₦airaland Forum

Final list of Enugu State House of Representatives candidates for the 2027 election.

NIPR Honours Enugu Chairman, Dr. Ilo Faustinus Chinedu, as Public Relations Practitioner of the Month

ENUGU, Nigeria — The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Enugu State Chapter, has named its Chairman, Dr. Ilo Faustinus Chinedu, PhD, MNIPR, as its Public Relations Practitioner of the Month, recognising his contributions to ethical public relations practice, strategic leadership, stakeholder engagement, and organizational transformation.

The recognition, announced on the Institute's official media pages, celebrates Dr. Chinedu's record of leadership in public relations, strategic communications, business intelligence, and organizational development. Beyond honouring individual achievement, the monthly recognition reflects NIPR's commitment to promoting professional excellence, ethical standards, continuous learning, and service to society while showcasing practitioners whose work demonstrates the value of strategic communication in nation-building.

According to the Institute, Dr. Chinedu has distinguished himself through leadership roles that delivered measurable improvements in organizational performance, customer engagement, workforce development, and stakeholder relations. NIPR also acknowledged his academic achievements, professional certifications, published research, and executive training, describing him as a multidisciplinary professional whose work bridges engineering, leadership, public relations, and business intelligence.

The chapter further credited his tenure as Chairman since November 2022 with expanding professional development programmes, strengthening mentorship, promoting strategic partnerships, and increasing member participation.
Responding to the recognition, Dr. Chinedu dedicated the honour to the ideals of service and professional excellence, expressing appreciation to the Institute for the opportunity to serve.

"I have always championed the core pillars of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations—Leadership, Professionalism, and Excellence. If leaders across all tiers of governance and service embody these virtues, Nigeria will undoubtedly become a better place for everyone."
He also used the occasion to advocate for greater professionalization of public relations practice in governance, urging policymakers and political leaders to engage only certified public relations practitioners.

"True public relations goes far beyond mere image laundry or superficial reputation management. Its true essence lies in promoting mutual understanding and benefits for all stakeholders through sustained, two-way communication channels."

The recognition comes at a time when public confidence in institutions increasingly depends on transparent communication, ethical leadership, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. By celebrating exemplary practitioners, NIPR reinforces the profession's role in building trust, supporting informed public discourse, strengthening institutional accountability, and advancing sustainable national development through responsible and ethical communication.

The Arrest Narrative and the Politics of 2027: Why Supporters Believe Chief Uche Nnaji Remains a Strong Contender

The recent wave of publications and social media posts surrounding Chief Uche Nnaji has once again exposed how political propaganda is often deployed to distract the public and weaken perceived opponents.
At a time when many people are looking ahead to the 2027 governorship election in Enugu State, it is disappointing that sensational headlines and unverified narratives are being circulated to shape public opinion instead of allowing facts to prevail.

Every public office holder or former office holder deserves fair treatment under the law.
Allegations should be investigated professionally, while the public should avoid rushing to judgment before the relevant authorities conclude any inquiry.
Trial by the media has never been a substitute for justice.

To many supporters, these coordinated attacks only reinforce the belief that Chief Uche Nnaji remains a formidable political figure whose growing popularity has unsettled some interests.
Rather than weakening his resolve, such campaigns may strengthen the determination of those who believe Enugu deserves leadership focused on development, accountability, and inclusive governance.

The people of Enugu State should remain calm, discerning, and committed to evaluating every aspirant based on character, competence, vision, and verified facts, not sensational headlines or social media speculation.
Democracy thrives when citizens make informed decisions, not when opinions are manipulated through campaigns of fear or misinformation.

Whatever challenges may arise, supporters remain optimistic that Chief Uche Nnaji will stay focused, continue engaging the people, and, subject to the democratic process, pursue his governorship ambition in 2027 with courage, confidence, and unwavering commitment to the progress of Enugu State.

Enugu's Future Is Bright With Nwakaibie.

OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER AND CLARIFICATION TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC

The leadership of the City boy movement Enugu State chapter ably led by Prince Emeka Mamah wishes to inform and clarify to the general public to a misleading claim by one Amb Mrs Amaka Nweke who has been parading herself as the woman leader of the City boy movement in Enugu State.

In a letter dated 13th March 2026 and duly signed by the State Director of Communications and media Chief Chidi Obiekwe Akagwolu, The rightful, legitimate, and duly recognized Woman Leader of City Boy Movement Enugu State is Barr Mrs. Adanma Ode. The letter stated that Barr Adanma has been serving in this capacity with distinction, leading the women's wing with dedication, passion, and excellence.

The city boy movement Enugu chapter kindly requests that the general public take note of this disclaimer and recognize Barr Mrs Adanma Ode as the authentic Woman Leader of the Enugu State Chapter and also to disregard all false claims and misrepresentation by the said Amb Mrs. Amaka Nweke.

Attached is a letter duly signed by the leadership of the City boy movement Enugu State.

📢 MESSAGE TO APC STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTY FAITHFUL IN SOUTHERN NIGERIA

There has been growing political chatter suggesting that the office of Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress is open for contest.

Let the truth be stated clearly and without ambiguity:

❌ THE OFFICE IS NOT VACANT.

His Eminence, Emma Eneukwu, OFR, remains the serving Deputy National Chairman (South) and one of the foundational pillars of the progressive movement in Nigeria.

This is not a position acquired by accident or political convenience.
It is the product of over three decades of sacrifice, loyalty, and institutional leadership.

📌 A brief reminder of history:

• In 1993, shortly after graduating from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Chief Emma Eneukwu was elected Udi LGA Party Secretary of the National Republican Convention, working with respected leaders such as Hyde Onuaguluchi.

• He later helped form the Congress for National Consensus and became its first Enugu State Chairman.

• In 1999, he emerged first Enugu State Chairman of the All Peoples Party, which later evolved into the All Nigeria Peoples Party, where he again served as State Chairman and later Chairman of all ANPP State Chairmen nationwide.

• At the 2007 ANPP National Convention, he emerged National Publicity Secretary, contributing significantly to the party’s national visibility and organization.

📌 When the historic merger talks that produced the APC began, Chief Emma Eneukwu was among the key ANPP delegates working alongside national leaders such as:

Ogbonnaya Onu

John Odigie-Oyegun

Sani Yerima

Adamu Aliero


He served as a member of the Central Merger Committee, particularly within the Publicity Sub-Committee, helping to lay the strategic foundation that eventually produced the All Progressives Congress.

Following the successful merger, he was appointed APC Convener in Enugu State, building the party’s early structures in the state.

📌 His national leadership roles continued:

• National Welfare Secretary in the Interim Management Committee of APC led by Bisi Akande.

• At the 2014 APC National Convention, he became the first elected National Vice Chairman (South East) of the party.

• In 2018, he was re-elected, demonstrating the confidence the party placed in his leadership.

Throughout this journey, Chief Emma Eneukwu remained steadfast, disciplined, and loyal to the progressive movement.

History teaches us an important lesson in politics:

⚠️ Those who truly build institutions stay with them through difficult seasons.

⚠️ Those who abandon the house during turbulent times cannot suddenly return to claim ownership when the structure becomes stronger.

The APC was built through loyalty, sacrifice, and consistency, not through temporary alignments or political convenience.

At this critical moment in the life of our great party, especially as we consolidate national leadership under
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. GCFR, stability within party structures is paramount.

📌 Therefore, let it be clearly stated once again:

THERE IS NO VACANCY IN THE OFFICE OF DEPUTY NATIONAL CHAIRMAN (SOUTH).

CONTINUITY. EXPERIENCE. LOYALTY.

4 + 4 for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. GCFR. 🇳🇬

4 + 4 for Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah

4 + 4 for Chief Emma Eneukwu (DNC – South)

Tomorrow is here!!
God bless Ndi Enugu.
God bless Ndi Igbo
God bless Southeast Nigeria.
God bless the APC.

ATTENTION 📰💥

If you are a student from Udi Local government and have not yet paid your school fees, please follow the instructions on this notice. For more information, kindly contact the Department President political science Esut: 09131156856.

Hon. Uche Dioha urges all students to stay in school and emphasizes his commitment to supporting students in need. His message: "No to school drop out!."

APC UGWUAJI WARD 10 AGOG AS HON CHUKWU EMEKA UGWU REVALIDATED HIS PARTY MEMBERSHIP.

The Chief Security officer of Ugwuaji community in Enugu South Local government area of Enugu State, Hon Chukwu Emeka Ugwu has formally revalidated his membership of the All Progressive Congress

The event held at his residence in Ugwuaji community marked a significant step in strengthening the party’s internal structure and membership database in line with national party reforms.

