Politics
IMO LG ELECTION: POSTPONEMENT LIKELY AS ISIEC REMAINS INCOMMUNICADO FEW DAYS TO THE SCHEDULED DATE
Barely one week to the proposed September 21 Chairmanship and Councillorship elections, nothing has been heard from the Imo State Independent Electoral Commission(ISIEC) as regards their preparation/preparedness for the election.
Ideally,within this time in any(every)electioneering period,plans are usually in top gear if not already concluded and the citizens constantly briefed by the electoral body on preparations for the conduct of a credible election.
Such preparations include but not limited to: recruitment and training of adhoc election officers,publishing the list of participating political parties with their candidates,regular interface with leaders of political parties,security agencies,civil society organizations,journalists and other such stakeholders.
As a matter of fact,the publishing of participating political parties with their candidates ought to have been done almost immediately the window for the conduct of primary elections by political parties as scheduled by the electoral body was exhausted.
Particularly,that of the ruling All Progressives Congress is being shrouded in unnecessary controversy as the party says the list being circulated around social media(and other news media) is not official and as such did not emanate from them. Yet,just a week to the election,she has refused to come clean with the much touted official list of their candidates.
And as election adhoc staff have not been recruited let alone being trained,one wonders how ISIEC intends to still go on with the September 21 election as scheduled.
Expectedly,the silence of ISIEC has not only caused an atmosphere of uncertainty and anxiety within the state’s sociopolitical sphere, especially among participating opposition parties and their candidates,it has also occasioned a lot of conspiracy theories.
Some proponents say that the behavior of ISIEC is because there is no intention to conduct council elections in the first place. Another says that ISIEC is an appendage of the 3R Government of Sen. Hope Uzodimma and by extension,the APC.As such,they are walking in the pace of the government/party of the day. A third proponent believes that the election had already been conducted with all the candidates of the ruling party returned as duly elected- that a convenient date is being contemplated for the ritual of name-calling by ISIEC in the guise of an election.
Imo State’s major opposition party;the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) has been the most vociferous among the opposition parties in accusing the ruling party of being in bed with the electoral body.
For whatever they are worth,these theories are enlivened by the way the APC conducted her primaries without prior information to supposed aspirants.This is exacerbated by the claims in certain quarters that people who did not buy expression of interest/nomination forms were announced candidates in certain local governments and wards.Also factor in the fact that 80% of the Sole Administrators(SOLADs)- currently superintending over our various LGAs, were declared candidates without them first resigning from their positions as stipulated in our constitution.
Understandably, candidates of the ruling APC(supposedly)are not as much perturbed as their opposition party counterparts.This may not be unconnected with the popular notion that they are ‘Kings-in-waiting’ who are just waiting for the formality of an election to be crowned;any day it may hold.In all fairness,it is necessary to state that candidates of the ruling party in council elections; especially chairmanship positions, are usually declared winners in every state. States like Kogi,Adamawa,Delta,Bayelsa who have conducted Council elections since the Supreme Court verdict, readily come to mind.
In conclusion,all these are a pointer to an election that may be flawed and roundly rejected.
Needless to say that the integrity of ISIEC and her helmsman is at stake.
He can keep mum all he likes.He can pretend all he wants.He may refuse to accept it or even announce it. But the situation on ground suggests he cannot hold this election on September 21.A postponement is his likely escape!
LINKING THE DOTS WITH;Iheyinwa Alexandar Emeka(07064795821)
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
17- DEC- 2025
The Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets, Senator Osita Izunaso, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the increasing occupation of political offices by individuals lacking the training, discipline, and values required for effective leadership.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the public presentation of Leadership 365: Daily Reflection for Effective Leadership, authored by Dr. Linus Okorie, President of the GOTNI Leadership Centre, the lawmaker noted that leadership in Nigeria is often misunderstood as merely holding public office rather than demonstrating character, competence, and vision.
Senator Izunaso stressed that authority does not automatically confer leadership, lamenting the absence of intentional leadership development structures in the country. According to him, many political actors assume leadership positions without adequate preparation, resulting in poor conduct, weak decision-making, and a disconnect from the people they serve.
