A serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has come under fire after a video surfaced online showing him making controversial and threatening remarks regarding the 2027 general elections.

In the viral footage, Hon. Aguocha is heard warning potential challengers that anyone who dares to contest against him in the next election would be struck by thunder, suffer convulsions, and die.

“Anyone daring to contest against me will be visited by thunder; the person will have convulsion and die thereof,” the lawmaker declared.

He further boasted of his political dominance, claiming he would remain unopposed come 2027 and that no individual from his constituency could pose a credible threat to his seat.

The comments have triggered widespread condemnation across social media and political circles.

Many citizens and commentators have described the remarks as irresponsible, undemocratic, and unbecoming of a public official.

Observers warn that such inflammatory statements, especially from a sitting lawmaker, could inflame political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections and undermine democratic values.

“Threats like these have no place in a democracy,” one commentator wrote.

“Political offices should be contested fairly, not enforced through fear or intimidation.”

As of the time of this report, Hon. Aguocha has not issued any statement, clarification, or apology regarding his comments, despite mounting calls for him to do so.

Robert Ngwu, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has alleged that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is manipulating and tampering with the minister’s academic records amid a pending certificate forgery case.

Ngwu made the claims during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he accused the institution of politicising the situation and withholding Nnaji’s transcript despite a formal request.

“The minister never asked the university to conceal his records. He asked that they not be tampered with or manipulated,” Ngwu explained.

“We have it on good authority that there were attempts to alter certain documents, and personal files were even leaked online.”

According to Ngwu, the minister had applied for his academic transcript in May 2025, paid the necessary fees, but UNN has refused to release the document.

He alleged that the refusal, along with the leak of sensitive student file contents, suggests a coordinated political effort to discredit Nnaji.

Ngwu further claimed that politics within the university system may be influencing the situation.

He pointed fingers at the institution’s leadership, alleging that the Acting Vice-Chancellor is a known member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In Enugu, PDP has held power for over two decades by suppressing competition,” he claimed.

“This situation with the minister is no different, an attempt to damage his credibility ahead of any future political contest.”

He added that the minister was left with no option but to seek the intervention of the Federal High Court to protect his records and compel the university to release his transcript.

Minister Nnaji is currently battling certificate forgery allegations dating back to 2023, shortly after his political appointment.

The controversy centres on claims that his academic credentials may not be genuine.

Appearing before Justice Hauwa Yilwa at the Federal High Court on Monday, Nnaji insisted he earned a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry (Second Class Lower) from UNN in 1985 and that the university has no justification for withholding his transcript and academic proof.

Ngwu reiterated that the minister’s legal action is solely to protect his integrity and access the academic records rightfully his.

After a 10-week legislative break, the Nigerian Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday, with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presiding over the session in the absence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Among the most notable events of the day was the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, who made her first appearance at plenary since serving a six-month suspension.

Her presence drew attention, marking a key moment in the resumption of full legislative activities.

Despite Senator Akpabio’s absence, the session saw a strong turnout of lawmakers, signaling a complete return to business at the upper chamber.

Adding to the day’s significance, some senators arrived at the chamber wearing clothing and colours symbolising support for Palestine, a bold expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The Senate, along with the House of Representatives, adjourned for its annual recess on July 24.

Lawmakers were initially scheduled to reconvene on September 23, 2025.

However, the resumption was postponed by two weeks, shifting the return date to October 7.

During the break, both ad hoc and standing committees were expected to continue with pending assignments.

The Senate President had also urged members to use the time to finalise reports and carry out oversight functions.

The recess is a customary part of the National Assembly’s calendar, allowing lawmakers time for constituency work and personal matters.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return follows a controversial suspension earlier this year.

She was suspended in March for allegedly violating Senate standing rules, a move that sparked widespread criticism from civil society organisations and opposition voices.

Though she attempted to return earlier, the Senate refused her re-entry, citing an ongoing court case she filed in July to challenge the suspension.

Despite the pending court proceedings, her six-month suspension officially ended in September.

On completing her suspension, she wrote to the Senate expressing her readiness to return. However, the Senate had previously indicated it would not act on her letter until the legal matter was resolved.

On September 23, after six months of being sealed, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, Suite 2.05 in the Senate Wing, was finally reopened by Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.

Speaking upon her return, the senator expressed her relief and resolve:

“For me, I am glad to be here,” she said.
“Even though we were suspended unjustly, I have never relented in serving the people of Kogi Central to the best of my ability.”

Media adviser to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Mr. Paul Ibe, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately dismiss the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, over allegations that he forged his academic and NYSC certificates.

The controversy centres on claims that Nnaji presented a falsified degree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and a forged National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate when he was appointed a minister in 2023.

The development gained further attention following a court case instituted by Nnaji himself against UNN and other parties, seeking to address the growing controversy over the authenticity of his credentials.

However, proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja were stalled on Monday due to the failure of the university’s legal team to file necessary court documents. The matter was before Justice Hauwa Yilwa.