The event was massively attended by Hon Emeka Eze Former State Organizing secretary of the APC Enugu State, Hon Queen Charles Onyeachonam Former APC Chairperson Enugu South, Hon Ikenna Czar Nnaji SA to the former chairman of the APC Enugu State Hon Barr Ugochukwu Agballah, as well as trained e-registration agents and a host of party faithful from Ugwuaji community. The exercise is aimed at deepening grassroots participation, enhancing transparency, and positioning the party for effective mobilisation ahead of future political engagements.

Speaking at the event, Hon Chukwu thanked the leadership of the party in Enugu State and also emphasized the importance of technology-driven party administration, noting that the e-registration exercise would ensure accuracy, inclusiveness, and credibility in the APC membership register across Enugu State.

Mmuo reporting from Ugwuaji

Yesterday the 27th September 2025, the good people of APC Oduma 2 in Aninri L.G.A of Enugu State officially received the PG of the Obeagu Oduma autonomous community Engr Anyanwu John into the party.

The event which was hosted by Chief Obasi Moses the Chief Protocol to the Hon Minister of Innovation Science and Technology saw the presence of dignitaries like Hon Chima Atu member representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency, members of the APC State Executive Committee and a host of other dignitaries.

Enugu shall rise again.

On the 22nd July 2025, a young rising politician Mazi Ezenwa Onyirimba empowers selected farmers across Awgu, Aninri and Oji River Federal Constituency of Enugu State.

Mazi Onyirimba, a distinguished member of the ruling All Progressives Congress and the Director General All Progressives Congress Youth and students council writes in appreciation 👇

TO GOD BE THE GLORY

Yesterday,I was privileged to share some fertilizers and farm tools to selected farmers across Agwu, Aninri and Oji-River federal Constituency. It was all emotional for me during the whole process and seeing smiles on the faces of our people through my little efforts and contribution. Within the week I shared the same fertilizer and herbicides including knapsack Sprayer to selected cooperative societies across Greater Awgu. We give God the Glory and also specially thanks to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and food security Abuja for listening to us and giving us the items to ensure food security in Greater Awgu.

Also during the distribution, I used the opportunity to donate uniforms (wrappers) to all the ward and LGA women Leaders of our Great Party APC across Greater Awgu.

Mazi Dr. Ezenwa A A Onyirimba
Director General
All Progressives Congress Youths and Students Council Abuja .

Last Saturday the creme de la creme gathered at Eleme Rivers State for the traditional wedding ceremony of Ugonna Bryan Odenigwe a tech enthusiast, computer engineer and founder/CEO Xavier Technologies and Software and his beautiful bride Tammy Osila Osaroekee.

Ugonna is the son of Chief Emeka Odenigwe and Princess Adaku Ogbu Aguocha the 2023 APC Enugu East Senatorial candidate.

Congratulations to the beautiful couple. Your home is blessed

Why Damagun should learn from Agballah on how to run a disciplined party free of moles.

By Ike Nnaji

In the current democratic dispensation in Nigeria, one must belong to a political party to seek elective offices or to participate actively in governance. So healthy political parties are necessary for the sustenance of democracy.

Prior to 2021 APC Enugu State was a conduit pipe for self enrichment and aggrandizing of few individuals who mortgaged the party and made it as an appendage of the ruling PDP in the State. This unholy political matrimony was fully supported by the stakeholders who all benefited from it. Some APC Stakeholders nominated their wives, daughters, sons, brothers and sisters as high ranking officials of Enugu state PDP govt. Even LGA chairmen of councils and Councillors were nominated by APC stakeholders in some LGA. It was so shameful that the then State Chairman Ben Nwoye was spotted at a PDP rally endorsing candidates of PDP on behalf of Sen Ken Nnamani represented by one Nelson Arum aka Mama. The result was the woeful failure of APC Enugu state to fulfill its core constitutional mandate which is to oppose the PDP candidates by presenting credible candidates for the election. Everybody in Enugu knew Ugwuanyi’s PDP was not only remote controlling APC Enugu but had it deep inside its pockets. The effect was that no politician trusted APC as a platform so they all migrated to the newly formed Labour Party.

When Agballah took over the reigns of the party in October 2021, there was a head on collision with some highly placed individuals that wanted the unholy romance between the PDP and APC in Enugu State to continue moreso when those who didn’t really know Agballah believed it would be business as usual as he was rumored to be close to Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and one of those who stood behind him to solidify his second term aspirations. When Agballah took over he left no one in doubt that it will no longer be business as usual but no one believed him except the few who had specifically headhunted him with the belief that only him could turn the fortunes of the party around having witnessed how he single handedly opposed the feared Chimaroke Nnamani and almost snatched the governorship from him. When Agballah took over he audaciously declared at all events and party meetings that he was on a mission to build a viable disciplined uncompromising opposition platform that would defeat the ruling PDP who had mal-administered Enugu State for 26 years.

That singular initiative by Barr Agballah ushered in renewed hope for the genuine members of the APC who felt scandalized by the political prostitution of their leaders.

As expected those proponents of the dark era, fought back. They instigated an orchestrated and viral defamatory and abusive social, print and electronic media attacks on Agballah and also followed it up with a determined resolve to remove him as chairman with support from the Ugwuanyi led PDP government who bankrolled all their attempts as the PDP were no longer comfortable with Agballah’s determined move to create an opposition political party. Initially the Ugwuanyi’s PDP govt had believed that with Agballah’s election as chairman APC will be factionalized and they started bankrolling the Ben Nwoye and AC Udeh’s faction and also bankrolled a host of other prominent stakeholders who all supported Peter Mba ex-Gov Ugwuanyi’s candidate. It is pertinent to note that these stakeholders had also at different times refused to co-operate with the then Ben Nwoye’s state exco in spite of the fact they were all working for the same PDP. This led to different factions working against the party. During the 2019 governorship elections Ugwuanyi had sponsored most of all the APC governorship aspirants except Late Sen Ayogu Eze and those he sponsored ganged up to effectively undermine the candidature of Ayogu Eze making it non effective. Infact he so much penetrated Ayogu Eze’s camp that the chairman of his campaign a self styled billionaire from Awgu had a deal with the PDP that ended up with him nominating his younger brother as a commissioner in Ugwuanyi’s cabinet. So all the pro PDP stakeholders ganged up with the same tactics of continuous and unresolvable contentiousness to undermine Agballah’s leadership of the party. Within two years Agballah and his executive had over 14 failed attempts to remove him as chairman of the party which were all funded by the PDP so they will take over the APC Enugu state and continue business as usual.

But Agballah could not have succeeded without the support of Chief Uche Nnaji Nwakibie the leader of the party in Enugu state and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. When the PDP coup plotters failed they penetrated those close to the minister including those also who were once close to Agballah whose nominations he personally carried on his head so to say. So the battle to remove Agballah was now shifted to within the camp of Uche Nnaji. However Nnaji, the leadership of the party, majority of the stakeholders and the NWC were resolute that Agballah must carry on with his reform agenda. At the same time Agballah and the new Exco were seriously re-organizing the party which made the stakeholders take responsibility for their wards. Real discipline was introduced into the party and even those holding govt appointments were seriously dragged and some faced disciplinary action for not bringing value and job employment to members of the party. Contact committees were set up and funded to go after political leaders of other parties in the state. A massive membership drive was embarked on by the party. The media team was re-invigorated to publicize party affairs and the reasons for the reform.

In the past two years APC is the only party in the state holding regular ward, LGA meetings and state meetings. APC is the only party in Enugu where stakeholders operate at the ward level and support the financing of the party by the leader Chief Uche Nnaji, A day after Labour Party lost its case at the appellate courts Agballah and Nnaji embarked on consultations with the Labour leadership and also disaffected PDP members who had been shut out of govt house. Those failed coup attempts turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it angered the stakeholders who met while Agballah and Nnaji were in Abuja and sacked all those involved and took far reaching measures that garrisoned APC permanently against the undermining activities of moles. Today APC Enugu is free of moles and has become so attractive that both Labour and PDP members are trooping into the party unlike PDP that virtually every one is bent on decamping from

Alhaji Damagun the PDP National Chairman should learn from Ugo Agballah and understand that the only antidote to cure moleism is to confront them head on and expunge them as they are like cancer to the body fabric of the party. The moment an individual belonging to a party starts engaging in anti party activities, such a person should be disciplined in line with the constitution of the party. After the PDP lost the 2023 Presidential election rather than work on a series of petitions of anti party activities against their members, Damagun stayed aloof, allowing the menace of indiscipline to fester for so long. This i believe was the reason for the total dismantling and immediate collapse of Nigeria’s former ruling party.

A mole tolerant organization is a self destructive entity and is working full time to sabotage its own self.

Today APC are celebrating Agballah for his audacity and courage and celebrating Nnaji for his steadfastness and commitment

INSURGENTS KILLS 25, SACK VILLAGES IN ENUGU

By Onyekachukwu Ibezim

Insurgents have reportedly killed more than 25 persons and injured scores in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area (LGA) of Enugu State following an unprovoked attack on the agrarian communities.

