy Prestige, whose representation of the good people of Aba North and South in the National Assembly remain legendary.

The court of Appeal sitting in Lagos had on Thursday declared Chief Alex Ikwechegh of APGA winner of Aba North and South Federal Constituency thereby reaffirming the earlier judgement of the National Assembly Tribunal which disqualified Emeka Nnamani of Labour Party over certificate forgery.

- Sleek Ogwo, ANIPR

Member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Advisory Council Prof Gregory Ibe has lamented the death of elder statesman Prof Ben Nwabueze.

Speaking through a press statement released in Umuahia on Tuesday, Prof Ibe described Prof Nwabueze as a leading light, pioneer educationist and prominent legal luminary whose legacies will remain evergreen.

According to Prof Ibe, "Having received the shocking news of the death of our very distinguished leader and icon of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prof Ben Nwabueze, I write to convey my deepest condolences first to the Nwabueze family of Atani and the entire people of Anambra state".

Continuing he said, "Prof Ben Nwabueze was a leading light, pioneer educationist and prominent legal luminary whose legacies will remain evergreen within Nigeria and Africa". Recalling how the late education icon collaborated with other stalwarts to form the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural organization, Prof Ibe praised the sterling pioneering spirit of Prof Nwabueze which according to him characterized his entire life tenure and endeared him to many.

He said, "Part of the lasting legacies of Prof Nwabueze include his pioneering role in the formation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo which he collaborated with such notable stalwarts as Dr Akanu Ibiam, Dr Michael Okpara, Chief Kingsley Mbadiwe and Prof Joe Irukwu to establish Oha-na-Eze Ndi Igbo in 1976 as a pan-Igbo Organization. He would later serve as our pioneer Secretary General under the leadership of our late father Chief Jerome Udoji".

Speaking on how Prof Nwabueze's legacies impacted directly on him, Prof Ibe narrated how he was challenged by the late icon's record of emerging the first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria strictly on the basis of his published works.

In his words," Prof Nwabueze was not just a role model who mentored me in the area of social entrepreneurship, but also a major source of inspiration. For instance when I read that he published his way to emerge the first academic Senior Advocate of Nigeria I was challenged to delve into the world of publishing. Now I have many titles on different subjects and themes".

While calling for sustenance of the legacies of the late legal luminary, Prof Ibe promised to immortalize such fallen Igbo heroes as Raph Uwechue, Col. Joe Achuzie, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, Prof George Obiozor, Prof Joe Irukwu and Prof Ben Nwabueze through a colloquium that will climax with the symbolic etching of their names in the Igbo Hall of Fame at the Centre for Igbo Renaissance of Gregory University Uturu.

In conclusion, Prof Ibe prayed for peaceful repose of the soul of Prof Nwabueze while enjoining the public to bear the irreparable loss with soberity.

News on the death of Prof Nwabueze, one time Nigeria's Minister of Education was announced on Monday by a spokesperson of the family, Eni Nwabueze, who confirmed that the elder statesman died on Sunday at the age of 94.

- Sleek Ogwo, ANIPR

The Management of Gregory University Uturu has released a comprehensive calendar for the 2023/2024 academic session.
According to a press statement by the Registrar of the institution Dr Chukwuemeka Mpamah, students are expected to return to the campus on Saturday 28 October 2023.

Interesting highlights of the calendar include, Orientation Programme for Freshmen, Public Lecture on the topic "Harnessing Opportunities in Block Chain Technology and Digital Economy" by Archbishop Prof Sam Zuga and Induction Programme for the institution's pioneer medical doctors.

Other features captured in the calendar include the 8th Inaugural Lecture of the university on the theme " Communicating Life and Death in our Atomistic Conflict Prone Society; Media Role in Resolving the Albatross", a thought provoking treatise to be delivered by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic, Prof Uche Uwaoma, the 12th Matriculation event and activities marking the 8th Convocation ceremony.

Adding that the calendar has been designed to guarantee the attainment of the institution's goal of "advancing the cause of developing the total man while delivering technologically powered knowledge, skills and competencies to students", the statement sued for strict compliance and participation by members of the university community.

- Media & Public Relations Unit

Fellow Nigerians na Umunnem Ndi Abia, as we come together to commemorate Nigeria's 63rd independence anniversary I extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you.

This momentous occasion reminds us of the remarkable journey our great nation has traveled since gaining independence in 1960. It is a time to reflect on our shared history, the progress we've made, and the challenges we continue to face. Let us renew our commitment to unity, peace, and progress as we work tirelessly to build a better Nigeria for all.

Let us remember that our diversity is our strength, and together, we can overcome any obstacle that stands in our path towards a brighter and more prosperous future. Coming at a time our nation is experiencing excruciating economic challenges, let me encourage all Nigerian Christians and Muslims to be steadfast in prayers of intercession soliciting for divine intervention to our problems, while joining hands in the spirit of unity and cooperation, working towards a Nigeria that embodies the ideals of justice, equality, and prosperity for all.

Finally, I want to specially felicitate my brothers and sisters from Abia, God's Own State, who have through the ingenuity of innovation, industry and enterprise continued to commit their blood, sweat and tears to the growth and advancement of our dear state in particular and Nigeria as a whole. As long as God remains the Lord over our state, I want to assure you that your labours for the good of our land will not be in vain.

Happy Independence Nigeria!

Yours in unity and progress,

Prof. Gregory Ibe,PhD, OFR(Enyi Abia)
Member, Presidential Advisory Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Executive Governor of Imo State Sen. Hope Uzodinma on Wednesday 23 August 2023 will inaugurate Skills 87.7FM station in Okigwe, the first of its kind in the local government.

