News

Perspective – Emeruwa: When a Speaker is Living in Bondage

Published

1 year ago

June 14, 2024

csunews

No doubt, the Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, is under executive bondage that he cannot extricate himself from, hence, his recourse to ridiculing himself and office with puerile excuses for not inaugurating his brother and friend, Hon Aaron Uzodike, to represent the good people of Aba North State Constituency having been declared the winner of the last House of Assembly election in the constituency.

I have spoken to many of our mutual friends on this issue and they all say the same thing: “his hands are tied by the Governor.”Unfortunately, Emeruwa cannot expect sympathy from me because he knows that if I was in the same position as him, I would rise to do the right thing even if it would cost me the Speakership. I wept for Emeruwa when i first saw this video.Listen carefully and hear the speaker of Abia State House of Assembly and, by the grace of God, the chief lawmaker of our dear state, making excuses that a Year One Law student or even a legal illiterate like me will never make because it sounds wild and atrociously ridiculous.

He said the judgement of the Appeal Court that declared Uzodike as the rightful winner of the Aba North State constituency election did not ask him to inaugurate Aaron Uzodike, hence, he won’t perform that duty that the law expects him to perform by virtue of the public office he occupies.Mr Speaker, I feel very bad educating you on this issue because your statement ridicules our state as a place where square pegs are forced into round holes.

But my hands are tied by my conscience to still help you understand even though deep down I believe you already know these facts.1. The major document required to inaugurate a member of the house of assembly is the Certificate of Return from INEC. Not even CTC of a court order.2. Once the court directed INEC to issue the certificate of return to Aaron Uzodike, the job of the court was done. The reason is that INEC is the chief electoral body in the country and they were joined in the suit. The Office of the Speaker was not joined and, hence, the court had no business issuing direct order to that office.

The day you were accepted as member of Abia Stste House of Assembly, it was the same certificate of return from INEC that made the clerk of the house to accept you.3. As a public officer, there are certain duties you are ordinarily expected to perform hence you do not require any express court order to perform those duties. One of those duties is to inaugurate whoever INEC issues a certificate of return to as member of the house and your failure to execute that duty amounts to gross misconduct and you should have been impeached long ago if the PDP members of that house understood their role and have the expected courage to do it. What you said in this video amounts to police saying that they are waiting for a court order to specifically investigate or prevent crimes, which is part of their ordinary duties assigned by law.4.

The “Federal High Court of Appeal Abuja” judgement you mentioned in this video does not exist anywhere in the world and you lied, sir. You merely exposed your shallow understanding of the law even while “making laws” for the rest of us in Abia State.5.

For the information of those who may not know, Aaron Uzodike approached the Abuja Division of the Appeal Court on the 27th of February 2024 (more than 2 months after he was supposed to have been inaugurated as member representing Aba North) to sanction Speaker Emeruwa for contempt of court arising from his refusal to honor the judgement of the Appeal Court. The Presiding Judge advised that a contempt proceeding cannot be successfully sustained against the Speaker because the original court ruling did not specifically direct him on that since he was not a party to the election petition. Aaron was therefore advised to withdraw the contempt charge and his lawyer did that.

The “Federal High Court of Appeal” NEVER SAID SPEAKER EMERUWA CANNOT OR SHOULD NOT INAUGURATE AARON UZODIKE.

There is currently no legal impediment to the inauguration of Aaron Uzodike, hence, no need for any political settlement, as further stated by Speaker Emeruwa in that interview. 7. Mr Speaker previously cited an ex-parte order from Ukwa Division of Abia State High Court as reason for delaying the inauguration of Aaron Uzodike until we reminded him that such orders, if at all in existence, have a legal lifespan of maximum 7-14 days and, hence, must have expired.

Ultimately, we published the ruling by that same court on the 19th day of March 2024 dismissing the suit filed by Destiny Nwagwu. Yet, Mr Speaker refused, neglected and failed to perform his duty under the law.Mr Speaker, I hope you won’t feel bad with the next action I will personally take within the scope of the law to ensure that the rule of law is respected in Abia State for your sake, my sake, that of our children and children’s children? It will not be because I dislike or hate you, I surely don’t, but simply because I have to help untie your hands from the puppet master that is holding you hostage and in bondage. We have just celebrated Democracy Day because some people stood up to dictators and Emperors to demand that rule of law be respected. It is now our turn to do same in our state and I won’t shy away from doing it since you have repeatedly failed to untie your own hands or escape from the bondage of your bond masters.