According to reports, given the intensity of the attackers, suspected to be herdsmen, many families are fleeing to Anambra and Kogi for their safety and security.

It was further gathered that with rising fear of further violence in the area known as Enugu’s food basket, some of the community members have vowed to stop the invaders as they cannot just abandon their ancestral lands for ‘criminal elements’

One member of the local vigilante group, who gave his name as Godwin Ezugwu, while recounting the terror visited on the communities by the attackers, criticized the delayed response by security agencies.

He stated thus; “The incident became horrifying as the new Enugu Police Commissioner, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, last week denied publicly that there was any sign of insecurity problems”.

Further highlighting atrocities committed by the criminal elements in recent times, Ezugwu said these include the machete killing of a vigilante member, Chijioke Anioke at Ekenwaozege junction; the murder of Nwa Black in Opanda, Adani; and the kidnapping of ENTRACO driver Patty Ozor, with one passenger shot dead.

Meanwhile, in an SOS message sent to Governor Peter Mbah, the Community leaders expressed frustration over the inaction of Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area Chairman, Chijioke Ezugwu, a former vigilante leader, requesting he should be summoned for questioning.

It was gathered that despite having reported the frequent abductions and killings of farmers over the past two months, nothing has been done to assure the people of the safety.

Referring to a recent comments by the DSS Director General Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, who spoke on the need for communities to arm themselves for self-defense, warning, the Community Leaders said; “Fulanis have declared war on Nigerians, especially Southern Nigeria and the government seems to be turning a blind to this dangerous threat.”

Sources close to the Community Leaders claimed that a 2024 security summit proposed by Uzo-Uwani Professionals in Nsukka was reportedly ignored by the State government, a development that further deepened local concerns about its readiness to tackle the insurgency and insecurity challenges.

Chijioke Edeoga and the Politics of Betrayal: A Cautionary Tale for the Youth of Enugu State

By Michael Abonyi

Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga serves as a clear example of the kind of politician that young, forward-thinking people of Enugu State must never take seriously. In the buildup to the 2023 general elections, I observed him carefully, his manifesto, his weak political strategy, and his overall pitiable disposition. It became evident that while he positioned himself as an alternative to the establishment, his campaign lacked the weight of credibility when compared to his opponent.

Rather than anchoring his candidacy on concrete ideas and strong leadership credentials, Edeoga leaned heavily on Peter Obi’s soaring popularity and public sympathy. He painted himself as a victim of the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) internal politics, loudly declaring that he had been treated unfairly. His emotional appeal resonated with many, not necessarily because they believed in his competence, but because they saw in him an underdog battling an oppressive system.

Out of this sentiment, the people rallied behind him, even at great personal risk. Some stood guard at polling units to protect their votes; others slept at INEC offices to ensure due process was followed. Many citizens and groups provided resources, not for personal gain, but in pursuit of what they believed to be justice. It was a movement fueled by frustration with the status quo. Yet, despite this mass support, Edeoga was ultimately rigged out of victory, a situation that deepened his frustration and grievances.

Labour Party candidates, including Edeoga, did not hold back in their condemnation of the PDP. They painted it as a party entrenched in godfatherism, one that had long lost its moral compass and no longer had space for ordinary citizens. These criticisms struck a chord with voters who were already disillusioned. But in a twist of irony, the same people who championed these sentiments, including Edeoga, have now defected back to the PDP.

This raises an urgent question: What exactly is the motive behind this sudden political realignment?

There are layers to politics that many do not immediately see. If young people of Enugu State understood even a fraction of these intricacies, they would never allow selfish politicians to exploit their trust. For Edeoga and his fellow defectors, their return to the PDP was never about the people; it was about personal ambition. Their negotiations were not conducted on behalf of those who stood by them in the election but for their own political survival, their families, and perhaps a few privileged allies.

Some may argue that politics is, after all, a game of interests. But again, whose interests? Certainly not those of the countless individuals who risked their safety, time, and resources to fight for what they believed was a stolen mandate. Shockingly, the majority of those who genuinely fought for Labour Party’s success in Enugu were left out of the equation entirely. They were abandoned, proving yet again that to many Nigerian politicians, the masses are merely pawns in their quest for power.

Even more damning is the fact that Edeoga’s defection exposes just how weak a politician he truly is. If he were a leader of real influence, he would have been able to pull along key Labour Party figures, including National Assembly members and other party stakeholders, into his misadventure. Instead, his defection is a lone act of desperation, reinforcing the perception that he lacks the political weight to rally true support. The history of Enugu politics has shown that such missteps often lead to political irrelevance. A similar fate befell Gbazuagu Nweke Gbazuagu, who, after contesting against Okwesilieze Nwodo, defected to the National Republican Convention (NRC) for personal gain without consulting critical stakeholders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). His political career never recovered. Likewise, in 2003, after Chimaroke Nnamani denied him his mandate, Ugo Agballah refused to join Nnamani’s government. Instead, he sustained the Ebeaneje movement, ensuring that his followers remained loyal to him wherever he went. That is how a true leader commands respect.

Now, let us consider Edeoga’s possible motivations for rejoining the PDP. Does he believe Governor Peter Mbah will serve only one term, thereby clearing a path for him? Or is he banking on securing a political favour after eight years if Mbah completes a second term? Whatever the case, it is glaringly evident that the decision has nothing to do with serving the people. What is even more alarming is that some individuals are now celebrating his return to the PDP, failing to see the deep betrayal this represents.

The youth of Enugu State must not fall into the trap of political apathy, nor should they believe that our political landscape is beyond redemption. While it is true that most political parties in Nigeria lack ideological depth, and that many politicians treat party loyalty as a mere tool for convenience, there are still a few principled leaders in the various political platforms in the state who prioritise the people's welfare above personal ambition. It is our duty to identify and support these individuals rather than blindly aligning with a PDP that has repeatedly demonstrated its disregard for accountability and progress.

As Thomas Jefferson famously stated, “ _An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people_ .” Enugu’s youth must rise above deception, analyse the actions of their leaders critically, and throw their weight behind those who genuinely embody integrity and competence. We must reject the cycle of betrayal and demand a government that is truly for the people, by the people, and accountable to the people.

The time for complacency is over. The time to reclaim our political destiny is now.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Ethical Imperatives of Institutional Trust

By Ilo Faustinus Chinedu, PhD

The suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has sparked significant discourse on gender dynamics, political ethics, and institutional trust in Nigeria. However, beyond the immediate controversy lies a deeper concern: the implications of her actions on Nigeria’s image and the credibility of the Nigerian Senate. From a reputation management perspective, her approach—seeking international intervention rather than exhausting due process within the Nigerian legal and legislative frameworks—raises critical questions about nationalism, institutional integrity, and the risks of misinformation.

The Reputation Risk to Nigeria’s Institutions:

Nigeria's reputation on the global stage is closely tied to the credibility of its institutions. When a high-ranking public official fails to adhere to the code of ethics, bypasses local adjudication mechanisms, and seeks intervention from foreign bodies, it signals a lack of faith in national institutions. This could erode investor confidence, deepen public mistrust in governance, and create a fertile ground for international actors to interfere in domestic policies.

By addressing the United Nations and framing her suspension as a systemic attack on democracy and gender equality, Akpoti-Uduaghan has positioned Nigeria as a nation incapable of ensuring justice within its institutions. This portrayal undermines the Nigerian judiciary, the legislature, and democratic governance, reinforcing negative stereotypes that the country lacks an effective rule of law.

Furthermore, her actions inadvertently fuel disinformation and misinformation. By presenting an external narrative that links her suspension to gender discrimination and alleged sexual harassment, rather than legislative proceedings, she risks distorting the facts and misleading the international community. The Inter-Parliamentary Union’s willingness to investigate, while commendable from a human rights perspective, suggests a scenario where external bodies could unduly influence Nigeria’s legislative processes.

The Ethical and Legal Imperative of Due Process:

A fundamental principle of democracy is the respect for due process. Nigerian law provides clear avenues for contesting perceived injustices, including internal legislative appeal mechanisms and the judiciary. Akpoti-Uduaghan's decision to take her grievances to the global stage before fully exhausting these domestic remedies raises ethical concerns.

1. Legislative Integrity: The Nigerian Senate, like other parliaments worldwide, has internal rules governing conduct. Her suspension, as stated by the Senate, was a result of procedural violations, not her allegations against the Senate President. In comparison, the U.S. Congress enforces strict ethical guidelines, where members facing disciplinary action must first exhaust internal review mechanisms before seeking external intervention. Similarly, the UK Parliament maintains a robust code of conduct, ensuring that disciplinary matters are addressed through established committees rather than through international advocacy. The German Bundestag upholds institutional discipline by requiring lawmakers to adhere to parliamentary procedures, with independent oversight bodies handling misconduct cases to maintain legislative integrity.

