The Nation Newspaper

Category: Politics

Natasha: Group berates Saraki over comments against Akpabio

A former Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has been berated over his recent comments which suggested Senate President, Godswill Akpabio was trivializing and politicising the sexual harassment allegation against him.

A group, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District Professionals, kicked against Saraki’s comments, saying it was wrong for him to make such inflammatory remarks on a matter with litigations in court.

Saraki, a former Kwara Governor, had issued a press release through his media office on March 9, 2025, titled “Saraki to Akpabio: Don’t Politicise, Trivialise Call for Due Process in Senate.”

Saraki called for an open and transparent investigation into the

the sexual harassment allegation against Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The forum in a statement signed by its National President, Mr. Edidiong John and National Secretary, Kemfon Neke denied that Akpabio was ‘politicising’ and ‘trivialising’ the matter.

It said that Saraki as a former presiding officer in the Senate ought to have weighed the implications of his statement in the light of established legal and procedural principles while allowing the Judiciary to do it’s work.

The statement reads in parts: “While we respect Dr. Saraki’s right to express his views, it is imperative to clarify certain facts in the public domain and address the implications of his statement in light of established legal and procedural principles, which Dr. Saraki, as a former presiding officer of the Senate, ought to be fully aware of.

“Firstly, information widely available in the public sphere indicates that Mrs. Unoma Godswill Akpabio, wife of the Senate President, has initiated legal action against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

“This lawsuit, filed at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, includes claims of defamation and violation of fundamental rights, stemming directly from Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

“Mrs. Akpabio’s legal action is on behalf of her family, asserting that the senator’s claims have caused reputational damage and emotional distress. The veracity of these allegations and the culpability of the parties involved are now squarely before a court of competent jurisdiction in Nigeria.

“This development, by virtue of the Senate’s own rule book, deprives the National Assembly of further jurisdiction to entertain the matter, as it is sub judice, a principle designed to prevent legislative entanglement in ongoing judicial proceedings.

“Dr. Saraki, with his extensive experience as a former Senate President, is or ought to be conversant with the Senate’s Standing Orders, particularly those prohibiting the consideration of matters pending before the courts.

“The pendency of this case in the judicial system renders any parallel investigation by the Senate improper and beyond its authority at this stage. This is not a matter of politicization or trivialization, as Dr. Saraki suggests, but a straightforward application of legal and parliamentary norms”.

The group further questioned the approach adopted by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan in reporting the purported sexual harassment against her, adding it was preposterous for her to have used the media instead of the proper channels.

“Furthermore, it is noteworthy that the allegations in question, which Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan claims date back to December 8, 2023, were not promptly reported to the police despite constituting a potential criminal offense nor submitted to the Senate’s Ethics and Public Petitions Committee for immediate redress, as provided under the Senate’s rules.

“Instead, the senator chose to first air her grievances on a television program, bypassing established remedial options available under Nigerian law and Senate procedure. This sequence of events raises questions about the intent behind her approach, which Mrs. Akpabio has interpreted as defamatory, prompting her to seek judicial recourse.

“The court is now the appropriate forum to test the senator’s claims, and it is there that she must substantiate her assertions, as the law in Nigeria remains clear: he or she who alleges must prove.

“Dr. Saraki’s call for an “open, transparent, and honest investigation” by the Senate, while well-intentioned, overlooks these critical realities. His status as a former presiding officer suggests he should recognize the Senate’s limited options in the face of an ongoing court case.

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“Senator Akpabio, as Senate President, is not a member of the judiciary and cannot usurp its role in adjudicating this dispute. Rather than taunting the Senate or creating confusion with suggestions of legislative overreach, Dr. Saraki would do well to place confidence in the judicial system and await its verdict.

‘It should also be noted that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has indeed submitted a petition to the Senate regarding this matter. That petition has been referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct, and Public Petitions, chaired by Senator Neda Imasuen.

“It is this committee that will determine, in the first instance, whether the Senate retains jurisdiction to address the issue, given the subjudice nature of the allegations. This process is already underway, and any further agitation outside this framework risks undermining the Senate’s own procedures.

“We urge Dr. Saraki, to respect the legal process currently in motion and refrain from statements that may inadvertently pressure or prejudice the Senate’s orderly handling of this sensitive issue.

“It is only the courts and the Ethics Committee, within their respective mandates, that are the proper avenues for resolution. Nigerians expect the Senate to remain committed to upholding its integrity and credibility and to do so within the bounds of the law and its own rules”.

March 11, 2025
How N/Assembly can assist melting industry, by lawmaker

The National Assembly should support the melting industry in its bid to convert waste to wealth, generate revenue and create jobs, House of Representatives member Terseer Ugbor has said.

Ugbor, vice chairman of House Committee on Environment, described auto-recyling as a vibrant business, adding that it can generate N60 billion monthly.

He said the National Assembly would not compromise environmental sustainability and commitment to measures aimed at addressing climate change.

The federal legislator observed that many vehicles reach their end-of-life due to poor maintenance, old age and traffic accidents.

He said the legal framework should be strengthened to enable the sector survive anf achieve its goals.

Ugbor said automotive recycling can lead to the recovery and conversionn of waste to wealth, if tge sector is supported by the government and the private sector.

He spoke on the necessity for legislative backing for the promising sector in Lagos where the Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Senator John Enoh, launched the ‘End-Of-Life’ Vehicle Regulation.

At the stakeholders’ engagement and ministerial press conference on the approved ‘End-Of-Life Vehicle Regulation (ELV), experts said the country can make N600 billion annually from converting the old, damaged and unserviceable vehicles to raw materials and other forms of wealth.

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The Director-General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Oluwemimo Osanipin, said the melting industry is evolving, adding that it must adapt to technological development.

He said vehicle users should be conscious of the serviceable lifespans of vehiccles, adding that batteries of electric vehicles also have expiring dates.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, said when overused vehicles are imporperly discarded due to wear and tear and damage, they pose severe health issues.

The minister, who was represented by Benedict Nkechi, said “so many organ destructive diseases are traced to the improper disposal of the end of life vehicles.”

Enoh, who also presented the regulatory Information Handbook, said:”The potentials are huge and enormous,” urging stakeholders to brave up for thr challenge of implementation.

He said the regulation became necessary in view of the fact that 500,000 of the 600,000 imported vehicles have limited lifespans because they are second hand vehicles.

He praised Osanipin for his tireless work and leadership, assuring that government would support the reassessment of wastes for the purpose of converting them into wealth.

A paper titiled: “Aprograme to Recycle End-Of-Life Vehicle in Nigeria for Environmental and Economic Sustainability of the Automobile Sector was delivered by Dr. Fyneray Mbata.

Also, Mr. Idowu Oresanya spoke on “Implementing an Environmental Imapct Certificate (EIC) for all registered vehicles in Nigeria.”

Another paper titled:” Transforming Nigeria’s Informal Automotive scrap metal industry” was delivered by Dr. Chimere May.

Dr. Kemjika Ajoku spoke on “Financing Options for ELV Pilot Project.”

