Rape of Justice in Abia

The Judiciary, like it is always held is the hope of the common man, but not in every situation. The recent ruling on the prolonged legal tussle between Chief Okezie Erondu, Chairman Aba South Local Government Area and Dr.Christian Okoli, the Action Congress Candidate in the January 19, 2008 Local Government polls in Abia State by the Abia Local Government Election Appeal Tribunal sitting in Umuahia under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice Agwu Ukpai Kalu is a typical case.

On January 19, 2008 the Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) conducted elections in 16 out of the 17 local government areas in the State. Chief Okezie Erondu, the Progressive Peoples Alliance candidate was announced winner of the election in Aba South by ABSIEC.Dr.Christian Okoli; the AC candidate was dissatisfied with the result and went on appeal.

On November 6, 2008 the Local Government Election Petitions Tribunal led by Chief Magistrate John Ukpabi gave judgment in favour of Dr Christian Okoli, the AC candidate. The ruling further directed ABSIEC to swear in Dr Okoli immediately in consonance with the stipulations of section 215(1) of Abia State Local Government Law No.3 of 2006, which reads thus: “any candidate declared winner by the electoral tribunal as elected shall from the time of the decision of the election tribunal be deemed to be duly elected until any determination of the competent High Court to the contrary on the appeal.”

To strengthen the above position, the Chairman of the tribunal went further to interpret the portion of the law thus: “the intention of the lawmaker in respect of subsection (1) to my humble view is that the loser at the election tribunal vacates office the office immediately the election tribunal makes the pronouncement that the petitioner won the election. The loser has the right of appeal but must appeal after vacating office. In other words, the person declared winner by the election tribunal immediately takes over the running of the office.”

But ABSIEC in flagrant disrespect to the provisions of the above law refused to issue Dr Okoli certificate of return that would have necessitated his swearing in as ordered by the tribunal. The body instead against the enabling law and decision of the tribunal went on appeal on November 17; 2008.Investigations by this publication alleges that the sympathy on Chief Erondu by ABSIEC is based on the reason that Chief Erondu was a Commissioner in ABSIEC before he resigned to contest the election; and also that these judges who constituted the appeal panel has sympathy for the government.

In the course of the appeal, Dr.Okoli was allegedly framed up in the kidnap of Professor Stephen Emejuaiwe, the ABSIEC Chairman. He was subsequently incarcerated. Delivering judgment recently on the appeal, Justice Agwu Ukpai Kalu noted that Dr Okoli was not qualified to contest the election. The basis of his contention was that Dr Okoli could not produce ABSIEC form 7 which qualified him as a candidate.

Justice Kalu’s position is seriously opposed by Peter Ofor a public affairs analyst in the State who contended thus “The election itself was shoddily conducted and ABSIEC did not find it expedient to issue even results to winners because they assumed it was an all PPA affairs, more so when PDP withdrew from the race. Based on this fact, the Commission failed to do what the law required it to do at the appropriate time. They never envisaged any viable opposition and therefore went to sleep.”

According to sources, when Dr Okoli’s counsel, Max Njoku came up with a petition against the election, ABSIEC was jolted from sleep and the body now allegedly made the following discoveries (i) that Chief Erondu did not pay the mandatory ABSIEC nomination fee of N212, 000 as required by the law. Consequently he was not issued with nomination form by ABSIEC.It is further revealed that he did not tender these documents during trial (ii) That Erondu had no unit result of the election to tender to prove that he won the election.

The law makes it mandatory that the non-payment of the screening fee disqualifies a candidate. But a source alleges that Chief Erondu had these things going because of his personal relationship with Professor Emejuaiwe.

Also in the ABSIEC’s form the following anomalies were discovered: While the form was dated 31/12/07,the party’s letter conveying Dr Okoli’s nomination was dated 2/1/08.This raises the question of how can claimed to be disqualified before his name was submitted. The name on the controversial form 9 was Nwachukwu Okoli Chukwuma while the actual name of the AC candidate is Dr Okoli Christian Nwachukwu.

Sources further noted that other names contained in the said form 9 which are claimed to be disqualified in the election are serving councilors in Aba South LG under PPA.Rather Justice noted in his ruling that he would not comment on the names since they were not a matter before the tribunal.

Opponents of the ruling are of the opinion that the ruling smacks of favouritism.They are anchoring their claims on the fact that the Chief Judge of the State is bound to retire next year and that Justice Agwu Ukpai Kalu is allegedly playing the government’s card to be found worthy of replacing the Chief Judge.

Pundits also contend that Justice Kalu committed a blunder when he stated that the AC candidate’s name, Okoli Christian Nwachukwu must have been previously submitted to ABSIEC by his party which was why it appeared on the said form 9.On this note they argue that the crucial evidence was neither before him nor the trial tribunal since ABSIEC could not produce any other list of candidates by AC other than the one of 2/1/08.The argument further stressed that even the said form 9 was seriously impugned by counsel to Dr Okoli; and that the law required ABSIEC to come and give evidence but ABSIEC failed to comply, even despite repeated summons, ABSIEC refused to appear before the trial tribunal to support the document.

Enugu's Threatened Council Poll

Unless last minute efforts are made to resolve a suit filed by the People’s Progressives Alliance (PPA), as well as the on-going rift in the state chapter of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Enugu state council elections, slated for December 5 this year, may run into a hitch.

Enugu state council elections, slated for December 5 this year, may, after-all, not hold. This is as a result of obstacles which have continued to militate against the smooth conduct of the poll by the State‘s Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC), headed by Chief Abel Nwobodo. (Picture left shows Governor Sullivan Chime of Enugu state)

At the moment, the state chapter of People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) and six of its candidates are, among other things, seeking a court’s order halting the conduct of the elections pending their unconditional inclusion in the exercise.

The candidates, listed as Onah Ejike Christopher, Livinus Ugwuowo, Onyekachi Pius Okoh, Prince Arthur Okwy Nweke, Comrade Prince Ugo Nwoke and Ukeanya Ike, claim that they were excluded from the election because of their inability to pay monetary deposits which the state electoral commission unilaterally imposed on candidates.
While the trio of Christopher, Okoh and Nwoke are seeking to contest the election into the chairmanship seats of Nsukka, Nkanu West and Oji River Local Government Areas, Ugwuowo, Nweke and Ike are councillorship hopefuls of Nsukka ward, Obe ward (Nkanu West) and Ugwu Achi ward (Oji River) respectively. And while the commission imposed the deposit of N200, 000.00 on chairmanship candidates, those aspiring to be councilors are to cough up the sum of N50, 000.00 each.

The contention of the suit, numbered FHC/EN/CS/219/09, and pending before the Federal High Court, Enugu, is that Chief Nwobodo-led commission lacks the vires (powers) to disqualify the plaintiffs (PPA and her six candidates) from contesting the election simply because they were incapable of making the deposits. The suit, which is in the form of originating summons, has the duo of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ENSIEC as defendants.

