Politics
NASS members from Ebonyi ‘scavenging for wealth’, lacks effective representation – Dr Ezeh
Senators and members of the House of Representatives from Ebonyi State in the 10th National Assembly are scavenging for wealth and not representing their constituents effectively, the Chairman of Immaculate Group, Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, has said.
Citing their lack of commitment that culminated into their underperformance in the last one, Ezeh, an Oxford trained entrepreneur and the current President of Ebonyi Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (EBCCIMA) in a chat with journalists in Abakaliki said that being a member of the National Assembly is an opportunity for quality minds to articulate and support the execution of sustainable and life changing policies and projects for the constituents and shouldn’t be viewed as an avenue to scavenge for wealth.
Ascribing the lackluster performance of members of the National Assembly from Ebonyi State to lack of capacity and ideas, Ezeh who contested to represent the Abakaliki/ Izzi Federal Constituency on the platform of the Labour Party (LP) contends that until people who are prepared are sent to the national parliament, the situation may never change.
He said, “Frankly, we are yet to see the quality of representation we can point to and say yes, we have a representative. My election was stolen and handed to a man who may be following an unfortunate tradition of underperformance.
“Preparations is everything. While I had a robust well thought-out manifestos, some simply rode on the back of the establishment. Historically, when people are not prepared for the position they are forced into, effective representation suffers, they naturally join seat warmers at the hallowed chambers in Abuja. Give it to some, they attend social events in Ebonyi State regularly and for them, as long as they show up in birthdays, weddings and funerals, they have done the job.
“That to me is no representation. Election has consequences. We may have sacrificed competence, capacity, capability and character on the alter of prebendal politics. This is our reality. Every now and then, our people are lined up like beggars in the name of palliatives. Paliatives is a creation of APC’s failed economic dislocations. In a competitive democracy like ours, we ought to send people who can help the sitting governor.”
Speaking on the plight of Abakaliki people and especially, people affected by the ongoing road infrastructure development in Abakaliki urban, Dr. Ezeh expressed dissatisfaction with the aloofness of the lawmaker representing the constituency in the National Assembly.
According to him, “You cannot stand something on nothing. Granted that development comes with some discomforts, but the people’s representatives owe the people the duty of care. A show of empathy on the economic and social impacts of the Vanco flyer over project is necessary. Did you see any whimper or show of empathy from representatives?
“One must be prepared for the difficult but interesting work of a legislature.
“What is the one single thing we expect from the man that claims to have won an election? Maybe he has very little ideas on how to proceed.
“Frankly I will be happy to help him. For starters, can he partner closely with the government to ensure those whose business are affected are helped to restart? In our communities, he can work to eliminate incidence of malaria in the constituency? He can pursue legislation to ensure we have 100% child enrollment in school; he can raise legislative action around improved literacy and numeracy.
“In my Constituency, most of our rural dwellers are still drinking from dirty ponds and streams, can he pursue his constituency project to set up community level water and sanitation resources? These lines of thinking require serious intentionality and capacity to network amongst colleagues.
“They require system thinkers and builders. I have raised the bar of discussion on federal representation and so do not want to be dragged into prebendal issues of over-priced china street lights and untreated water in the name of boreholes. How can we talk about security, jobs and wealth creation in a situation where those who stole our elections appear focused on benefits they can get to themselves. For them, this is their emilokan opportunity.
“On the attitude of lawmakers who routinely abandon their official committee and oversight duties in Abuja to accompany the governor while he is performing his own duties, Dr. Ezeh contends that some of the lawmakers are not capable of making meaningful contributions in their committee assignments, hence they hide under the wings of the governor to evade their statutory duties in the National Assembly.
“People can only give what they have. For some, part of their self-chosen assignment is to follow the governor around, attend ceremonies and go back to Abuja on weekly basis. The reality staring us in our faces is that only few of our representatives know their job descriptions, for others, its all about hero-worshipping the governor or anyone they think can sustain their access to power. What exactly do some of them bring to the table in their various committees.
“A man who knows he has nothing to offer will conscientiously use the governor as a shield. Many know they did not win their elections and so, they have to stick close to the sit of power. Unlike before, the people are watching them keenly,” he submitted.”
While answering questions of the gale of defections that saw lawmakers elected on the platform of the LP defect to the ruling party in their states, especially in Enugu and Ebonyi states, Dr. Ezeh said that those who defected were opportunists who may have unwittingly dug their own political graves as they have no ideological foundation as politicians. He maintained that the Labour Party was waxing stronger as more Nigerians, especially the youth who are primarily driven by the need to enthrone a decent and functional governance system have continued to flock into the LP to restore the hopes of a better Nigeria.
“Those who moved are the politicians that saw LP as a special purpose vehicle to actualize ambitions. If you look at those moving out of LP in Ebonyi state, you will notice they are perennial movers and some are known leaders of AGIP (any government in power).
“Let’s not forget that what happened in 2023 was a revolution of ideas birthed by the youths of Nigeria. A peoples’ movement called the Obi-dients.
These people are young, urbane, middle class, educated, youthful and entrepreneurial but, largely unemployed and frustrated. They are ideologically connected to an ideal world view that many of the political class do not have the competence to understand nor aspire to.
“These young Nigerians have seen comrades die crossing the Atlantic Oceans in search of better opportunities, seen many die in the deserts of Ethiopia. They have seen in their travels, the power of innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and a future that is Nigeria’s. These are not people ready to jump from party to party. They are the real followers of Mr. Obi. Like Kenya, the bubble may yet burst if we continue to be tone deaf to their legimitate demands for the rebirth of a New Nigeria,” he concluded.