Mbata said recycling would lead to job creation, increased revenue, and guarantee other environmental, economic, health and social benefits.

Dr. May said occupational health and safety measures are required in the melting industry.

Ajoku said recycling can be financed through government grants, public/private partnership, joint ventures and financial intermediaries.

He lamented that while imported vehicles has the age limit of five years in ECOWAS countries, there is no compliance.

Osanipin said the launching of the regulations marked a significant milestone in the collective journey towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible automotive sector.

He described the ELV Regulation as a pivotal mechanism designed to address the challenges posed by end-of-life vehicles and to unlock the immense potential within the automotive waste.

He said: “Nigeria’s automotive landscape is rapidly evolving. Our nation boasts a large and growing vehicle population, a testament to our economic vibrancy and the increasing mobility needs of our people. However, this growth also brings forth the critical issue of managing end-of-life vehicles.

“With millions of vehicles on our roads, and a significant portion of them reaching their end-of-life, we are faced with both a challenge and a tremendous opportunity. This regulation is our strategic response to transform this challenge into a sustainable economic and environmental advantage.

“The NADDC, and some critical stakeholders have been at the forefront of this initiative. We recognize the urgent need to establish a framework that ensures the proper management of ELVs, promotes recycling, and safeguards our environment.”

He added: “The ELV Regulation is not just about waste management; it is about creating a circular economy, generating employment, and fostering technological innovation.

“With this regulation we anticipate the creation of 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, the recycling of vast quantities of valuable materials, and the generation of substantial revenue.

“This regulation will also protect the Nigerian environment, and improve road safety.”

Ugbor, who called for the strengthening of the sector through legislation, said the gains that would accrue to the country are enormous.

He said: “Today, we have the opportunity to strengthen our local frameworks through innovative policies and legislation to ensure that End-of-Life Vehicles are dismantled, processed, and repurposed efficiently in Nigeria.

“The European Union Directive 2000/53/EC and Commission Decision 2005/293/EC provide measures to reduce environmental harm due to inappropriate decontamination and disposal of car bodies, as well a providing guidelines and quantified targets for reuse, recycling and recovery of vehicles and their components, pushing producers to design and manufacture vehicles with a view to their easy recyclability. These are the good examples we must also adopt here.”

The lawmaker observed thatcthe End-of-Life Vehicle recycling industry is an economic opportunity, adding that itcan generate over a N100 billion in revenue, while creating over 40,000 direct and indirect jobs, ranging from dismantling and shredding operations to metal refining and manufacturing. Recycled materials reduce production costs for industries like automotive manufacturing, construction, and electronics.

He said the resale of functional auto parts such as engines, transmissions, replaceable body parts and batteries, offers economic opportunities while reducing waste components.

Ugbor said: “Automobiles contain various potentially hazardous materials such as steel, aluminum, copper, rubber, and plastics, which are recyclable but if left in landfills, can take decades to decompose and may release harmful toxins into the soil and water.

“Recycling metals from End-of-Life Vehicles consumes significantly less energy compared to the mining and refining of metal ore which requires significant amounts of energy and contributes to environmental

degradation. For example, recycling steel saves upto 74% of energy compared to primary production, helping to cut down greenhouse gas emissions.”

He said the success of End-of-Life Vehicle recycling depends largely on the collaboration of multiple stakeholders.

Ugbor stressed: “Government must create and implement strong End-of-Life Vehicle recycling policies, regulations and laws, with stringent deterrent provisions. Countries that implement strong End-of-Life Vehicle recycling policies create sustainable economies by reducing reliance on imported raw materials and the incessant need to extract same.

“Also, investing in modern research and recycling facilities, and innovative dismantling processes enhances national industries and competitiveness. Innovations such as AI driven sorting, automated

dismantling, and chemical recycling of plastics will further improve the overall recycling efficiency in Nigeria.

“The Automotive Industry should adopt sustainable manufacturing processes and design eco-friendly vehicles with recyclability in mind.

Investment in awareness campaigns, education and take-back programmes can create a whole new national narrative about recycling automobiles and discourage the overuse and wrongful disposal or abandonment.

“The transition towards electric vehicles (EVs) also presents new challenges and opportunities, particularly in battery and e-waste recycling. Consumers can play a significant role by delivering old cars to responsible recycling facilities and choosing environmentally friendly disposal methods by supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability and recyclability. Individuals should seek to become direct participators in the recycling industry rather than stand out as mere consumers.

“The recycling of end-of-life vehicles is not just a responsibility, but an opportunity to create a cleaner, more sustainable country. By embracing efficient recycling systems, supporting the advancement of

the automotive industry, and adopting responsible practices, we ensure that our waste is turned into a sustainable treasure for our industries.”

March 11, 2025
Benue Tribunal suspends sitting indefinitely over court order, protests

The Benue State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal has suspended its proceedings indefinitely.

The tribunal, it was gathered, took the decision after acknowledging receipt of a court order from the Federal High Court in Makurdi, which on Friday restrained the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal from holding sessions at the NBA House, Abuja, or any other venue outside the State.

Justice R.K. Egbe held that any plan to hold the tribunal at a venue outside Benue State should be suspended or put on hold pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

The decision to adjourn indefinitely came just a few minutes after a protest broke out at the headquarters of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Abuja where demonstrators condemned the Tribunal’s controversial relocation and demanded its immediate return to Benue State.

The protesters also demanded that no lawyer should represent any petitioner or respondent in the court.

Addressing newsmen at the NBA House, counsel to the respondents, Sunday Ameh, confirmed that the panel had informed them of their decision to suspend sitting in Abuja following the court order.

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He said they await a new date for sitting.

Benue Governor, Hyacinth Alia, had directed residents to stay away from the venues of the ongoing local government election petition tribunals in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo, citing security concerns.

Alia said the directive was aimed at ensuring the safety of judges, lawyers, petitioners, and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings.

To reinforce security, Alia also banned protests, unauthorised gatherings, and commercial activities such as hawking around the tribunal venues.

“In the interest of maintaining law and order, His Excellency has prohibited any form of protest, unauthorized assembly, or business activities within and around the tribunal venues. Anyone found violating this directive will face legal consequences,” the Governor had warned.

The tribunals are handling disputes arising from the Benue State Local Government elections conducted on October 5, 2024.

Reports indicated that 93 petitioners, including aggrieved candidates from both the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party, have filed cases at the tribunal since October 17, 2024.

March 10, 2025
Towards effective Southwest integration
- ‘Kidnappings cost N248 billion in one year’
Southwest governors have reiterated their commitment to regional development and integration in the interest of the zone.

The governors, represented by their commissioners and special advisers on regional integration, said more cooperations and collaborations on education, health, agriculture, transportation and security, would enhance regional development.

The aides converged on Lagos to review their joint activities aimed at building strategies for common programme implementation.

Hosted by Lagos State Special Adviser on Regional Integration, Sunmi Lanre Odesanya, the commissioners and special advisers resolved to collaborate on the implementation of the Development Agenda for Western Niger (DAWN) Commission.