While you and your colleagues are enjoying the ongoing multi-million naira retreat in Uyo and we wait to read how many billions of Abia money will be retired as “capacity building and training” in Quarter 2 of the 2024 financial report, my friends in Uyo have been mocking me regarding what is going on in that hotel but that’s not my business. Just like the allegation you made that Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing, IVM (Innoson motors) collected hundreds of millions of naira from Abia State Government for official cars for House members and are yet to supply.

Though I wish you had asked those who paid Innoson exactly what the deal was before you erroneously expose someone higher than you. But ya diwa, not my business!!Accept my greetings from the wilderness of Abia State but you must inaugurate Aaron Uzodike or resign as Speaker to enable someone who understands the job and has the courage to do it emerge and do the needful.

By Chief John Okiyi Kalu

News

OMPAN AGM: Dep. Speaker Benjamin Kalu Ph.D as Patron

Published

3 days ago

December 11, 2025

csunews

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Ph.D, CFR, is the Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of
Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, where he represents the Bende Federal
Constituency of Abia State.

He is a seasoned legislator, legal practitioner, international
businessman, peace advocate, and global thought leader in governance and development.

Kalu’s career spans over two decades of impactful service across the public and private sectors.
He began as Chairman, Bende Local Government Area of Abia state, and later served as Executive
Adviser to the Governor of Abia State on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and
International Relations before rising to national prominence in the House of Representatives. First
elected in 2019, he distinguished himself serving as the Chairman, House Committee on Media
and Public Affairs as well as the Spokesperson of the House; role he handled with clarity,
diplomacy and excellence.

As Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives and Chairman, House Committee
on the Review of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) he leads one of the most consequential
national assignments, shaping constitutional reforms that deepen democracy, promote inclusion, and
national unity.

He also represents Nigeria on the global stage as Chairman of the ECOWAS Parliament
Committee on Administration, Finance and Budget; Member of the Pan-African
Parliament; Steering Committee Member of the WTO Parliamentary Conference; and Member of
the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Academically, Kalu is deeply grounded. He holds a Ph.D. in Law from the University of Calabar and
a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Strategic Studies from the University of Abuja. He also earned an LL.M
in Terrorism and International Humanitarian Law (with Distinction) from the University of Calabar,
an MBA from Oxford Brookes University in the United Kingdom.

He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2011.
Kalu has further enriched his expertise through executive programs at prestigious institutions,
including; Leadership for the 21st Century, Harvard Kennedy School, USA, Governance &
Development Program, Miami Herbert Business School, University of Miami, USA,
Environmental Crimes, United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute
(UNICRI), Italy, Migration and Human Rights, John Cabot University, Italy, Illicit
Trade, University of Groningen, Netherlands, International Commercial Arbitration, Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), UK.

His scholarly contributions include published works on climate adaptation policy, food security,
and security sector reforms in Africa, underscoring his role as a scholar-practitioner bridging
research and governance.

In the private sector, Kalu has held various leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and
Australia including as Director at Solcarbon SA-NV (Belgium), Ozbok Australia PTY LTD
(Sydney), and Belcarbon SA (Belgium). He also serves as Principal Arbitrator at Silk Partners LLP
(Nigeria), where he advises on commercial law, arbitration, and international business strategy.

Kalu’s passion for peace and development finds expression in the Peace in the South East Project
(PISE-P), an initiative he convened to promote dialogue, inclusivity, and non-kinetic solutions to
security challenges in Nigeria’s South East. His humanitarian footprint also extends through
the Benjamin Kalu Foundation, which for over two decades has provided interventions
in healthcare, education, and empowerment for youth, women, and persons with disabilities.
In recognition of his outstanding service to the nation, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR,
conferred on him the national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu stands as a visionary leader for the 21st century blending law,
policy, diplomacy, and humanitarianism to shape a more inclusive, peaceful, and prosperous
Nigeria, Africa, and world.

News

OMPAN AGM: OGAH – ANOTHER PATRON

Published

5 days ago

December 9, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The Annual general meeting of the online media publishers association of Nigeria, Abia State will feature the investiture of patrons on some select persons who have excelled in various fields of endeavour.