Contending that both the Nigerian constitution and the electoral law have no corresponding deposits for candidates seeking elections as state and federal legislators, the suit enjoins the court to declare the said deposits (of N200, 000.00 and N50, 000.00 for chairmanship and councillorship seats) null and void (protanto).

The plaintiffs, equally, through their counsel, Ebere Nwokoro of 28 Edenwu Street, New Haven, pray the court to declare that the provisions of Sections 13 (1) (f) of the state’s electoral commission’s guidelines for council elections imposing such payments on candidates, are ‘violative’ of Sections 7 (4), 106 and 107 of the constitution, and, therefore, unconstitutional.

Part of their prayers is the court’s declaration that the imposition ‘is tantamount to discrimination, exclusion, limitation or preferences based on economic condition or fortune’, thereby impairing equality of treatment guaranteed them under Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, as well as their right to freedom from discrimination as enshrined in Section 42 (1) of the 1999 constitution.

The plaintiffs, therefore, beg the court to direct the Nwobodo-led ENSIEC to expunge the talked-about Section 13 (1) (f) of the commission’s local government election guidelines, and to, subsequently, allow them (the plaintiffs) to participate in the election uninhibited by such obnoxious provisions.

They, also, urged the court to restrain INEC (1st defendant) from releasing the register of voters and voters cards for the conduct of the election until ENSIEC expunges the controversial provisions inhibiting all the candidates from participation in the forth-coming election.

It is worthy to note that this suit is just one out of other landmines on the path of the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) in conducting a successful council polls for the people of the state come December 5 this year.

Obviously, the commission has to grapple with the crisis rocking the state chapter of PDP, which had led to the emergence two factions of the party. One of the factions is chaired by Barrister Raymond Nnaji, former National Auditor of the party, while Vitalis Abbah, an Engineer, heads the opposing faction.

Understandably, the two factions held parallel congresses, and submitted two opposing lists of chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the council election to the Nwobodo-led commission. Possibly at a loss which list to take as the authentic one, the commission, in writing, rejected the two conflicting lists, and directed the leadership of the factions to submit them (the lists) through the national secretariat of the party.

Of course, this directive did not go down well with the Nnaji executive which has been insisting that it is the duly inaugurated chapter of PDP in Enugu state.

Nnaji protested to Nwobodo commission that Prince Vincent Ogbulafor-led PDP would not, naturally, endorse his executive because both Ogbulafor and his leadership of PDP are a party to a suit pending before the court challenging the recognition of Abbah’s as the authentic faction of the party. Nnaji, therefore, contends that referring the lists to Ogbulafor, is tantamount to he (Ogbulafor) being a judge in his own case. Succinctly, Nnaji thinks that his executive would not get justice from Ogbulafor’s leadership since both he (Ogbulafor) and the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party are respondents/defendants in the suit in which he (Nnaji) and his exco are plaintiffs.

Nnaji, similarly, holds that the issue of the authentic leadership of PDP in Enugu state, being in the domain of the court, ought to have, ordinarily, served as a stay to every other matter pertaining to the suit, the conduct of local government elections by ENSIEC inclusive.

But aside appealing against the decision of the court affirming jurisdiction on the matter, both Abbah faction and the government of Sullivan Chime seem not to be bothered concerning the pendency of the suit vis-à-vis the conduct of the forthcoming polls.

Nnaji had, in earlier memos to both the Nwobodo commission and Ogbonna Onovo, the Inspector-General of Police, insisted that his executive remains the legitimate chapter of PDP in the state, warning that the recognition of Abbah faction is akin to inviting anarchy to the state.

“We are strongly opposed to the recognition of any other executive other than ours in the forthcoming local government elections. For now, we are still holding meetings to strategize on the next move. And we have told the police and other law enforcement agencies that we cannot take it, even if it means going into battle to safeguard our rights. Acceptance of the Abbah faction’s list by ENSIEC is null and void, and of no effect. It is our list that must be used for the council election.” Nnaji warns in an interview.

Abbah’s faction of the party could, as has been the case, not be reached for its response on the council poll brouhaha in the state.

It would be recalled that the two factions revolve round the patronages of two political gladiators in Enugu state. While Nnaji’s executive has the sympathy of former Governor Chimaroke Nnamani, that of Abbah is supported by the incumbent Governor Sullivan Chime. Governor Chime parted ways with Nnamani, now a senator, after he rode on Nnamani’s back to emerge the Coal-City State Governor in 2007.
Despite protestations from the camp of Nnaji, the Nwobodo-led commission, it was learnt, following pressures from the top, flung Nnaji’s list aside for that of Abbah for the election after expiration of deadline for its submission on October 6.
Were it not for this late admittance of Abbah faction’s list, the magazine learned that PPA, though in court, was the only political party in the state to have hitch-freely submitted its list for the poll quite before expiration of deadline.

For now, PDP and PPA are the only visible political parties in Enugu state. And it is instructive that the Labor Party and parts of Action Congress, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord parties have seemingly fused into the PPA, thereby creating a rainbow coalition and brightening its chances in present and future elections in the state.

Above all, will the forthcoming council polls in Enugu state still hold in the face of the foregoing developments? The answer lies in the womb of time!


Culled from THEWEEK, a Nigerian Weekly Newsmagazine

Save Our Planet Now!

Climate change is real. There is no doubt that the earth is becoming warmer than it was. This is not a conspiracy theory. Most people you meet will tell you that there have been noticeable changes in the climatic conditions. (Picture shows Planet Earth)

Experts are warning that the consequences of global warming will be catastrophic. Coastal cities and towns are at greater risk because of rising sea levels. The entire globe, including Nigeria, is under serious threat of the dangers which accompany global warming. The time for action is now.

There are little things we can start doing that can help to save the planet. As a starting point, the Nigerian government, the Niger Delta states and various stake-holders in the oil industry should dialogue with the oil companies in Nigeria to stop gas flaring and adopt green technology.

As the world is preparing for the December 2009, Copenhagen Conference on Climate change and Global Warming, the Nigerian delegates should take the issue of gas flaring to the conference and table it before the international community. The idea will be for the entire world to see how the western owned oil companies are both damaging the environment in Nigeria where they drill the oil, and also how their gas flaring is contributing to global warming.

At present, experts are of the opinion that about 60% of all carbon emissions emanate from the developed countries, while 40% comes from the developing countries.

My argument has always been that, most multi-national companies have production plants in the developing countries. These multi national companies are owned by the western countries. Therefore, who takes the blame for their gas emissions? The host country or the country of ownership where the profit goes to?

Coca cola, for example, has plants in almost all the countries of the world. The greenhouse gases which coca cola plants emit from their plants in the developing countries should be the share of America ’s greenhouse gas emission. This is because coca cola is owned by America.

Going by my calculation, I believe that the percentage share of the greenhouse gases from developing nations will be lower than 40% as estimated by experts.

At present, the campaign to save the planet is gathering momentum in the western world.

Just recently (October 11th 2009), about 40 Greenpeace environmental campaigners climbed on the roof of British Houses of Parliament in protest to call for action on climate change. Most companies in the west are seriously considering green technology.