At the parley with the theme: ‘Strengthening Regional Integrationfor SustainableDevelopmentin Southwest Nigeria,’ former House of Representatives Chief Whip and Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG) leader Olawale Oshun delivered a lecture titled:”’Enlarging the Organised Southwest Stakeholders and Public for Economic and Social Transformation.’

At the review meeting were Adetutu Ososanya, a Lagos Permanent Secretary, K.F. Gbajumo, Permanent Secretary, Office of Secretary to Government, Boye Ologbese, former Ondo State Commissioner for Regional Integration, Ade Kamal from Osun State, Makanjuola Karim, Ekiti State Regional Integration Commissioner, and Damilola Otubanjo from Ogun State.

The DAWN Director-General, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, spoke on the activities of the commmission and the journey so far.

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Odesanya, who welcomed his colleagues, said the focal point is the social and economic emancipation of the region, urging latter day leaders to be motivated by the ideas of the development pathfinder, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

He said Southwest should not be left in a dynamic and fast-changing world of change, artificial intelligence and climate change.

Oyeleye, who traced the the early start in development orientation to the fifties said “if Western Nigeria could build a 25-storey building almost 70 years ago, it should not be difficult to build a regional rail.”

He recalled that DAWN was set up by the Southwest to fosterregional integration, with the active participation of the six sub-national units, the people and the Diaspora.

Oyeleye said the Southwest states should work together, share ideas on the economy and security, and explore together the best practices.

He added:”We are one; we speak the same language. We have the same culture. Our problems are the same.”

Ologbese, who said he attended the meeting in his personal capacity, hailed the DAWN Director-General, Oyeleye, Odesanya and Oshun for their leadership.

He noted that the DAWN commission had contributed to the upliftment of the region, stressing that it contributed to the setting up of Amotekun, the security outfit.

He said the regional security outfit should be strengthened in the six states to provide security for farmers on the farmlands.

To Karim, DAWN has reminded the Southwest abiut tge pioneering developmental strides of its early political leaders who put the region on the path of development.

He said:”There is a lot of strength in unity,” adding that with determination, Southwest can accomplish the regional rail project.

Karim said the DAWN document should remain the guide in the regional approach to development.

Otubanjo cautioned against the regression to rhetorics, saying that an ‘Action Plan’ for implementation is important.

Karim said:”Ekiti State is in full support of DAWN and this reflects in our financial commitment. “

Oshun paid tribute to Awolowo, whose belief in free education, free health, full employment and rural integration, preceded the millennium development goals of poverty eradication, zero hubger, good health and quality education in 2030.

Emphasising the importance of collective participation and ibterest, he said all stakeholders, with diverse degrees of influence, should show deep interest in the regional development.

Oshun recalled that if one regional government steered the affairs of the old region, which was made up of six states, Edo State and part of Delta State, then, the current six governments should do better.

He stressed:”If the most enduring development took stride in the Western Region of yore and tge Southwest of today only formed a component of it, we, then, cannot ignore the potential effect of economies of scale in facilitating development in a given setting.”

Oshun urged the six governments to focus on security, education, transportation and health while attempting an integration of policy implementation.

He said: “The most worrisome security issue is tge one that suggests political instability and insurrection as typified by the diverse acts of terrorism across the country. The Southwest, while having the least number of kidnapping acts as a zone in 2021 and 2022, that is, 119 acts out od 3,600 acts across the country, a whoping sum of N248 billion was paid as ransom to the criminals between July 2022 and June 2023.”

Oshun added:”While no adequate data is available on ransim payments, the Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS 2024) report seems to suggest that a total of N248 billion ransom was paid in the Southwest out of the N2.23 trillion paid across the country. “

The former legislator lamented that “the most damaging effect of the diverse acts of terrorism is that on agricultural productivity and direct impact on food costs, primary industrial processing znd employment generation”

He suggested that in tackling insecurity, the region should look at locational and boundary affinities as factors in determining danger-prone areas instead of internal or locality problem.

Oshun said education should be refocussed, with particular emphasis on the forms of training that can foster industrial and technical productivity.

He said in developing the state universities, technical colleges should not be neglected.

On transportation, Oshun urged the governments of Southwest to contruct border roads linking their state.

Acknowledging that rail transportation is capital expensive, he advised Southwest to brace the odds.

Oshun said:”The ongoing consultations among all the Southwest states regarding inter-city fast rail links could provide the impectus for integrative policies on rail development.

“There is however, a greater need for a review of inter-city road networks that can be converted to four or six lane express roads.”

Alerting the region to the proposed Southwest Commission, Oshun said while more resources would come to the region, emphasis should be on integrative projects and effective implementation.

He said:”The governance mode may be determined from the centre and may lack the capacity to manage the huge resources that may be available to them.”

Oshun also urged the governors to cooperate and shun political differences in regional interest.

He said: “All collaborative processes rely on mutual understanding and appreciation of differences. Hence, the governors as heads of their respective states must discount their political differences and continue with their regular consultative zonal meetings and must see themselves as the main agents of change.

“If and when they do, sustainable growth and development are bound to be outcomes of their desire and vision.”
March 10, 2025
Kwara lawmaker empowers constituents

In a bold move to empower his constituents and contribute to Nigeria’s food security agenda, Senator Saliu Mustapha has launched an innovative empowerment programme in Kwara Central Senatorial District.

The programme, tagged: “Alubarika 1.0 Agricultural and Human Capital Development Empowerment Programme,” was held at the Lower Niger River Basin Development Authority’s premises in Ilorin, Kwara State. Mustapha distributed empowerment tools and materials to over 2,500 constituents in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

According to Deputy Senate President Senator Barau Jibrin and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari, Senator Mustapha’s initiative was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agriculture and food security agenda. This aligns with the country’s overall development and food security goals, they said.

Moved by Mustapha’s kind-heartedness, particularly the share number of people being assisted economically, Barau announced a donation of 200 sewing machines so that more people can benefit. The senator representing Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, also supported the programme with N10 million for distribution to 100 market women in the sum of N100,000 each.

Barau said: “We have all decided to come here and share this moment with our brother, Senator Saliu Mustapha, because of this great empowerment programme for constituents, in agriculture and human capital development.

“These are key areas that are very important to our national development; we don’t need to waste much time talking about the importance of agriculture in every society. Agriculture is sine qua non to the survival of every society because without food, there is no life. This is a cardinal programme of this administration and the renewed Hope of Mr President to provide food for all.

“No wonder the constituents decided to pick Saliu Mustapha, an outstanding person and party leader. He is a very friendly, industrious and peaceful person who connects with everybody in the Senate. You’ve done the right thing by electing him. All the time he’s going to speak on the floor of the Senate, it’s about what comes to the people of Kwara State.”

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The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Kyari, lauded Mustapha for implementing projects that promote food security in the country in line with the objectives of the present administration.

Kyari said: “You are doing well on the floor of the Senate. Tinubu’s food security initiative is working. Food isn’t only becoming affordable but also available. Tinubu is working to promote agriculture. I am happy that the chairman of the Senate Committee overseeing me is also promoting Tinubu’s agenda. I pray to Almighty Allah to protect and guide us.”

