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IHEDIOHA: 5 Lessons To Learn To Avoid His Political Pitfalls — A Case In Study Of Political Lilly-liveredness By: Ambrose Nwaogwugwu, April 24, 2024.

Published

1 year ago

April 23, 2024

My elder brother, Dee Emeka Ihedioha will make a good project topic for political science students on a case study of what I now call a political Lilly-liveredness.

The former illegal governor of Imo State who was sacked by the Supreme Court for stealing the People’s votes exemplifies the quintessence of political lilly-liveredness, of always chickening out and leaving supporters confused and attendent disillusionment.

Even his illegal tenure was marked by vindictiveness, indecision, vacillation, and a lack of political will, which ultimately led to his downfall.

Any political leader who wants to live beyond his time or tenure must pick one or two lessons of the political misfortunes of the former Deputy Speaker of the house of Representatives.

The core people who worked for him for the election were either dumped out of his system and many left unappreciated that even when they could have helped in the political river that was raging to swallow him was knocking, many who were to help looked the other way.

When I dumped the PDP four years ago, many people were saying I left the party that made me but same people who cursed me then do no longer have anything to say because it is Ihedioha.

But Ihedioha, everything he is today was made possible by the PDP!

The PDP breastfed him from political infancy to whatever he is today but just because he lost in the control of the party in the state, he has dumped the party.

It is that spirits of vindictiveness, ungratefulness and lact of appreciation will be his biggest undoing as a politician. amidst high expectations from the people who toiled for him, now what did they get? He never consider the plights of the man who puts his life at risk for him. His illegal administration was plagued by indecision, and a reluctance to take bold steps to address the state’s pressing issues because he became a law unto himself to even listen to those around him who toiled for him.

Characteristics of Political Lilly-Liveredness Any Politician Who Intend To Go Far Must Avoid:

1. Indecisiveness: Ihedioha’s body politics is marked by a lack of clear direction and purpose. He failed to make tough decisions, often vacillating on critical issues, and leaving his aides and supporters in confusion.

2. Fear of Confrontation: Ihedioha avoided confrontations with political opponents and interest groups, even when it was necessary to take a stand. The best he usually do is to chicken out. This perceived weakness emboldened his opponents and undermined his authority.

3. Lack of Political Will: Ihedioha’s politics failed to implement meaningful reforms or policies, due to a lack of political will. He was more concerned with maintaining a fragile political balance than taking bold steps to address the state’s challenges.

4. Overreliance on Elite Aides: Ihedioha relied heavily on his aides and advisors of his elite friends, often to the point of abdication. This led to a lack of personal responsibility and accountability, as he frequently shifted blame to others for his administration’s failures.

5. Inability to Connect with the Masses: Ihedioha’s aloofness and detachment from the people of Imo State contributed to his unpopularity. He failed to build a strong connection with his constituents, leading to widespread disillusionment and discontent.

Conclusion:

Emeka Ihedioha’s political lilly-liveredness ultimately led to his downfall. His indecision, fear of confrontation, lack of political will, overreliance on elite aides, and inability to connect with the masses made him an ineffective leader. As a case study, Ihedioha’s example serves as a warning to politicians and leaders of the importance of courage, decisiveness, leadership in governance and strong reward system.

Columns

Police recruitment: PSC chairman warns against racketeering

Published

17 hours ago

July 31, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A head of official announcement for the recruitment of Police cadet ASP, inspectors, the Police Service Commission has warned that it will deal decisively with anybody who intends to involve himself in any form of racketeering or fraud in the recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the Nigeria Police Force.

Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations, in a statement said the Commission will soon begin the processes for this year’s exercise which will include Cadet ASPs and Inspectors.

The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd), mni, gave the warning when he paid a courtesy call on the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Kayode Oladele Esq, and its Management team on Wednesday, 30th of July, 2025.

DIG Argungu, who led a PSC team that included Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission, warned that any unacceptable behaviour, sharp practices or untoward acts during the recruitment processes will be resisted and deviants sanctioned.

He maintained that though the date for another recruitment of qualified Nigerians into the NPF has not been fixed, there can’t be a better time to seek the partnership and cooperation of the Federal Character Commission as one of the reliable and pivotal stakeholders in the Police recruitment process.

The PSC Chairman assured that there must be transparency, accountability and equity in the recruitment process.

The issue of discretion, waiver, or replacement, he said, negates the principle of fairness and equity, and so must be totally avoided.

Welcoming his guests, Hon. Kayode Oladele, Esq, the Federal Character Commission boss, saw the courtesy call as not only a demonstration of inter-agency cooperation but also a testament to a shared commitment to the ideals of fairness, justice, equity and national cohesion as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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Akwa Ibom Assembly demands speedy rescue of 13 abducted farmers

Published

1 day ago

July 31, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has called for immediate release of the 13 farmers from Itu Mbonuso, Ini local government of the state, who were abducted on their farm recently.