There have been serious campaigns, and sensitization of the people through various adverts on the need to go green. ExxonMobil (a major oil company) has an advert, part of which read thus, “ExxonMobil is working to help meet the world’s energy challenges, investing more than the US$100 billion in additional supplies over the next four years, developing efficiency technology options like lithium-ion battery film to speed the adoption of hybrid vehicles, and testing new carbon capture technologies that could reduce emissions significantly”.

Germany’s Volkswagen is converting part of a car engine plant to produce green electrical generators. The government of Maldives held its first under water cabinet meeting, underneath the Indian Ocean to highlight the dangers of global warming. In Nottinghamshire United Kingdom, over a thousand activists protested against a coal energy plant, because coal is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emission.

I want to believe that this ExxonMobil pledge above will be applicable to their operations in the developing countries. At present, I think different rules apply to their operations in the developing countries and the developed nations. Foreign companies tend to be more accountable and responsible in their home countries. I am sure that gas flaring which the oil companies are still doing in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria will be highly resisted or not allowed in the European Union, for example.

Prominent global personalities have given their support to saving the earth. Al gore (former American Vice President) has won a Noble Peace Prize for his efforts towards saving the planet.

I did advise Atiku Abubakar (former Nigerian Vice President) in one of my articles titled: (Atiku Abubakar and His Nigerian Leadership Project) to follow the footsteps of Al gore.
I was glad when I saw former President Shehu Shagari on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) news of Monday October 5th 2009 preaching about tree planting to caution desert encroachment. Ojo Maduekwe (current external affairs minister) had, in the past, asked Nigerians to ride bicycles. Both pieces of advice from ex president Shagari and Ojo Maduekwe are in line with saving the planet.

However, I will need to point out here that Nigerian urban roads are not bicycle friendly and, also, not bicycle compliant.

Nigeria suffers from deforestation. People cut trees for different reasons. According to Marcio Santilli, (a Brazilian environmental rights activist) “tropical deforestation accounts for about a fifth of annual greenhouse gas emissions and it’s the largest source of emission in the developing countries”.

Greenhouse gases are emitted when forests are burnt or logged. Mostly, we cut trees and burn the forest for traditional farming purposes. We, also, use the trees for furniture making and cooking. This method might be too difficult to stop. What I will add is that we should start planting trees. For every one tree we cut down, let’s plant, at least, three trees for replacement.

Most trees we are cutting today were planted by our great grand fathers, grand fathers and our fathers. It will be cruelty on our part if we fail to plant trees for our children, having used the ones planted by our grand fathers and great grand fathers. If for any reasons (for example, people are too busy at their offices or Nigerians in Diaspora) we cannot plant a tree, let’s sponsor someone to plant on our behalf.

We owe ourselves this responsibility. We do not need the government or the international community to do this for us. Tree planting should be so easy for us to do. Tree planting/saving the planet contradicts what the late musician (Oliver de Coque) sang in one of his songs that, tenants should not plant flower when they are renting a house.

I suggest a daily tree planting routine. Besides, we owe our lives to nature and our environment. Ironically, the color of our national flag is green white and green which should encourage us to be a greener nation.

As a recommendation for going green, please let companies, banks, the government and other establishments in Nigeria send less paper work and do more emailing or telephoning/sms.

This has a small way of saving the planet. Nigerians should start using energy saving bulbs. Also, we should form the habit of switching off all electrical appliances and bulbs when not in use, for example, leaving the electric bulbs/lights on during day time should be stopped.

It’s a very common practice for you to see electric bulbs switched on during the day time. During my last visit to Nigeria (January 2009), my folks were laughing at me when I was busy switching off all lights during the day.

The Federal Road Safety Commission owe Nigerians a duty to come up with vehicle carbon emission level permissible on Nigerian roads. May God Bless Nigeria .

Chinedu Vincent Akuta An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK akutachinedu@yahoo.com http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/

Atiku Abubakar, A Pre-Eminent Bank-Debtor?

It is not surprising that Alhaji Abubakar Atiku was among the leeches of Nigeria, who are seating on billions of Naira, unpaid Nigerian banks assets. According to a Central Bank of Nigeria's released report, the former vice-president and now, turned political charlatan, Atiku Abubakar is among those Nigerians who took out various bank loans which they did not intend or planned to pay back? Bank-debtor, Atiku Abubakar owes the sum of 111 million Naira ($730,000 or £450,000) to the banks; and until he pays back this outstanding debt with its accrued interest in full, to the creditor banks, Atiku remains a debtor extra-ordinaire! For trying to hold up a Nigerian bank and refusing to pay back his loan obligation, Icheoku hereby declares Atiku Abubakar a 'debit-daddy emeritus' of Nigerian banks!

It is not surprising at all that Atiku made the bank-debtor list; what is indeed surprising is the name missing on the final published list of politicians and businessmen, behaving badly and using Nigeria's money to feed their gluttonous greed. They have the access and the connection and the power, and they corruptly took advantage of it; enriched themselves by pressuring bank executives into making-out loans they did not intend or plan to pay back; and without properly securing it with adequate collateral. The ways and means of Nigerian men of power; which, were it a civilized, functioning society would have found them wanting, rounded up and put on trial for corruption and abuse of office?

Top on the list of missing person on the bank-debtor list is former Atiku's boss, Matthew Okikiolakan Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo! He had previously admitted obtaining various bank loans with which he turned around his hitherto moribund 'Obasanjo's Farms'; from a near-bankrupt company with net worth of just about 20,000 Naira in 1999 into the multi billion Naira conglomerate it is today? Icheoku will like to know whether Olusegun Obasanjo has amortised the various debts he owes to some banks; and if yes, how he sourced the money within such a short period of leaving office? Except of course they were proceeds of corruption, which his government, reputedly took to a dizzying heights, becoming 'corruption-incarnate' in the process. So, the news would have been that Olusegun Obasanjo owes banks 100 billion Naira and not that Atiku Abubakar is owing a "misery" 111 million Naira?

Atiku Abubakar was a very corrupt vice president serving alongside an also, very corrupt then president Olusegun Obasanjo. When Gbenga Obasanjo tried to warn Nigerians that Atiku was pawning off Nigerian assets to himself for a pittance, nobody believed he was telling the truth due to the problem existing between his father, the then president Olusegun Obasanjo and his then vice president Abubakar Atiku. Icheoku is not particularly shocked at the amount being owed and outstanding, and by the same man who wanted to rule Nigeria at any and all cost possible? Thanks to the dogged stubbornness and determination of Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo who insisted that 'the Atiku he know cannot, must not and should not be allowed to rule Nigeria because he is very corrupt and might appropriate the entire nation to himself, given the opportunity?' Icheoku usually do not agree with Olusegun Obasanjo, but in this case, says, may be the medicine man of Otta was right in stopping Atiku at the door to Aso Rock!