2. Judicial Review: Nigeria’s judiciary has previously ruled in favor of lawmakers who were unjustly suspended. If Akpoti-Uduaghan believes her suspension was unconstitutional, she should trust the competence of the court handling her case rather than seeking external arbitration. For clarity, several Nigerian legislators have successfully challenged their suspensions in court, including Hon. Dino Melaye and 10 others (2010), Hon. Independence Ogunewe and 10 others (2010), Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin (2018), Senator Ali Ndume (2017), and Senator Abdul Ningi (2024). In each instance, the courts declared the suspensions illegal and ordered the lawmakers’ reinstatement with full entitlements. Choosing not to follow this precedent suggests a preference for public sympathy over legal resolution.

3. Ethical Responsibility: As a senator, Akpoti-Uduaghan has a duty to strengthen the institutions she represents. Undermining the credibility of the Senate and judiciary not only weakens these institutions but also contradicts the very principles of democracy and governance she claims to defend. Her actions risk eroding public trust in Nigeria’s legislative and judicial systems, creating a perception of instability that can have far-reaching consequences. Furthermore, successive Nigerian governments have worked tirelessly to improve the nation’s global image, promoting an environment conducive to foreign investment and economic growth. Through diplomatic engagements, judicial reforms, and legislative improvements, both past and present administrations have sought to project Nigeria as a stable and reliable destination for investors.

Nationalism vs. Political Opportunism:
A core aspect of responsible leadership is the prioritization of national interest over personal ambitions. Akpoti-Uduaghan’s UN address, while seemingly an advocacy for justice, can be interpreted as an anti-nationalist stance that exposes Nigeria’s internal affairs to unnecessary external scrutiny.

While it is essential to advocate for women’s rights and fair treatment, doing so through the lens of personal grievance rather than systemic reform risks trivializing legitimate struggles. The lack of support from her female colleagues in the Senate raises further questions about the credibility of her claims. If gender discrimination were at the heart of her suspension, why have other women in the Senate not rallied behind her?

Restoring Institutional Credibility:

For Nigeria to maintain its reputation as a functioning democracy, certain steps must be taken to reinforce institutional credibility:

1. Strengthening Internal Conflict Resolution Mechanisms – The Senate must ensure that disciplinary actions are transparent and well-communicated to prevent misinterpretation.

2. Judicial Oversight – Courts should prioritize cases of legislative disputes to reinforce the supremacy of the Nigerian legal system over international intervention.

3. Combating Misinformation – The government must actively counter misleading narratives that threaten Nigeria’s institutional reputation.

4. Balancing Gender Advocacy with Institutional Trust – Genuine advocacy for women's rights must be separated from political opportunism to ensure credibility and effectiveness.

Conclusion:
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s approach to challenging her suspension highlights broader issues surrounding political ethics, due process, and nationalism. While women’s representation and fair treatment in politics are critical issues, seeking international intervention over a procedural dispute risks Nigeria’s reputation and institutional integrity. The ethical path remains clear: grievances must be addressed through proper legal and legislative channels to uphold Nigeria’s sovereignty and democratic principles.

About the Author:
Dr. Ilo Faustinus Chinedu is a seasoned strategic leader with over 17 years of experience across diverse fields, including public relations, ethical governance, and local governance systems. He has excelled in both public service and social development initiatives, working with governmental and non-governmental organizations.

THE OFFICE OF THE PUBLICITY SECRETARY
THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) ENUGU STATE.
#49 B Bishop Onyeabor street GRA Enugu.

25th Feb. 2025.

General information

RE: THE EXPULSION OF UGOCHUKWU H. AGBALLAH AND STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS FOR GROSS MISCONDUCT FROM APC ENUGU STATE CHAPTER.

Our attention has been drawn to a fake publication allegedly signed by the duo of Mr. Alphonsus Onyeachonam and Charles Solo Ako falsely claiming the office of the state chairman and publicity secretary of APC Enugu respectively purportedly expelling the Barr Ugochukwu Agballah led State Executive committee of the All Progressives congress (APC) Enugu State.
Ordinarily we would have ignored the error ridden and poorly worded fake publication which is as nonsensical as it is arcane.

But for the interest of the unsuspecting members of the public who may be mislead by the unfounded beer parlour gossip circulated on social media by a bunch of illiterate lot of about 8 misguided political merchants who regrettably assume that a constitutionally elected State Executive committee can be removed by dissemination of false propaganda in the social media.

We have seen them at this foolery for eight months now and it has never affected the smooth running of the state affairs of APC Enugu state

It's pertinent to remind the APC faithfuls and the general public that the national and zonal leadership of our great party APC have on separate occasions disowned the disgruntled lots who allowed themselves to be bought and used by the jittery PDP led government of Enugu State to cause confusion and disaffection in APC Enugu State describing them as faceless individuals who are not known to the party and reaffirming that Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah and his Executives remains the only known state chairman and SEC of APC Enugu State, urging the general public to disregard the antics of faceless criminal elements parading as party officials.

As these bunch of disoriented impersonators led by one Alphonsus Onyeachonam continue to peddle their falsehood The Hon. Barr Ugochukwu H. Agballah the capacity state chairman APC Enugu State refused to be distracted as he continues to perform his constitutional duties unhindered as he is currently in Abuja with other 35 state chairmen of APC for the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of All Progressives Congress (APC) to be presided over by Mr. President, with the national Chairman and other national caucus of the party billed to be in attendance on 26th February, 2025.

Isn't it preposterous that these sponsored criminal elements parading as Executives of APC Enugu State have never been seen anywhere near any official function of the party both at state and federal levels? It's indeed laughable that a self acclaimed state chairman of a political party will be peddling falsehood on social media while a very important function.of the party such as the NEC is underway in the nation's capital.

The general public is therefore by this publication called upon to disregard the fake expulsion circulated by these jobless merchants of political crisis as they have no place in APC Enugu State and their beer parlour gossips are null and void and of no effects on our great party APC Enugu State.

We use this opportunity to wish our Able state chairman, Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah, Deputy National chairman(South) chief Emma Eṅeukwu, Southeast Zonal Chairman, Dr Ijeoma Aroduogbu and their colleagues a successful deliberations at the forthcoming NEC meeting.of our great party.
Long live APC Enugu State !

Long live APC Nigeria!!

Long live the federal republic of Nigeria!!!

Signed

Titus O. Ezeagu

(Publicity Secretary
APC Enugu State )

Yesterday 06/02/2025, the Assistant Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil defense corps ACG Oliver Ugwuja represented the Commandant General of the NSCDC Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi PHD,mni at the Chief of Defence Staff 2025 JTF Field Commanders Conference held in Abuja today.

The conference is an avenue where heads of different security unit strategies on a common blueprint to address the security situation in Nigeria.

ACG Oliver Ugwuja is a proud son of Eha alumona in Enugu State.

Office of the publicity secretary, All progressives Congress (APC ) Enugu State.
2nd February 2025.

Press Release

RE: FORMER ENUGU SPEAKER HON. EUGENE ODOH, UBAH ONAH, OTHERS AND FALSE CLAIMS OF MEMBERSHIP OF APC

The attention of the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Enugu State has been drawn to the misleading publication on social media and broadcast on 92.5 Enugu Dream FM as well as impersonation by one Mr Ubah Onah. In the unfortunate media misadventure, Onah, an expelled chairman of APC in Igboeze South LGA, falsely claimed to be speaking as Chairman of the 17 APC local government Chairmen in the state.

He similarly attempted to defend the most recent infamous appearance of the former Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo on TVC paid programme where he meddled into the affairs of South East APC and made malicious allegations against the Zonal leadership of the party over the recent appointment into the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

Hon. Eugene Odo in his ill-fated TVC outing falsely claimed that one individual has been responsible for the federal appointments coming to the South East even as he mischievously misrepresented facts regarding the withdrawal and replacement of Dr. Dan Ugwuja an APC stakeholder who hails from the same Enugu north senatorial zone as Hon. Odo of which the Hon. Simon Attah led stakeholders of APC Igbo-Etiti LG (where the former speaker hails from) rightly reprimanded him for.

First, we wish to reiterate that Mr Ubah Onah who was suspended alongside one Surv. Chibuike Onodagu (former APC chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA) and others by the party on grave offences of failed civilian coup against the State Executive Committee of our party led by the Hon. Barr Ugochukwu H. Agballah, lacks the locus to speak for any organ of APC as he is not an executive of APC Igbo-Eze South LGA or any organ of the party anymore. He is therefore an impersonator and will soon face the repercussions of his actions if he doesn't retrace his steps.

Secondly, the former speaker Hon. Eugene Odo has since been expelled from the party alongside others for sabotaging the party during the 2023 general elections. His anti party activities including openly campaigning for candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2023 general elections are well documented in several video clips.

It's noteworthy that his expulsion which was subsequently ratified in accordance with the constitution of APC by the South East (zonal) executive organ of the party has neither been appealed nor lifted at any level of the party organ till date, making him a persona non grata and meddlesome interloper in the affairs of APC at any level.

