ENUGU, Nigeria – Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, announced a list of 15 commissioner-nominees on Friday, July 28, 2023, including Lloyd Ekweremadu, the son of former Nigerian Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently imprisoned in the UK on charges of organ trafficking.
The nomination list, read on the state House of Assembly floor by Speaker Uche Ugwu, also includes Ada Chukwu, daughter of former governor Sullivan.
Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and their doctor, Obinna Obeta, were convicted by a UK court for violating the Modern Slavery Act and are currently serving prison sentences.
In a letter accompanying the list, Secretary of State, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, indicated the possibility of additional nominees and appealed to the House for prompt consideration of the current ones.
“While this may not be the exhaustive list, I’m optimistic that this request will receive your usual expeditious consideration,” Onyia wrote.
The list of nominees features a diverse range of individuals from various professional backgrounds.
These include veteran broadcaster Aka Eze Aka; Prof. Ndubueze Mba; Mrs. Ngozi Eni; Prof. Sam Ugwu; Chika Ugwoke; and Dr. Kingsley Ude.
Additionally, the governor has nominated former commissioners Prof. Emmanuel Obi and Deacon Okey Ogbodo, as well as Ugochi Madueke, Dr. Malachy Agbo, Gerrald Otiji, Nathaniel Urama, and Prince Lawrence Ezeh for roles in his administration.
The nomination of Lloyd Ekweremadu will likely draw attention due to his father’s high-profile conviction and imprisonment, marking a notable moment in the ongoing political developments within Enugu State.
IPOB Sit-at-Home Instigator Simon Ekpa Reports Enugu Governor Mbah to EU, US
Simon Ekpa, a pro-Biafra agitator based in Finland, has written to the European Union and the United States of America, urging them to impose sanctions on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Nigeria, over allegations of severe human rights abuses.
His appeal comes after a protest in Enugu on Wednesday, July 26, 2023, where three people were killed following a standoff between traders and the state government.
The demonstration triggered the state’s decision to seal off shops for non-compliance with business hours on Monday.
In his letter, Ekpa accused Mbah of violating the citizens’ fundamental human rights by confiscating properties and detaining individuals without adhering to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He called on the international community to impose a visa ban on Mbah in response to these actions.
“We wish to bring to your notice the gross violation and fundamental human rights abuses of the people of Enugu State, Biafra (in Southeast Nigeria) by Peter Mbah, the governor of Enugu State,” the letter stated.
According to Ekpa, “Peter Mbah is confiscating and locking up people’s businesses and means of sustenance without recourse to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or any charter, treaty, or convention known anywhere in the civilized world, thereby denying the people of Enugu State the right to personal property and free enterprise.”
He concluded his letter by requesting, “We request that you impose a visa ban on Governor Peter Mbah and add him to the list of terrorists and haters of freedom and democracy in Nigeria.”
The letter underscores the ongoing tension in Enugu State and the broader region, marked by intermittent protests and conflicts.
The international community has yet to respond to Ekpa’s letter.
