The Nation Newspaper

Category: South East

  • Court voids indefinite suspension of FADAMA coordinator

    Court voids indefinite suspension of FADAMA coordinator

    The National Industrial Court has voided the indefinite suspension slammed on the Ebonyi State Coordinator of the World Bank Assisted FADAMA III Project, Cletus Nwakpu, by the state government.

    Nwakpu, an experienced civil servant, had overseen the implementation of the world bank sponsored FADAMA projects in the state.

    But on July 14, 2020 the state government under former governor David Umahi suspended him indefinitely on unproven allegations of funds misappropriation and embezzlement.

    Read Also: Supreme Court gets full complement of 21 justices

    Nwakpu denied the allegations and in January 2022, sued Ebonyi State Government and six others.

    He prayed the court to grant him 14 reliefs, including lifting of the indefinite suspension illegally imposed on him, reinstating him to his job as Fadama coordinator, payment of his salary arrears from July 2020 to July 2023.

    He also prayed for payment to him by the defendants the sum of N500 million being damages in aggravated terms for the flagrant violation of his rights as a senior and confirmed public/civil servant, who was subjected to malicious and unlawful suspension.

    He said the sack and report of same in the media caused him psychological and financial torture, character defamation, loss of employment opportunities, harassment and public embarrassment.

    Ruling on the matter, Justice Oluwakayode Arowosegbe said the state government violated the rights of fair hearing of the claimant.

  • IA-Foundation set to raise funds for out-of-school children in Nigeria

    IA-Foundation set to raise funds for out-of-school children in Nigeria

    A Non-Governmental Organisation, IA-Foundation, has said the organisation is set to raise funds for out-of-school children in Nigeria.

    The founder, Mrs Ibironke Adeagbo, a chartered accountant based in UK, told reporters the fundraising programme will take place at Civic Centre, Lagos on Saturday at 4pm. 

    Adeagbo noted that the organisation is poised towards denting the 20.2 million out-of-school children.

    She explained that those taken off the streets will be able to contribute meaningfully to the functioning and existence of government through taxes in future years.

    “We are raising funds that will be used to take care of  out-of-school children, so they do not resort to crime in future. 

    “This is because we want to dent that number. I know 20.2 million is a huge number but if we can  pull 1 million children out of the street that is 1 million people out of poverty,  1million people who would get jobs and be paying taxes to the government.

    “So, it goes in that direction. Apart from that, we are also using the advocacy route,”  she said.

    Read Also: Mayor of Southwark to celebrate IA-Foundation’s five years of reducing illiteracy among Nigerian children

    While explaining the consequences of out-of-school children in Nigeria, Adeagbonsaid high insecurity is because lots of children in those days that were on the streets that no one paid attention to had grown up without skills and the only option they have is to resort to crime. 

    She stated that there is need to pay attention to those 20.2 million people on the streets, enjoining NGOs and other well meaning Nigerians to support the government in getting those children off the streets. 

    “The reason we have high insecurity in Nigeria is because lots of children in those days that were on the streets that no one paid attention to had grown up without skills and the only option they have is to resort to crime. 

    “If you dont want that to happen again and in a bigger way, we need to pay attention to those 20.2 million people on the streets. 

    “Nigeria’s population is about 200 million plus. How can you have 10 percent of your population walking on the streets? Who does that? In our own interest, it ought to be a burning platform. We need to be intentional about it, especially now that we have a government with the political will. 

    “The NGOs and other well meaning Nigerians can support the government in getting those children off the streets. 

    “They dont belong there. They belong in the classroom and that is why we are passionate in helping the government to solve this problem,” she said.

  • NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    NDDC under Ogbuku’s watch on track to lift Niger Delta, says Dickson 

    Former Bayelsa State governor, now the senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has urged Niger Delta states to partner Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to fast-track the developmental processes of the region.

    He gave the advice at the weekend at Ayakoro community in Ogbia Local Government of Bayelsa State, hometown of the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, during the 2024 edition of the community’s annual cultural celebration, ‘Eyal Obein’.

    Dickson hailed the community for the preservation of their cultural heritage, saying people without culture were likened to one without history.

    The ex-governor, who also lauded the NDDC MD on the achievements of the commission under his stewardship, said he was impressed with the performance of the intervention agency under the leadership of Ogbuku.

