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Ebonyi bye-election tribunal has no regards for justice, dissolve it – PDP candidate
The Ebonyi South Senatorial Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party PDP in the Feb 3rd 2024 By-election in Ebonyi South zone, Barr Silas Onu, Counsel to the Senator Representing Ebonyi South Zone, Senator Anthony Ani, yesterday trade words over call by Barr. Onu for the disbandment of the Tribunal panel.
In a petition dated 29th April 2024, addressed to the President Court of Appeal and made available to Journalist, Barr. Onu maintained that he does not have an iota of confidence in the ability to dispense justice in the petition by the panel.
Barr. Onu said that on 15th of April 2024, upon the closing of pleadings and an application for the issuance of pre-hearing notice, electoral materials, specifically the BVAS was specifically pleaded in the petition.
The motion was opposed by the 2nd and 3rd Respondent on the grounds other than law or facts, while the 1st Respondents (INEC) against whom the application was made did not oppose it.
We made our case for the grant of the order for inspection to be done during the trail and supported the application with a recent Supreme court decision showing that the Tribunal has the power to grant such an application in the interest of justice.
“The 2nd and 3rd respondents also pleaded the BVAS in their respective replies to the petition. On Saturday, being the 27th of April 2024, the Tribunal delivered it’s ruling on the application dismissing same on the ground that granting it will amount to amending the petition.
“This claim by the Tribunal can best be described as arguing the case of the respondent in the most untruthful manner and it can never be acceptable to me and should not be allowed to infest the already beleaguered reputation of the Nigeria judiciary, especially in election cases.
“Firstly, in refusing the application, the Tribunal claimed that the petitioner did not plead BVAS. This is not only false, but manifestly wicked and clearly intended to pervert justice by denying the petitioner the right to present their case and evidence before the Tribunal, because the BVAS was copiously pleaded in paragraph 42(16) of the petition at page 32.
“As if their blatant disregard for justice was not enough, the Tribunal without availing me with a copy of the ruling for my perusal so as to decide the next line of action had hurriedly fixed yesterday Tuesday 30th April 2024 for tendering of documents from the Bar, then Thursday 2nd May 2024 for opening my case which by their pre-hearing report should close by Friday 3rd May 2024.
He expressed concern over the inability of the panel to give chance for their perverse ruling to be challenged on appeal but rather plans to rush the case in order to ensure that this vital evidence BVAS does not form part of documents that will be presented at the trail.
He noted that the petition is not intended to substitute the judicial remedy for the biased rulling which will be appealed against adding that the petition is an administrative approach which has become necessary as the petitioner, no longer have confidence in the ability of the panel to be neutral.
“The needs to replace them is now urgent and real. He noted that the panel members are lodged in a place called Cirenes Hotel in Abakaliki. This hotel belongs to a very well-known APC stalwart. With this obvious biased ruling, I am free to tie up all loose ends and draw a conclusion that the panel in under influence.
I have seen, from the conduct of the panel on this ruling that they are brutally unjust and are not interested in doing any justice to the petition.
He maintained that he will appeal the ruling and have instructed his legal team to immediately file an appeal adding that the petition is to administratively register his total lack of trust in the panel as they are manifestly bias and not interested in doing justice. I have no confidence in the collectively ability of the names members of the panel to do justice in the case.
Continuing with this panel is tantamount to having a seal fate, as nothing just can come from them. I have taken this step not because I am afraid of losing a case, I have long before now been an advocate of justice sector reform.
Reacting to the call, Counsel to Senator Anthony Ani, Barr. Roy Umahi expressed regret over the call for the disbandment of the Tribunal panel.
In the letter to the President of the Court of Appeal, the writer insulted the Tribunal judges. That is wrong. Feeling dissatisfied with the ruling of the Tribunal, you started insulting the judges of the Tribunal.
How can you write to the President of the Court of Appeal without first coming to the court to ask judges to recuse themselves. We must approached the judges with respect and candor. We can’t use uncounth languages on judges.
He called for the full investigation into the allegations made by Barr. Onu. Ends.
News
‘From Crude to Cash’: Ex-Abia Speaker Orji Says Tinubu’s Fiscal Reforms Are Redefining Nigeria’s Revenue Base
Former Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly and APC House of Representatives candidate for Ikwuano/Umuahia, Rt. Hon. Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s fiscal reforms are deliberately moving Nigeria away from oil dependence toward a tax-driven revenue economy.
