Opinion of Titus Agbo,

The Member representing the people of Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Chairman of the Nigerian–Irish Legislative Friendship Committee and Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Hon. Professor Paul Sunday Nnamchi, Oduko N’Mba of Ikem Uno Kingdom, is an accomplished academic-turned-democrat who has risen above detractors to redefine representative politics in the 10th Assembly.

A pioneer Head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Hon. Prof. Nnamchi left no one in doubt about his intentions when he joined the race in 2023 to represent Enugu East and Isi-Uzo in the Green Chambers of the National Assembly.

With the mantra “Let’s Do It Better,” it was clear he came with a different agenda from what was previously regarded as the norm.

Today, he is widely recognised as a beacon of hope for the people of Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency.

The lawmaker, who traversed renowned ivory towers across Europe before returning to his homeland to lecture at UNN, has demonstrated leadership defined by courage, vision, and uncommon commitment to public service.

His unwavering dedication to nation-building and proven record of performance reflect a deep sense of responsibility to his constituents.

Through sustainable development initiatives, youth empowerment programmes, and consistent support for indigent constituents, Professor Nnamchi has continued to demonstrate compassionate, people-centred representation.

Leaders of this calibre are rare in the 21st century, and the people of Enugu East/Isi-Uzo are proud to have him at this defining moment.

His annual computer training programme for secondary school students, which predates his entry into politics, as well as scholarship awards to indigent students across the constituency, further underscore his commitment to grassroots development and investment in the next generation of leaders.

Professor Nnamchi has also championed and delivered impactful projects, including the construction and renovation of classroom blocks in primary and secondary schools, installation of solar-powered streetlights, annual medical outreach programmes, and provision of electricity transformers to several communities across the constituency.

These achievements have rightly positioned him as a true man of the people.

Despite being a first-time legislator, he has displayed remarkable wisdom, integrity, and competence.

Within just two years in office, he has recorded measurable successes as a silent achiever whose works speak louder than words.

He has sponsored fifty-three bills and several impactful motions, with the landmark being the Bill for the establishment of the Federal University of Agriculture, Ako-Nike (FUAA), Enugu State.

As the 2027 election cycle approaches, the direction is clear. Professor Nnamchi’s performance is speaking volumes.

The chorus across Enugu East and Isi-Uzo remains the same: “One good turn deserves another.”

This was vividly demonstrated on January 3, when the people of Ikem Uno Kingdom conferred on him the title “Oduko N’Mba,” a symbol reserved for rare and exceptional individuals.

Earlier, the people of Ako-Nike honoured him with the prestigious title “Enyi One Na Nike,” meaning the first elephant of Nike, further underscoring the depth of appreciation for his legislative accomplishments and people-focused leadership.

Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has obtained the chairmanship nomination form for Ohaozara Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Ebonyi State.

Osborne was among aspirants recently endorsed by Governor Francis Nwifuru as the All Progressives Congress candidates for the council polls across the state’s 13 local government areas.

The endorsement has continued to generate mixed reactions among political observers and stakeholders in Ebonyi.

Reacting to the development, Senator Umahi reportedly described the governor’s decision as a profound show of appreciation and confidence in his political family.

Accompanied by supporters and well-wishers, Osborne purchased the N30 million nomination form at the APC secretariat in Abakaliki on Friday.

He, however, declined to speak with journalists after completing the process.

Speaking at the party secretariat, the State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori, expressed confidence in Osborne’s capacity to lead, describing him as a worthy choice for the people of Ohaozara.

According to Ori, Osborne would build on the legacies of his father, noting that he possesses the qualities needed to replicate Senator Umahi’s achievements as a former governor and current minister.

He added that residents of the local government area are firmly behind Osborne and are expected to demonstrate their support during the election.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday restrained the Chief Judge of the state from receiving any impeachment notice from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and 29 other members.

The court issued the order following an application brought before it challenging the impeachment process initiated by the lawmakers.

In its ruling, the court directed all the defendants to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Details shortly…

former Abia governors,

The All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abia State chapter, has dismissed claims that funds meant for local government areas in the state are being misappropriated.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after a meeting in Umuahia, ALGON chairman and Isuikwuato LGA Mayor, Chinedu Ekeke, clarified that the state government manages and distributes the allocations.

“We are not aware of any hijacking of funds. The government handles the sharing of our allocations,” he said.

Ekeke explained that funds from the federal government have not been directly reaching local governments, noting that allocations are managed through the JAAC accounts.

“The local governments are properly funded from the JAAC accounts, and the 17 LGA Mayors are performing their duties effectively,” he added.

On the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding local government autonomy, Ekeke said the federal government is still evaluating how to implement it.

He emphasized strong collaboration between the state and local governments, praising the leadership of Governor Dr. Alex Otti for supporting the LGAs financially.

ALGON further condemned recent political statements by former governors and their allies, describing them as attempts to undermine the state’s progress.

The association highlighted Otti’s achievements, including infrastructure development, healthcare and educational improvements, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and prudent financial management.

The association concluded by stressing that in a democratic system, leadership should be assessed based on performance and the electorate’s choice, not on “declarations, pronouncements, or political theatrics,” and reaffirmed its confidence in Governor Otti.

Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had earlier urged a political solution to the state’s crisis have reversed their stance and thrown their weight behind the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The lawmakers made their new position known on Friday during a live press conference in Port Harcourt, where they joined their colleagues in insisting that the governor no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly to resolve the lingering political turmoil in the oil-rich state.

At the briefing, the legislators accused Governor Fubara of blackmail, intimidation and repeated violations of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that such actions had eroded trust between the executive and the legislature.

They said the Assembly was left with no option but to invoke its constitutional powers to commence impeachment proceedings.

The lawmakers further alleged that both the governor and his deputy attempted to undermine the independence of the legislature, describing the situation as a direct threat to democratic governance in the state.

Despite their hardline position, the legislators expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis and appealed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, to reconvene the Assembly to allow legislative activities resume.

In a dramatic shift, the four lawmakers who had previously canvassed dialogue and reconciliation publicly recanted their earlier position, declaring full support for the continuation of the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.

Shortly after the press conference, the lawmakers moved to the Assembly complex where a plenary session was held.

During the sitting, members unanimously voted to commence an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.