News

Democracy Day: Imo PDP accuses Uzodinma of undermining rule of law, separation of power

Published

1 month ago

June 13, 2026

Preport

As Nigeria marks its 27th Democracy Day celebration, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Imo State chapter, has accused the administration of Governor Hope Uzodinma of undermining the rule of law and neglecting democratic principles, including the separation of powers.

The party further accused the administration of eroding public confidence in governance through its style of administration.

In a press statement issued through the office of its spokesperson, Lancelot Obiaku, the party pointed out that the separation of powers and the rule of law are key elements that define true democracy.

The party said that Uzodinma’s leadership has not shown enough commitment to offer Imo people what true democracy looks like, citing incidents of what it described as the arbitrary use of force and power, lack of accountability in the management of public funds, disrespect for the rule of law, and corruption and insecurity being the order of the day over the last six years.

The party emphasised that these situations do not enliven the spirit of the average Imo citizen or inspire hope in democracy amid the Democracy Day commemoration.

“The administration is undermining the roles of the Legislature and the Judiciary, stifling the local government system by keeping it in subjugation, depriving it of resources, and effectively running a government where the Executive operates suo motu without recourse to the other arms of government,” the release stated.

The PDP asserted that the governor’s style of governance negates democratic tenets and has stifled the development of the state.

“We have seen nearly N700 billion in LGA allocations since the inception of the present regime go down the drain, with nothing to show for it—not in the development of rural infrastructure, commerce and industry, education, payment of minimum wage, pensions, and gratuities, among others. Our local government areas do not receive up to 10 percent of their allocations. How then would development get to the grassroots with the greed exhibited by the state government?

“Uzodinma has refused to conduct democratic LGA elections and, having appointed sole administrators in the name of LGA chairmen, has continued to starve the people of the dividends of democracy by depriving them of the government that should ordinarily be closest to them.

“For the first time in the history of the state, Imo went a year without a Chief Judge because the governor wants to run every show without recourse to democratic institutions. When the post became vacant on November 16, 2024, it was incumbent upon the governor to request from the National Judicial Council a recommendation for the appointment of the most senior judicial officer as Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271(4) of the Nigerian Constitution,” the party added.

Concerning the process of appointing a new Chief Judge, the PDP alleged that instead of the governor writing to the NJC, he went ahead to appoint and swear in Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who it said was not qualified to serve as Acting Chief Judge, an act that prompted the NJC to declare the appointment void.

The PDP stated that the development brought the state into public opprobrium, pointing out that the absence of a Chief Judge for nearly a year meant that cases could not be assigned because only the Chief Judge can do so, in addition to many other functions that only a Chief Judge can perform in a democracy.

“Today in Imo State, contracts awarded by the government are not advertised, and the governor has shut down the Public Procurement Bureau. The process of awarding contracts is kept secret, and not even the State Assembly has a say in them. The costs and other contract details are not made known to the people, who ordinarily are central to governance in a democratic setting.

“We have seen the government recently re-award the World Bank–Umuguma and the Nekede–Iheanwa roads in Owerri for construction. These are roads awarded in 2020 and 2023 by the same administration for tens of billions of naira without anything tangible happening on them. This is the height of theft and sleaze perpetrated by an administration with a morbid inclination toward fraud,” the party further alleged.

The party, while wishing Imo people and Nigerians a happy Democracy Day, urged them to keep faith in democratic governance, assuring them that a bright future lies ahead.

News

Just-In: Abduljabar Adama Keeps Nigeria’s Hopes Alive, Storms Into Commonwealth Games 50m Freestyle Semi-Finals

Published

3 hours ago

July 25, 2026

Preport

Nigeria’s Abduljabar Adama kept the country’s swimming hopes alive on Day Two of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, producing an impressive performance to qualify for the men’s 50m freestyle semi-finals at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Competing in a highly competitive Heat 7, Adama rose to the occasion against a quality field that included Australia’s Flynn Southam, England’s Jacob Mills, Canada’s Antoine Sauvé, and Northern Ireland’s Matthew Hamilton. The Nigerian sprint swimmer finished strongly to secure one of the qualifying places for the semi-finals, becoming Nigeria’s lone representative in the next stage of the event.