In an opinion article titled “From Crude to Cash: How Tinubu’s Fiscal Reset Is Redefining Nigeria’s Revenue Economy”, Orji argued that the administration inherited a budget structure tied to crude oil prices and has begun rebuilding public finance through subsidy removal, digital tax collection and an expanded non-oil base.
> “Rather than wait for another oil boom to bail out the treasury, his administration chose to rebuild the plumbing of public finance: tax administration, digital collection, and a non-oil base wide enough to stand on even when barrels wobble,” Orji wrote.
He described the removal of petrol subsidy in May 2023 as the first step of the reset, stating that it increased Federation revenue from ₦16.8 trillion in 2023 to ₦31.9 trillion in 2024, according to data cited in the article.
Orji said allocations to states and local governments also rose sharply, from ₦6.16 trillion in 2023 to ₦15.26 trillion in 2024, giving subnationals more capacity to fund roads, schools and hospitals.
The former Speaker said government complemented the subsidy savings with reforms to modernise tax administration through digital systems, data matching and compliance drives.
He noted that the reforms now target telecommunications, financial services, manufacturing, trade and the digital economy, including fintech companies, e-commerce platforms and content creators.
> “No economy grows sustainably when only oil companies and big banks pay taxes while millions of profitable businesses stay off the books,” he stated.
Orji cited improvements in fiscal indicators, including a narrowing deficit, stronger external reserves, and clearance of a $7 billion foreign exchange backlog, which he said reflected growing investor confidence.
He, however, acknowledged the immediate burden on households from higher transport, food and energy costs.
> “The social contract of these reforms is still being negotiated. Households felt the pain first — higher transport, higher food, higher power bills. The promise is that the gains will be recycled into infrastructure, education, and health,” Orji wrote.
He said the success of the fiscal reset will depend on implementation and public trust, stressing that citizens must see tangible improvements in services.
> “Nigeria is still an oil country. But for the first time in a long time, it is budgeting like it might not always be,” he concluded.
The Ebonyi State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged Governor Francis Nwifuru to heed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent warning to state governors against embarking on unnecessary flyover projects.
The party also called on the Ebonyi State Government to disclose details of the governor’s recent nine-day investment trip to China, including the cost of the trip, members of the delegation and outcomes of the engagements.
In a statement issued on Monday in Abakaliki and signed by the PDP Publicity Secretary and spokesperson, Prince Darlington Peter Onwe, the party said the President’s comments had reinforced its concerns over what it described as misplaced priorities in the state.
Tinubu, while meeting traditional rulers from Oyo State, had advised governors to focus on infrastructure that directly addresses the needs of their people rather than constructing flyovers in areas where traffic does not warrant them.
Reacting to the remarks, the PDP alleged that the Nwifuru administration had committed significant public funds to projects including the VANCO Junction tunnel and flyover and the Nwezenyi tunnel and flyover, despite what it described as pressing infrastructure challenges across the state.
The party cited poor road networks, inadequate healthcare facilities, limited access to potable water and deteriorating educational infrastructure among the challenges it said residents were still facing.
The PDP also questioned the state government’s spending priorities in light of increased allocations to states following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
It asked why, despite the reported increase in federal allocations, the Ebonyi Government had allegedly not delivered broader development projects across key sectors.
The opposition party further questioned whether adequate consultations were conducted with residents before the flyover projects were initiated and whether the projects represented the most urgent needs of the people.
On the governor’s China trip, the PDP demanded that the state government publish the names of all officials who participated in the delegation, the total cost of the visit, the investment engagements held and details of any agreements reached with prospective foreign investors.
It also requested information on the implementation timelines of any agreements and any financial obligations arising from commitments made on behalf of the state.
According to the party, taxpayers have a right to know how public funds are being spent and should be provided with documentary evidence of the outcomes of government-sponsored foreign trips.
The PDP further called on the state government to disclose the financial details of the ongoing tunnel and flyover projects and publish a comprehensive development roadmap outlining how its policies and projects would address the needs of Ebonyi residents.
The party said that with the 2027 elections approaching, rural communities would ultimately judge the administration by completed projects and the quality of public services delivered, particularly in road infrastructure and other basic amenities.
The Ebonyi State Government had not publicly responded to the PDP’s latest allegations as of the time of filing this report.
The administration has previously maintained that its infrastructure projects are intended to stimulate economic growth, improve transportation and modernise Abakaliki, the state capital.
The Managing Director of MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL), Dr Ernest Mupwaya, has reiterated the company’s commitment to its employees as its most valuable asset.
MainPower, which is a subsidiary company of Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), is in-charge of electricity distribution in Enugu State.