It's equally on record that Hon. Odo has rather continued to work for the PDP ever since, most recently leading the last PDP led ENSIEC Enugu local government council election campaigns for his younger brother Hon. Eric Odo who was eventually made the current executive chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA as compensation for his (ex-speaker Odo's) commitment to PDP in Enugu State.

The APC Enugu State therefore wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the fact that Hon. Simon Attah is and remains the Igbo-Etiti local government chairman of APC.

That the purported court injunction claiming to have suspended the APC Enugu State chairman, Hon Ugochukwu Agballah by faceless individuals like Mr Ubah Unah, Chibuike Onodagu and cohorts who are not known to our party is nothing but a hoax calculated to mislead the unsuspecting public and cause confusion in our party.

The Hon Barr. Ugochukwu H. Agballah and his Executive committee members have continued to perform their constitutional duties at the party secretariat unhindered.

The National and Zonal organs of APC have on separate occasions issued official statements reaffirming Barr. Agballah as the only APC chairman in Enugu State while referring to Mr Ubah Onah and cohorts as faceless agents of confusion who are only out to destabilise the APC in Enugu State in favour of their pay masters in PDP.

That the APC Enugu State stand in unanimity with the Hon. Attah Simon led APC Igbo-Etiti local government area in their support to the position of the South East zonal leadership of the party as regards the constitution of the SEDC and their subsequent genuine call on the former speaker Hon. Eugene Odo to desist from meddling into the affairs of APC and focus on the PDP where he has willingly decided to work.

That the press should endeavour to do their due diligence in their quest to bring factual and balanced reportage to the public by always establishing the veracity of a news item before dishing out to the public to avoid such embarrassment and grave consequences of interviewing faceless individuals and impersonators like the former speaker, Ubah Onah and the likes whose stock in trade is to create confusion in our great party.

Finally we bring to the notice of the general public that Hon. Eugene Odo has since left our party (APC ) to rejoin his party( PDP ) even before his expulsion, and as such has no locus to meddle into, oppose or denigrate the leadership of APC at any level. And that Ubah Onah's press interview claiming chairmanship of APC Igbo-Eze South and opposing the leadership of Hon. Attah Simon as the Chairman of APC Igbo-Etiti LGA is not only misleading but a calculated attempt to create confusion in APC Enugu State.

The APC Chairman of Igboeze South LGA is Hon Christian Ugwu, not Ubah Onah.

The general public is therefore enjoined to disregard the claims of Ubah Onah in the referenced interview as it's a clear falsehood borne out of frustration and the tendency to create confusion in APC.

The leadership of APC Enugu State remains steadfast in building a formidable team of committed party faithful devoid of anti party activities as we prepare to win the next election in Enugu state and will not yield to the evil machinations of mischief makers no matter how highly placed.

Signed
Titus O. Ezeagu
(Publicity Secretary APC Enugu)

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has applauded the Director General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Abdullahi Mustapha for his outstanding contributions to Nigeria’s energy sector, particularly in championing energy transition.

He highlighted several key achievements, including the establishment of a solar PV module assembling plant in Enugu State, which is expected to create numerous job opportunities and contribute significantly to the economic development of the South-east region.

The minister’s commendation was contained in a goodwill message to the energy commission boss on his 40th birthday celebration.
He also commended Mustapha’s role in setting up the Barefoot Renewable Energy College in Kogi State with the aim of addressing the manpower gap in the renewable energy industry and harnessing Nigeria’s abundant energy resources.

Furthermore, Nnaji praised Mustapha’s active participation in the G20 Brazil summit, where he made a remarkable presentation and submission on energy transition and sustainable development.

Mustapha’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s energy future. His efforts have earned him recognition, including the Pioneer Award for Leadership in Sustainable Energy and Green Development.

Nnaji also expressed satisfaction with Mustapha’s hard work and dedication, saying, “A talent like yours is not easy to find! Thanks for being such a valuable member of our team and for all the hard work you have done.“We wish you a truly fulfilling year ahead. You have all it takes to achieve any ambitious goal in life.”

The Hon Minister of Innovation Science and technology Chief Uche Nnaji and his team at the FMIST met with the top representatives of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) on a collaborative partnership effort on clean cooking technology in 774 LGA in Nigeria.

This partnership will reduce the dependency on the use of charcoal that have led to the hazardous impact in the degradation of our environment.

The Clean cooking technology has a tendency to reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and improve home air quality, It can also reduce the number of deaths caused by indoor air pollution, reduce emissions of climate pollutants, avoid emissions from forest degradation, and also reduce threats to biodiversity.

This unique partnership with Algon which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu vision to strengthen the Local Government Areas as drivers of grassroot development will help in the actualization and domestication of the clean cooking technology initiative in the 774 Local Government areas of Nigeria.

Top representatives included were (Hon.) Engr. Bello Lawal, National President of ALGON; Chief Moses Nomeh, Deputy National President of ALGON; Andy Ibekaku, Director of Data Analytics and Solutions Ltd; Elder Okoronkwo Chudu, BOT Treasurer of IPMAN and Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, DG/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.

Peter Mbah is Sabotaging Nnaji's Efforts Toward Enugu's Economic Transformation

By Nweze Chinedu, PhD

The recent onslaught of baseless accusations and cheap propaganda launched by Governor Peter Mbah’s media writers, such as Ogbodo Nnaji-Udeh, against Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, the Honorable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, is not only misguided but also a reckless display of political immaturity. It is clear that Governor Mbah’s team is more interested in peddling falsehoods than addressing the real issues plaguing Enugu State.

It is both disheartening and alarming that a governor who was elected to deliver governance is now consumed with petty antagonism against a federal minister—a brother from the same Nkanu land—who is striving to attract landmark projects to the state. Rather than support and encourage these efforts, Mbah’s administration has resorted to unfounded attacks and the unlawful detention of contractors and supervisors engaged in the execution of a transformational project.

The True Facts of the Matter
For clarity, the land in question was duly ceded to the Energy Commission of Nigeria, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology. This arrangement was formalized, signed by the host communities and handed over to the agency for further action in line with the Land Use Act of 1978. Uche Nnaji’s mission to bring a bio-methanol project, envisioned amongst the largest in West Africa is a selfless act intended to create jobs, promote economic growth, and attract investment into Enugu State. This project has the potential to open up opportunities for skilled and unskilled labor, enhance local enterprise, and position Enugu as a hub for green energy development.

However, instead of supporting this initiative, Governor Mbah in a shameless show of strength, ordered the arrest and detention of the contractors, supervisors, and even the equipment deployed to commence the project. This action is a gross misuse of power, and a betrayal of the trust Enugu people placed in him. It is often said, "A house divided against itself cannot stand," and Mbah’s divisive tactics will do nothing but harm the progress of Enugu State.

The Dangers of Clout-Chasing Leadership
Governor Peter Mbah’s obsession with clout-chasing rather than purposeful leadership has left many to truly understand that he lacks the capacity to deliver on his widely publicized manifesto, such as the provision of 24/7 portable water to Ndi Enugu within 180 days in office. The period from May 29, 2023, to December 17, 2024, amounts to 568 days since Peter Mbah took the oath of office, yet there has been no significant impact as he boasted. While in his bid to swindle Ndi Enugu and attract public sentiments/validation especially from returnees during this Christmas and new year celebrations, he engaged in an array of projects, including road rehabilitation, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Many of these roads are poorly executed surface dressings, with some already deteriorating, such as the recently rehabilitated Trans-Ekulu and Timber Shed roads, to name a few. We will refrain from discussing the quality of his projects for now, as time will reveal their true state for taxpayers to reevaluate in two years. However, it is evident that these surface dressings will not withstand the weight of ordinary vehicles. Worse still, these substandard projects are being financed at exorbitant costs from Enugu’s limited resources—a clear case of "robbing Enugu to pay Peter."

Instead of engaging in meaningful governance, Mbah’s preoccupation with attacking Uche Nnaji reveals a small-minded approach to leadership. As the Igbo adage goes, "He who is carried on another’s back should not be the first to insult those walking on their own feet." Uche Nnaji is working tirelessly to attract federal investments to Enugu, while Mbah’s administration squanders state resources on shallow and poorly executed projects.

Call for Accountability and Proper Leadership
We, the people of Enugu State, demand that Governor Mbah refocus his energy on governance and deliver on the "elephant promises" he made in his manifesto. Enugu’s residents are tired of empty slogans and hollow declarations. The state’s roads, healthcare, education, and security require serious attention, not the political witch-hunting of Uche Nnaji.

Governor Mbah should be reminded of the saying, "When you point one finger, three fingers point back at you." His attempt to undermine Uche Nnaji’s efforts to bring developmental projects to Enugu only exposes his insecurity and lack of strategic vision. A true leader seeks collaboration, not confrontation.

