There is a growing culture among some critics of government, especially in Enugu State, who seem to take pleasure in spotting shortcomings but offer no solutions and make no effort, however small, to help move the system forward. Criticism, when constructive, is healthy for any society.

But when it becomes an end in itself, stripped of responsibility and contribution, it weakens rather than strengthens the very system we all depend on.

There is a simple story that captures this truth clearly. A kind and thoughtful king once constructed a beautiful road for his people. The road was smooth, well laid, and designed to ease their daily journeys.

Wanting feedback, the king instructed three of his subjects to inspect the road and report back to him. Their assignment was not just to observe but to engage meaningfully with what they saw.

When they set out, they discovered that the road was almost perfect, except for one particular spot where a heap of dirt had been carelessly dumped.

Two of the three inspectors returned to the king and complained about that single flaw. They spoke at length about how beautiful the road was but was spoiled by one ugly patch.

Yet, in all their observations, they made no effort to clear the dirt or even suggest how it could be addressed. Their role ended with complaint.

The third inspector, however, chose a different path. Instead of merely observing the problem and walking away, he rolled up his sleeves and cleared the heap of dirt from the road.

As he worked, he noticed a bag hidden within the pile. Without knowing its contents, he picked it up and took it along with him back to the king. When he presented his report, the king smiled and revealed that the bag was filled with money.

It had been deliberately placed there as a reward for any citizen who would not only identify the problem but take responsibility to fix it.

The lesson from this story is powerful and timeless. There is always a reward in being a good citizen who seeks the progress of society, rather than one who only criticizes the actions and inactions of leadership.

True citizenship is not just about pointing out what is wrong; it is about contributing to what can be made right.

This lesson is especially relevant in Enugu State today. The governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has initiated many remarkable projects across the state, projects that are meant to improve the quality of life of the people.

The 260 smart schools and smart hospitals being built across all political wards of Enugu State are clear examples of visionary leadership and commitment to development.

These facilities, however, would require not just government investment but public maintenance, protection, and a sense of collective ownership.

Unfortunately, instead of gearing up to preserve and protect these projects, some members of the public are already complaining about the possibility of vandalising them with time.

It suffices to state that this tendency of some people treating the government facilities with ignominy, focusing only on complaints, vandalism, or indifference, mirrors the two inspectors who saw the dirt but refused to clear it.

Yet, society progresses not when people complain endlessly but when they contribute, even in small ways, to sustaining what has been built.

The public has a crucial role to play in helping the government serve better. This includes making useful suggestions and channelling them to the appropriate authorities rather than criticizing every action.

Governance is not a one-way street; it thrives on partnership between leaders and citizens. This is particularly important in the area of security.

While the Enugu State government has invested heavily in security infrastructure, optimal results cannot be achieved without the cooperation of the general public.

Useful information, vigilance, and community participation are essential in fishing out criminals and controlling crime in society.

A government can build roads, schools, hospitals, and security systems, but only responsible citizens can preserve them, protect them, and ensure they serve their intended purpose.

Progress is a shared responsibility, not a solo performance by the government alone.

In conclusion, the people must choose to be good citizens and citizens who contribute to the growth and stability of society rather than merely finding fault in every government action.

Just like the wise inspector who cleared the dirt and found his reward, those who act in the interest of the common good will always find that their efforts are not in vain.

Let us encourage government by our actions, support development with responsibility, and help build the society we all desire, not just with words, but with deeds.

Tomorrow is Here.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully conducted ward-level congresses in Ahoada East and Khana Local Government Areas of Rivers State to elect delegates for its upcoming primaries ahead of the February 21 House of Assembly bye-elections.

The congresses were organized to select delegates who will vote for the party’s candidates in Ahoada East State Constituency II and Khana State Constituency II.

In Ahoada East, the exercise was supervised by the party’s congress and primary committee, chaired by Shehu Dange with Smart Iheanazor as Secretary, alongside members of the appeal committee.

The team visited all six wards to ensure the elections were conducted in line with party guidelines.

INEC representatives, led by the Assistant Electoral Officer in charge of operations for the area, Okogbule Emilia, were present to observe the proceedings.

Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), were also deployed to maintain order.

The congress was conducted peacefully, with party members participating through orderly voice votes.

At the conclusion of the exercise, five delegates were elected from each ward.

In Khana Local Government Area, the APC held a simultaneous congress under the supervision of Oyoala Peter, head of the delegate congress and primary election committee.

INEC officials and security personnel were also present, and five delegates were chosen from each ward.