Mupwaya stated this when he received the team from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) on a courtesy visit to the company’s head office at Power House, Enugu, on Monday.
He stressed the importance of investing in human capital (employees) to achieve strategic goals in the highly regulated electricity distribution sector.
Mupwaya highlighted the critical role of professional human resource management in building resilient and high-performing organisations, noting that people remained the most valuable asset of any institution.
The MainPower boss identified effective leadership, workforce quality, organisational culture and talent development as key drivers of success in today’s dynamic business environment.
He also reaffirmed MainPower’s commitment to professionalism, integrity, innovation and customer focus as a young and evolving electricity distribution company.
According to him, having competent, motivated, and adaptable employees, supported by effective human resource leadership and professional institutions such as CIPM, is critical to driving organisational transformation and contributing to national development.
Mupwaya, on behalf of the management of MainPower, commended CIPM for its longstanding contributions to promoting excellence and ethical standards in human resource management across Nigeria.
He expressed the company’s interest in strengthening its collaboration with the Institute in areas including leadership development, workforce capacity building, succession planning and employee engagement.
Earlier, Chairman, CIPM, Enugu State Branch, Mr Francis Uka, who was accompanied by a member of CIPM’s Governing Council, Mr Christian Onwumeremadu, said the visit was part of the branch’s efforts to strengthen institutional relationships.
Uka said that visit was meant to promote professional interaction, and deepen the exchange of knowledge and experience in people management and contemporary workplace practices.
During the visit, the delegation also had the opportunity to interact with some MainPower employees, particularly those in administration and operations-related roroles.
The CIPM team also shared insights on the importance of professional human resource management and encouraged eligible employees to join the Institute and take advantage of its professional development opportunities.
Present at the event were MainPower’s Head of Human Resources, Nkiru Chukwuma; Head of Health, Safety and Environment, Dr. Francis Iwu and Head of Customer Service, Ijeoma Ogudebe.
Others are Head of Communications, Mr Emeka Ezeh; Managing Director, EastLand Electricity Distribution Limited, Engr. Nnamdi Chuka-Nwosu; and Chief Technical Officer, Engr. Obinna Nwachukwu among others.
The warning comes as the scheme continues preparations for the mobilisation of a fresh batch of prospective corps members, while also intensifying efforts to ensure their safety during orientation camp journeys.
In a public notice shared on its official X account on Monday, the NYSC declared that NERD clearance is now compulsory for all prospective corps members.
The scheme urged prospective corps members to complete the process early to avoid delays in mobilisation.
“This is to inform PCMs (Prospective Corps Members) that without NERD clearance, no NYSC. Get your NERD clearance early. Avoid delays in your mobilisation.”
Reiterating the mandatory nature of the requirement, the NYSC stated, “NERD clearance is compulsory for all PCMs. No NERD clearance, No NYSC!!!”
The latest advisory comes barely hours after the NYSC announced the mobilisation of another batch of prospective corps members for the 2026 Batch ‘B’ service year, urging institutions and eligible graduates to complete all necessary documentation ahead of the orientation exercise.
It also follows another recent safety advisory by the scheme in which prospective corps members were warned against travelling at night to orientation camps.
The NYSC advised them to break their journeys whenever necessary and lodge in safe locations or designated military and security formations where available, rather than risk travelling after dark.
The renewed advisories reflect the scheme’s efforts to improve both the integrity of its mobilisation process and the safety of prospective corps members, amid growing security concerns on Nigerian highways.
With mobilisation activities gathering pace, prospective corps members are expected to complete all required registration and verification procedures, including the newly emphasised NERD clearance, before reporting for orientation camp.
The development follows public concern over a viral video showing the girls in detention, which prompted calls for the Nigerian government to intervene.
On Instagram, #Queenbethia had posted the video on Sunday: “Pls tag every relevant authority because this is nonsense !!!! This cannot keep happening!! Mauritius is notorious for this !!!”
They have been held at the Mauritius airport since July 31, 2026, she lamented.
“They are currently on their way back to Nairobi,” the commission stated.
The commission reiterated its commitment to the welfare and protection of Nigerians living or travelling abroad, saying the intervention aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed focus on citizens’ welfare.
“NiDCOM, in line with Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, remains committed to the welfare and protection of all Nigerians home and abroad,” it added.
NiDCOM did not disclose the identities of the girls, the country where they were detained, or the circumstances that led to their arrest.
The commission also did not indicate when they are expected to arrive in Nairobi or Nigeria.
Similarly, neither the Mauritius government nor the airport have spoken officially about the reasons behind their delay at the airport.
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