News
John Chuma Nwosu: When integrity speaks, when passion takes over
By Sunny Igboanugo
Only the bereft will stand hands-akimbo and watch nonchalantly at the happenings in Anambra State today. Only the totally soulless would be unmoved by the vibes currently emanating from the state, with regards to the issue of real governance or lack of it, especially as a citizen, resident or even a passerby.
Such a state of being must be as a result of either complete moral bankruptcy, lack of mental acuity or total absence of physical consciousness – perhaps out of brain-dead or comatose condition. Those are the only reason for one to be a standpatter to the current state of affairs in that enclave.
Otherwise, anyone that possesses the littlest iota of physical and psychological consciousness, mental balance or moral suasion would not only react to the continuous stimuli vibing out of the state but would be willing to act one way or the other for or against it.
Though there was not such an outburst of fanfare, apparently because the world was still smarting from the COVID 19 pandemic that swept across the firmament, the emergence of Charles Chukwuma Soludo, as victorious about this time four years ago, left not a few people upbeat that a new positive phenomenon had occurred in the state.
Watchers of events across board including even his opponents and their supporters had expected the immediate transformation of the state, if not anything world-class as in the countries he chose as his model, at the least, beyond what existed in Nigeria before him, especially in Anambra. Indeed, those who opposed him had other reasons outside performance or ability to deliver, given his pedigree and tall credentials he was parading as a first-class economist and former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The thought of mediocrity or underhand performance, was quite distant in the estimation of the people, especially as he promised to transform Anambra into the Dubai-Taiwan-Silicon Valley model of development.
Today, that lofty idea of an Anambra brimming with activities such as booming industrial base, iconic shopping malls, tourists and holiday makers and glittering lights under beehive sort of night activities, characteristic of the envisaged model in Dubai or Taiwan have completely evaporated from the minds of people.
Instead it has been replaced with the wincing sounds of victims of all sorts of societal ills – banal and insipid economic records – families mourning their dead ones caught in the fires of blazing guns from criminals or running from pillar to post to raise money to pay ransom to secure the freedom of their wards in various detention camps of kidnappers dotting all over the forests and private centres in the state or even in the various detention centres of state exploitative actors disguising as security agencies.
As in a funeral pall thrown over them, Anambra is in a state of total desolation. Except for state officials and other fringe beneficiaries, it has sunk into an abyss of despair and helplessness, not only as a result of planlessness, directionless and impulsive leadership thrashing around frantically to give the impression of doing something, but due to the total lack of empathy and general inertia.
While some stakeholders have contented themselves by crying silently behind locked doors, others allowing feeble protests and others just adopting a wait-and-see attitude, some have picked up the gauntlet to reverse the ugly trend.
So, when John Chuma Nwosu, candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), filed in his papers to contest the November 18 governorship election, it is not just to add another title to his name, but to end the steady slide the state is taking towards the edge of the precipice.
In other words, it is a rescue mission to save the state from the rudderless swing it has found itself in the hands of Soludo, who has not only posted the worst outing in the history of the state but is actually guiding it towards the inevitable crash down the precipice by the time it finally tips, which is no longer far.
The proof that the move Nwosu is making towards the Government House, Agu Awka, is not being driven by a personal ambition to add the title of “Governor” to his name or enjoy the pecks thereof, was emphasised when he appeared at the Anambra State High Court, Awka to put paid to a very fundamental issue raging since he came to the scene.
Hear him: “I Mr. John Chuma Nwosu, of Odida Nnewichi, Nnewi, Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra South Senatorial zone, Male, Adult, Christian, nominated candidate of ADC (African Democratic Congress) for the governorship election on the 8th day of November 2025, do hereby make this affidavit and swear under oath as follows:
- That I am aware that there is rotation of the office of governor of Anambra State among the three senatorial zones, namely Anambra North, Anambra Central and Anambra South Senatorial zones, based of equity, natural justice and good conscience.
- That the South Senatorial zone currently occupying the seat of governor of Anambra State has only one term of four years remaining of the term of office due to the South Senatorial zone and thereafter it shall be the turn of the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone to nominate a candidate for the office of governor of Anambra State for eight years before the office rotates to the North Senatorial zonal for eight years.
- That it is in total agreement and submission to this rotation principle that I depose to this affidavit under oath that I, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu shall, as elected governor of Anambra State under ADC on 8 November, 2025 DO ONLY ONE TERM OF FOUR YEARS IN OFFICE AS GOVERNOR OF ANAMBRA STATE to allow Anambra Central Senatorial Zone produce the next governor after my term of office.
- That accordingly and by the foregoing, I appeal to all Anambra Central Senatorial Zone stakeholders, entire voting population of the zone, all men and women of good conscience to support and vote for me under ADC on Saturday 8 November 2025 as I hereby swear under oath to honour and respect the governorship rotation principles of Anambra State under natural justice, equity and good conscience.