It is the strategic focus on agriculture and human capital development that sets Senator Mustapha’s empowerment programme apart. By providing essential tools and resources, he has enabled his constituents to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to the local economy. The programme’s focus on sustainability and long-term impact was also evident in the distribution of materials such as tractors, irrigation machines, and solar panels.

Unlike other empowerment programmes that often prioritise short-term gains and political mileage, Senator Mustapha’s initiative was designed to address the specific needs of his constituents. By providing prior entrepreneurial training and certification, he equips the beneficiaries with the necessary skills and knowledge to utilize the empowerment materials effectively.

The event, was attended by dignitaries including Senator Barau and Senator Kyari, the National Secretary of the APC, Senator Basiru Ajibola, Deputy Leader of the Senate, Senator Oyelola Ashiru, Chairman Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions, Senator Adetokunbo Abiru and Senator Iyal Abbas demonstrated the importance of collaboration and support for empowerment initiatives. Senator Jibrin donated 200 sewing machines to the constituents, while Senator Kyari lauded Senator Mustapha for promoting President Tinubu’s food security initiative.

The beneficiaries include market women, farmers, artisans, and trade associations. They were carefully selected and trained to ensure they made the most of the empowerment materials.

Items shared among the beneficiaries included 1,000 bags of fertilisers, tractors (20), brand new Toyota Sienna vehicles (30) tricycles (55), truck tricycle (52), industrial rice milling equipment (30), transformers (25), garri processing machines (25), pumping machines for irrigation (400), industrial baking oven (50), fish smoking oven (50), live cows (100), grinding machines (500), freezers (400), generators (200), Butterfly Sewing machines (200), industrial sewing machines (55), rewire tools boxes (100), mechanic tools boxes (100), gas powered pressing irons (100), big bags of watermelon (100), big cartons apple (100), solar installation equipment (200) and Aso-Oke weaving equipment (60).

Others are bags of coconut (100), bags of pineapple fruits (150), bags of oranges (200), bags of cabbage (100), bunches of banana (200), bags of cucumber (200), baskets of pepper (200), baskets of tomatoes (200), bags of onions (200), yam tubers (2000), bags of beans (200), bags of garri (200), bags of maize (200), bags of brocoli (50), basket of okro (50), basket of sweet potatoes (100), cartons of fish (400) and umbrellas (1000).

Senator Mustapha’s commitment to his constituents is evident in his approach to empowerment. By prioritizing sustainability, strategic focus, and long-term impact, he is demonstrating a new approach to empowerment, one that prioritizes the benefits to the constituents above political expediency.

In his remarks, the lawmaker said the programme was meant to empower the beneficiaries to become self-reliant.

Aside from the empowerment materials, he said the beneficiaries had been trained and certified to use the tools and carry out their trade as entrepreneurs.

Mustapha said: “Today’s programme is just a symbolic one to flag off what we intend to do with most of the people we have trained. This time, we decided it is not only about giving out sewing machines or other items they will not value. We decided to put them through a series of programmes and trainings. We are missing out on one vital aspect. Everywhere you go now, you’ll see solar streetlights.

“We took time to train interested indigenes on how to maintain, repair and install solar panels. The most fascinating part was when I came during a training exercise and saw many female participants in a conservative community where women are not supposed to climb roofs and poles.

“I saw them in their overalls, they are fully trained now on how to install, repair and maintain solar inverters. All of them are here too, and they will get their working tools. Most of the people you see here under the canopies are not just political spectators; these are carefully chosen beneficiaries who have gotten through training. We are not holding a political rally or jamboree here.”

As the country grapples with economic growth, poverty reduction, and inequality, initiatives like Senator Mustapha’s empowerment programme are a beacon of hope. He is helping to contribute to the country’s overall development and food security by supporting agriculture, human capital development, and entrepreneurship. His innovative approach to empowerment is a shining example of effective leadership and commitment to constituent welfare.

March 10, 2025
Keyamo, Waive, Okotete, stakeholders receive Ogboru into APC

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Olorogun Festus Keyamo, SAN, Elder Omeni Sobotie, Delta APC Chairman Francis Waive, Hon. Stella Okotete and other critical stakeholders of the party were among the leaders of the party that received Olorogun Great Ovedje Ogboru back to the APC in Delta State.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the Ughelli Kingdom Hall on Sunday, March 9, 2025, Olorogun Keyamo described Ogboru as a real grassroots mobiliser with huge followers, noting that his return to the party is a significant step towards strengthening the party in the state.

“Chief Great Ogboru is a mobilizer and the people general. When the People Democratic Party PDP was very strong in Delta State, Chief Great Ogboru was able to win 12 Local Government Areas and 9 House of Assemblies seats. That tells you who he is and the experience he has in politics,” he said.

Keyamo, who was so excited, noted that the College of leaders of the party in the state are working seriously to reconcile all members, adding that no one person is a sole leader, but all of them are leaders in various capacities and areas.

“If you say the college of leaders is unconstitutional, or not in the party constitution, then where is it written that there should be a sole leader in the party,” Kayamo asked?

Continuing, Keyamo reassured the party faithful of the preparedness of President Tinubu to stand by the party in the state and to support the party.

“Two weeks ago, members of the College of leaders of the party met with the President at the Villa in Abuja, and he expressed his overwhelming support, especially on the reconciliation move been done by us, and he assured us of his support to the state APC.”

He called on party faithful to go out and sensitise those who are yet to understand that only one man cannot be the sole leader of a party in the state so that they could come out of their slavery.

“We will not succumb to the tricks of a betrayal again, and with the return of Chief Great Ogboru, the ranks of the opposition in the state are swelling.”

The event, which attracted thousands of APC faithful and lovers of Chief Great Ogboru, also featured different goodwill messages from top APC members in the state.

In his goodwill message, Senator Ede Dafinone representing Delta Central Senatorial District and represented by Chief Abel Idigu said: ” I am delighted to welcome Chief Great Ogboru and his teeming supporters back to the APC as he has long been a voice of the opposition in the state, and called on party faithful to accord him all his respects.

On her part, Executive Director of Nexim Bank and former National Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Stella Okotete, expressed her joy and happiness in welcoming back a man he described as a trailblazer.

“Our father and brother did not leave the party but only walked out of it as a result of the betrayal by one man who worked against the party in 2019. We are happy that he is back, and this has made the APC stronger in the state.”

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While thanking all party faithful, Ogboru who was accompanied by his wife and other supporters, appreciated the leadership prowess of the Minister and Okotete for ensuring that all aggrieved members of the party are reconciled.

He thanked the state party chairman, Chief Omeni Sobotie for his dogged efforts in ensuring that the APC in Delta State is stronger.

Ogboru, who was excited, assured the party faithful of the preparedness of the party to take over the state from the grip of the PDP.

