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Ngige mourns ex-Reps Speaker Agunwa Anaekwe, says a great Iroko has fallen
Former governor of Anambra State and two times Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has expressed shock and sadness on the death of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 3rd NASS 1992- November 17TH 1993, Agunwa Anaekwe, describing it as the uprooting of a big political iroko tree from Ibo land and Nigeria in general.
He said, “Late Agunwa was my friend, trusted political ally,who aligned himself with progressive politics since he joined partisan politics in 1991 through the defunct Social Democratic Party [SDP] emerging the Speaker of the House in a keenly contested Speakership race between the SDP and Opposition National Republican Convention (NRC).
“Agunwa steered the House with a lot of dexterity, wisdom and patience and situation that saw that House having more stability than it’s Senate counterpart before the Military led by General Sani Abacha struck on 17TH November 1993, after the annulment of the Presidential election won by Aare MKO Abiola of the SDP.
“He lost his seat when all the Democratic structures were pulled down by Gen Abacha. He took the situation with equanimity but still joined us andthe then former Anambra Governor HE Chukwemeka Ezeife in the fight for restoration of Democracy
“At the inception of the 3rd Republic he joined us in the Vanguard of Dr Alex Ekwueme s alliance that went to form the Eastern flank of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He contested the controversial Gubernatorial of Dec1998, and even though he didn’t make it accepted the results in good faith and while some others were going to party Appeal panel and Court he joined us to deliver the then Guber candidate HE Chinwoke Mbadinuju of blessed memory.
“When I emerged Guber candidate of the party in 2003, Ide Agunwa was the Battalion Commander of the foot soldiers who worked in Anaocha and Njikoka Local Governments, showed palpable presence in the elections producing advantageous outcomes.
“As Governor, he stood with me in the fight to behead the God-fathers that held Anambra hostage under Gov Mbadinuju resulting in “years of the locusts ” situation with unpaid salaries and gratuities for workers, teachers resulting in closure of schools for 1 academic session, a situation we quickly reversed with restoration of payment of salaries and gratuities as and when due.
“Ide was one of the Governors Advisory Committee of Elders.We were allies again in the formation of Action Congress AC in 2006 and in my absence overseas, after my removal by the Court he stepped in and stood in ast the FIRST INTERIM Chairman of Action Congress Anambra Chapter, holding forte till I came back and we ran the Presidential and controversial 2007 Gubernatorial elections which was later nullified by the Supreme Court to enable Gov Peter Obi finish his 4 years term.
“Ide Anaocha accepted to be an interim State Chairman because of his penchant for progressive politics. Even recently having been a Former Speaker House of Representatives, Ide stooped to be the APC Ex- Officio for South East zoned to Anambra State in the Party’s 2022 National Convention order to give trusted, quality representation for the zone in the party’s National Executive Committee [NEC], despite his high status as a member of the National Caucus.
“His death has therefore created a very big void, difficult to fill because of the dearth of principled, accountable and truthful persons in the murky, dirty waters of Nigerian politics.
“I remember with nostalgia my last visit to him with Senator Osita Izunaso (his Media Assistant as Speaker] to see him in his Abuja home late March when I heard he was sick and was billed for a major Surgery, the camaraderie we shared that night and his happiness at seeing us after many months, lifted our spirit not knowing that Death the “Biggest Thief in the night ” was lurking around to steal our friend and brother Ide Anaocha!!
“May the good Lord comfort the family, the government and our people in Anambra State and Nigeria in general, on this collosal just as we pray that the good Lord will grant his soul eternal rest.”
H.E SEN DR CHRIS NWABUEZE NGIGE MD, OON, CON
FORMER GOVERNOR ANAMBRA STATE 2003-2006
SENATOR Rep ANAMBRA CENTRAL SENATORIAL DISTRICT 2011-2015
HONOURABLE MINISTER of Labour and Employment 2015-2023
The Supreme Court has nullified the national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16, 2025.
The convention had produced a factional national executive of the party led by Tanimu Turaki, SAN.
The apex court’s decision has now affirmed earlier judgments which held that the exercise was conducted in violation of subsisting court orders.
The Ibadan convention had been the subject of prolonged legal disputes before the Supreme Court’s verdict.
A Federal High Court had earlier restrained the PDP from going ahead with the convention, citing alleged breaches of the party’s constitution and failure to comply with due process.
The court also noted unresolved disputes from state congresses and the alleged exclusion of some aspirants from the process.
Despite the order, the convention went ahead, leading to further litigation. The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld the decision of the lower court.
It affirmed that the convention was held in violation of valid judicial pronouncements and that its outcome could not stand.
Dissatisfied with the concurrent judgments, the Turaki-led faction approached the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the decisions and validate the convention as well as the executives it produced.
The Supreme Court’s decision to void the convention has effectively settled the legal dispute over the legitimacy of the factional leadership that emerged from the exercise.
….The Commission wants IGP to address use of excessive force by police
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr. Tony Ojukwu OFR, SAN, has strongly condemned the alleged extrajudicial killing of a 28-year-old Nigerian, Mene Ogidi, by a police officer, ASP Nuhu Usman, on April 26, 2026, in Efurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Dr. Ojukwu described the incident as “deeply disturbing and a direct assault on human dignity, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the rule of law.”
He stressed that no Nigerian should lose their life at the hands of those sworn to protect them, reiterating that every life matters and must be protected.
According to him, “the reported action of the officer involved is condemnable, unacceptable, and completely inconsistent with the principles of justice and a civilized society.”
The statement which was signed by Hajia Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, Director, Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, quoted Ojukwu to have expressed grave concern over the recurring incidents of excessive use of force by law enforcement officers and called on the Nigeria Police Force to take urgent and decisive steps to address the issue.
He specifically urged the police authorities to subject officers deployed on special duties to periodic mental and psychological evaluations to ensure they are fit to carry arms and engage with civilians responsibly.
Dr. Ojukwu further called for the immediate disciplinary action against ASP Nuhu Usman in line with extant laws and police regulations.
He also emphasized the need for the Nigeria Police Force to fully implement the recommendations of the Commission’s Panel on Police Brutality as a necessary step toward meaningful reform and prevention of future violations.
“The Commission demands immediate arrest and a transparent investigation into the incident, dismissal of the officer involved, and swift prosecution in accordance with the law.
We hereby call for adequate compensation and justice for the family of the victim,” he stated.
He warned that justice delayed only deepens public distrust in state institutions and undermines confidence in law enforcement.
The Executive Secretary assured that the NHRC will continue to monitor the case closely and will persist in its advocacy for accountability, justice, and the protection of the fundamental rights of all Nigerians.
“Nigeria must never normalize brutality. Justice must speak louder than silence,” he concluded.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
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