The elected delegates from both constituencies will now vote in the APC primaries to determine the party’s candidates for the February 21 bye-elections.

Party officials expressed satisfaction with the peaceful and orderly conduct of the congresses, emphasizing their importance in ensuring APC’s strong participation in the upcoming polls.

The Ahoada East II seat became vacant following the resignation of Edison Ehie, appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while the Khana II seat has remained vacant since the passing of its lawmaker, Dinebari Loolo, in September 2023.

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate release of over ₦130 billion in statutory allocations allegedly withheld from the state’s local governments, warning that the continued blockade is crippling grassroots governance and causing hardship for workers and residents.

In a statewide broadcast on Monday addressing the illegal occupation of local government secretariats, Adeleke said court-sacked All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmen and councillors have unlawfully occupied council offices for nearly a year, despite Federal High Court rulings in November 2022 and subsequent affirmations by the Court of Appeal in February and June 2025 nullifying their elections.

“The court removed them, not my administration,” the governor stressed, noting that fresh local government elections were held in accordance with court orders, leading to the swearing-in of duly elected chairmen and councillors on February 23, 2025.

He described the current occupants as impostors acting without any lawful mandate.

Adeleke accused former governor Gboyega Oyetola of allegedly backing the occupation with police support, an action he said undermines democracy and the rule of law.

He also alleged that local government workers who attempted to resume duty were harassed and intimidated by armed police officers and political thugs.

Central to his address was the withholding of local government funds.

Adeleke disclosed that since February 2025, statutory allocations due to Osun local governments, now totalling about ₦130 billion, have not been credited to the councils’ legal accounts.

He said these funds are critical for the payment of salaries for primary school teachers, nurses, health workers in 332 primary health care centres, council staff, traditional councils, and retirees.

The governor warned that the state government has had to make painful financial sacrifices to keep salaries paid for almost 12 months, describing the situation as unsustainable.

“Governance is about humanity, responsibility, and compassion, but this burden cannot continue indefinitely,” he said.

Adeleke also accused the United Bank for Africa (UBA) of allegedly allowing unauthorised persons to operate local government accounts, adding that senior bank officials involved are facing criminal prosecution.

He questioned whether such actions would be tolerated in jurisdictions like New York or London, where the bank operates.

Calling for federal intervention, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure the release of the withheld funds and to safeguard democratic institutions.

He stressed that the President was not involved in the alleged illegality but urged him to rescue Osun local governments from what he described as an unlawful siege.

“There is no provision in our Constitution for tenure elongation,” Adeleke said, framing the crisis as a choice between constitutional order and naked impunity.

He called on Nigerians and democracy advocates to demand an immediate end to the occupation of local government secretariats and the release of council funds.

The governor urged residents to remain peaceful and law-abiding, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to upholding the Constitution and protecting their welfare.

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) over their alleged failure to account for N128 billion said to be missing or diverted from the power ministry and NBET.

The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, follows revelations contained in the latest annual report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on September 9, 2025, which raised concerns over the handling of the funds.

In the case marked FHC/ABJ/CS/143/2026, SERAP is asking the court to issue an order of mandamus compelling Adelabu and NBET to account for the missing or diverted N128 billion.

The organisation is also seeking an order directing the defendants to publicly disclose how the funds were spent, including the dates of disbursement, the identities of beneficiaries or contractors, as well as their registered business names and addresses.

SERAP further wants the court to compel the disclosure of the full names, official designations and offices of all public officers who authorised, approved or were otherwise involved in the release of the funds.

According to SERAP, corruption in the power sector has continued to undermine electricity supply nationwide, contributing to frequent grid collapses.

The group noted that Nigerians recently experienced the first national grid collapse of 2026, which plunged many parts of the country into darkness.

In its argument before the court, SERAP said Nigerians have continued to bear the consequences of what it described as widespread and grand corruption in the electricity sector, stressing that there is a strong public interest in ensuring accountability for the alleged missing funds.

The organisation argued that granting the reliefs sought would help curb corruption in the power sector, address persistent failures in electricity transmission, and improve access to regular and uninterrupted power supply across the country.

SERAP also maintained that the court’s intervention would strike a blow against impunity by holding accountable those responsible for the alleged diversion of public funds meant to improve electricity supply.

According to the group, despite poor and irregular power supply, Nigerians are still compelled to pay high electricity bills, further worsening the hardship faced by citizens.

The suit was filed on behalf of SERAP by its legal team, comprising Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo.

The organisation argued that the Auditor-General’s findings point to serious breaches of public trust, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and international anti-corruption standards.