One of the patrons is Hon Amobi Godwin Ogah.

Born on the 16th of June, 1980, to the family of late Wilson and Ogbonneya Ogah of Onuaku, Uturu, in Isuikwuato Local Government Area of Abia State, he acquired his early education at Udoka Primary School Awka, in Anambra State, Nnachi High School in Enugu State, and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in economics from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT).

Driven by passion for service, socio-economic upliftment and job creation which has consistently marked his journey, he served as the executive director of seven subsidiary companies under the Pauli-Mama Group of Companies and other companies outside the group.

“Aguneche Ibe” as he is fondly called, is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Economics, a Member of the Nigeria-America Chamber of Commerce (NACC), and a member of the Global Trade Club of Spain.

In 2019, Amobi Ogah was called upon by the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to represent them at the House of Representative but later withdrew his aspiration to pave way for his immediate predecessor serving for a record 4th term.

On February 25th, 2023, Amobi yielded to yet another call from the people of Isuikwuato and Umunneochi to seek election, hence, he was overwhelmingly voted into office as the Member representing Isuikwuato and Umunneochi Federal Constituency under the platform of the Labour Party.

His resounding victory ended the 16 years reign of his predecessor, a victory which is widely described as one of the greatest political upset of the 2023 election.

At the 10th Assembly, Hon Ogah is the Chairman, House Committee on Infectious Diseases. He has demonstrated impeccable character and capacity in his legislative mandate with several motions, bills, and oversight responsibilities to his credit.

Some of the Bills include: the National Institute for Organic Agriculture and Food Safety Research, Ulonna North, Isuikwuato Abia State; Creation Of Uturu-Chieze Local Government Area; Creation of Etiti State; Federal School of Nursing and Midwifery, Uturu, Abia State; Tuberculosis (anti-discrimination) Bill, Private Institutions and Health Care Services Providers (prohibition) Bill; Fifty-Year National Economic Plan Act for Nigeria; as well as the National Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS Act (amendment) Bill.

Ogah is a philanthropist who is in tune with the yearnings of his constituents, having empowered many, including women and youths of his constituency with skills for self-reliance

He has enrolled several youths on full-funded educational scholarship, with infrastructural upgrade of his constituency cutting across roads, medical outreach, health facilities, constructed markets and several other facilities to improve the quality of life.

In similitude, Hon Ogah has organized series of empowerment programmes to cushion the economic hardship of his constituents. Some of these include; the 2019 empowerment outreach; 2024 empowerment programme held on the 16th of November, as well as the recently organized 1-billion-naira empowerment of his constituents held on December 6th, 2025, where cars, mini buses, tricycles, motorcycles, deep freezers, grinding machines, industrial sewing machines, and many other items of economic boost were distributed.

Hon Amobi Ogah is married to a supportive wife, Maureen and the union is blessed with children.

Human angle

Igbokwe’s Family Commences Burial Preparations for Late Matriarch, Dame Peace Igbokwe

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

csunews

By Editor, Umuahia

The family of Nze Samuel Nmaralam Igbokwe of Wowo Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha, Umuahia North LGA, Abia State, has formally commenced the burial preparations for their late matriarch, Dame Peace Onyekwulechi Igbokwe (née Ogu), fondly known as Peace Kwulechi, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 60.

The burial rites begin Friday, December 5, 2025 with a service of songs at her Lagos residence at 34 Road, A’Close, House 13, Gowon Estate.

According to the programme released by the family, the funeral activities will continue with a Service of Songs/Tribute Night on Friday, 9th January 2026 at the Igbokwe country home in Umueke-Umuyota, Umuawa Alaocha.

The rites will progress on Saturday, 10th January 2026 with the departure of the body from the mortuary, followed by lying-in-state at her residence and thereafter procession to Wesley Cathedral, for funeral service.

Interment follows after the service at the family compound, and a reception at Umuawa Central School.

A Thanksgiving Service will be held on Sunday, 11th January 2026 at Methodist Church, Umuawa Alaocha.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Mayor Lucky Igbokwe (Don Lulu) appreciated friends, relatives, and well-wishers for their support as the family begins the solemn journey of laying their matriarch to rest.