    He noted that the NDDC MD and his team had demonstrated capacity and love for the region in terms of projects execution and policies implementation.

    The Ayakoro community’s ‘Eyal Obein’ is an age-long cultural festival held annually to commemorate the relocation of the community from their old settlement to their current abode due to devastating erosion.

    The 2024 edition makes it 66 years since the community began the commemoration of the event.

    Dickson said: “The NDDC under the stewardship of Dr. Ogbuku is doing well. Ogbuku and his team are carrying out the mandate of the NDDC well.

    “I want to thank Ogbuku for remembering that he came from a place. The projects I’ve seen in this community and other parts of the Niger Delta, including my home town, especially the solar powered lights and others, show that Ogbuku knows where he came from. It shows that he’s linked with his people at home.”

    Speaking to reporters after the event, Ogbuku said the commission under his stewardship was re-committed to ensuring that projects awarded and executed by the commission had impact on their benefiting communities.

    He said the era of stalled projects was over in the NDDC, noting, however, that the commission would no longer condone a habit whereby some communities acted as encumbrances to contractors handling NDDC projects in their domain.

    He said contracts awarded to communities, which impeded their peaceful execution, might be relocated, adding that no place could develop in the absence of peace and cooperation.

    Ogbuku stated: “Ayakoro is a very peaceful community. Here, projects are flourishing. There’s never been any encumbrance to any project awarded here. My advice to communities is that they should be peaceful and cooperate with contractors executing projects in their domain.

    Read Also: 65 CSOs pull out from planned Labour’s nationwide protest

    “A situation where communities impose all sort of conditions on contractors executing projects in their communities will no longer be accepted. However, we’ll also not allow contractors to exploit communities when executing their projects. In the event that there are unnecessary encumbrances from communities on the execution of projects in their domain, then it’s clear that such a community does not want the project, and so the NDDC may be forced to relocate projects like that.”

    Guest of Honour and Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Koroye Enebimere, promised government’s continuous support for cultural celebration to grow the tourism and hospitality sectors of the state.

    The paramount ruler of the community, HRH Righteous Inegbagha, gave a brief history of the cultural festival.

    He commended the founding fathers and the present generation of the community for their resilience and dedication to the growth and development of the community.

  • Commission begins distribution of palliatives in Delta

    Commission begins distribution of palliatives in Delta

    Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC) has begun the distribution of palliatives for victims of the 2022 flood disaster in communities across the 25 local governments of Delta State.

    Speaking during the presentation of the palliatives at Sapele Athletic Club in Sapele, Delta State, representative of Delta State on the NDDC Governing Board, Monday Igbuya, said although the flood occurred in 2022, the victims were still suffering the aftermath of the disaster.

    Igbuya in a statement signed by the NDDC Director, Corporate Affairs, Pius Ughakpoteni, noted that the NDDC Governing Board, led by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, found it necessary to implement the decision to distribute previously approved palliative items to communities across the state.

    He said the distribution was in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to cushion the effects of the 2022 flood disaster in the state, especially in view of the current economic difficulties in the country.

    He said: “You remember the flood happened in 2022 and as you know President Tinubu was not in office then, so were the NDDC board and management. But, when the issue came up, he graciously approved this relief operation.”

    Igbuya said NDDC was committed to programmes that would affect the people positively, stressing that the board was engaging in activities that truly reflected the people’s needs and mandate of the board.

    Read Also: Lagos Police warn intending protesters against road blocks

    The statement said the truckload of items distrib¬uted included bags of rice, bags of beans, mattresses, vegetable oil, noodles, toiletries, tomato paste, boats, cassava milling machines, sewing and grinding machines, salt, among other relief materi-als.

    The community leaders across the 25 local governments of the state, including women and youth groups, reportedly received the items on behalf of their people.

    Onoriode Ogodo of Sapele-Okpe community thanked the NDDC for the palliatives.

    He said: “The items will go a long way in supporting those who lost homes and means of livelihoods during the flood.”

    The President-General of Elume community, Mr. Felix Emuobo, said: “With the materials in the right hands, we can rebuild and support our people during these difficult times. I commend the NDDC for their effort towards bringing relief to us.”