Also in attendance were Prince Frank Uge, Chief James Agboranyen, Sir Richard Odibo, Alex Ideh, Prince Charles Abutu who represented former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Onanefe, Chief Paulinus Akpeki, Delta Central Chairman of the APC. Others include Rt. Hon. Halims Agoda, Ossai Abe Ossai, Hon. Dr. Chris Oghenechovwen and other party leaders.

The high point of the ceremony was the official reception of Chief Great Ogboru by Olorogun Festus Keyamo and other party members

March 9, 2025
Kebbi, MSM Group sign $2.4bn cement plant agreement

The Kebbi State Government and MSM Group have signed a landmark agreement for the construction of a three-million-ton-per-annum cement plant in the state, a project valued at $2.4 billion and expected to create 45,000 direct and indirect jobs.

The signing ceremony, held in Abuja on Friday, was attended by officials from the Kebbi State Government, the Federal Government, and the MSM Group.

The initiative is expected to significantly boost industrialization, job creation, and economic growth in the region.

Kebbi State Governor, Dr. Nasiru Idris, described the project as a privilege for the state, noting that many other locations had sought such an opportunity.

“You have added value to us as the people of Kebbi State by reducing the number of unemployed youths,” he said.

He assured MSM Group of the state’s full support in providing an enabling environment for smooth operations.

“The Federal Government will benefit, the State Government will benefit, and our people will also benefit,” he added.

Governor Idris also praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to development, stating that Kebbi State has witnessed remarkable transformation under his leadership.

“We are the first government to openly declare support for Mr. President’s reelection because of the tangible progress he has brought in less than two years,” he said.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, emphasized the strategic location of the plant, which positions it for exports under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).

“Given Kebbi’s border location, this plant will be well situated to take advantage of manufactured exports across Africa,” he noted.

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He highlighted that the project aligns with President Tinubu’s economic policies aimed at attracting private sector investment, boosting productivity, and reducing poverty.

“This is exactly the type of transaction that Mr. President has been working to bring to fruition,” Edun said, adding that the government looks forward to groundbreaking, commissioning, production, and eventual expansion of the plant.

Minister for Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who is also the immediate past governor of Kebbi State, lauded the state’s efforts in attracting investors.

“This investment wouldn’t have been possible without confidence in the economic measures taken by Mr. President,” he stated.

Bagudu described the agreement as a testament to the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which fosters a level playing field for investors and ensures long-term sustainability for businesses.

“This is Renewed Hope creating jobs and energizing the sub-nationals,” he said.

Chairman of MSM Group, Alhaji Muazzam Mairawani, credited Governor Idris and the people of Kebbi for providing an environment conducive to investment.

“For every successful business, there must be great partners, and we have seen that in the governor and the people of Kebbi State,” he said.

He outlined MSM’s ambitious expansion plans, stating that the cement plant will be developed in four phases, with each cluster attracting over $600 million in investment.

“From now to production, our timeframe is a maximum of two years,” he said, adding that MSM plans to expand to other states after Kebbi.

A Game-Changer for Kebbi’s Economy

The project is expected to drive industrial development, reduce unemployment, and attract further investments in Kebbi State.

With strong backing from both the state and federal governments, stakeholders are optimistic that the cement plant will accelerate economic transformation and position Nigeria as a key player in the regional cement market.

Also at the signing ceremony were other members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), including Minister of State for Industry, Mr John Eno; Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Alhaji Tanko Yusuf Sununu; members of the Kebbi State executive council; officials of MSM Group, as well as technical partners in the project.

March 9, 2025
Celebrating Ahmad Sokoto ‘The Sun Governor of the year 2024’

“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” – John C. Maxwell

By Emmanuel Ado

DR. Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the amiable and charismatic Governor of Sokoto State has, without any iota of doubt, distinguished himself as a visionary leader, who through transformative policies built around his 9-Point Smart Agenda, has profoundly changed the sad story of his state in less than two years. It is interesting that Governor Sokoto has succeeded in capturing the imagination of not just the good people of Sokoto State, where he superintends as the 20th governor, but that of many Nigerians, by putting up a superlative performance driven by a burning fire within him to make a huge difference in the lives of the people.

Though the welfare and security of the people is the very purpose of government, many a time, the missing link is the lack of that burning fire to deliver in some leaders that is largely responsible for their failure. Which is why the point needs be emphasized that the spectacular story of over 180 impactful projects successfully completed under two years by Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is a combination of several factors: the clear understanding by the governor that he can’t afford to disappoint himself, or his father and leader, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and his conscious awareness that history would judge him cruelly if he fails. Of course, there is also the awareness of the fact that his administration would always be the focus of attention of not just the mass media, but of the Muslim ummah who see the Sultan of Sokoto as their spiritual leader, and pay keen attention to developments in the state. Lastly, for Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto, the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and matters to the extent that they keep him continuously focused on doing things right and posting visible results.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto deserves a thunderous commendation for bluntly refusing to be an “average performer” and for holding himself to a higher standard of performance despite operating in a nation where the leadership bar is abysmally low and the expectations of the people minimal.

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The Sun Newspaper Group which conferred “the Governor of the Year 2024” on Governor Sokoto, in recognition of his sterling performance, have confirmed that indeed the Fourth Estate of the Realm can if it wants discharge it’s enormous responsibility of holding governments accountable. That they picked the governor despite the lack of adequate publicity on his achievements shows that The Sun newspapers Group has been following events in Sokoto state beyond the media hypes. They know the performing governors and the newspaper tigers.

The award is spot-on because, in Sokoto State, the sing song is “muna ganin ayyukan masu tasiri a kasa”, meaning we are seeing impactful projects on the ground, which is both an acknowledgment of what Governor Ahmad Sokoto always describes as his “modest efforts” to deliver the goods and a derision of the administration of former governor Aminu Tambuwal that in eightyears built castles in the air.

It won’t be out of place for The Sun Newspapers Group to establish a category for the likes of former Governor Aminu Tambuwal for poor performance. Aminu Tambuwal certainly deserves an award for the highest number of abandoned projects. In the good old days schools registered notorious noisemakers in their infamous black books which had some effect.

Unknown to The Sun newspapers Group is the fact that in recognizing Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto as an outstanding performer, they have vindicated the position of the governor that he would rather let his works speak for him than spending his limited resources to publicize his numerous achievements. Media is expensive. Going forward, Nigerians should expect the governor not to take his hands off the plough and to pay more attention to publicizing his developmental efforts, having been “thoroughly harassed” by the likes of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who was visibly perplexed by the under reported achievements of Governor Sokoto during his visit to Sokoto State to commission some of the projects executed by the governor.

But while Governor Sokoto has dutifully complied with the “presidential order” of Baba Obasanjo who is notorious for his frosty relationship with journalists, by engaging the services of a media consultant to further his communication efforts with the people of Sokoto State and indeed Nigerians, the media organizations should not expect to see a free spending governor always doling out windfalls to attract publicity. As an accountant Governor Ahmad Aliyu would always prioritize between spending N18 million on a 30 minutes television programme and the sinking of boreholes for his people. The Governor Aliyu that I have come to know would go for the enduring borehole rather than the fleeting publicity.