Therefore Icheoku demands that CBN and EFCC come clean on this man, Aremu Olusegun Obasanjo; and let Nigerians know what kind of person he really is that would visit such magnitude of mayhem on the people of Nigeria? Whether he is also a bank debtor or so corruptly enriched himself that he had no need of any bank loans would have made a better headlines? Icheoku says, if according to reports, this marks the end of the forensic audit of Nigeria's 24 banks and financial institutions; then that would imply that Olusegun Obasanjo is debt-free? It must then be a magic or the end has not been conclusively and thoroughly reached; except President Umaru Yar'Adua is protecting his benefactor! The good news however and which will keep hope alive that possibly Olusegun basanjo will be held accoutable is that the debts to WemaBank, have not been revealed. May be then and only then will Icheoku comment again on this ugly episode of the mess called 'Nigeria financial scandal of the century.'

It is our position that if ever Olusegun Obasanjo comes out of this Nigerian banks scandalous saga, clean like a wind-driven snow, then something must definitely be wrong somewhere; and we shall stand bemused and so will even his most lenient critic. Given that behind every stupendous wealth, there is always a crime; Icheoku says, these billionaires feeding fat on bank money should not be allowed to continue to enjoy the proceeds of their "bank-fraud!" They should pony it up or be locked up; and their assets confiscated and auctioned off, to pay for whatever balance they may still owe with accrued interest, where they fail to pay up as demanded. As a last resort, they should be made to face arrest and trial for their activities? This is the proper thing to do and now is the time to do it; with the fearless prince of Kano still at the helm at the Central Bank of Nigeria. Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Icheoku appreciates your bravery, taking on these greedy vultures of Nigeria who have been feasting and leeching-off a drowsy sleepy Nigeria and for too long! Kudos to SLS!


FYI:- President Umaru Yar'Adua should consider firing his Culture Minister, Adetokunbo Kayode, for bringing odium to his government; being one of these defaulting debtors implicated; and who refused to meet up and pay back their outstanding loan obligations to these banks.

Culled from: www.icheoku.com

Imo Judge in Trouble over Bias

For what the leadership of the Progressive Peoples Alliance in Imo State considers ‘ignoble efforts’ to thwart the course of justice in a suit between the party leadership and Governor Ikedi Ohakim, it has dragged the Honorable Justice of the State High Court, Mrs.T.E Chukwuemeka Chikeka, to the National Judicial Council (NJC). (Picture shows Governor Ohakim)
 
According to the leadership of the party in the state, following the legal action instituted by the PPA to reclaim its mandate from Governor Ikedi Ohakim who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Governor, in an alleged bid to frustrate the said suit, instituted a subject suit which PPA claims it is his primary target.
          
The party further alleged that Governor Ohakim had enlisted the assistance of Justice Chikeka with his influence as the Chief Executive Officer of the State. What further gives credence to this allegation is the alleged desperate abuse of court process.
          
According to investigations by this reporter, the said suit HOW/411/2009 was filed on the 17th of August 2009. By the provision of the court rule, as expressed on the originating summons itself, the PPA had 42 days after service to enter appearance in the case.
        
But contrary to the provisions of the court rule, without serving the originating process on the PPA and without the PPA entering appearance, Justice Chikeka, upon hearing an exparte motion application on behalf of Governor Ohakim and his deputy, Dr. Ada Okwonu, on the 24th of August, 2009, a week into the 42 days count, granted the application and summarily concluded the substantive hearing on the same day and adjourned to September 7, 2009 for judgment.
           
Justice Chikeka’s conduct has forced PPA to further accuse her of serving
 Governor Ohakim’s interest. The party is anchoring its claim on the summary hearing conducted by the Justice which it blames on the level of influence and authority the Governor wields on the Justice.
          
The party in its statement expresses doubt in the integrity of Justice Chikeka as one worthy of the very exalted and respectful position of a Judge. The party, therefore, calls on the Judicial Commission to exert the appropriate sanctions on her to serve as deterrent to other judges who may contemplate compromising their judicial authority under undue influence.
             
Meanwhile, the party has applied to the Chief Judge of the State and secured the transfer of the case to another court. In its application, the party cited lack of confidence and the ability of Chikeka to be just and upright in the final determination of the suit as its reason for seeking the transfer.
               
It could be noted that the controversial suit was brought against the PPA by Governor Ikedi Ohakim and his deputy. The suit sought to, through an accelerated hearing, justify the defection of the Governor and his deputy to PDP, an action which is against the provisions of the law. To justify their defection, the Governor had claimed that he and his deputy were expelled from the party on the 10th of March, 2009.
            
But in opposition to Ohakim’s expulsion theory, a PPA chieftain in state who spoke to this reporter on condition of anonymity noted that the theory is a white lie which is intended to divert perspective. The chieftain noted that there was an alleged understanding between the PDP and Ohakim that he would return to the PDP fold after power must have been conceded to him.
           
This position was confirmed by a PDP chieftain who during an interview with this reporter last year noted that the PDP and Ohakim had an understanding to return to the party after he must have rode on the back of PPA to secure the number one political position in the state.
           
According to the provisions of the law, a serving political officer is not allowed to defect to another party unless there is crisis in his present party. In the case of Ohakim there was no crisis in PPA but he claimed that he and his deputy were initially expelled from the party which necessitated their defection.
             
It was on the strength of the legal provisions that PPA went to court seeking its mandate from Ohakim who is no longer a member of the party. Also Ohakim’s problems are mounting since he defected to PDP, it is widely-claimed that the recent re-alignment between two political forces in the State, Chief Achike Udenwa and Senator Ifeanyi Araraume, formerly estranged political fellows is to wrestle power from Ohakim. The question would Ohakim escape all these?

Operation Resurrect NIGERCEM

Dissatisfied with the continued delay in the reactivation of Nigeria's premier cement factory, NIGERCEM, and its subsequent failure to contribute to economic development, the Ebonyi State government, host of the firm, has set up a Judicial Commission of enquiry to probe into its activities. (Picture shows Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi state)

This, according to a source, followed an apparent attempt to take over the company from its core investor, Eastern Bulkcem Limited.

The state government has for the past two years been enmeshed in a row with the Port Harcourt-based Eastern Bulkcem Limited, which bought majority shares from the cement company formerly owned by the five south east states in its bid to repossess the company.

Inaugurating the six-man committee headed by headed by Justice Adrian Orah, at the Executive Council Chambers, Governor Elechi, recalled how during a flight the pilot announced to passengers that a look at the right hand side reveals the Nigercem factory, adding that he was pricked when the pilot added that there was no smoke from the billows, meaning that the once glorious enterprise was not functioning.

"I will not say that I am delighted to be here to inaugurate this commission of enquiry, rather I do so with a heavy heart. The NigerCem had been a historical landmark in Nigeria, it was brought low by the ravages of the civil war but it roared back to life when the Eastern Nigeria government rehabilitated it. But no sooner had it gone to the five eastern states than it went down the drain. And now privatisation or not, for seven years, Ebonyi State has been denied a veritable source of revenue and youths have been robbed of employment opportunity," he said.

The Governor also recalled setting up an Economic Advisory Committee that looked into the fortunes of the company, and that based on the committee's report, he petitioned the federal government indicating the state's desire to take over the company. This, he said, is because, it had become obvious that the core investors were not prepared to reactivate the firm.