In a post shared via his X (formerly Twitter) handle, Paul Ibe argued that the President ought to have already dismissed the minister, given the gravity of the allegations and the institution’s reported confirmation of certificate forgery.

“Since the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has confirmed that Minister Uche Nnaji allegedly forged the institution’s certificate, which he presented officially for his ministerial appointment, one would have expected that President Bola Tinubu @officialABAT would have sacked him and released him for prosecution,” Ibe wrote.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has praised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for its recent efforts to enhance electoral fairness, notably the delineation of the Warri Federal Constituency in Delta State.

However, political tensions continue to mount over the President’s authority to appoint INEC officials.

Leaders of Nigeria’s registered political parties convened yesterday to urge the National Assembly to remove the President’s power to appoint the INEC chairman and other top officials.

This demand coincides with increasing calls from civil society groups and youth organizations supporting a bill currently being debated in the National Assembly aimed at comprehensive electoral reform.

Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun State governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stressed the urgency of reforming Nigeria’s electoral system to restore public confidence and ensure credible elections.

Similarly, Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, challenged INEC and security agencies to uphold integrity by conducting thorough screening of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.

Political party leaders highlighted the crucial role of parties in democracy and insisted they must have input in selecting election officials.

Yusuf Dantalle, Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), speaking through Deputy Chairman Dipo Olayokun, argued that free and fair elections are impossible when INEC is subordinate to the executive.

IPAC called for the establishment of an Independent Appointment Committee (IAC) comprising representatives from registered political parties, civil society, the National Judicial Council (NJC), and the National Assembly to oversee INEC appointments, ensuring impartiality.

Further, IPAC recommended abolishing State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs), transferring local council election responsibilities to INEC, and adopting a system where vacancies due to decamping or death are filled by the original winning party instead of costly by-elections.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Tahir Monguno, urged political actors to view the Constitution as a dynamic document that should evolve alongside Nigeria’s realities.

He called for a strengthened INEC and an independent judiciary, referencing reforms in India and South Africa as examples.

Akpabio highlighted judicial reform, women’s inclusion, and local council autonomy as vital for the nation’s democratic stability.

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, echoed the call for institutional reforms to ensure credible elections, empowered local governments, and inclusive governance that rise above partisan politics.

The electoral reform bill, submitted by former Anambra South Senator Ikechukwu Obiorah, aims to remove the President and governors’ power to appoint officials of both INEC and SIECs.

Instead, it proposes forming a new, internationally-modeled electoral body to restore credibility and impartiality in Nigeria’s elections.

Abdulrahman Aliyu, President of the National Muslim Youth Association (NMYA), stressed that free and fair elections remain unattainable as long as those contesting elections appoint the officials managing them.

He applauded technological innovations like the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) but warned that without institutional independence, these tools can be undermined.

Aliyu urged the National Assembly to swiftly pass the constitutional amendment bill and called on the Presidency and state assemblies to collaborate to make it law.

The bill outlines that professional bodies such as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) would each elect one commissioner from different geopolitical zones, promoting transparency and reducing political interference.

At the launch of the Athena Election Observatory (AEO), former Osun State Governor Aregbesola rejected the current system where the chief beneficiary of electoral manipulation appoints INEC officials.

He advocated for a new framework where political parties with a minimum of five members in the National Assembly nominate INEC leaders on an equal footing.

Peter Obi warned that Nigeria’s leadership crisis will worsen if candidates with forged credentials continue to gain office unchecked.

He condemned the trivialization of forgery, a crime punishable by disqualification and prosecution worldwide, describing its dismissal in Nigeria as a dangerous double standard undermining leadership integrity.

Minister Nnaji

Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately suspend the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Chief Uchechukwu Geoffrey Nnaji, amid mounting controversy surrounding the legitimacy of his academic qualifications.

Effiong’s demand follows revelations from a letter issued by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Professor Simon Ortuanya.

The letter states that there are no records confirming that Minister Nnaji graduated from UNN in 1985, as he has claimed.

In response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, Professor Ortuanya wrote:

“We confirm that Mr. Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, with Matriculation Number 1981/30725, was admitted to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka in 1981. However, we cannot confirm that he graduated in July 1985, as there are no records indicating the completion of his studies.”

The university’s statement makes it clear that it could not have issued the purported certificate to Minister Nnaji, corroborating an earlier letter from May 2025 addressed to the Public Complaints Commission regarding the same matter.

Effiong appeared on Channels Television, emphasizing that the minister should be suspended immediately to allow for a thorough and unbiased investigation into the alleged forgery.

“This minister must be suspended without delay pending the investigation,” Effiong insisted.

“He must also submit himself to the police for questioning. Otherwise, Nigerians will believe we are governed by certificate forgers and criminals.”

While acknowledging that the allegations have not yet been proven, Effiong stressed the importance of transparency and accountability from the federal government.

“Though these remain allegations, the government must demonstrate its commitment to investigating the claims and upholding the rule of law,” he said.