  • Institute begins needs assessment for teachers’ development

    Institute begins needs assessment for teachers’ development

    Teachers Continuous Training Institute (TCTI), Biase in Cross River State, has begun a statewide needs assessment of professional teachers.

    The purpose of the exercise involving schools in the 18 local governments is to get inputs from about 300 targeted sample participants on their current and future needs.

    The Director General of TCTI, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, said the institute’s “curriculum is dynamic and covers teachers from primary and secondary schools, vocational and technical colleges as well as Persons with Disabilities (PWD) in integrated settings.”

    Addressing reporters at the weekend, the TCTI DG says the institute being a world-class institution adopts training programmes that are best suited to the local needs of schools, as well as meeting global standard practices.

    He added: “With the rapid changes taking place in the 21st century schooling system, curriculum, technology, knowledge and skills, needs assessment is able to point out areas of interest.

    Read Also: 65 CSOs pull out from planned Labour’s nationwide protest

    “After a thorough needs assessment exercise, 100 primary school head teachers across the state will be selected to attend a three-day intensive residential workshop on the ‘Application of Smart Skills to Teaching and Learning in Primary Schools’.

    Adedoja said TCTI, which before now had carried out career trainings for teachers, was owned by the Cross River State Government and was conceived to boost manpower development and guarantee quality education that met global learning.

    He said: “The institute is seeking collaborators for its training programmes.”

  • Oborevwori inaugurates police station, quarters

    Oborevwori inaugurates police station, quarters

    Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has inaugurated a police station and officers’ quarters built by the Chairman of Udu Local Government, Mr. Jite Brown.

    He said this is to ensure security of lives and property.

    Also inaugurated was a utility surveillance vehicle.

    Governor Oborevwori, represented by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Kanemala Penewou, lauded the chairman for his foresight in enhancing security architecture in the area.

    Describing the project as key, considering the insecurity facing the country, he stressed the importance of securing lives and property, saying it was one of the reasons his administration considered it strategic in its MORE agenda.

    “The building is more than just bricks and esthetics, but a symbol of authority, safety and protection of lives and property of the people.

    “Let us not forget that the heart and soul of this building are the men and women who will work there and stay as guidance of peace and order in this community.

    “As you are all aware, security is paramount, especially now that the level of insecurity is alarming across the country.”

    Read Also: Lagos Police warn intending protesters against road blocks

    “Police as you all know is our friend and this project is in tandem with the MORE agenda of His Excellency in peace and security.

    “At this point, I urge you all to make good use of this opportunity, as the police station serves as a symbol of unity, peace and security for the people in this area,” the governor said.

    Udu Council chairman noted that the decision to embark on the project was unanimously taken by the council executive after consultations with stakeholders in the community, especially the traditional council, elders, youths and women leaders in the area.

    He hoped that the project would receive support from successive council chairmen, in terms of building additional structures and maintenance, so that the police station would continue to serve the area better.

  • Group carpets Soludo on sack of vendors

    Group carpets Soludo on sack of vendors

    A group, Forum of Labour Party 2023 House of Assembly Candidates, has berated Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo over what it described as ‘dictatorial’ tendencies of his two-year-old administration.

    The group, in a statement by its spokesperson, Humphrey Iloh, advised the Soludo-led government to desist from further humiliating, in timidating and impoverishing people in state.

    It said the advice followed recent destruction of newspaper stands and beating of vendors in Awka as well as alleged brutal killing of Mr. Arinze Obuladike, a drug dealer at Ogbo-ogwu, Onitsha, by Special Anambra State Anti-Touting Squad (SASA).

    Read Also: 65 CSOs pull out from planned Labour’s nationwide protest

    The body said it would compel the House of Assembly to begin impeachment process against the governor if the ugly trend continued.

    Spokesman for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. Tony Olisa, dismissed the allegations as fallacious, targeted at discrediting the Soludo administration.

  • Security beefed up in Abia ahead Tinubu’s visit

    Security beefed up in Abia ahead Tinubu’s visit

    Security has been beefed up in parts of Aba, the commercial city of Abia State and its environs, including Umuahia, the capital, ahead of the planned visit by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the state.

    The Nation reports that the President’s visit to the state was postponed from Saturday to today.