But how impactful are Governor Ahmad Sokoto’s projects and how has he funded them? The Sun newspaper was spot on in its letter nominating him for the award, that Governor Ahmad Sokoto’s first assignment was the restoration of the people’s confidence in the capacity of government to deliver on their basic needs, which former Governor Aminu Tambuwal ,his predecessor, had tragically betrayed.Long before May 29, 2023, residents of Sokoto metropolis had no access to pipe borne water because the Sokoto State Water Corporation, heavily indebted to Kaduna Power Company, was disconnected and had no electricity to pump water. Mountains of refuse defaced the landscape, oozing out putrefying odour. Salaries were paid well into the next month, which demoralized the public servants. Not even the pensioners that gave their youth to the state were spared the agony of governance failure. By 2023, Aminu Tambuwal had left a liability of over N14 billion in pensions and questionable bank loans, with many assets of the state at risk of being confiscated by the banks. Governor Sokoto changed the narrative within a few months in office. He has drastically reduced all liabilities, especially pensions, and made provisions for new retirees. ..without borrowing from the banks.

There is a consensus that the period between 2015 and 2023 remained the worst chapter in the history of Sokoto State, as the state basically stagnated because it had a visiting governor that was more interested in the presidency of Nigeria, than governing the state. Sokoto State suffered neglect.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto’s administration has remarkably impacted on every sector of the state’s economy, from infrastructure to agriculture. And these efforts have not only tremendously improved the quality of life for the good people of Sokoto State but have also strategically positioned the state as an investment destination and as a model of good governance in Nigeria.

Governor Sokoto’s total commitment to improving the security at the troubled Eastern border with Zamfara State has been matched with actions. He established the Sokoto State Community Corps, built military bases,acquired vehicles for the security services and increased the allowance for the men and women battling the terror merchants. Some of these responsibilities ought to be borne by the federal government.

One key sector that the governor has made a huge investment is the educational sector where, consistently, he has surpassed the UNESCO recommendations. It is not surprising that in the 2025 budget, education got the lion’s share of the N526.88 billion allocation, a clear statement of Governor Sokoto’s commitment beyond intentions. He fully understands the importance of education as the bedrock of development. Schools have been renovated and new classes constructed which has led to a significant increase in enrollment of pupils and drastic reduction in the number of out-of-school children. His scholarship scheme has also enabled students to pursue higher education, both within and outside the country.

Governor Aliyu Sokoto’s agricultural policy thrust is the massive production of food which would improve the living standard of the people and supply raw materials for the agro-allied industries. The state intends to prepare 5,000 acres of land for farming for which it has entered into a partnership agreement under the SPIN programme, with the federal government and the World bank. The state intends to use four dams of which two are owned by the Federal government – the Goronyo and Kware dams, and the other two by the State Government. To achieve his objective the governor has provided farmers with fertilizers, improved seedlings, and modern farming equipment. The repair of the dams and reinvigoration to make the land more arable are also ongoing. If Governor Ahmad Sokoto succeeds in his agricultural development initiative, not only will Sokoto State farmers earn better income, but they will ultimately save Nigeria foreign exchange spent importing food.

That Sokoto State has witnessed an unprecedented infrastructure development is a statement of fact. The Ahmad Sokoto administration has constructed and rehabilitated roads, and bridges, thus improving connectivity and boosting economic activities. The governor’s focus on rural development; the installation of solar power streets lights, roads and rehabilitation of primary healthcare facilities has also ensured that several rural communities are experiencing the dividends of democracy.

Moved by the housing crisis, Governor Aliyu Sokoto, within his first 100 days in office, commenced the construction of 500 housing units comprising of 2 bedrooms and 3 bedrooms at Wajeke and the New Sokoto City, a site and services scheme with over 1,960 plots which is ready for allocation to applicants who desire to build their own houses. Because the governor considers housing a right of the citizens, he purchased 136 units from the federal government in Kuwnawa which have been allocated to deserving public servants. In recognition of his outstanding performance in urban planning and housing development, the governor bagged the 2024 Urban and Housing Governor of the year award.

Unlike Aminu Tambuwal who made abandoning projects a “state policy,” Governor Aliyu Sokoto has completed virtually every abandoned project started by his predecessor and the ones started by former Governor Aliyu Wamakko which Aminu Tambuwal had abandoned. The Lydia flyover and the South Eastern Bypass initiated and abandoned by the Aminu Tambuwal’s administration has since been completed by Governor Sokoto as part of the effort to decongest the city of trailers and other vehicles bringing in goods to and from the metropolis.

The good people of Sokoto State yearned for a leader that would change their story and lead them with empathy. Not only has Governor Aliyu Sokoto answered them, but he has by day continued to endear himself to the people due to his humility, kindness and an unwavering commitment to making Sokoto State better than he met. In accepting The Sun newspaper award, Governor Sokoto made it clear that the award was a call to more hard work. He said: “To whom much is given, much more is expected”.

Governor Sokoto is not only deeply religious, but is focused and passionate about public service. Thankfully, the office hasn’t changed him. He has remained his witty and friendly self. He has been known to share tea with the poor while inspecting projects and such encounters have helped him with critical feedbacks on his policies. There is no doubt that Sokoto State is benefiting from Governor Ahmad Sokoto’s involvement in governance since 2007 when he was drafted into government by his father and leader Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko who first spotted the leadership qualities in him and took him under his wings for practical tutelage.

Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto’s outstanding performance and transformative impact on Sokoto State clearly made him a worthy candidate for The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year Award. His dedication to improving the lives of his people, his innovative policies, and his unwavering commitment to good governance set him apart as a true leader. By honoring him with this award, The Sun Newspaper has not only recognized his achievements but would also be inspiring other leaders to emulate his exemplary leadership. Governor Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto is indeed a beacon of hope and a symbol of what is possible when leadership is driven by passion, integrity, and a genuine desire to serve.

March 9, 2025
How SDP will benefit from crisis in major political parties

ByTunde Adegoke

Less than two years before the 2027 presidential elections, the political firmament is already getting charged up and politicians are already engaged in their usual business of permutations. There is a lot of alignment, realignment, concessions, defections and alliances going on behind the political scene.

Close watchers of political events in the country are quick to conclude that the development cannot be unconnected with the crisis that is rocking major opposition parties and even the ruling party.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), regarded as the main opposition party, having come second in the last presidential according to the electoral umpire’s records, has been enmeshed in a potpourri of crises. It has been from one crisis to the other and it seems there is no end in sight.

First, the problem started with the G-5 PDP governors led by the then Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, insisting that the party’s presidential ticket should be zoned to the South. In fact, the group specifically told the party that since Atiku Abubakar who is from the North has refused to allow the South have the presidential ticket, and eventually emerged as the party’s presidential flag-bearer, that the then party’s national chairman, Iyorcha Ayu, should step down for a Southerner to take over the chairmanship of the party. Their argument then was that the North cannot hold on to the party’s presidential ticket and chairmanship, leaving the South with nothing.