He reminded members of the panel of his inaugural address, where he "promised to get in touch with the core investor to see how we can get the factory on stream," but regretted that the federal government has not yet given him a conclusive reply to his petition two years now.

"And so we have decided to take our destiny in our hands. The commission is to tell us what is happening there ; I have confidence that members of the panel will justify their appointment. We provide all logistics needed for them to achieve results ; we are acting in haste to achieve an important result. It is a fact-finding commission and I emphasise speed and efficiency. The report would enable us take the next step without fault," he explained further.

The Judicial Commission has four weeks to turn in its reports and recommendations, he said, even as he expressed desire to have the report long before then, because, "we are in haste and people are worried ; we are running against fast moving current".

The governor told the gathering, which included the state chief Judge, Alloy Nwankwo ; Secretary to the State government, Fidelis Mbam ; and members of the state executive committee that "this is a fact finding commission and I emphasise speed and efficiency. The report will help us take next step without default."

Responding, Justice Orah assured the governor that the commission would be fair and firm, stressing its commitment to meet the time frame. He however asked for timely advertisement of the terms of reference and time to ensure that stakeholders prepare adequately for the task ahead.

Onoh Junior: A Serial Criminal?

Josef Umunnakwe Onoh, one time member of Enugu State House of Assembly and second son of late Chief C.C Onoh, former governor of old Anambra State, is embroiled in certificate and fraud scandals.

Josef Ken Umunnakwe Onoh, former honorable member of Enugu State House of Assembly and second son of late Chief C.C Onoh, one time governor of old Anambra State, is in trouble over his alleged criminal past deeds. The legislator is, at the moment, undergoing prosecution for multiple forgeries, fraud and stealing.

Josef’s troubles began in the second week of this month when he was arrested by Enugu state police command in connection with a plethora of petitions accusing him of criminal activities.

One of such petitions, dated September 10, 2009, and signed by one Raymond Agu, accused Josef of securing admission into Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in 1996 with a fake/forged result from Lorita School, London. The petition insisted that academic results being paraded by the young Onoh are ‘forged and need to be investigated to know whether they exist or not’.

Entitled: PETITION AGAINST ONOH, KEN JOSEF IN A CASE OF FORGERY, IMPERSONATION OF DIRECT ENTRY QUALIFYING RESULT TO ENUGU STATE UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (ESUT), ENUGU-LORITA SCHOOL, LONDON, the petitioner, equally, accused Josef of forging a birth certificate bearing 31 August, 1969. The petition contended that the legislator’s actual date of birth was 14 February, 1977, and not August 31, 1969.

“These forgeries”, Agu’s petition insisted, “helped him (Onoh, Ken Josef) to obtain an exemption certificate from NYSC, dated 9 July, 2000”.

Records available to this medium showed that Josef, with the alleged forged certificates, graduated from the Psychology Department of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) in the 2000/2001 academic session with a Third Class Honors Degree. And his Registration Number is listed as ESUT/96/12909.

Although the university’s management says it is still investigating the said Josef’s degree certificate, with a view to deciphering its veracity or otherwise, not a few of his traducers maintain that it was forged.

From the allegations, the young Onoh seems to have a knack for forgeries, as he stands similarly accused of having forged the certificate of Lorita School, London on the basis of which ESUT gave him a direct entry admission to study Psychology in the first instance. There are revelations that the Lorita School’s certificate belonged to his deceased elder brother.

Also, our checks at the Mother of Christ Specialist Hospital, Enugu proved Josef’s birth claims false, as records show that he was born on 14 February, 1977 as against 1969 he had claimed in his nomination form for the 2003 House of Assembly election.

The contention of Josef’s accusers is that he was under-aged as at 2003 when he contested and won the election to represent Enugu North Constituency in the state Assembly. Thus his real age then should have been 26 as opposed to his 30 year-old claim. What this means, therefore, is that Josef added four years to his real age just to qualify for that election. Of note is the fact that the Nigerian constitution and, of course, the electoral law, prescribes a minimum age of 30 for aspirants to the Houses of Assembly seats.

Even Josef’s West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Senior School Certificate result, dated December 1994, is not spared of the forgery controversies. The certificate, numbered NGSP 0.159092, contains seven results: English Language 8; Literature in English 7; Christian Religious Knowledge 6; Government 8; Economics 6; Biology 7 and Commerce 5.

Josef’s accusers allege that he, also, forged the WAEC certificate, as, according to them, he did not complete his secondary school education. In fact, they claim that he dropped out at Class 2. Even at that, it is argued that such a result, which did not contain any score for Mathematics, ought not to have qualified Josef to be admitted into the social science course of Psychology.

Another area of discrepancy in Josef’s academic claims is, of course, his NYSC discharge certificate, which he procured in 2000. Curiously, he procured the NYSC Exemption Certificate before his purported graduation in 2000/2001 academic year.

Similar discrepancies occurred in the names contained in Josef’s alleged forged documents. While the WAEC certificate contains Onoh Ken, that of NYSC exemption is Onoh Kennelly J. Yet, another Doctor of Science (Ph.D) certificate which was awarded to him by a certain British Society of Commerce, dated 27 August, 2005, has his name written as Josef Umunnakwe Onoh.

As it were, the foregoing instances of forgery constitute just one aspect of Hon. Josef Onoh’s current travails. The embattled legislator allegedly refused to repay a loan he took from Harvard Trust (Mortgage Bankers) in 2004. The N2.5 million loan transaction was conducted in the bank’s Enugu regional office. Interestingly, the young Onoh took this loan, which has presently yielded N25 million interest, when he was a member of the state Assembly. In particular, he was Chairman of the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation.

Sadly, the controversies that trailed the loan award to Josef led to the sacking of the bank’s General Manager, V.C Opara, as well as the sanctioning of other officials of the financial institution.

Josef, also, grapples with allegations of fraudulent land deals across Enugu metropolis. One of his alleged victims in this wise is Uchechukwu O. Ezuma, an indigene of Arochukwu in Abia state. Ezuma, in a petition to the state police command, accused Josef of reselling an expanse of land sold to him by his late father, Chief C.C Onoh.

It is noteworthy that C.C, in his life time, was a ruthless estate and property giant, with his estates sitting on more than half the capital territory of Enugu state. Onoh’s properties, also, dot the landscapes of Nigeria and beyond. Thus the Ngwo High Chief had developed and undeveloped properties in major Nigerian cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt, as well as in Germany and England.

Ezuma had purchased the said land from Onoh for N12 million, but Josef was, shortly after Onoh’s death, said to have sold it off for a whopping N20 million. Josef reportedly plotted out the land, and resold it to three buyers.

Indeed, KlinReports is in possession of a letter to ‘The Registrar, Ministry of Lands and Housing, Enugu’, dated 7 November, 2008, signed by Chief Dr. C.C Onoh which consented to the registration of the land in favour of Ezuma. The letter, entitled: ‘Re: Registration of Deed of Lease in Favour Mr. Uchechukwu O. Ezuma’, affirmed that Ezuma had liquidated all required financial involvements as regards the purchase of the land.