- That I depose to this affidavit under oath, the law and in good faith.
AND THAT I swear to this affidavit sincerely and conscientiously believing same to be true and correct in accordance with the provision of the Oaths Act, 2004.”
For emphasis, Nwosu went further to adumbrate his raison d’etre, just to leave no one in doubt and to settle the fears which many have harboured as a result of the zoning issue.
Providing further and better particulars, he wrote: “Because we take our mission and vision to rescue Anambra seriously; because asking for public trust is serious business; because as a person, campaign organisation, and political party, we are not frivolous; because we believe in transparency and accountability; and because our word is our bond, I have deposed on record in the Court of Law that I will serve only one term, if elected.”
After this unprecedented move, which binds him by the force of law and makes him a candidate for jail should he renege, because it would amount to perjury, having taken an oath, who is still in doubt about his motive?
Who is still doubting that he is being driven by the hunger and passion to save Anambra from destruction? Who is still doubting that he is on a rescue mission? Who is coming along in this worthy project? This is no time to be a standpatter. It is time to take a stand. Now is the time!
Igboanugo is Director, Media and Public Affairs, JCN Campaign Council of the ADC
Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, on Tuesday, revealed that more than 840,000 foreigners are currently overstaying their visas in Nigeria, describing the situation as a significant migration challengem describing the development as a global phenomenon.
A guest on Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, the Minister, who said the figure was obtained through the country’s recently upgraded immigration tracking system, told his host: “Just as we have Nigerian overstayers in the UK, Nigeria is also facing the same challenge. As of this morning, through our upgraded system, we have about 848,290 visa overstayers in Nigeria. These are citizens of different countries residing in Nigeria.”
The Minister, while stressing that irregular migration remained a global issue requiring international cooperation, stated that visa overstays would help curb related crimes such as human trafficking and smuggling.
Stressing the importance of bilateral agreements, particularly in ensuring the “dignified return” of individuals who no longer had the legal right to remain in a country, he dismissed concerns that Nigeria could be pressured into accepting foreign prisoners.
His words: “I have seen reports suggesting that prisoners would be brought into Nigeria. This government will not tolerate such. There is no way this administration will sign that kind of agreement.
“The recently signed Nigeria–UK migration agreement is based on reciprocity and applies strictly to Nigerian nationals. The Federal Government has been transparent about the deal. It does not include the transfer of foreign inmates. It excludes family members and that each case is treated based on specific legal conditions. Nigerians returned under the arrangement will be treated with dignity in line with their fundamental human rights. No Nigerian stands to lose from the agreement.”
Meanwhile, the minister revealed earlier in March that the Federal Government has strengthened its capacity to track and apprehend visa overstayers.
He said this is being achieved through data collected over the past decade and the operations of the Nigeria Immigration Service’s Integrated Operations Centre and Network Operations Centre.
The development follows a migration pact signed earlier in March between Nigeria and the United Kingdom during President Bola Tinubu’s visit.
The agreement seeks to fast-track the return of Nigerian visa overstayers, failed asylum seekers, and convicted offenders in the UK, while enhancing cooperation on tackling visa fraud, cybercrime, and other transnational offences.
African Democratic Congress (ADC), may have its ranks swollen by gaining its first governor if Bala Mohammed, Governor of Bauchi State, eventually joins the coalition, which is fast gaining momentum as the major challenger of President Bola Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports say the governor has indicated his intention to join the now main opposition party on Thursday, weeks after an alleged failed attempt to pitch his tent with the ruling APC over some irreconcilable differences.
The report, which said the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, hinted at the defection on Tuesday while hosting some ADC leaders, including Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), at the government house in Bauchi, pointed to the parlous situation in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had earlier held sway as a prominent leader.
Recall that Mohammed was and is still Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, where only himself and Seyi Makinde, his Oyo State counterpart are now remaining after the tsunami that swept away many of their colleagues alongside many other heavy heavyweights in the party.
With the PDP, ostensibly firmly in the vice grip of Nyesom Wike, former Governor of Rivers State, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed and others, who have shown resentment towards the camp, have been left with little option other than quit.
The governor was quoted as saying: “We have found ourselves in a very serious situation. I have done everything possible to ensure reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“We set up committees at both the national and state levels to explore all options, including even the All Progressives Congress, but sadly, we discovered that we are not wanted there.”
Hinting further that ADC appeared to be the acceptable platform for him, Mohammed who stated that he had not concluded discussions, said David Mark, ADC National Chairman, had extended an invitation to him and his supporters to join the party after extensive consultations.
He added: “I’m here this morning with a delegation from the ADC headquarters, where my mentor, my boss, Senator David Mark, is leading, and he has sent an olive branch to reconnect me with the umbilical cord of the opposition, where I have always emerged from.
“Certainly, as a leader in the PDP, we have found ourselves in a very serious ambivalence, where our party is headless. Of course, I have pursued all avenues for reconciliation, but it has not worked.