The Role of Enugu People
It is time for the people of Enugu to rise and reject the politicization of development projects. We cannot allow cheap blackmail to derail the progress that Uche Nnaji is bringing to our land. The people must demand transparency, fairness, and equity in the allocation and utilization of state resources. Governor Mbah’s actions undermine the collective interest of the people and set a dangerous precedent.

The bio-methanol project has the potential to be a game-changer for Nkanu land and the entire state. It will create hundreds of direct and indirect jobs, increase the state’s revenue, and drive economic diversification. This is a legacy project that any reasonable leader should support, not sabotage.

A Final Word to Peter Mbah and His Media Writers
Governor Mbah’s media team must desist from peddling lies and sabotaging Uche Nnaji’s noble and highly commendable efforts for the sake of cheap political gains. It is high time they understood that "lies may travel for a thousand miles, but the truth will catch up in a single step." Uche Nnaji’s contributions to Enugu’s development are undeniable, and no amount of smear campaigns can erase his legacy. We strongly warn Mbah to stop this destructive path of "climbing the ladder of popularity by sabotage."

If Mbah’s administration fails to change course, the people of Enugu will be left with no choice but to hold him accountable. Leadership is not about personal vendettas but about the collective good of the people. We expect Mbah to step up, live up to his responsibilities, and focus on what truly matters—governing Enugu State with competence, integrity, and a commitment to the people’s welfare.

As the scriptures say, "A house built on deceit shall not stand." Let Mbah’s team take heed, for the people of Enugu are watching. The call is clear: "Focus on governance, not on gimmicks." Uche Nnaji’s resolve to bring progress to Enugu State remains unshaken, and his efforts shall not be in vain.

Yesterday 12/10/2024, The Udi Professors Forum a think-tank /Trust fund organization aimed at helping indigent citizens of Udi Town of Enugu state held its inaugural meeting at the Enugu residence of their Chairman Dr Anthony Nebo, the Pro-chancellor Alex Ekwueme University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State.

The aims of the organization are

1. To develop a burning desire for the advancement of Udi town.

2. To assist Younger Udi academics to grow in their career.

3. To produce a database of Udi Town Professionals both within and outside Nigeria.

4. To assist Udi youths in their academic pursuits in tertiary institutions.

5. To organize and assist in the upgrade of the quality of the public schools in the town.

6. To assist in the growth and development of political awareness among members.

7. To attract the establishment of federal institutions to the town.

In attendance Standing from Right to left are Prof V. N. Onyia, Rev. Prof. B. C. Alio (holding a bible), Ass Prof. V. N. Ogakwu, Dr. Anthony C. Nebo, Prof. T. Chime and Prof. J . C. Eze

Absent with permission are Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Prof. Charles Chime, Prof. Charles Ogbodo and Prof. Ejike Okonkwo

There was a show of solidarity at the weekend for the imprisoned presumed winner of the Enugu South Urban Constituency election in Enugu State, Bright Ngene, as members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) stormed the Nigerian Correctional Service to seek his release.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared Ngene, a Labour Party (LP) candidate, winner of the 2023 House of Assembly election in the area with over 5,000 votes and was sworn in.


His victory was, however, cut short following the nullification of results from eight polling booths by the Appeal Tribunal, which also ordered rerun in the affected booths. The nullification was based on the petition from the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, Sam Ngene.

INEC had on three occasions, fixed the rerun election and had failed on each occasion; a development that prompted Bright Ngene to insist that he should be declared winner since he still possessed the highest number of valid votes in the exercise.

Last month, however, an Enugu Magistrate, D.D Onwu, relied on a case that had allegedly been in court since 2017 to pronounce him guilty of stealing and mismanagement of funds belonging to his community, and thrown him into prison. Onwu had sentenced him to seven years.

Condemning how the trial was held, and the alleged state backing to it, the state Chairman of the APC in Enugu, Ugochukwu Agballah, stated that the party would do all in its power to secure justice for Ngene, ensuring his mandate is restored.

He stated that though Bright Ngene is not a member of the APC, they decided to show solidarity because “injustice to one is injustice to another,” alleging that his incarceration was due to his demand for his mandate.

Agballah stated that the party would not only appeal the judgment but would petition President Bola Tinubu on what he described as a “miscarriage of justice and attempt to force the candidate to abandon his mandate.


Agballah also stated that the party would resist any attempt by the INEC to conduct the rerun election for the constituency until Bright Ngene secures his freedom.

Meanwhile, while the state Chairman of the PDP, Augustine Nnamani, had earlier denied involvement of the party and state government in the matter, he explained: “It is the kinsmen of Bright Ngene that took him to court and prosecuted him for stealing”. Nnamani had asked those sympathetic about the matter to direct it to the community

MBAH’S ILL CONCIEVED DEMOLITION SPREE IS ECONOMIC TERORISM ON THE PEOPLE OF ENUGU STATE: A STATEMENT BY THE ALL PROGRESSIVES CONGRESS (APC) ENUGU STATE.

1. Good afternoon gentlemen and ladies of the press. As you are aware for one year we did not comment on the worrisome activities of the Peter Mbah’s government because as citizens of the state and major stakeholders in the Enugu project we want every government to succeed, as the success of every government irrespective of the party that brought it into office will be enjoyed by us all and generations unborn.

2. Another reason why we have not commented on the activities of the Peter Mbah led government is because we know the government is battling with a widely perceived sense of illegitimacy, because he is widely believed not to have won the legitimate votes cast even though he was declared by INEC and confirmed by the judicial authorities. So we did not want to heat up the system knowing that he may find it difficult to rule this state if we unleash the weapon of opposition against his obviously debilitated government.

3. The third reason was that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, revenue allocation to all States and local government areas have increased exponentially to the extent that Enugu States monthly allocation have tripled making this present Mbah government the highest recipient of federal allocation since the creation of Enugu State. It is an empirical fact that from May 29th 2023 to May 29th 2024, Peter Mbah’s government has received not less than N 475,963,652,019 Billion Naira only. The breakdown is as follows; Federal allocation to the State is 147,778,456,610.09, Local Government Allocation: 64,185,195,409.01,Infrastructure allocation: 34,000,000,000,State IGR not less than: 60,000,000,000,Loans: 170,000,000,000. Making it a total of Four hundred and seventy five billion, Nine hundred and sixty three million, six hundred and fifty two thousand, and nineteen kobo.

4. We felt that we should not heat up the system because with the humongous allocation which is almost three times what the previous governments received we felt that any serious government with such a bumper revenue will surely succeed. With this revenue we expected that Gov. Peter Mbah should have built at least 2,500 kilometres of roads having covenanted in his manifesto that he will construct 10,000 kilometres of road in Enugu State within four years. 2,500 kilometres is 25% of the total road network he covenanted to build and one year is a quarter of his tenure of four years.

5. With this mind blowing funds we believed that Gov. Peter Mbah ought to have completed provision of water in Enugu city which he boasted he would complete in 180 days. With this unprecedented revenue we hoped that Peter Mbah would have at least built within this year his ill-conceived smart schools in 80 wards out of the 260 wards he covenanted to deliver in his manifesto within four years. It is also pertinent to note that the ill-conceived smart school projects is another avenue where the government of Peter Mbah is wasting billions of money to build one school per ward, whereas thousands of public schools are lying in ruins. Mbah is yet to construct any single public building in the state, yet he is busy destroying existing building and businesses constructed by individuals before he was born.

6. With this once in a lifetime revenue we felt Gov. Peter Mbah would have equipped our health institutions, built rural roads, and equipped the security agencies with the needed logistical support to secure Enugu State. There is no landmark project one can point at despite borrowing N 170 billion and increased federal allocation and IGR of N 305 billion, all totalling N 475 billion. We should also remember that when Mbah wrote his manifesto he didn’t know that revenue would triple due to fuel subsidy removal so he has no reason not to meet up with his much touted developmental plans as other states like Imo, Ebonyi and Abia states are currently doing.

7. We have always suspected that Peter Mbahs government was an unmitigated disaster but with recent developments it is now obvious to all the citizens of Enugu State.

8. However, we decided to make a press statement after one year to inform the general public that Peter Mbah’s government has failed woefully and should account to the state for the over 470 billion naira that he has collected in a year. Where is this money, where are the projects this money was used for? The state owe it as a duty to know what has happened to this humongous revenue and what it has been used for within one year of Gov. Peter Mbah’s bull in the chinaware government where his achievements is engaging in sophistry, casuistry and paralogism with intent to bamboozle the ignorant folks of Enugu State.

9. What is called “Tax” in Enugu state has become extortion of sorts under the present administration: ranging from land rent, property tax, cost of lifting a plot of land, sales tax, income tax, rates and levies. And the way government goes about collecting these taxes is brutal, including shutting down businesses that employ thousands of people.

