Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has voiced his frustration over the public’s lack of action in response to the ongoing economic hardships in Nigeria.

In an interview with ABN TV, the former Rivers State governor expressed his anger at the apparent silence of citizens despite rising costs and difficulties in affording basic needs like fuel.

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“I’m angry with the citizens. I have said it several times. You can see a group of people stealing your money, impoverishing you, you cannot buy fuel and anything,” Amaechi said.

He also highlighted the ongoing political campaigns in Edo State, questioning their relevance in the midst of widespread economic struggles.

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“Look at what happened in Edo State. Should any politician be campaigning in Edo?” he asked, suggesting that citizens should be more vocal and take a stand against politicians. “The people should be angry. There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians that ‘we won’t vote’. There won’t be any election in our state.”

Amaechi urged Nigerians to send a strong message by refraining from participating in elections until their basic needs are addressed.

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“That is what people should be saying. The rate of hunger now… if people like us cannot afford diesel, you can imagine what is happening to those who do not have children like us,” he added.

In a pointed remark on the worsening economic situation, he said, “Somebody said what this government has achieved is that it has made Nigerians to be strong in the sense that Nigerians now trek.”

With a touch of irony, he added, “And you know walking helps the heart.”

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While expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs, Amaechi refrained from making any direct political statements, concluding, “I am not interested in politics…I will discuss politics at the right time.”

The Senate has directed state governors and Houses of Assembly to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, particularly in relation to the financial independence of the 774 local councils in Nigeria.

This follows a closed-door session held on Wednesday, where senators debated efforts by some state governments to obstruct the enforcement of the July 11 ruling.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, announced the resolutions after the session, emphasizing the Senate’s plan to amend sections of the 1999 Constitution to provide full autonomy to local government administrations across the country.

The Supreme Court ruling, which granted local governments autonomy, was delivered after the federal government, through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, filed a suit.

The judgement is intended to liberate local councils from financial dependence on state governments.

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Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North), during the plenary, raised concerns under Senate orders 41 and 51, alleging that some state governors were influencing state Assemblies to pass laws that would require local governments to continue remitting funds into a joint state/local government account, in violation of the Supreme Court’s judgement. Nwoye’s motion was co-sponsored by 10 other senators.

However, Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) countered that the Supreme Court ruling was enforceable nationwide and urged the Senate not to deliberate on the matter, citing the constitution.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed Aliero’s point, referencing Section 162 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the Supreme Court’s ruling should be upheld.

The debate eventually led to the emergency closed-door session, after which the Senate called on all state governments and legislative bodies to respect the Supreme Court’s decision.

Additionally, the Senate resolved to pursue constitutional amendments to guarantee the financial autonomy of local governments, ensuring they are no longer reliant on state authorities for funding.

In a strong critique of the current state of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Ikenga Ugochinyere, a member of the House of Representatives, has attributed the party’s challenges to its failure to accommodate the diverse interests of its members.

Ugochinyere, speaking at a conference titled “Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria” in Abuja, said that the party’s symbolic umbrella was “no longer wide enough to cover” its stakeholders, leading to a mass exodus of lawmakers and key figures.

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The lawmaker expressed disappointment over the PDP’s diminishing role as Nigeria’s main opposition, stating, “We are not even up to 10% as an opposition political party.”

He lamented the party’s inability to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), pointing to internal divisions and leadership issues as major obstacles.

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Ugochinyere highlighted the ongoing crisis within the PDP leadership, singling out Amb. Umar Damagum’s tenure as Acting National Chairman as a major source of discontent.

He criticized the party for failing to adhere to its constitution in selecting a new chairman, referencing Articles 45 and 47 of the PDP constitution.

“The NWC is like a judge. You are not only supposed to do justice but must be seen to be doing justice,” he said, urging the party to resolve its leadership struggles.

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He also acknowledged that the party’s inability to unite its members had resulted in significant losses, referencing Peter Obi’s emergence as a strong contender in the last election.

“We have been so decimated that Peter Obi left just a few days ago and now controls the same 12 states as we do,” Ugochinyere noted, warning that the new generation of voters is drifting away from the PDP.

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The conference, themed “Fix PDP to Fix Nigeria,” emphasized the need for internal reforms to rescue the party from its current state.

Ugochinyere called for the PDP to fix its internal issues before it could effectively play its role in Nigeria’s political landscape.

He also pointed to former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar’s role in the party’s decline, criticizing his handling of the 2023 election and his strained relationship with key governors.

Ugochinyere argued that Atiku’s indifference to the grievances of five PDP governors ahead of the election was a major misstep, further weakening the party.

While acknowledging that some of the problems were inherited by the current leadership, Ugochinyere stressed the need for immediate reforms, urging party members to stop avoiding the hard conversations and to prioritize unity and leadership integrity if the PDP is to regain its strength.

The Labour Party and it’s chairmanship candidate for Awgu Local Government area in the just-concluded Enugu local government election, Hon. Cajetan Aganigbo, has filed a suit against the Awgu local government Council Chairman, Hon. Uche Okolo, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) at the Local Government Council Election Tribunal, seeking the cancellation of the election.

In petition number EPT/02/2024, the petitioners told the tribunal that the PDP candidate did not secure the majority of lawful votes cast during the election, which was held on Saturday, September 21, 2024.

Counsel to the petitioners, Chief Sir O.A.U. Onyema, argued that the results announced by ENSIEC were inaccurate, as the PDP candidate did not receive any valid votes.

He maintained that ENSIEC, based on erroneous recorded votes, wrongfully declared Hon. Uche Okolo as the winner.

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The petitioners told the court that the election was marred by irregularities, which include; over-voting, non-compliance with electoral guidelines, and manipulation of results in favor of the PDP candidate.

The petitioners among other things are seeking an order of the Honourable Tribunal declaring the 2nd Respondent not qualified to contest the elections into the Chairmanship position of Awgu Local Government Council.

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“AN ORDER setting aside the declaration and return of the 2nd Respondent as Chairman Awgu Local Government Council for non-compliance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As amended), the Electoral Act, 2022; the Enugu State Local Government Law 2020, and the ENSIEC Guidelines for the Conduct of the Local Government Election 2024.”

“A DECLARATION that the 21st September 2024 Local Government Election in Awgu LGA, failed in all ramification and any result or award or return emanating from same is incorrect, illegal, null and void and of effect.”

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“AN ORDER of this honourable Tribunal declaring as INVALID the unlawful votes ascribed to the 2nd Respondent, and directing the 1st Respondent to immediately withdraw the Certificate of return issued to the 2nd respondent, within 7 days of this Order.”

“An Order of Tribunal declaring as illegal and unlawful all acts performed, or purported to have been performed by the 2nd respondent, while relying on the Certificate of return, and the following oath of allegiance to the Office of Executive Chairman, subscribed by him.”

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“An Order of Tribinal commanding 2nd Respondent to return to the Awgu Local Government Treasury under oath, all salaries, allowances and emoluments collected under the guise of the winner of the Chairmanship of Awgu Local Government Council purportedly held on 21st day of September, 2024; and under the guise of the elected Chairman.”

“AN ORDER directing the 1st respondent to CONDUCT a fresh credible and transparent Local Government Election in Awgu LGA, of Enugu State, with 30 days of this order.”