“Our people are putting me under extreme pressure, and we have set up two committees – one in Abuja at the national level, because of my position as a leader of the party, and one here to look at where to go.
“We left all our options open, including the APC itself, but certainly we have discovered that we cannot be where we are not wanted. We have to find a place within the opposition.
“That is where our fate and political destiny is taking us. And the ADC appears to be a very enduring and more acceptable platform among the people who are engaging with me so far.”
Stating that consultations were still ongoing, and that a final decision would be communicated by Thursday, he maintained that inclusivity remained key to whatever direction is taken.
His words: “We are very conscious of the timeline. Everything will be concluded by Thursday so that we will be on the same page and not exclude ourselves from participation. And so, you will hear a firm commitment from us by Thursday, when we would have met in Abuja. That was why I said I have to carry everybody along.”
The governor, while stressing that due diligence was key before any political realignment is finalised, stated that engagements were ongoing with stakeholders across the PDP at both levels to ensure a smooth transition and avoid missteps.
“For now, I would say this is our preferred destination, but we have not concluded in a way that allows us to deepen stakeholder engagement and collaboration so that we do not make mistakes. That is where we are,” he said while expressing appreciation for the outreach by the ADC, describing it as timely given the PDP internal challenges.
Emphasising that political strength ultimately rested with the electorate and not party structures alone, he added: “We believe in winning elections, and elections are contested and won at the polling unit. We are not afraid of anyone.
“We have done all we can in terms of self-preservation, political accommodation, and participation, but it is not working. Therefore, we must now confront the challenges of this existential option being presented to us by the ADC.”
“This government is not going to tolerate something like that. There is no way this government, under this president, will sign that sort of agreement; it’s never going to be done. What this agreement talks about are Nigerians who are overstayers or who are out of status in the United Kingdom.”
These were the exact words of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, Minister of Interior, with which he denied claims that the Federal Government, had by the recent migration agreement signed by Nigeria and the United Kingdom, would allow the transfer of foreign criminals to Nigeria.
The agreement, one of the three signed during President Bola Tinubu’s recent state visit to the UK is said to be aimed at strengthening bilateral cooperation on migration management, border security, and economic development.
Against the backdrop of resentments by a groundswell of highly critical Nigerians, who claimed it could enable the UK to transfer criminals seeking asylum in the country to Nigeria, the Minister, a guest on Politics Today, a public affairs programme on Channels Television, told his host that such was never the case, as the President would never accept such a deal under any circumstances.
His words: “Article 7 of the agreement says, ‘the parties will work together to secure the dignified return of their nationals who do not or who no longer have the right to enter or remain in that country.’ I have seen some things in the media where some people are saying that they want to go and bring prisoners from all over the world and dump in Nigeria.”
Insisting that Nigerians had nothing to worry about regarding the agreements with the UK government, he noted that they were based on the international diplomatic model of reciprocity.
Hear him: “Why do I say there is nothing to be worried about? These agreements have opened a vista of opportunities for collaboration, and I say this very clearly: Nigeria, under this administration, is not interested in exporting problems to any part of the world. We want to solve our problems. We want to put our house in order.
“We believe that irregular migration today is not just a UK problem, it’s not just an American problem—it’s a problem all over the world, including in our own country. Partnership is needed to bring all hands together to solve this problem.”
The Minister, who maintained that the government had nothing to hide, while acknowledging that the full agreement was not published, stated that the details were contained in the media by the President, through Bayo Onanuga, his spokesman, who highlighted different sections.
Speaking on the envisaged gains, the Minister, said for instance that Article 8 of the agreement addressed the rights of returnees, who would at all times be treated with respect and dignity, with due regard to their fundamental human rights.
Describing the deal as a “50-50” arrangement for the two countries, he added that the agreement was different from the controversial Rwanda asylum plan, emphasising that it excluded family members, while each case would be handled according to specific legal conditions.
FG: We’re dealing with migration problems too *840,000 expired visa cases
ADC to gain first governor ahead of crucial decision by stakeholders
London deal: Nothing to hide, Nigeria won’t be haven for UK criminals – FG
-
News1 week agoGovernor weeps, as terrorists kill soldiers, police in night ambush
-
News2 weeks ago2027: Ndigbo will rely on numerical strength – Okorie *Mobilises 35million Igbo votes
-
News1 week agoBREAKING: Bloody day in Ibadan! *Trailer loses control, crushes residents!
-
News3 weeks agoUS must finish the job in Iran – Trump *We aren’t leaving yet!
-
News3 weeks agoNobody can question my democratic integrity in Nigeria – Tinubu
-
News2 weeks agoTinubu to terrorists: No place to hide! *We’ll smoke you out and defeat you!
-
News4 weeks agoGood times are back! We have slashed food prices by 50 per cent – FG
-
News1 week agoDangote: More suffering ahead *How Nigerians can survive rising fuel costs