It urged the State Ministry of Internal Security to promptly collaborate with security agencies to secure their release.

The resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by the member representing the Ini state constituency, Lawrence Udoide during Wednesday plenary.

Udoide disclosed to the House that on July 14, some people suspected to come from Arochukwu, a neighboring community in Abia State abducted 13 farmers to an unknown destination.

The report was received through a motion by Mr Moses Essien, member representing Ibiono Ibom state constituency and seconded by Mr Itoro-Obong Etim, member representing Uruan state constituency.

The lawmaker expressed grave concern over the rising incidents of violence in his constituency, describing the situation as “a siege perpetrated by unscrupulous elements from Arochukwu.”

Udoide highlighted the deteriorating security conditions in Ini local government area, noting that residents of Nkari, Itu-Mbonuso, and Iwerre now live in constant fear.

“One of my constituents went to his farm and discovered that someone had trespassed on his land. He, along with his brother, approached the trespassers to resolve the issue amicably.

“Unfortunately, a misunderstanding ensued, and the trespassers called for reinforcements.

“My constituent was assaulted, and one person was abducted and taken to Abia State.

“The brother who returned home to report the incident later returned with others to search for the abducted individual, only to be ambushed, resulting in the abduction of 12 more people from Itu Mbonuso, bringing the total to 13 that are yet to be released,” Udoide said.

Udoide pleaded with the House to take action and inform Gov. Umo Eno to engage with the Abia Government to facilitate the release of the 13 abducted farmers without delay.

Members who contributed to the debate described the incursion into Itu Mbonuso as unacceptable, stressing that the people deserved to live in peace in their land without molestation.

The Speaker, Mr Udeme Otong, urged the Akwa Ibom Government to engage the Abia counterpart to ensure the safe return of the abducted individuals without delay.

Otong also directed the Chairman of the House Committee on Security to coordinate with the relevant government’s ministry and security agencies for updates on the situation.

He urged the security agencies to work together and prevent further attacks on Itu Mbonuso and other border communities in the Ini local government area.

Columns

Nigerian Police Violate Fiscal Rules, Pay N149Million Into Then-AIG Lalas’ Personal Account For IGP Egbetokun’s Charter Flights

Published

2 weeks ago

July 21, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The payments, disbursed in four separate tranches, were made in apparent violation of Nigeria’s fiscal regulations, which prohibit the transfer of public funds into personal accounts for official services.

A SaharaReporters review of the federal government’s public expenditure portal, Govspend, has revealed that a total of ₦149 million was paid into the personal account of retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Danladi Lalas, for the chartering of aircraft used by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

According to data from the portal, on March 4, 2024, ₦17.2 million was paid into Lalas’ personal account to charter an aircraft for the IGP’s trips from Abuja to Anambra and Abuja to Bauchi.

On March 18, 2024, a further ₦14.9 million was disbursed for a similar charter service. Also, on August 6, 2024, ₦14 million was transferred for the IGP’s travel between Abuja and Lagos.

The largest tranche, ₦103.4 million, was paid on September 27, 2024, also into Lalas’ account, for aircraft charter services to convey the police chief from Abuja to various states.

Danladi Lalas oversaw the Nigerian Police Air Wing until his retirement. In December 2024, SaharaReporters reported how his refusal to step down after reaching retirement age sparked controversy within the police hierarchy.

It remains unclear why Nigerian police authorities chose to deposit millions of naira into Lalas’ personal account rather than paying the funds directly into the official account of the aircraft charter company.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Lalas had been the Head of the Airwing since 2018. Sources indicated that under his leadership, the number of serviceable aircraft declined from six to just one.

Chapter Seven, Section 713 of Nigeria’s Financial Regulations (2009) states: “Personal money shall in no circumstances be paid into a government bank account, nor shall any public money be paid into a private account.”

A lawyer, Kehinde Awosusi, while speaking to SaharaReporters, emphasised that the law prohibits receiving government funds through personal accounts.

“Under no circumstances should a civil servant receive government money into a personal account, either government income or government expenditures. You can look at the case of Betta Edu and the issues that arose from it and the clear violations she was accused of committing. It is a clear affront on the position of the law,” he told SaharaReporters.

Earlier, SaharaReporters’ review of the public payments portal, Govspend, showed that the Nigerian Police spent a sum of N86 million on Christmas decorations for the Force Headquarters and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s residences in Lagos and Abuja.

According to the portal’s details, the payment was made under “Police Command and Formations” and was directed to Wysdum Integrated Services Limited. The project description read: “Payment for Supply of Comprehensive Christmas Decoration of Force Headquarters, Abuja, IGP residence Abuja and Lagos.”