    Although there has not been any official statement from the state government on the visit of the President, our correspondent gathered that there have been crucial meetings between the agencies of the state government, management of Geometric Power Ltd and heads of security agencies, to ensure a successful visit of the President today.

    It was learnt that some identified black spots have been manned by security agencies, especially in Osisioma Local Government and Aba metropolis, to prevent insecurity.

    The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Geometric Power Ltd, Prof. Barth Nnaji, said Aba Integrated Power Project, which would be inaugurated on Monday (today) by President Tinubu, would provide power for electricity users in the nine local governments of the state under the Aba Ring Fenced Area.

    He noted that the power plant would not only help in solving the power challenge of Aba, but also other parts of the country, as the excess power would be sent to the national grid for distribution to other parts of the country.

    Nnaji, who spoke yesterday in an interview in Osisioma Local Government headquarters of the facility, said the management of the company had committed over $800million as part of their commitment towards ensuring that the power project was a reality.

    He added that the project was the largest investment of a private sector in the Southeast.

    Nnaji, former Minister of Power, said his company had licence to produce 188 megawatts of electricity, noting that the three turbines (from the General Electric (GE) United States), already installed and awaiting inauguration by President Tinubu, would produce 47 megawatts each.

    Nnaji, who disclosed that a feasibility study carried out by the company has it that it needs about 100 megawatts because of the heavy equipment used by industries in Aba and other local governments within the ring fenced areas, said the power plant would help the industries in Aba to reduce their cost of production, which he attributed to the high cost of goods manufactured in Aba.

    Read Also: Lagos Police warn intending protesters against road blocks

    Prof. Nnaji, allaying fears of high cost of electricity by electricity users, said they would bill their customers beyond the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved benchmark, under whose supervision the company would carry out their activities.

    “The inauguration of the turbines will be staggered, i.e. they will be inaugurated one by one. The first turbine will increase power supply to Aba Ring Fence Area by 47MW, which is almost double of the current 25MW supply from the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC). When the first turbine is inaugurated, it will be monitored. Once the performance is considered satisfactory, the second turbine will be inaugurated.

    “Aba and the environs may not absorb more than 100MW right now. Excess power from the three turbines will be sent to the national grid to assist other parts of Nigeria to receive more electricity.”

    Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, who was at the news briefing with the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma, lamenting that the company and the state had suffered loss in the last 20 years that the process had lingered, said Governor Alex Otti was happy that the project had become a reality.

  • Ogalla: Naval Chief in the eye of the storm

    Ogalla: Naval Chief in the eye of the storm

    • By Yushau A. Shuaib

    To some extent, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) play strategic roles in ensuring that the public is adequately informed about the efforts and accomplishments of the security services, especially ongoing military operations.

    Behind the scenes, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, facilitates inter-agency collaboration and harmonious relationships among the different security organisations to achieve peace and stability in the country. He recently directed the reactivation of the Forum of Spokespersons of Security and Response Agencies (FOSSRA), established during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, before being jettisoned during the eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    Similarly, as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa has also demonstrated leadership qualities in ensuring that the service chiefs speak with one voice towards the highest attainment of national security and operational competence of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, comprising the Army, Navy and Air Force.

    Meanwhile, no matter how transparent and responsible an organisation is, public criticism or negative media coverage could sometimes be inevitable – even despite the best intentions – due to inadequate public access to information about it or mischief makers’ willful manipulation of information concerning it. Likewise, avoidable controversies could occur due to the management’s nonchalant attitude, inactions and/or needless decision-making.

    With remarkable accomplishments in its areas of operation, the Nigerian Navy, under the leadership of the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, is grossly misunderstood by the public, going by a series of attacks that it has been subjected to recently in the Nigerian media.

    Ogalla is an outstanding military officer who emerged as the best graduating science student (boy) at the Nigerian Military School, Zaria 1987. He obtained a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Mathematics and was awarded the Sword of Honour as the best Naval cadet in his course. He later obtained a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan (UI). Following his commission as a second lieutenant in 1992, he rose rapidly to the rank of Rear Admiral in September 2021 before the elevation to his current position.