It was, however, a disappointing outing for compatriot Clinton Opute, who competed in Heat 8 alongside Australia’s Jamie Jack, South Africa’s Michael Houlie, The Bahamas’ Lamar Taylor, and Fiji’s Hansel McCaig. Despite a determined effort, Opute’s time was not enough to earn one of the coveted semi-final spots, bringing his campaign in the event to an end.

Adama’s qualification is another significant milestone in his rapidly developing career. The young Nigerian has earned a reputation as one of Africa’s brightest sprint prospects after setting the African junior record in the 50m freestyle, and his latest performance reinforces his growing status on the international stage.

Sports247, reporting from Glasgow, observed jubilant celebrations from the Nigerian camp after Adama’s qualification was confirmed. With the semi-finals scheduled later on Day Two, the Nigerian will now aim to produce another explosive swim as he targets a historic place in the Commonwealth Games final.

After Team Nigeria’s outstanding medal haul in para powerlifting on the opening day, Adama’s progression provides another positive storyline for the Nigerian contingent as the Games gather momentum in Glasgow.

Business

Abuja-bound Aero Contractors flight makes emergency return to Lagos over ‘technical issue’

Published

4 hours ago

July 25, 2026

Preport

Aero Contractors Company of Nigeria Limited.jpg

An Aero Contractors flight travelling from Lagos to Abuja on Saturday morning returned to its departure airport after the crew reported a technical issue while the aircraft was airborne.

The aircraft, which departed Lagos at about 7:30 a.m., had travelled part of the route mid air before the flight crew decided to discontinue the journey and return to Lagos as a precautionary safety measure.

Passengers were safely evacuated after the aircraft landed, and no injuries were reported.

A passenger aboard the flight told PREMIUM TIMES that the cabin became unusually hot while the aircraft was in the air, causing anxiety among passengers.

According to the passenger, the crew informed those on board that the aircraft had developed a technical problem and would return to Lagos but did not disclose the exact nature of the fault.

“There was a lot of panic because people did not know exactly what had happened. We were only told there was a technical problem and that we had to return to Lagos,” the passenger said.

As of 10:10 a.m., the affected passengers had begun boarding another Aero Contractors aircraft to continue their journey to Abuja, according to one of the passengers who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES.

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Aero Contractors for comments on the incident, including the nature of the reported technical issue, the reason for the aircraft’s return to Lagos and the arrangements made for affected passengers.

However, the airline had yet to respond as of the time this report was filed.

Recent incidents

Saturday’s occurrence comes about two months after a Max Air flight from Abuja to Katsina made an emergency return to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport shortly after take-off following a reported technical fault.

As previously reported by PREMIUM TIMES, passengers on the May 2026 flight recounted hearing loud banging sounds from the aircraft before it reportedly lost altitude briefly and struggled to stabilise, prompting the pilot to return to Abuja as a safety precaution. The aircraft landed safely, and no injuries were reported.

READ ALSO: Benin runway excursion not crash or emergency landing Enugu Air CEO

The Aero Contractors incident also comes amid increased public attention to airline operations following Thursday’s runway excursion involving an Enugu Air Embraer E170 at Benin Airport.

Although all 63 passengers and five crew members escaped unhurt, the occurrence disrupted flight operations after the runway was temporarily closed, forcing Air Peace and United Nigeria Airlines to suspend flights to and from Benin while aircraft recovery and safety assessments were carried out.

While the circumstances surrounding the Aero Contractors, Max Air and Enugu Air incidents differ, they have renewed attention on operational reliability and safety across Nigeria’s aviation sector.