10. However, a state of emergency that has made us to break our silence is the wanton, unbridled, callous and terrorist gestapo style destruction of private homes, private motor loading bays, over a hundred warehouses, a burgeoning industrial cluster of over 200 palm kernel processing plants, which is the biggest supplier of PKO in the entire Eastern Nigeria,10 chemical producing warehouses that were built in the fifties and sixties by the U.T.C, S.C.O.A, Chris Chemist, Maduka and Sons Ltd, Mgbemena Family and Farm Associates, Hogis Engineering Company, Dizzy Oil Co Ltd, FCMB bank, Ecobank, Onitsha south, Eastern Mass transit Co, Chisco Mass Transit, Romchi Mass Transit, Oha Community Microfinance Bank, over three hundred shops, completely destroying buildings and educational materials of Osisatech Polytechnic, the biggest and foremost Polytechnic in Enugu State despite the fact that the owner Rev Fr. Edeh got a court order stopping the demolition, the governor ignored the order as the bulldozers went ahead to level the school. The Red Cross building which houses almost a hundred motherless babies was pulled down while the babies were in the building with no alternative made for them. This sudden destruction led to the death of one baby who couldn’t survive the shock. It is only a heartless government that will pull down a building where the motherless babies were sleeping without providing an alternative habitation for them. It is alleged that not less than ten persons died during the destruction of peoples properties. Some weeks ago a decomposing body was exhumed from the debris. Only a vicious and soul-less government will destroy the training school of the civil engineering department of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, alongside ten three –bedroom flats that railway workers and some retirees were living that was built as far as 1940s. The workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) demonstrated and issued a seven day ultimatum to the state government to negotiate on how to replace its offices, workshops and quarters demolished or face legal action. They stated that over 21 billion Naira in property and equipment was lost by the railway alone in the demolition. It is good news to hear that the House of Representatives has ordered its Committee on Land Transport to commence investigation into the destruction and forceful takeover of properties belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

11. We would want Nigerians to note that what is going on is another land grab scheme characteristic of the ruling PDP Ebeano hegemony. This was the same tactics that was deployed by his predecessors in land grabbing the zoological parks and gardens which was destroyed in same manner and later parcellated to high ranking members of the Government, same tactics was used to take over the biggest golf course which land was grabbed and percellated to members of the government, same for Ikenga hotels, W.T.C Enugu, IMT Rectors Village, the land zoned for the building of Rangers stadium and even land meant for the conference centre which was initiated in the eighties by the Sampson Emeka Omeruah administration, this was the same tactics used to take over all ventilation and amusement parks and open spaces in Enugu city. These are heritage sites inherited from the Eastern regional government and belongs to all Igbos as Enugu wouldn’t have had all those iconic heritage sites if it was not a regional capital. This is the problem we have with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu state right from time. The same PDP destroyed government reserved area. Enugu state governors past and present are the only governors that when in office they will forcefully take peoples land. It doesn’t happen in any other state in whole of South East. No investor will invest in a state where this kind of demolition takes place every so often. We still remember how Entraco was used in enriching government officials. All transport companies set up by the Federal, States and LGAs have all failed woefully. In Enugu we know how the resources of coal city shuttle, Entraco, Coal city taxi, were all failed government initiatives in transport that ended up enriching the government officials.

12. This is pure economic and ill-conceived hare brained project which is a product of a government with shallow intellect masquerading in yahoo sophistry which cannot stand intellectual inquisition, whose purpose simply is to control the resources that will accrue from the state controlled transportation system. The destroyed area was the recycling hub in Enugu. This place also houses private transport companies, Petrol stations, Shopping centres etc. if it is not terrorism, who destroys the oldest and biggest motherless baby’s home and orphanage in the entire South East, South-South Nigeria which is run by the Red Cross. The building is as old as Enugu town. If this is not a land grab scheme, tell me why the hub must be in the city centre, a place already congested. If this is not economic terrorism, tell me why the government will demolish the biggest private owned polytechnic in Enugu State, why the government destroyed over a hundred warehouses where almost 90% of goods valued at over one hundred billion that are sold in Ogbete are warehoused.

13. It is important to inform you that part of modern urban renewal fundamental principles is that whenever human, economic and living development catches up with a major market or transport hub, such markets and hubs are relocated to the outskirts of the city. It may be necessary to inform us all here that the present Main market was sited here by colonial authorities in 1929 because here was the outskirts of Enugu in those days. Even the New market was sited in 1975 to its present site which again was deliberately positioned at the entrance of the city, so it is obvious the current government is not genuine in its schemes and project. When the then government in 1975 wanted to pull down and rebuild the Main market they moved the traders to a relief market which is the present day New market. Enugu is already bursting with population explosion, and traffic congestion and urgently needs decongestion, which means that new projects should move to new areas or satellite towns. Like experts counselled, Enugu state government should have known that the focus of modern theory and practice of development is on the development of new satellite towns as a means of much needed urban decongestion, optimization of public utilities and ecological maximization. It is inconceivable for anybody to leverage on an over one hundred year old colonial city Enugu to implement a prototype of Dubai transportation blueprint. Enugu had the best master plan in Nigeria, but successive PDP governors have not re-evaluated the master plan but have continuously and consistently bastardized the master plan.

14. I have been an advocate of thoroughbreds with strong intellectual and moral standing elected into the office of the Governor of Enugu State. The people should not be elected on the basis of wealth acquisition especially when such acquisitions are questionable. Nowhere in the world do you carry out such projects without implementing the principles of (T.O.D) otherwise called Transit oriented development which is aimed at bringing all commercial activities, buildings, public space together and connecting them to a near excellent transit service to every part of the city. If the principles of T.O.D had been implemented the government would not even think of building the biggest transportation hub opposite the biggest market in the city. This will lead to congestion and a calamitous traffic bottleneck. The intellectual emptiness of the Peter Mbah led government is reflected in this ill-conceived project that seek to apishly imitate other landmark projects by other government and in this instant, the Lagos state government. The Lagos state government transport hubs are well thought out projects that conform to all the principles of Transit Oriented Development (T.O.D). How can you destroy entire markets at Ogige in Nsukka, Gariki and Abakpa markets without first providing relief markets? It is akin to sentencing the citizens to sudden death. How can siting a motor park and destruction of livelihood of the tens of thousands of your citizens be for the greater good? When has the business of parks become the business of government, in this modern time governments are running away from running transport companies, this government is planning to set up a transportation hub, is it his business? Transport hubs have been organized by private people since the end of civil war and they have been doing better than the ones government set up. The people of Enugu state must condemn these nefarious act and use constituted means to stop the perennial grabbing of peoples land by the present government.

15. We call on the House of Reps to invoke its powers to set up an administrative panel of inquiry to stop this land grabbing scheme and make sure commiserate compensation is paid to not only land owners of destroyed properties but also those whose businesses were destroyed. It is important that a national public inquiry be set by the House of reps to stop the impunity going on in Enugu and make sure that the governor is held responsible for desecrating the constitutional rights of the citizens to own property and carry on their lawful businesses. We also call on those whose businesses were destroyed to seek redress and make sure they get commensurate compensation for their destroyed businesses and we pledge to fully support them. Enugu citizens should not tolerate this show of unbridled dictatorship, impunity and wickedness.

16. The demolition of Holy Ghost/Railway/Okpara avenue axis, Gariki Market, Abakpa Market and Ogige Market in Nsukka had led to untold financial and psychological hardship on affected families, economic decline due to loss of revenue and jobs, deteriorating living conditions characterised by increased poverty, social unrest, increased crime and loss of goods and services.

17. Gov. Mbah must not demolish other planned areas, parks and market marked for demolition. Government must carry out cost benefit analysis before embarking on a destructive project, if indeed, it’s for the people.

18. We know that the state government will unleash its (social) media Rottweilers after every critical voice in the state but that will not deter us from speaking from time to time. Enugu state is bigger than any one individual.

Signed

The Hon Barr Ugochukwu H. Agballah
Chairman, APC Enugu State.

BREAKING NEWS !!!..HIGH CHIEF URAMA ARRESTED FOR SETTING UP APC GBURUS CHAPTER IN ENUGU NORTH SENATORIAL ZONE

On April 16th 2024 Mr Michael Urama aka High Chief Urama and one Tony Eze were arrested by the Nigerian police when they came to Nkologu ward Uzo-Uwani to set up ward executive for a group known as APC Gburus chapter which was allegedly for Fmr Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is a member of PDP and is not known to have declared for APC at his ward, LGA or State level. It is pertinent to note that the said Fmr Gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi had sometime during Buhari’s govt intimated the then president that he was going to declare for APC and in the process started working closely with many APC leaders including but not limited to Ben Nwoye, AC Udeh, GNG Ggbazuagu, Ken Nnamani, Geoffrey Onyeama, Osita Okechukwu, Sullivan Chime, Eugene Odo, Ginika Tor, Okey Ogbodo, Flavour Eze, Baywood Ibe, Onyemauche Nnamani and a host of others. At a stage one couldn’t differentiate between APC and PDP members in Enugu state. To the extent that APC was openly campaigning for PDP candidates and publicly demarketing APC candidates. It was through this grand scheme that Ayogu Eze’s candidature was thoroughly rubbished. To the extent that some APC leaders were also appointing their children and nominees as commissioners, LGA chairmen. Ugwuanyi never declared for APC but ended up infiltrating and completely destabilizing APC that it became a laughing stock in Enugu state. Ugwuanyi found a willing tool in Ben Nwoye and Ken Nnamani the state chairman and then leader of the party in the state whom he thoroughly compromised. At the end Ugwuanyi never joined APC and this ploy of his will go same way as he may never join APC.