He explained that true leadership reflects in attitude, speech, and behaviour, noting that leaders are constantly under public scrutiny and must therefore conduct themselves with responsibility and restraint. He added that leadership is not exclusive to political office holders, pointing out that leaders often emerge naturally in everyday settings based on influence and character rather than titles.
The lawmaker commended Dr. Okorie for contributing to leadership discourse through his book, describing it as a thoughtful work that highlights leadership as a daily responsibility applicable to all spheres of life. He emphasized that leadership is often revealed through action and integrity, not position, and can be identified even among children through observation of behaviour and influence.
Addressing young Nigerians, Senator Izunaso cautioned against the growing obsession with quick wealth, urging them instead to embrace mentorship and positive role models whose lives reflect sound values. He advised that money should not be the primary measure for choosing role models, stressing the importance of character and long-term impact.
The senator further observed that while technology and artificial intelligence are shaping the modern world, they can never replace the power of the human spirit. He noted that when properly guided, human capacity can drive meaningful change capable of transforming institutions, economies, and nations.
In his remarks, Dr. Okorie underscored the importance of deliberate leadership grooming, stating that nations that have achieved sustainable development did so by investing consciously in leadership capital. He explained that the book was written to encourage consistent self-reflection and inspire individuals committed to making a positive difference in society.
Observers note that concerns about leadership quality have remained a recurring issue in Nigeria’s governance discourse, with critics often pointing to weak institutions, policy inconsistency, and a political culture that prioritizes patronage over competence as major challenges to national development.
Politics
Engineers Farouk Ahmed, Gbenga Komolafe resign, President Tinubu nominates successors to the Senate for approval
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve the nominations of two new chief executives for the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
The requests followed the resignation of Engineer Farouk Ahmed of the NMDPRA and Gbenga Komolafe of the NUPRC. Both officials were appointed in 2021 by former President Buhari to lead the two regulatory agencies created by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
To fill these positions, President Tinubu has written to the Senate, requesting expedited confirmation of Oritsemeyiwa Amanorisewo Eyesan as CEO of NUPRC and Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed as CEO of NMDPRA.
The two nominees are seasoned professionals in the oil and gas industry.
Eyesan, a graduate of Economics from the University of Benin, spent nearly 33 years with the NNPC and its subsidiaries. She retired as Executive Vice President, Upstream (2023–2024), and previously served as Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy at NNPC from 2019 to 2023.
Engineer Saidu Aliyu Mohammed, born in 1957 in Gombe, graduated from Ahmadu Bello University in 1981 with a Bachelor’s in Chemical Engineering. He was announced today as an independent non-executive director at Seplat Energy.
His prior roles include Managing Director of Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company and Nigerian Gas Company, as well as Chair of the boards of West African Gas Pipeline Company, Nigeria LNG subsidiaries, and NNPC Retail.
He also served as Group Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer, Gas & Power Directorate, where he provided strategic leadership for major gas projects and policy frameworks, including the Gas Masterplan, Gas Network Code, and contributions to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Engineer Mohammed played a pivotal role in delivering key projects such as the Escravos–Lagos Pipeline Expansion, the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline, and Nigeria LNG Train.
President Bola Tinubu felicitates Senator Ifeanyi Godwin Ararume, astute politician and accomplished businessman, on his birthday, December 16.
Senator Ararume’s odyssey in politics began in the late 1980s, when he served as the State Treasurer of the Liberal Convention in old Imo State. He later joined the National Finance Committee of the defunct National Republican Convention.
He represented Imo North in the 9th National Assembly. He was first elected in May 1999 and re-elected in April 2003. He also served on several committees and held other official roles.
President Tinubu commends the former senator for his years of service to the nation and contributions to its peace, unity, and progress.
The President describes Senator Ararume as a resolute and shrewd politician, highlighting his courageous and remarkable political journey through the years.
President Tinubu wishes Senator Ararume a happy 67th birthday and prays that God Almighty will grant him more years of good health and strength.
IMO WEST SENATOR IZUNASO WARNS AGAINST RISING TREND OF ILL-PREPARED LEADERS IN NIGERIA.
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