Author: Editor

By Owei Lakemfa The 1990s were the deadliest for change agents in Nigeria. We lost hundreds. In 1994, some political elites decided to join us. This led to the establishment of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO. One day, one of these elites brought a parcel to the leader of the Campaign for Democracy, CD, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, to be kept. Beko, who led the movement that eventually ousted the military, mentioned the package to Abiodun Aremu and I. The former, who was quite security conscious, asked Beko what was inside the package. He didn’t know. But since he had been…

Our Reporter, Abuja The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, has said that five years after the #EndSARS protests, Nigeria has failed to achieve meaningful police reform due to entrenched political interference, corruption, and lack of accountability. In a piece titled “#EndSARS at Five: Why Police Reform Has Failed Nigeria – And What Must Change,” Nwanguma reflected on the 2020 protests that shook the nation, describing them as a defining moment in Nigeria’s democratic journey and a “cry from a generation that had grown weary of impunity.” According to him, although…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Abia State, including the commercial hub of Aba and the capital city, Umuahia, was completely shut down on Monday as residents fully complied with the #FreeNnamdiKanu solidarity march championed by rights activist, Omoyele Sowore. Economic and commercial activities were totally paralyzed as shops, markets, banks, petrol stations, and motor parks remained closed. The usually busy roads were deserted, with only a few tricycles and private vehicles seen moving around. Similarly, both public and private schools across the state did not open for academic activities. Some schools had, over the weekend, notified parents not to bring their children…

Ben Ezechime, Enugu The Enugu State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) to immediately declare vacant the seats of the 260 councillors who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the PDP Caucus in the state, Dr. Godwin Udibe and Chief John Nwobodo (Esq.), and made available to newsmen on Sunday in Enugu. The party threatened to institute legal action to stop further payment of salaries to the affected councillors, describing their continued stay…

Our Reporter, Abuja A civil society organisation, the Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy and Development (FENRAD) Nigeria, has expressed deep concern over the alleged overseas travel of members of the Abia State House of Assembly under unclear circumstances. In a statement issued in Umuahia on Saturday and signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, FENRAD described the action as “unprecedented and troubling,” accusing the lawmakers of abandoning their legislative duties without due process or public notice. The group recalled that the lawmakers had earlier declared their intention to travel to Abuja in solidarity with calls for the release…

By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu In September 1887, Harry Johnston, Acting Consul of the Oil Rivers Protectorate (Niger Delta) procured the arrest in the wharfs of the Niger Delta of King Jaja of Opobo on the rather dubious charge of “obstruction of trade.” It accused King Jaja of violating a trade treaty with the British, which did not, however, have any penal provisions. The previous year, a Royal Charter granted in the name of Queen Victoria had placed the territory under the rule of the Royal Niger Company (RNC) which empowered it to “undertake and carry on the government or administration of…

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has assured the Awka High Court in Anambra State that it will halt all actions against the Bishop of Awka Diocese, Most Rev. Alexander Ibezim, over the alleged sale of church lands, pending the determination of the case. Counsel to the EFCC, Mr. C. A. Okoli, told the court that the Commission would maintain the status quo and refrain from any further action against Bishop Ibezim until the court delivers its ruling. Okoli explained that the EFCC’s invitation letter to the bishop, dated October 7, was issued before the Commission…

Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka Fellows of the Anambra Local Government Accountability Fellowship (ALGAF) have been charged to promote inclusion, transparency, and accountability in the state’s local government system to enhance good governance at the grassroots. The charge was given by the Director of Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Nnewi, Rev. Fr. Benedict Okolo, during the ALGAF Monthly Leadership and Governance Workshop on Local Government Democratic Participation and Disability Rights Law, held recently in Awka, the Anambra State capital. ALGAF is a governance fellowship project implemented in Anambra State by JDPC Nnewi with technical support from the Nigeria Civil Society Situation…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia A group under the aegis of Abians for Sustenance of Good Governance (ASGG) has cautioned the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, against allegedly attempting to pit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against Governor Alex Otti for selfish political reasons. Addressing a press conference in Umuahia, the group condemned the Deputy Speaker’s recent remarks suggesting that President Tinubu — and not Governor Otti — should be credited for the ongoing developments in Abia State because “it is the President who releases the funds to the Governor.” The group dismissed Kalu’s position as misleading…

Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia Co-convener of the #BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has declared that the former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, “has better chances in 2027 than he had in 2023.” Fielding questions from journalists in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, where she was a guest speaker at a Girls’ Summit organised by Protect the Precious Foundation, Yesufu said that many Nigerians who doubted Obi in 2023 had now embraced his message. She argued that if the former Anambra State governor could perform remarkably well in the 2023 election with limited structures and followership, he would…