Ezuma, therefore, called on police authorities to intervene in the injustice and fraud meted out to him by the young Onoh.

In fact, Hon. Onoh’s ‘sins’ seem limitless! Part of the accusations against him is that he had stolen a Toyota Corolla car, with registration number ENSG 2355, which Governor Sullivan Chime, on assumption of office, donated to his late father to facilitate his movement.

Josef, according to his traducers, stole the car, and all attempts to retrieve it from him while Onoh was alive failed. As a result of this development, Chime’s government, in December of 2007, donated a Lexus Jeep to Onoh, as a replacement to the alleged stolen car. Police operatives, it was learnt, recovered the vehicle during Josef’s recent arrest, of course, to be used as an exhibit to prove the case of stealing against him.

Several efforts to get Onoh to react to the avalanche of allegations against him to no avail. Apart from not picking calls from our correspondent, Josef never responded to text messages suggesting an interview appointment with him.

The erstwhile legislator is, among other things, being tried for forgery, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences. And these are criminal offences which punishments attract several years of imprisonment.

Will the junior Onoh be submerged in his present travails? Or, will he come clean of the legion allegations of criminality against him? Only time will answer these posers.

Insecurity in Abia state is Political

Despite efforts by Abia state government to combat crime situation in the state, the menace rages in geometrical progression. Barrister Uche Awah, the newly elected Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba Branch, in this interview, links the situation with politics.

You assumed the chairmanship position of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Aba Branch when there are multiple socio-economic issues to be addressed such as armed robbery, kidnap and other forms of insecurity. How do you intend to contribute to the solution of these problems?

The thing is that we have always at the Bar taken a stand on almost all these issues. The issue of banditry and kidnap and other vices, the Bar had cause, I mean my predecessor, addressed the press on these issues on several occasions. We also had cause to bring down the President of the NBA to Abia state to chat with the powers that be. He, also, encouraged them to take the issue of insecurity serious. So we have really never slept on that. And it is my intention to continue in that manner.

The important thing is that security of lives and property is a cardinal issue of the government. A government that is incapable of safeguarding property and lives of her citizens is not competent to be a government. And that is why we have been urging Abia government to take up these issues very serious.

The government said that it has done its best by providing vehicles and all that to the Police, but the important thing is to take the issue very seriously. In other places the governments are succeeding. Why is the situation different here? That is the question.

What do you think the government should do that it has not done to address the issue?

As far as I am concerned, it is not peculiar to Abia alone. But we can take a cue from Lagos. In Lagos, we heard that the government provided bullet-proof vests to Policemen. It also gave insurance cover to Policemen. Even if a Policeman dies on duty, he knows that his children are provided for. These are the major issues to be addressed. At least, that one has worked in Lagos. I see no reason why it should not work here.

Recently, Abia House of Assembly called for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police and Director of SSS in the State. A new Commissioner of Police is deployed to the State, how do feel the move would help in the efforts of the government to fight crime in the state?

It is a commendable move. Our prayer is that the new Police boss would do his best to improve upon what he met. Our belief is that he would do his best to improve the situation he met on the ground. We should encourage him to continue.

Let me refer you to a comment you made in the course of this discussion that crime in Nigeria is a general thing. Should we attribute it to individuals or government factors?

The thing has a lot to do with politics. Until we are able to solve these issues, we may not have solutions. The people that are now armed robbers, kidnappers and all that were former political thugs of these politicians. These are the people they engineered during the electioneering. And you think that when you engineered and sensitized them, and get them to that level of killing without minding, when do you think you can abandon them. It is impossible. You abandon them to the detriment of the society. We are all suffering from the galvanization of these human beings during political tussles.

We have to address that issue. You cannot raise political thugs and when you will you think you can run away from them. You can only run away and unleash them on the society.

It is happening all over. As far as I am concerned, like the militants most of them are products of political usages. When you use them to climb you think you can abandon them. When you are using them you keep on feeding them, giving them money, giving them guns. When eventually you win you distance yourself from them. It is only the society that will suffer. That is my personal view.

A school of thought is of the view that amnesty should be granted to the criminals in Abia. Do you subscribe to this?

When you talk of bandits and robbers they are criminals. You don’t give amnesty to criminals just that way. The government granted amnesty the militants because their cause borders on issue of principle. You don’t grant amnesty to criminals. You have to really fight criminals. No society allows crime to go unabated without fighting criminals.

IBB, Nigeria & Option A4

Thisday newspaper of Wednesday 23rd September 2009, reported that former Nigerian military ruler, General Ibrahim Babangida, has called for the re-introduction of Option A4 electoral system in Nigeria . This is a welcome development. It is also an indication that he wants to be part of the solution to the problems he caused. (Pic shows IBB)

He annulled the June 12 1993 presidential election, which was judged by national and international observers as the freest and fairest election in Nigeria history. By annulling this election, he also annulled the system (Option A4) that produced it.

Babangida’s comment did not come as a surprise to me because I was actually expecting it. The only surprise to me was that, this comment came a little bit late.

In February of this year (2009), I wrote an article which was specifically directed to Ibrahim Babangida himself. The title of the article was; IBB, This is My Response to You. The article was published on my web blog (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com), including some other media outlets.

In the said article, I made some comments, part of which I have quoted below.
“However, no person is above mistake. Many world leaders have at one point or the other made mistakes. In your own case, a window of opportunity exists now for you to redeem the mistake you made in 1993. That window of opportunity is for you to use your influences to campaign for electoral reforms. Nigerians will forgive you and be more glad if you could help to reintroduce Option A4 Electoral system in Nigeria . Option A4 system was your brain child, therefore you need no explanation that it should be the best system for Nigeria. Nigeria has derailed largely because of our corrupt electoral system. I am appealing for your support in this campaign for the reintroduction of Option A4 system”

There are many benefits that Option A4 can give to Nigeria. At least, it guarantees openness, transparency, fairness and so on. But one of the greatest advantages of Option A4 electoral system is the fact that, post electoral litigations are avoided or reduced to the lowest minimum. It’s too frustrating when people have to undergo lengthy litigations before claiming their mandates.

In Edo State, it took Adams Oshiomhole 18 months to reclaim his victory. I did a write up on this issue as well. It was titled; Post Electoral Litigations In Nigeria, Which Way Forward? It was published on my blog (http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com) plus other national and international media outlets. I wish to share some interesting points from that article. I have quoted those paragraphs below;
“Only God knows the legal costs of all these litigations. The time wasted on all these cases cannot be captured on monetary terms. The setbacks to the nation as a result of these cases cannot be quantified. This is also a serious threat to our democracy and nation at large. It is an unwanted distraction on the part of government. The effects of all these are that the masses are denied the dividends of democracy. Government abandons its primary responsibility and only face litigations”…, “Without doubts, an average Nigerian is simply too tired for this kind of setbacks. The solution is simple, adopt the Option A4 electoral system and we will have a smooth, transparent and fair elections. Nigerians are yet to see a system better than Option A4”.