However, Atiku’s camp was of the view that since the election was around the corner, Ayu should be allowed to stay till after the election before stepping aside. This pitched the two camps against each other, with Wike’s camp openly saying they would work against the party in the presidential election. One of the negative outcomes of that crisis, according to some analysts, was the defeat of the party in the last presidential election.

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However, since the party lost the election, the struggle over the control of the party has been raging, with Wike already serving in the All Progress Congress, APC-led Federal Government as a Minister but still a strong member of the party, pulling strings from behind.

There are insinuations in some quarters that Wike is being used by the ruling APC to weaken the PDP ahead of 2027. Those who hold this view are quick to point to the lingering crisis in Rivers State, where Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara have been embroiled in power tussles. “Wike is being used by the APC-led Federal Government to destroy the PDP, no doubt about that. Look at what is happening in Rivers State; the governor has been reduced to nothing, all thanks to Wike backed up by the Federal Government. How can the Supreme Court rule that the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike, who announced their defection from the PDP to the APC in the open, never defected? How can anyone describe that? It tells you that a power greater than Fubara is at work and the intention of that power is to continue causing a crisis in the party until the 2027 election has come,” a concerned PDP chieftain lamented.

Apart from the crisis in Rivers PDP, there is also a raging crisis about the authentic national secretary of the party. Both Senator Sam Anyawu and Sunday Ude Okoye are laying claims to the position.

There are also crises in Bayelsa PDP and all these pockets of crises have litigation accompanying them all over the country.

Away from the PDP, the Labour Party (LP) is also engulfed in a leadership crisis; a development that has forced some national and state lawmakers elected on the platform to defect to other parties.

At the party’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on September 4, 2024, the party constituted a Caretaker Committee and appointed Senator Nenedi Usman, a former minister, to head the Committee.

With the caretaker committee in place, the national chairman, who was by this development rendered useless, Julius Abure, went to court to challenge the party’s decision. After the legal tussle that followed, Abure’s leadership was legalised by the court and Usman’s committee declared illegal and unconstitutional, setting the stage for a long leadership crisis in the party.

However, the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), which came fourth in the last presidential election, is not faring any better. The Founder of the party, Boniface Aniebonam, has been fighting to reclaim his position as the founder of the party from the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, whom he accused of hijacking the party that he just joined in 2022.

Analysts have said that the crisis rocking the party has produced three different factions. One faction is loyal to Kwankwaso, one is loyal to Aniebonam and the third group is loyal to the Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf.

Many believe that these crises in the PDP, LP and NNPP are being engineered. Those on this side of the divide believe that with the opposition in disarray ahead of the 2027 election, the presidential election would be a walk over for the APC.

But, the ruling party is also having its own share of the internal crisis. Although it may not be pronounced but it is there, analysts agreed.

However, in all of this, one party that may stand to gain from the situation is the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

The party is gradually becoming the beautiful bride as notable names are embracing it.

The party appears to be the only pronounced national party devoid of rancour, bickering and defection at the moment. It is not surprising therefore why some members of the two largest parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), have turned to the party as a second address.

Only recently, former governor of Kaduna State Mallam El-Rufai was sighted having with Gabam in a closed door meeting.

Some notable top members of the PDP have been hobnobbing with the party hierarchy in recent times.

The trio of Olu Agunloye, the secretary, Shehu Musa Gabam, the chairman and particularly Wole Adebayo, its presidential candidate in the 2023 general election have been holding the party tight to the admiration of its members and the larger audience in the society.

For the past two years, the party appears to have been intact, building bridges across the six geopolitical zones of the country, penetrating slowly though, into the nooks and crannies of the country.

Gabam and his presidential candidate have become somewhat inseparable such that they are together at functions and where they are at different places, their minds and utterances are usually the same.

The projection coming out of the SDP is worthy of emulation.

And the projection has been consistent with its core message or philosophy of justice for everybody particularly it’s amplified message of its Chapter 2 of the constitution, getting a candidate that has character, competence and capacity, irrespective of the region, tribe or religion. The cohesion within its fold is something that baffles many observers.

Its showings in state elections so far have been quite impressive.

Its candidate in the Ekiti State governorship election, Chief Segun Oni came a close second to the eventual winner, Biodun Oyebanji.

It was also impressive in the Kogi State governorship election, against all odds, where Murtala Ajaka beat the established PDP to the second position.

Currently, it has about four members in the national assembly; one in the senate and three in the lower chambers.

Close watchers of political development are predicting that the party could spring up surprises in 2027. “It has no baggage among its members unlike other parties, its prospects for 2027 is very bright,” volunteered a public affairs commentator and lawyer, C.I Nnamani.

Nnamani is of the view that peace and stability in the SDP for over two years now would not have been possible without the untiring work of people like the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Prince Adewole Adebayo.

“This is where the political dexterity and sagacity of Adebayo is clearly displayed. If you watch him, you will notice that he has been networking, meeting people of various religions, ethnicities and party affiliations, forming alliances, and preaching the message of good governance which only a person with character, competence and capacity can deliver.

“ At the moment, he is arguably the only politician who has no baggage. I stand to be corrected, if there is any, it would be nice to look through. He is clean by all parameters. He is young which is needed but lacking in our leadership structure. He is cerebral. He is knowledgeable. He knows something about everything. I am not surprised that the former House of Representatives, Usman Bugaje endorses his candidacy. If the party features him again as its flag-bearer in 2027, there is every possibility that Nigerians may queue behind; that’s my personal belief,” he stated

•Adegoke, a political analyst sent this piece from Lagos

March 9, 2025
Tussle for power, control of state resource responsible for Benue judicial crisis- Onjeh

Prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Benue State, Comrade Daniel Onjeh, has condemned the March 4, 2025 directive by the Chief Judge of Benue State, Hon. Justice Maurice Ahemba Ikpambese, which relocated all Local Government Election Petition Tribunals and the Appeal Tribunal from Benue to the NBA House, Abuja.

Onjeh described the move as “an aberration that raises serious legal and ethical questions.”

Onjeh, who was the APC 2023 Senatorial Candidate for Benue South, stated that the directive, which was purportedly based on security concerns and an ongoing judiciary staff strike, is yet another indication that the judicial crisis in Benue State is a direct consequence of the larger political power struggle that has engulfed the state since the inception of Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration.

“The legal maneuvering we are witnessing in Benue State is not about justice but about political power and the control of state resources,” Onjeh declared.

“The same forces that sought to subvert Governor Alia’s administration from the onset have now turned to the judiciary as their latest weapon to achieve what they failed to accomplish politically,” he argued.

Onjeh, who is also former Chairman, Governing Board of the Projects Development Institute (PRODA), Enugu, noted that Governor Alia has faced an unprecedented level of opposition from within his own party with a faction of disgruntled APC leaders attempting to impose their will on the state.

He claimed their efforts to install their preferred Speaker for Benue were thwarted and subsequent attempts to manipulate the National Assembly into blocking federal allocations to Benue’s local governments also failed.

He argued they have resorted to using the state judiciary to regain lost political control.