    When he was appointed as the Chief of Naval Staff by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was a controversy over an allegation that his predecessor, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo, refused to hand over to him. Ogalla had to instruct the Naval spokesperson, Rear Admiral AO Ayo-Vaughan, to debunk the reports by explaining to the public the traditional procedure for handing over the mantle of military leadership.

    Read Also: Nigerian Navy adopts AI to enhance operational effectiveness – Ogalla

    Besides taking part in several military operations, including the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) in Liberia, Ogalla successfully coordinated several anti-illegal oil bunkering operations, leading to a remarkable reduction in illicit activities on our national and international waterways, particularly in the Niger Delta. That experience probably influenced his reluctance as the naval chief to engage private security firms for military operations against oil thieves in the region.

    It was therefore not surprising that Tantita Security Services Limited, owned by ex-Niger Delta militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, a.k.a.Tompolo, had to engage the Nigerian Navy in a tug-of-war while seeking to preserve its lucrative security contract for the protection of Nigeria’s resource-bearing waterways.

    The no-love-lost relationship compelled Tantita to accuse the Navy of harbouring bad eggs within it that were sabotaging the fight against the menace of crude oil theft in the Niger Delta. The Navy accused Tantita Security of being involved in illegalities concerning a crude oil vessel seized in the coastal waters.

    However, a few months later, another controversy broke out when an online news platform, alleged that the Naval Chief had facilitated an unorganised bunkering of Nigerian crude and was involved in a multimillion-naira contract-splitting fraud. The news site also accused Ogalla of releasing several oil tankers that had been impounded for transporting stolen crude oil off Nigerian shores after receiving kickbacks in millions of dollars.

    Could the allegations be true going within the purview of Vice Admiral Ogalla’s past sterling records as the Commandant at the Nigerian Navy Hydrographic School (NNHS) and Nigerian Navy Hydrographic Office (NNHO), where he enabled cost-effective procurements of several kits and tools from reputable Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM), leading to improvements in practical training of the institutions, while also being instrumental in the localisation of many of the Naval tools of operations?

    It was, therefore, surprising that less than 24 hours after the media report, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, responded that the allegations against Ogalla would be investigated immediately, stressing that President Tinubu had zero tolerance for corruption in the public service. Rather than get distracted, the Nigerian Navy under Ogalla has kept on sustaining, with renewed efforts, its Operation Delta Sanity, which aims at combating crude oil theft, illegal oil bunkering, and other sundry crimes within the nation’s maritime environment.

    Apart from intercepting more vessels with stolen crude oil and materials meant for the construction of illegal refineries, the Navy has also arrested scores of suspects involved in bunkering and handed them over to the appropriate authorities. While the controversies remain unabated, the success stories of naval operations are equally being reported accordingly.

    Meanwhile, there is a feeler that the Chief of Naval Staff may be in the eyes of the storm over his alleged plan to appoint a new naval spokesperson in contravention of Nigerian law. The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), a statutory body, has reiterated its stance against appointing unlicensed and unregistered professionals as spokespersons, especially for the country’s security services.

    Almost all the security and intelligence services have complied with the law by appointing certified PR professionals as their spokespersons, including the Defence Headquarters, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Airforce, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Customs, the Immigration, the NDLEA, EFCC, ICPC, FRSC and even NEMA. Why should the Nigerian Navy be different?

    For fear that some chief executive officers may not be aware of the law, the NIPR President, Dr Ike Neliaku and Chairman of its Enforcement and Compliance Committee retired Major General Chris Olukolade, jointly signed a memo addressed to the service chiefs “cautioning against contravention of the Law on Appointment of Public Relations Practitioners and Allied Positions in Government Establishments.”

    In the memo, top government officials, especially in the security services, were reminded of the provisions of the NIPR Practitioners Act of 1990, now Cap N114 Laws of the Federation 2004, which states that “any person who is not a member of the Institute practices or holds himself out to practice as a public relations practitioner for or in expectation of reward, or takes or uses any name, title, addition or description implying that he is in practice as a public relations practitioner, he shall be guilty of an offence…”

    Section 19 (4) of the Act states: “A person guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable to a fine, imprisonment or both.” Section 19 (5): “Where an offence under this section which a body corporate has committed is proved to have been committed with the consent or connivance of or to be attributable to any neglect on the part of any director (CEO), manager, secretary or other similar officers of the body corporate or any person purporting to act in any such capacity, he, as well as the body corporate, shall be deemed to be guilty of that offence and shall be liable to be prosecuted and punished.”