Following the manner that some Senators spoke against the attempt, to introduce a bill for the establishment of electoral offences commission at the national assembly on Wednesday 30th September 2009, it becomes imperative to seriously consider the option A4 methods. From the debates on the floor of Nigerian Senate on 30th September 2009, it became obvious that some senators were not comfortable with the proposed bill. This can be avoided using Option A4.

Now that Ibrahim Babangida has called for the re-introduction of Option A4 electoral system, the next step should be how to actualize this noble idea. This would have been easier for him to achieve under his military regime by using a decree. But since we are in a democratic dispensation, it will involve a lot of political lobbying, media campaign, sensitization of the Nigerian masses, debates etc. Campaigning to re-introduce Option A4 will require total commitment. Therefore Ibrahim Babangida should come out and lead this campaign with all his might. Am aware that he still has some influences over some political elites and some law makers, therefore the National Assembly will be a good place to start mobilizing law makers towards actualizing Option A4 electoral system.

Next will be to organize debates, symposiums, lectures and sensitization of Nigerians on the need to go the way of Option A4. As a follow up to the above, I will advocate for a formation of Option A4 political party or the merging of some existing parties to form Option A4 political party. The singular purpose of this party (Option A4 party) should be to seek power only to re-introduce this system back to our statute books. Some parties exists overseas mainly for a particular purpose. In the United Kingdom , the Green Party exists mainly to promote social and environmental justice. The seek power through campaigns and electoral processes in order to actualize their main purpose of existence. Many Nigerians have argued several times for the re-introduction of this system back to our electoral methods.

Babangida could also use his influences to convince his state government ( Niger State) to introduce the Option A4 electoral method into their state electoral commission. This might be easier to achieve. Besides, charity begins at home. If Niger State can adopt this method, chances are higher that other progressive states in Nigeria might copy them. By canceling the freest and fairest election in Nigeria and by extension the Option A4 system, Babangida became heavily indebted to Nigerians. His pay back time starts when he sincerely commits his time and resources towards working for the re-introduction of Option A4 system to Nigeria.

He (IBB) and Humphrey Nwosu (former National Electoral Commission Chairman during the 1992/93 elections when this method was used) are among the top qualified people in Nigeria to lead this campaign. I have said so because; introduction of Option A4 method was their brain child. Since Babangida has spoken in favour of re-introducing this method, Humphrey Nwosu should please make a comment on this as well. The truth should always be spoken. Thank goodness that Babangida has at least spoken the truth.
Our group (Support Option A4, Leicester-UK) will be willing to partner with Ibrahim Babangida only if he is ready, to lead the campaign in Nigeria, for the re-introduction of option A4 electoral system. Am sure other groups might be ready to join forces to actualize this electoral method. Transparency and fairness is what we need in our electoral process. May God bless Nigeria.

Chinedu Vincent Akuta
An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK
akutachinedu@yahoo.com
http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/

Where is my Son?

A 70 year old woman, Mrs. Rebecca Nnaji, is in search of her only son, Anthony, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances during the 2003 general elections.

28 year-old Anthony Chidiebere Nnaji was appointed a returning officer for his Justice Party in the April 2003 governorship election in Enugu state. Anthony was, specifically, assigned to carry out his assignment at his Umuewene Ijinike ward in Enugu East council area. (Photo left shows missing Anthony Nnaji)

Alas, not only that Nnaji, the only male child in a family of two, was nowhere to perform this civic, he has remained missing since the day of the governorship election on April 14, 2003.
Mrs. Rebecca Nnaji, Anthony’s 70 year old mother, narrated that Anthony who had, on the eve of the election attended his party’s meeting on the strategies for the poll, briefly returned the following morning (April 15) before finally leaving home for the election.

“Anthony returned home around 6.00am after the meeting, and went out for the main election. I remember warning him to be careful and ensure that he watched events from afar until the exercise was over. But he has not come back till date”, the septuagenarian mother sobbed.

Anthony was said to have, subsequently, headed straight the ward headquarters in the council area to monitor the poll. It was learnt that there were sporadic gunshots in the area around noon that day, as a result of which indigenes and residents scampered in diverse directions for safety of their lives.

Gun totting youths reportedly stormed the election venue in three L300 Mitsubishi buses, and carted away the ballot boxes. The boys, while trying to hijack the ballot boxes, viciously attacked some resistant electoral officers and election monitors at the venue. From afar, Anthony sighted the rampaging boys, and swiftly took some of the electoral materials away while he ran way alongside the frightened electoral officers. The armed youths pursued the fleeing Anthony, and, eventually, trailed him to his house.

In Anthony’s house, the invaders ransacked everywhere, but there was no trace of him. Accusing him of being a member of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), the boys dragged Anthony’s father along as they were leaving. Although they finally set the old man free, they vowed that they would pick up Anthony some other day.

Rebecca’s retort that her son was not a member of MASSOB, but his party’s returning officer, fell on deaf ears of the boys who stuck to their allegation that Anthony and his likes were hired by politicians to disrupt the election

In particular, one of the youths claimed that he and his colleagues were security agents working as a Special Squad, adding that they had information that MASSOB boys were around the area, working with politicians to mar the election.

The young man added that they were, specifically, directed to ‘check the polling unit’, explaining that their duty was to arrest Anthony whom they were informed was a MASSOB activist.

Rebecca recollected, with nostalgia, that the last time she set her eyes on Anthony, his son, was before he went to monitor the election, stating that he is yet to return home since then. She said although the security agents had returned to arrest Anthony at their home on several occasions, he has been nowhere in sight. Rebecca’s fears are that Anthony might have become a victim of circumstance.

However, the ill-fated Anthony’s father, Michael Nnaji, died last year, a situation which Rebecca, his wife, said was not unconnected with the sudden disappearance of Anthony. Rebecca maintained that that, since 2003 Anthony left home, his father suffered different ailments and passed through different complications before his eventual death.

Rebecca laments: “I am now a widow. All I want is for those after my son to spare his life and allow him peace and, that is, if he is still alive. My family has undergone several kinds of torture since the boy’s sudden disappearance”.

She recalled that security agents visited their home sometime last year, and that, on each occasion, they ransacked the whole house in vain for Anthony. They, subsequently, threaten her life. The widow’s suspicion is that the youths (who have been on the trail of Anthony) work for some ‘powerful politicians, and that the allegation of involvement in MASSOB activities was just a ruse to do him (Anthony) in. She reasoned that if the youths were security agents as they claimed, they would have disclosed their identities, and probably arrest Anthony as soon as he showed up.

Mrs. Edna is, therefore, calling on the government of Barrister Sullivan Chime to wade into the matter, with a view to tracing the whereabouts of Anthony, as well as ensuring the security of the lives of the rest of her family members.