However Enugu APC is lucky to have a leader of the party in the person of Chief Uche Nnaji and a National Deputy Chairman Chief Emma Eneukwu and state chairman The Hon Ugochukwu Agballah and a reliable state executive and LGA chairmen who are determined to redeem APC and rid it of moles planted by Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi when he was governor of Enugu state. These are credible principled leaders whom Ugwuanyi can never pocket and who know the game of politics more than Ugwuanyi and have all refused to fall prey to his latest scheme which is being championed by Michael Urama who worked for PDP in the last general elections who has never identified with APC Enugu state and who is going round the Enugu North senatorial zone state inaugurating ward executives for Ex gov Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is a member of PDP. That is why the LGA chairman of APC Uzo Uwani LGA in company of his stakeholders reported to the Nigerian police and Michael Urama was arrested as what he is doing is completely illegal and capable of leading to breakdown of law and order as he is impersonating the party officials.
Be it know that nobody has the mandate of All progressive Congress to form or create a parallel structure/organs of the party different from the existing ones in the wards and LGA, moreso for Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi Gburugburu who is not even a member of our party Apc.

Michael Urama and Tony Eze went too far whether out of foolishness or ignorance or madness I can not tell because this act is as foolish as it sounds since the person they are setting up structures is not even a member of our party and even if he is there is no election nearby or nominations. So Urama and his wayfarers actually took laws into their hands with impunity to violate our party’s constitution and laws guiding political activities in the country when they came to Nkpologu, in Uzo-uwani LGA to inaugurate parallel structure for Gburugburu Agenda for Apc, Uzo-uwani LGA. As the LGA chairman of Uzo-uwani I am committed to the defence of the corporate integrity of our party and will not tolerate this madness of anti-party activities in any form in our party under my watch. Therefore I warn all these elements to steer clear of Uzo-uwani LGA.

Signed

Hon Ajodo C.S
Chairman APC Uzo-uwani LGA Enugu State

BREAKING NEWS!

ANOTHER ALTER OF INJUSTICE HAS COLLAPSED

Yesterday, the 19th day of March, 2024, Honourable Justice k. Okpe of the High Court of Enugu State, Enugu Division struck out the two Suits filed by Adolphus Ude against the All Progressives Congress(APC), Hon Ugochukwu Agballah, and Chief Uche Nnaji in Suit No. E/47/2023 and Suit No. E/74/2023 with a total cost of N1.5m awarded against him.

The said Adolphus Ude abandoned the two Suits following the preliminary objection challenging the competence of the Suits, the Jurisdiction of the Court. Mr Udeh who had alleged financial impropriety against Chief Uche Nnaji and Ugochukwu Agballah concerning Presidential election funds when both Agballah and Nnaji had claimed they did not receive any presidential election funds for Enugu state.

The duo of Agballah and Nnaji had filed a case of defamation against Adolphus Udeh and certain newspapers and online blogs that carried the story which had gone viral.

Adolphus Udeh who then quickly rushed to the court to ask Nnaji and Agballah to give an account of the said one Naira he alleged they received for presidential election.

In their cross defence Agballah and Nnaji had claimed that the entire Presidential, governorship and national and state assembly elections were sponsored by Uche Nnaji, who had earlier in a much publicized national press conference asked President Bola Tinubu not to bring one kobo to Enugu as he claimed that the much expected presidential election funds was at the root of the crisis in APC Enugu state.

The Enugu APC was then experiencing a seemingly unending crisis by Ken Nnamani, Sullivan Chime, Geoffrey Onyeama group and the Ben Nwoye group who were at each other throat before the Nnaji/Agballah group came in 2021 and took over the leadership of the party. This crisis seems to have stopped after they were all suspended by the state executive for campaigning openly against the presidential and governorship candidates of the party.
Ken Nnamani, Sullivan Chime , Geoffrey Onyeama and Ben Nwoye group actually campaigned openly for the PDP and also Labour Party which earned them rightful suspension from the the state and South East levels of the party. Since then peace had returned to the party in Enugu state and the party has recorded new entrants. President Tinubu had appointed Uche Nnaji minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which confirmed the claim that the deep pocket Chief Nnaji single handedly footed the bills for the elections in Enugu state.

It is pertinent to note that the Mr Adolphus Udeh has been singularly fingered as the personality instigating the then unending crisis in the party. He was the one who had at different times over a period of almost eight years since the formation of APC been making very outlandish accusations against Onyeama, Ken Nnamani and Ben Nwoye. And had always switched allegiance from one party group and leader to the other.

Mr Udeh who in 2021 unsuccessfully ran for the office of the State Chairman of APC in Ben Nwoye’s faction against Ugochukwu Agballah was also one of the campaign co-ordinators of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar the PDP presidential candidate which fueled the speculation that his diatribe and viral social media false accusations against the duo of Nnaji/Agballah APC leadership was being sponsored by then PDP leadership of Enugu state.

During the 2023 general elections, Adophus Udeh unashamedly went to the airport with other co-ordinators of PDP to welcome Atiku Abubakar when he came on a presidential campaign just like Ben Nwoye who went on a PDP rally dressed in APC regalia to campaign for the PDP governorship candidate in Enugu State and who also went on a public media covered campaign for the Labour senatorial candidate.

In the past most APC leaders were constant visitors to the PDP Lion building and also nominated their wives and Children to cabinet and Local Government Area positions just like the former governor of Enugu state Sullivan Chime whose daughter is a commissioner in Peter Mba’s govt and who is reputed to be an insider to n the govt.

This turn of events before now made APC not to be taken seriously as a political party. But it is gratifying to note that the present crop of APC executives led by Hon Ugochukwu Agballah has clearly not been frolicking with the PDP govt in Enugu state as they used to do. And seems very determined to build the party from the ward level upwards. It is also not intimidated or beholden to the multitude of super stakeholders who kept undermining the party in the past.

There is a clear strong headed no nonsense policy to instil discipline irrespective of the political status of the offender in the entire rank and file of APC Enugu state. The State Chairman who has a reputation of a no nonsense man and a stickler for political discipline and astuteness while the leader Chief Uche Nnaji is widely known for his single mindedness and very strong convictions. Let’s see if this duo can build anything out of the party of any thing goes that they controversially took over the leadership in one of the most mysterious political coups witnessed in any state political party in Nigeria

It is worthy to also note that the party did not do well in the last general elections in the state which is partly due to the regional and religious politics at play in the South east region and from the desire of the region to take the presidency but moreso from an erstwhile manifestly compromised leadership that were arm in gloves with the then PDP leadership in Enugu.
But, all that seems to be changing with the new cohesion in APC and the building from the wards which has coincided with the collapse of Labour Party in not only Enugu but the entire South East.

The APC needs strong leadership to win the confidence of the people of Enugu state which from from all indications point that they are on the right course, going by the entrance of two former PDP senators and ex-minister who all played leading roles in the victory of Labour and the PDP in Enugu state.

The leadership of All progressives congress in Enugu state have endorsed the outright suspension of Mrs Ginika Tor from the party for anti party activities in accordance with section 21:2 of the party’s constitution 2022.

The suspension was duly ratified by the South East zonal Executives of the party at the Zonal office at No. 80 Nza street ,Enugu.

VOTE OF CONFIDENCE IN SUPPORT OF APC ENUGU STATE LEADERSHIP

We, the 17 local government women leaders of APC Enugu State, stand united in expressing our unwavering support and confidence in the leadership of the State Chairman Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah and the Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji.

Concerned about the spread of unfounded lies and defamation targeting our esteemed leaders, we declare our commitment to upholding the principles of accountability, integrity, inclusiveness, honesty, peace, and progress that have defined the party under their capable guidance since 2014.

Any attack on Barr. Ugochukwu Agballah and Chief Uche Nnaji are perceived as attacks on the collective values and progress of Enugu State APC.

We emphasize our resolve to stand firm against any misconduct or sabotage that may compromise the efforts of our dedicated leaders.
Enugu State APC has thrived under their leadership, fostering an environment of peace that we ardently wish to maintain.

We caution against further attempts to tarnish their character, as such actions will be met with staunch resistance from us.

Signed.
Dr. Mrs. Amaka Onu,
The State Woman leader
On behalf of the 17 Local government
women leader of A.P.C Enugu State.