News
Mbah Commissions Multiple Roads, Renames Abakpa Road in Honor of Music Legend Mike Ejeagha
…Governor Pledges Government Support for Ejeagha’s Upkeep
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, inaugurated four newly constructed and reconstructed roads in Abakpa Nike, Enugu metropolis, on Monday, including Mike Ejeagha Crescent, where the renowned music legend resides. The governor also renamed the prominent Obinagu Road after Ejeagha, celebrating his contributions to the cultural heritage of the state.
The other roads commissioned by Governor Mbah include Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road and Nkpor Street. During the event, Mbah visited Ejeagha at his residence, announcing that the state government would take full responsibility for the music legend’s upkeep, describing him as a living icon.
“Remember when you entrusted us with your mandate; we assured you that you had fulfilled your part, and the responsibility had shifted to us to honor our social contract. We pledged that all urban roads in Enugu must be paved. Last year, we awarded contracts for 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads, all of which have since been completed. The roads we are commissioning today are in addition to those,” Mbah said.
He explained that the newly commissioned roads were identified as emergency projects earlier this year and highlighted the significance of renaming Obinagu Road in honor of Ejeagha.
“One road stands out among these— the road leading to the home of one of our great legends, Mike Ejeagha. Through his folk songs, he has kept the memories of our rich cultural heritage alive. Naming this road after him is a tribute to his contributions to Enugu’s status as a center of art and culture,” Mbah stated.
The governor emphasized that the road inaugurations mark the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State. He reassured the residents of Abakpa and the state at large that more projects were underway, including the upcoming dualization of Penocks Junction on the Enugu-Onitsha Road, extending to Opi-Nsukka.
“We are committed to serving you with every fiber of our being, and our dedication to improving infrastructure will never waver,” Mbah added.
The Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, assured that the roads were constructed with durability and user convenience in mind. The technical specifications include a robust sub-grade, asphalt wearing course, and reinforced concrete drainages and culverts.
At his residence, Ejeagha expressed his gratitude through his son, Emma Ejeagha, and daughter, Elizabeth Ugwu (Nee Ejeagha), noting that Governor Mbah had fulfilled promises that previous administrations had failed to deliver.
“Previous governments made promises, but nothing materialized. Mbah, without making any promises, transformed our roads into brand new ones, like a dream come true,” Emma Ejeagha said.
The residents of Abakpa Nike, who turned out in large numbers, praised the governor for the new infrastructure, highlighting its positive impact on their businesses and daily lives. Governor Mbah also delighted the crowd by performing a few steps of the popular “Gwo gwo gwo ngwo” dance.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed all four emirates in the state to begin preparations for the upcoming Sallah Durbar Celebration.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed this in a statement, emphasizing that the event is a cherished tradition where citizens gather to witness Emirs on horseback and celebrate in grand style.
Tofa assured that security agencies will be fully engaged to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors during the festivities.
Governor Yusuf also praised the Emirs for maintaining a harmonious relationship since their appointments, describing it as unprecedented in Kano’s history.
Additionally, the Kano State Emirate Council is set to be inaugurated in April. The governor stated that its operational guidelines and ethics would be outlined on the inauguration day.
Impeached Governors in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic
Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and state lawmakers over the ongoing political crisis, there were already moves to impeach Fubara.
Had he been impeached, Fubara would have joined a list of Nigerian governors removed from office since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. Below is a list of impeached governors and the circumstances surrounding their removal:
1. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State, 2005)
Alamieyeseigha was Bayelsa’s first civilian governor in the Fourth Republic, elected in 1999 and reelected in 2003. However, in 2005, he was impeached over allegations of corruption, including theft of public funds and money laundering. Two years later, he pleaded guilty to six charges and was sentenced to prison.
2. Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo State, 2006)
Ladoja governed Oyo State from 2003 until January 2006, when state lawmakers impeached him. Christopher Alao-Akala was sworn in as his replacement. However, Ladoja was reinstated in December 2006 after a court ruling nullified his removal. He later claimed his impeachment was due to his opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid.
3. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State, 2006)
Fayose, elected in 2003, was impeached in 2006 alongside his deputy, Biodun Olujimi, over allegations of corruption, including embezzling funds meant for the state’s poultry project. Twenty-four out of 26 lawmakers voted for their removal. Although Fayose fled at the time, he later returned and contested again. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that his impeachment was unlawful.
4. Peter Obi (Anambra State, 2006)
Peter Obi, who later became the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, was impeached just six months into his tenure as Anambra governor. He claimed he was removed for refusing to inflate the state budget. He challenged his impeachment in court and won, returning to office in February 2007.
5. Joshua Dariye (Plateau State, 2006)
Dariye faced impeachment proceedings in October 2006 after being linked to money laundering. Only eight out of 24 lawmakers initially issued an impeachment notice, which he contested. However, the following month, he was removed, and his deputy, Michael Botmang, took over. The Supreme Court later reinstated him, but his tenure ended in 2007. That same year, the EFCC accused him of diverting N1 billion in state ecological funds.
6. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State, 2014)
Nyako was removed in 2014 over allegations of misappropriating N17 billion, illegal salary deductions, and misusing local government funds. He and his deputy, Bala Ngilari, received impeachment notices in June 2014, and a month later, he was removed from office. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the state’s house speaker at the time, was sworn in as acting governor.
These impeachments highlight the political turbulence that has shaped Nigeria’s democratic governance over the years.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “unconstitutional and reckless.”
In a statement on Wednesday via X, Obi accused Tinubu of undermining democracy and disregarding the rule of law. He described the move as a dangerous attempt to tighten control over the state.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs,” Obi stated.
He further argued that the political crisis in Rivers does not justify suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers. Obi accused the federal government of selectively interpreting Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution to serve its own interests.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria,” he said.
Obi warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. He also linked it to previous electoral irregularities, stating that such actions would push Nigeria toward lawlessness and anarchy.
He urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to reject the emergency declaration, emphasizing that allowing it to stand would deepen the culture of impunity and weaken democratic institutions.
Kano gov approves Sallah durbar preparations for emirates
Nigerian governors that have been impeached since 1999
‘It’s unconstitutional, reckless,’ Peter Obi condemns emergency rule in Rivers
-
News9 hours agoKano gov approves Sallah durbar preparations for emirates
-
News9 hours ago‘It’s unconstitutional, reckless,’ Peter Obi condemns emergency rule in Rivers
-
News9 hours agoNigerian governors that have been impeached since 1999
-
Metro9 hours agoTension as Tinubu declares state of emergency in Rivers
-
News9 hours agoSouth-South leaders, PANDEF flay emergency rule in Rivers