A pressure group, Action Collective, has urged Nigerians to disregard rumors that the Federal High Court has lifted its order restraining the Senate from probing Senator Natasha Uduaghan over allegations of sexual harassment against Senate President Goodwill Akpabio.
In a statement signed on Thursday by Dr. Onimisi Ibrahim, the Kogi-based group reaffirmed that the court order remains in effect. According to them, instead of vacating it, the court provided further clarification on the case.
They explained that the court had not yet considered Senator Uduaghan’s request for a mandatory injunction but had instead addressed a motion filed by the Senate on March 17, 2025.
The group noted that in spite of the restraining order, the Senate proceeded with its investigation and ultimately pronounced a six-month suspension on Senator Natasha.
“They equally filed an application, which was vehemently opposed by the Plaintiff’s counsel, Michael Numa, SAN, who emphasized the Senate’s contemptuous actions in defying the Court’s orders.
“Numa argued that the Senate was not entitled to any further orders from the same court it had disrespected.
“After standing down the matter for a few hours, the Judge returned to deliver a ruling, offering clarification on the scope of Order 4. Contrary to the interpretation sought by the 2nd Defendant (the Senate), that the restraining order was meant to halt the entire legislative function of the Senate, the Court noted that the National Assembly had been carrying out its legislative functions without any hindrance.
“The Court further clarified that, owing to the varying interpretations of the order, it would set aside only the consequential aspects of Order 4, which was merely meant to give effect to the predicate orders.”
The group declared that contrary to false reports, “The Court did not set aside Orders 1, 2, or 3, which include the orders restraining the Senate’s Ethics Committee from continuing its investigation into the Plaintiff’s alleged conduct while the Motion for an Interlocutory Injunction remains pending.
“Additionally, the Court did not reverse its directive for the Defendants to show cause within 72 hours or overturn the order to maintain the status quo ante bellum.
“The Court’s decision only involved the clarification of Order 4 due to the differing interpretations presented by the Defendants.
“The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 25, 2025, for the hearing of all pending applications, including the substantive dispute.
“We use this medium to assure the general public that justice shall prevail, even as we urge everyone to disregard the misinformation in circulation,” the group clarified.
Some leaders from opposition parties in the country have announced the formation of a coalition aimed at removing President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, made the announcement while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
The meeting was attended by top opposition figures, including Labour Party’s former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko; former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal; and National Secretary of the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), Peter Ameh, among others.
It was announced that some notable figures were absent but had taken permission, including former governors of Rivers and Ekiti states, Rotimi Amaechi and Kayode Fayemi, as well as the immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu.
When asked if the gathering marked the beginning of a coalition of political parties for the 2027 election, Atiku responded with a clear “Yes.”
A coalition of concerned leaders and political stakeholders in Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately reverse the suspension of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.
The leaders made this demand during a joint press conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Among those present at the meeting were former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, who was represented by Yunusa Tanko. Also in attendance was former Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai.
Other notable figures, including former All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu, former Governor of Ekiti State Kayode Fayemi, and former Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, were unable to attend but had formally excused their absence.
Describing Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State as unconstitutional and illegal, the coalition urged President Tinubu to reinstate the governor and his deputy without delay.
Furthermore, they called on the judiciary to invalidate the suspension, warning that it sets a dangerous precedent that could be used arbitrarily to remove elected governors in the future.
“Mr. President’s illegal and unconstitutional proclamation was presumably driven by the protracted insidious political crisis in Rivers State, which culminated in the recent ruling of the Supreme Court. Naturally, we expected all parties to the dispute to follow laid-down procedures, and in good faith, to promptly implement the judgment of the highest court of the land. We note that despite provocative statements and the belligerent attitude of his opponents, Governor Fubara had demonstrated goodwill and appeared disposed to implementing the ruling of the Supreme Court,” the leaders said.
They accused President Tinubu of acting out of bias and neglecting his constitutional duty to be fair to all Nigerians.
“However, rather than rise above the fray, the president yielded to petty favouritism and betrayed the oath that he solemnly swore to before God and man, which was to ‘do right to all manner of people, according to law, without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.’ If President Tinubu had conveniently disguised his true intentions in the past, his broadcast to the nation on 18th March 2025 betrayed his bias and fell far below the standard of comportment expected from his exalted office,” they noted.
The coalition called on Nigerians to resist what they described as an undemocratic act by the federal government.
According to them, “Rivers State is not a conquered territory, and Nigeria is not a dictatorship requiring the replacement of an ELECTED GOVERNOR with a MILITARY ADMINISTRATOR. We recall that even when a previous administration declared a state of emergency in parts of the country plagued by insurgency and terrorism, the governors of the affected states were not removed from office. This action by President Tinubu, therefore, represents a new low for our country.”
They warned against the potential consequences of political instability in the Niger Delta, reminding the government of the historical unrest in the region.
“Past administrations made great efforts and sacrifices to restore peace and stability to the Niger Delta, which is critical to Nigeria’s economic health. This federal government should not manufacture political crises that could disrupt the fragile stability and return the country to a past that we have all prayed to leave behind for good,” they said.
The coalition insisted that the suspension must be reversed to uphold the rule of law and preserve Nigeria’s democracy.
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