“It’s troubling that the Minister of Innovation is now linked to certificate forgery, undermining the very principles of his office.”

Effiong described the situation as a national disgrace and called on President Tinubu to act decisively to preserve the administration’s credibility.

“This is an embarrassment to our nation,” he concluded.

“President Tinubu has a chance to prove that his government is not a cartel but one that respects the law.”

By Onyiba Shepherdman Iyioku

On October 4, 2025, Governor Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah held a significant meeting with key stakeholders of the Enugu West Senatorial Zone.

The gathering, which brought together academia, professionals, entrepreneurs, and businessmen from the five Local Government Areas of Aninri, Awgu, Ezeagu, Oji River, and Udi, was a platform for dialogue and a reaffirmation of Governor Mbah’s vision to transform Enugu State.

Chief Frank Anioma, Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, set the tone for the meeting, praising Governor Mbah’s commitment to revitalizing Enugu’s cultural and tourism ecosystem.

He commended the governor’s rapid and strategic infrastructural drive, noting that it has brought about significant development to the state.

Governor Mbah expressed his deep appreciation for the presence of leaders and stakeholders from all parts of Enugu West, describing them as “friends, brothers, and leaders.”

He emphasized that the meeting was not for long speeches but to feel the pulse of the people and reaffirm the government’s commitment to their aspirations.

The Governor highlighted the importance of accountability; hence, his first official assignment after his oath of office was to sign Executive Order 001, which is simply the Citizens Charter of Engagement (Town Hall Meetings).

He said that having feedback from people like them is critical in guiding his government in doing the right thing.

Governor Mbah told them that his manifesto during his campaign in 2023 sounded esoteric and utopic because, to many, the idea of building 10,000 roads in eight years and other huge projected projects was like the rhetoric of an average Nigerian politician.

He acknowledged that it is not yet Uhuru in some of his targets, like the issue of water which he promised every home within 180 days.

The Governor said that his administration has a water reserve that is more than enough for Enugu Urban residents, but most of the pipes underneath the ground are weak and cannot contain the pressure of the water, which keeps bursting these pipes at various locations when it is pushed out for reticulation.

Hence, they are gradually replacing those rusted pipes, and very soon, clean pipe-borne water will be made available for the Enugu people.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s goal to place Enugu among the top three economies in Nigeria, with an ambitious plan to grow the state’s GDP by 27%. Taking the annual total growth of the economy from $4 billion to $30 billion.

He emphasized the importance of a knowledge-based economy and invested ₦300 billion in building 260 Smart Green Schools across the 260 electoral wards in Enugu State.

He highlighted that what is important is not just the structure or the equipment but the investment in the index of the child’s beneficiary.

On healthcare and power, the Governor disclosed plans to renovate the 51 general hospitals in the state, complete the international hospital located within Rangers Avenue, and put Parklane hospital to an international standard in terms of equipment and service delivery.

He talked about the ongoing construction of 260 type 2 hospitals targeted at bringing health services closer to the people at the grassroots levels.

The Governor said that with Enugu Power Holding, they plan to generate 1,000 megawatts of electricity through a partnership with a German company, which will enable Enugu to sell power to the national grid.

The Governor also highlighted the completion of the International Conference Centre (ICC), which has placed Enugu as the hub of conference states in the entire West Africa.

The success of the Nigeria Bar Conference, held last month, has attracted other clients, and the state is looking forward to hosting ECOWAS, National Art and Culture Festival, etc., before the year runs out.

In the transport sector, he said that before December, an additional six aircraft of Enugu Air will arrive, and Enugu Air will be flying around the West Africa sub-region. By next year, more international flights will be coming in and taking off from Enugu.

On hotels, he emphasized that Marriott hotels and a few other international hotel management firms will be operating some five 5-Star hotels in Enugu that are being constructed.

All these investments are intentionally designed to make Enugu a business destination not only for Nigeria but for Africa.

The participants from one LGA to the other, with their spokespersons, acknowledged and praised the governor’s landmark achievements within the space of 2 years.

They praised the administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that Governor Mbah’s leadership style has brought about a new sense of hope and optimism to the people of Enugu State.

However, they made some requests before the governor, ranging from insecurity in places like Udi and Awgu axis, access roads, higher institutions like State University, reviving of dams, reviving of Ojiriver power station, reviving of Ojiriver games village, rice mill in Aninri, gas plant, cashew processing site, to mention but a few.

Governor Mbah responded by telling them that his administration is carefully designing Enugu West as a premier tourism destination, citing the development of the longest zip line in Africa and other eco-tourism experiences.

He expressed his administration’s transformational agenda, which is driven by a sincere desire to set Enugu State on a path of irreversible progress.

The meeting concluded with a sense of optimism and renewed commitment to the governor’s vision for Enugu West and the State in general.

As Governor Mbah noted, “We are not benchmarking our performance against national standards. We are setting the pace. We want to lead.”

The stakeholders are confident that under Governor Mbah’s leadership, Enugu State will achieve its full potential and become a model sub-national economy in Nigeria.