Iwu: Be Warned, Steer Clear of APGA

National leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chukwuemeka Ojukwu, said the party is not intimidated with the antics of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in its “penchant for toying with the fortunes of the party.” (Picture left Ojukwu, right, Iwu)

Ojukwu who spoke in his Casabianca Lodge told reporters that the chairman of the commission, Prof. Maurice Iwu, is playing with fire for disobeying court orders as they affect the future of APGA.

Warning Iwu and “his other collaborators that if the sun does not rise, there will be darkness”, Ojukwu insists that it is not acceptable to APGA for somebody outside the party to decide for them.

Specifically making reference to Iwu’s preference of Chekwas Okorie’s faction as its recognized APGA despite court orders to the contrary in favor of Chief Victor Umeh, the APGA leader advised Iwu to “allow us to do what is our own view in our own way.”

According to him: “As far as we are concerned, our position has been known on this issue. Grant us our right or darkness shall come. I am not threatening any body but suffice it to say that we will not fold our arms for us to be robbed to pay Paul.

“I have a stake in Nigeria and I have a character known to Nigerians as well as friends and foes of Nigeria. With Iwu’s penchant to disobeying court orders, Nigerians will soon decide the line of action to take against him.

“I am never bullied into subservience. But I advise Iwu not to attempt sidelining APGA.”

Ojukwu said he i not going to ask President Umaru Yar’adua to intervene in the matter because the President knows the truth about it and knows what to do about it.

The Ikemba, also, expressed implicit confidence that APGA would win the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Anambra State despite the “distractions” by INEC, adding, “that is if the right things are done.”

Nigeria's 49 Years of Hopelessness

The People’s Republic of China does not need introduction. Co-incidentally both countries (China and Nigeria) are celebrating their anniversaries on the same date of the same month (October 1st). While China will be celebrating her 60th anniversary, Nigeria will be celebrating her 49th independence anniversary. Nigeria also shares an important date (June 12) with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both countries had very controversial presidential elections on the same date of the same month (June 12). Picture left, President Umaru Yar'Adua & map of Nigeria and his Chinese counterpart)

Anniversaries of these nature call for reflections, stock-taking, and plans to advance the cause of nationhood or nation building. Be that as it may, it will be interesting to point out the similarities, differences, and lessons to be learnt from this massive Asia tiger (China). Nigeria and Nigerians stand to copy a lot from China in order to start the process or journey of rebuilding Nigeria. There are also more to discard from China, like her bad human rights records, undemocratic system of governance, restricting the freedom of information etc. However, there will be nothing wrong to make China a development model in certain aspects of our economic planning and implementation.

Starting with the similarities, Nigeria is a multi cultural country as well as China. Both nations have large multi ethnic groups. Also both countries have large population. Chinese population is about 1.3 billion people. Nigeria is approximately 140 million. China is the most populous country in the world, whereas Nigeria is the most populous African country. Going by the population figures, Nigeria is slightly above being the one tenth of the population of China. There are serious ethnic tensions in both countries.

In July 2009, serious riot broke out in the Xinjiang region of China. The riots were between the Uighur tribe and Han Chinese tribe. About 140 people were killed and almost 800 people were injured. Nigeria has witnessed several ethnic clashes in the past. Co-incidentally, Nigeria also had a serious crisis in the same month of July 2009. The Boko Haram riots took place around this time in the Northern parts of Nigeria. In the case of the Northern Nigerian crisis (Boko Haram), estimated death toll were over 300, while thousands were displaced.

The Xinjiang region of China is largely populated by minority Uighur tribe who are mainly Moslems. Northern Nigeria is largely populated by Moslems. Interestingly, while our president (Umar Yar’Adua) embarked on a two day state visit to Brazil when the Boko Haram crisis started, the Chinese President (Hu Jintao) left the G8 Summit in Rome Italy back to China, the moment riots broke out in Northwest part of China. Also at the just concluded United Nations summit in New York, our president was absent whereas the Chinese president was present.

China and Nigeria are trading partners. There are many Chinese business people in Nigeria, so also do so many Nigerian business people in China. The Sino-Nigeria trade tends to be in favor of China. That is, there are more Chinese products in Nigeria than Nigerian products in China. There is no equilibrium in trade. China is never to be blamed for this. The reason might be because, Chinese products are far cheaper. Most market penetration is done easily through cheap product prices.

In United Kingdom and other European Union nations, Chinese products are everywhere. In 2005, the European Union imposed a restriction on the importation of Chinese textiles. The reason was because textile manufacturers in the European Union faced stiff competition from low priced textiles from China. Presently, the United States of America has imposed a 35% tariff on Chinese tires. According to US government, the cheap tires from China is harming its tire industry.

China has witnessed unprecedented economic growth since the 1980’s. She became the first major economy to recover from the present global economic recession. According to Time International magazine of September 28 2009 page 18, “China is the world’s most populous and industrious nation, is the world’s third largest economy and trading nation, has become a global power innovator in science and technology, and is building a world class university system”. Nigerians can copy China is this aspect. Let the Nigerian entrepreneurs start massive small scale industrialization. I will commend the existing Nigerian industrialists. Small scale industries are the engine of every economic growth. More small scale industries are needed in Nigeria because we are very vast, with abundant labour and available markets.

The emphasize should be on very small scale industries like garry processing industries, palm oil mills, palm karnel cracking industries, etc. Farming should be highly considered by Nigerians. I remember watching on the television, attempts by the Kwara State government to bring white farmers, whom President Mugabe ejected from Zimbabwe. Before the advent of crude oil, agro allied products helped to develop the country. The first time I went to Ohaji, Egbema in Uguta Imo State, I was amazed at the large numbers of palm trees. (The place is called Adapalm) These palm trees were planted by the former Eastern Nigerian Government. Palm products from these trees were the source of revenue for the then Eastern Nigerian government. There will be nothing wrong for Nigerians to revisit agriculture. Kenya exports large quantities of tea to the United Kingdom. Agriculture would be a good area for our banks to explore.

Much of Chinese growth came through trading and massive exportation. Its economy is export driven. Nigerians need to follow China in this regard. Nigerians have the potentials to trade. Let’s try and take our trading beyond the shores of Nigeri. Many are already doing that, but many more should join. There are a lot to export from Nigeria, examples include, cassava, garlic, ginger, groundnut, palm oil, cocoa etc. Less attention should be paid to oil and gas which has brought more pains than gains to Nigerians. As a matter of fact, the Guardian newspapers ( United Kingdom version) of Wednesday, 26th August 2009 page 21, described the Nigerian oil proceeds as a petroleum curse.

China is the world’s largest recipient of foreign direct investments because of its cheap labour. Time International magazine of September 28 2009 reported that 450 out of the Fortune 500 American companies have production lines in China. This is an area that needs the attention of credible Nigerian business people. Every effort should be made to attract foreign investors. Companies that could depend on solar energy should be on the priority list. Foreign farmers should be sort after. Nigeria could also ask China how to fight corruption. This could be our moment to start. May God bless Nigeria.



Chinedu Vincent Akuta An activist and leader of “Support Option A4 Group” Leicester-UK akutachinedu@yahoo.com http://briefsfromakuta.blogspot.com/