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He argued that the Chief Judge lacks the powers to unilaterally shift the venue of the Tribunal, adding that the Benue State Election Laws 2007 (as amended), stipulates that the venue for the Tribunals can only be changed if all the parties to the petition consent to it. But in this case, the Chief Judge has neither sought nor secured the consent of the respondents to relocate the venue.

The former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) further argued that the Chief Judge’s actions directly contradict previous rulings he issued in similar circumstances.

“Only a few months ago, in December 2024, His Lordship Justice Ikpambese rejected an application to relocate the Benue North East Election Petition Tribunal from Adikpo to Makurdi, on the ground that the applicant did not secure the consent of all the parties involved, despite security concerns raised by the respondents,” Onjeh recalled.

“The learned Chief Judge further dismissed the claims of insecurity in Adikpo, noting that the courts in Adikpo were still sitting at the time.

“Yet today, he unilaterally shifts the Local Government Election Petition Tribunals to Abuja without consulting the parties involved or even the courtesy of notifying the Chief Security Officer of the state, Governor Alia.

“Thus, with due respect, I humbly wish to ask His Lordship, Justice Ikpambese, how many state governments are in Benue State, and which one is he loyal to? This reeks of inconsistency and bias. With due respect to His Lordship, he is fully aware that he needed the consent of the respondents before relocating the venue, but deliberately refused to do so.”

Onjeh maintained that the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal are sitting in Benue State, which further invalidates the claim that the state is unsafe for the tribunals.

He suggested that if security was truly an issue, the tribunals could have been relocated to one of the many military formations within Makurdi instead of being moved out of the state entirely, a decision that, in his view, undermines the principles of federalism.

“Never, in the chequered history of Nigeria’s democracy since independence in 1960, has a Local Government Election Petition Tribunal been shifted outside its state of jurisdiction. Justice Ikpambese is trying to set a terrible precedent, and he must be stopped immediately,” stated Onjeh, adding, “Relocating the Benue Local Government Election Petition Tribunal to Abuja is akin to relocating the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal to Ghana, or London. Isn’t that utterly absurd?”

Asking if there’s an ongoing war in Benue State to justify the relocation of the Tribunals, Onjeh noted that not even in a war-torn zone like Maiduguri in the North East, has a Local Government Election Petition Tribunal been relocated to Abuja.

“And amidst the heightened insecurity in the South East due to the activities of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other pro-Biafra groups; and the incessant attacks of bandits in Zamfara State in the North West, Local Government Election Tribunals from these regions have never been relocated to Abuja,” Onjeh stated.

He questioned Justice Ikpambese’s choice of Abuja as the new venue for the Tribunals, when it is common knowledge in the Benue State that the forces united against the leadership of Alia are hugely concentrated in Abuja, adding that it is another impartial angle to Justice Ikpambese’s move, and a good reason for the respondents to be even more apprehensive.

Onjeh further pointed out that this latest judicial maneuver follows Justice Ikpambese’s controversial decision to grant a waiver on security deposits for petitioners challenging the outcome of the local government elections.

He argued that this amounted to a unilateral amendment of the electoral laws enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly, which clearly stipulate that petitioners must pay a mandatory security deposit before their petitions can be entertained.

“Judges do not make laws; they interpret and apply them,” Onjeh asserted. “By waiving the security deposit requirement without any legislative backing, Justice Ikpambese overstepped his constitutional authority and encroached on the powers of the legislature. Such judicial overreach threatens the principle of separation of powers.”

Onjeh also dismissed the Chief Judge’s justification that he granted the waiver in response to public outcry.

“There is no documented evidence of any petitioners complaining about the security deposit requirement,” he argued. “This raises concerns about whether the Chief Judge privately met with certain petitioners before issuing the waiver. If true, this would constitute a serious breach of judicial ethics and impartiality,” he insisted.

He noted that within 48 hours of the waiver being granted, a staggering 295 APC members, primarily from the faction opposed to Governor Alia, rushed to file petitions challenging the outcome of the 2024 local government elections.

According to him: “This was clearly a premeditated plan,” Onjeh declared. “The moment the financial barrier to filing petitions was removed, the floodgates were opened for politically motivated litigation.”

Onjeh raised further concerns about the composition of the Appeal Panel, pointing out respondents had previously submitted a petition challenging the appointment of the chairman of the Appeal Panel. Given that the Appeal Tribunal is the final arbiter in these cases, he warned that any indication of bias could have far-reaching consequences.

Previous rulings by judges appointed by Justice Ikpambese, Onjeh noted, have already demonstrated a pattern of decisions that align with the interests of the faction opposed to Governor Alia.

He added that Justice Ikpambese’s appointment of a chairman for the Appeal Panel, who had earlier ruled in favour of the suspended former APC Chairman, Mr. Augustine Agada, in a related matter with the one before the tribunal, only adds to suspicions that the judicial process is being manipulated to serve political interests.

In his view: “The judiciary in Benue State appears to have taken sides in this political struggle,” Onjeh remarked. “Whether acting independently or under external influence, it seems the judiciary is being weaponized to achieve a predetermined outcome—one that could see local government control handed over to a faction that has already been rejected by the people.”

The APC stalwart argued that the ultimate prize in this judicial contest is control of Benue’s local government system, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments.

He maintained that those seeking to hijack the system are primarily motivated by the prospect of accessing and controlling local government funds.

“Their desperation is fuelled by the financial autonomy of local governments,” Onjeh stated. “The endgame of this judicial intrigue seems clear: the takeover of Benue’s local government system. With the recent Supreme Court ruling granting financial autonomy to local governments, control of the councils has become a lucrative objective.”

Onjeh noted that Governor Alia’s administration has already demonstrated a commitment to financial discipline, with workers receiving their salaries regularly, pensions and gratuities being paid, and infrastructural projects progressing across the state. He questioned why individuals who previously mismanaged the state’s resources were now so desperate to regain control of the local governments.

“These are the same people who had every opportunity to transform Benue State when they were in power, yet they failed,” Onjeh said. “Now that we have a governor who is genuinely committed to serving the people, they are doing everything possible to sabotage him.”

The former President of the West Africa Students’ Union (WASU) called on the NJC to urgently intervene to prevent the Benue State judiciary from being used as a political tool. He argued that the judiciary’s inconsistent rulings and apparent partiality are eroding public confidence in the legal system.

He warned that if the judiciary proceeds with its apparent plan to overturn the local government election results, it would effectively hand control of the councils to a faction that has been rejected by the people.

Onjeh still maintained the recommendation of the Benue House of Assembly removing Justice Ikpambese was constitutionally valid and in line with due process as enshrined in the clear provision of Section 292 of Nigeria Constitution of 1999 (as amended).

“I feel that the Governor’s reaction to the recommendation of the House of Assembly, by forwarding same to NJC is superfluous; perhaps for abundance of caution,” Onjeh stated. He went further to state, “Where the law had prescribed two different ways that an act can be done in Section 292, 1 (a) & (b), applying one of it suffices and within constitutional framework.”

March 8, 2025