    Concerned about the statutory provision that criminalizes the appointment of uncertified PR officers as spokespersons, Information Minister, Mr Mohammed Idris Malagi, recently charged the NIPR Council to give effect to the Federal Government’s resolve to enforce the law regulating the practice of Public Relations in Nigeria.

    Being a member of the Nigerian Hydrographic Society, the Nigerian Institute of Management, the International Earth Rotation Services and a fellow of the Occupational Safety and Health Association, Vice Admiral Ogalla should realise that beyond networking, professional bodies provide ethical standards and guidance that deserve to be complied with for occupational integrity.

    We hope that critical institutions will comply with the laws of the federation, particularly regarding the appointment of spokespersons. It will be deplorable if they operate in contravention of the law by daring the NIPR to act by summoning those in violation before the special tribunal established by the Act for prosecution for misconduct. It is essential for individuals and organisations to always strive to protect their reputation as responsible, law-abiding citizens without engaging in needless controversies.

    _Yushau A. Shuaib is the author of “Award-Winning Crisis Communication Strategies”_ yashuaib@yahoo.com

  • Stakeholders carpet Soludo for not conducting council poll

    Stakeholders carpet Soludo for not conducting council poll

    Stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organisations in Anambra State, have lamented non-conduct of local government elections by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, two years into his administration.

    They regretted that for the past 10 years, elections had not been conducted at that tier of government, noting that the 21 local governments had been run by Caretaker Committee chairmen, which they described as an aberration.

    The stakeholders spoke yesterday in Awka during a dialogue with political parties and civil society organisations on ‘Strengthening Transparency, Accountability in Governance and Electoral Process (STAGE) Project’.

    It was organised by the African Centre for Leadership and Development, in collaboration with International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre.

    Director, Strategies, at the African Centre for Leadership and Development, Itia Otabor, said the government was losing hugely over non-conduct of the election, including funding by development partners and lovers of democracy.

    He, however, hoped that the current Transition Caretaker Committee would be the last to be constituted to govern the local governments.

    He disclosed plans for advocacy visit by stakeholders to key institutions in the state, to further press home the importance of conducting the poll.

    He said: “Major opportunities are waiting to open up with the conduct of the election. The state is missing out hugely. Funds will definitely come from development partners and lovers of democracy.

    “Within the content of our very deepest aspirations, we believe the renewal of the tenure of caretaker committee chairmen done recently will be the last to be constituted to govern councils.

    “We’re also hoping that the governor, being a progressive and who publicly commits himself to conducting local government election, will see the transition committee as the last under his administration.

    “Most residents are desirous of seeing the local government elections conducted to stop the use of caretaker committees, which is unconstitutional.

    “This is why we’re disheartened that rather than moving in the trajectory of hearing plans of constituting Anambra State Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), we’re hearing of recourse to Caretaker Committee. It’s really a setback.”

    Read Also: Tinubu appoints new heads for NCC, NIGCOMSAT, Galaxy Backbone

    The President, International Peace and Civic Responsibility Centre, Chris Azor, described the push for the immediate conduct of the local government election as a collective responsibility of stakeholders.

    He noted that the conduct of the poll would be to the governor’s advantage, saying the structure would further strengthen his base and popularity.

    “It’s our collective responsibility both as media and civil society organisations to hold government to account, especially on its promises, and part of that is this engagement with stakeholders.

    “We need to keep reminding the governor of his promises. Though brilliant, he’s human. There are signs he’s going to keep to his promise. We expect to have a policy brief after this conversation.

    “The world is waiting for Anambra State over the conduct of local government elections. Development partners are also waiting with a promise of supporting the government if the ANSIEC is constituted.

    “It’s unfortunate that ANSIEC workers, for the past 10 years, have been idling away, yet receiving salaries and other entitlements due to absence of local government elections. Is that good governance?

    “It’s only necessary to ensure the election is conducted so the office will come alive again with heavy traffic, which will also boast the state’s GDP. It will also be to the governor’s advantage, as he needs the structure to strengthen his base,” Azor said.