The station is proudly owned by Abia born Chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Member, Presidential Advisory Council of the body, Prof. Gregory Ibe.

This was contained in a statement issued by media aide to Prof. Gregory Ibe, Rev. Sleek Ogwo on Thursday.

According to the statement, the Skills FM is currently testing the strength of its signals on the frequency of 87.7 in the FM band.

The statement reads,"All is now set for official commissioning of Skills FM, the first radio station sited in the ancient town of Okigwe in Imo state.

According to a press statement from Gregory University Uturu, owners of the broadcast outfit, the new station will be commissioned by the Executive Governor of Imo State Senator Hope Uzodinma on Wednesday 23 August 2023, in the presence of many distinguished personalities.

Part of the statement reads thus:
"Pursuant to the vision of our Founder Prof. Gregory Ibe to consistently vanguard the good delivery of quality knowledge to all sundry, we are pleased to announce the planned commissioning of our commercial radio station, aptly named Skills FM, by the Executive Governor of Imo State Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, in the company of many other distinguished personalities, on Wednesday 23 August 2023".

Licensed to Prof Gregory Ibe, Founder and Proprietor of Gregory University Uturu, Skills FM is currently testing the strength of her signals on the frequency of 87.7 in the FM band. With the promise of "Adding Value" to her numerous listeners, the station parades many notable On Air Personalities (OAPs) who are poised to entertain, enlighten and educate the large demography of her listening public in Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Enugu and Anambra States.

The statement therefore invites the general public to attend the epoch making event".

Member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Presidential Advisory Council, Prof. Gregory Ikechukwu Ibe has felicitated with the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo on his 63 birthday.

In a goodwill message released over the weekend, Prof. Ibe, who contested the 2023 general elections as Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance(APGA) in Abia State, congratulated Gov. Soludo for bequeathing humanity with a plethora of achievements at a relatively young age.
According to Prof. Ibe, "On this auspicious occasion of commemoration of your 63 birthday, I want to specially congratulate you for achieving the feat of bequeathing humanity with a plethora of impacts even at a relatively young age".

While appreciating God for sustaining the health of the Governor and enabling him to serve the public in various capacities, including Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Governor of the Central Bank and Anambra State Governor, Prof. Ibe earnestly coveted the release of a fresh season of divine strength on Prof. Soludo.
In his words, "While thanking God for giving you good health and vigour that enabled you to function as Chief Economic Adviser to President Obasanjo, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and now Anambra State Governor, it is my unrelenting intercession that as you mark this 63rd birthday, heaven releases a fresh season of divine strength on you for the journey ahead".

Prof. Ibe used the message to enjoin Gov. Soludo to deploy his current position as National Leader of APGA in rebuilding, strengthening and extending the frontiers of the party to other parts of the nation.
He said, "This sexagenarian birthday anniversary that is coming at a time you are occupying the exalted position of National Leader of our great party APGA, affords you the golden opportunity of working assiduously with the NWC in rebuilding, strengthening and extending the frontiers of our party to every region and state in Nigeria".

Born on 28 July 1960, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo is currently serving as the 9th democratically elected Governor of Anambra State in the South East of Nigeria.

- Sleek Ogwo , ANIPR

In response to the prevailing economic challenges arising from removal of Fuel Subsidy by the Federal Government, management of Gregory University Uturu has rolled out comprehensive palliative measures to cushion the effects of the policy on her staff members.

According to an internal official memo addressed to the university community and signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Augustine Uwakwe, "the development is the outcome of a special intervention by the Founder of the institution, Prof. Gregory Ibe, aimed at supporting members of staff who have tirelessly contributed to the successes of the university".

The palliative measures include:

1. Transport Allowance Support -
The university has approved the provision of special monthly transport allowances to all staff members for the next three months, in the first instance.

2. Provision of interest free loans to interested members of staff - Before now, such loans were only given to most vulnerable members of staff.

3. Immediate distribution of free food items to all staff members- Before now, such largesse was only restricted to festive periods.

4. Subsidized Transportation Services- To ease the financial burden of daily commuting, the provision of subsidized bus services has been introduced to enable conveyance of staff members to and from strategic location and the university.

5. Free Accommodation at the University Guest House for academic staff members from far locations, to enable them to undertake conference marking of examination answer scripts and prepare results for the just concluded Rain Semester Examinations.

6.Free Feeding, including Food and Drinks at the University Canteen for all academic staff members involved in conference marking of the Rain Semester Examinations.

While contending that "this landmark decision reflects the commitment of the management to fostering a supportive and inclusive community of all its members".

The memo concludes by enjoining staff to reciprocate the gesture through enhanced commitment to their duties.

- Ebubechi Iwuh
(Ag. PRO, Gregory University, Uturu)

©️ Public Relations Unit, GUU

The MBBS programme of Gregory University Uturu has received final clinical accreditation by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria(MDCN).

According to a letter signed by the Registrar of MDCN, Dr T.A.B Sanusi, which was made available to journalists in Umuahia on Friday, the development is sequel to a satisfactory accreditation visit to Gregory University Uturu by the council earlier in the year.
The letter reads in part, "I am to convey provisional approval for your MBBS programme to be granted the final accreditation with effect from May 2023.

While congratulating the management of Gregory University Uturu for this laudable achievement, the letter enjoined the institution to ensure "progressive development of the MBBS programme" in order to guarantee maintenance of standards and quality assurance.

Education correspondents report that MDCN is the professional health regulatory agency that is constitutionally vested with the task of assessing, verifying and accrediting academic programmes of private and public higher institutions in the fields of Medicine, Dentistry and Alternative Medicine across Nigeria.