Category: Opinion

  • Obudu Transformer Theft, Agba Jalingo Writes Council Chairman, Recommends Suspension Of Aides Involved To Ease Investigation

    Obudu Transformer Theft, Agba Jalingo Writes Council Chairman, Recommends Suspension Of Aides Involved To Ease Investigation

    Obudu Transformer Theft…

    Dear Mr. Chairman Pita Pars,

    I have now confirmed that some of your appointees were directly involved in the theft of the two transformers that were kept in Obudu, by the Ayade administration.

    Though they weren’t yet in use for reasons that are still not clear, on the day the transformers were carted away, your S.A. on Peace and Security, Emmanuel Ikem, the Chairman of the Obudu chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria NYCN who also doubles as the Chairman of the Traffic Control Unit in Obudu LGA, Linus Abuokwen, the youth leader of Indi-Abeb, Unimke Sunday Ogar, the Urban Cyclists Chairman, Itiunbe, one Ulayi Peter and some past leaders of the NYCN, in Obudu were all there and were given N500,000, to share at the scene.

    Infact, your S.A. Peace and Security, Emmanuel Ikem, and Linus Abuokwen, confirmed to yours sincerely that they were at the scene to “collect what belongs to us.”

    Sir, unless you were personally involved in this, or unless you are the one that sent them, please let your S.A. Security, immediately tell you:

    1. Who brought the idea of going to steal our transformers?
    2. Who were the people that gave them N500k?
    3. Who are the owners of that truck that was conveying the transformers?
    4. How on Earth is it even possible that they did all these without your consent?
    5. Why will several heads not roll if this was actually done without your consent and approval?
    6. What do your appointees actually mean by “what belongs to us?

    If no one could, I sincerely have confidence that you can stop the incessant theft of the few things Governor Ayade left in Obudu.amd make optimum use of them. Almost all the generators and amor cables that were powering the street lights in Obudu have been stolen without retribution. The last set of cables that were retrieved from thieves last year, also disappeared from the Police station. Upan Odey, has removed the public generator at Animal junction, and it’s now powering his mother’s shop. This impunity has to come to an end under your tenure sir, unless you are involved yourself.

    Consequently Sir and with due respect to your office, I am demanding that heads must roll. Any government that lacks the will power or the capacity to discipline its erring appointees is either incompetent or complicit.

    As your friend and brother and a concerned citizen of Obudu, I am also demanding that your S.A. Security and your traffic control chairmen, who are supposed to be quasi security enforcers, but rather became part of the heist, must be suspended pending the investigation of the roles in the theft. That’s in the spirit of accountability.

    I will also call on the DPO of Obudu Division to ensure that the transformers do not disappear from the Police Station as it has become characteristic, and that all those involved in this theft and other recent ones, are not only arrested and prosecuted, but their names be made public. This matter must not be swept under the rug.

    Thank you and God bless you sir.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

  • While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    While the Cross River State House of Assembly bears the critical responsibility of creating additional Local Government Areas, it appears to be neglecting its primary duty: legislating for the peace, order, and good governance of the State. Instead of proactively fulfilling its constitutional mandate under Section 8 (3) of the 1999 Constitution, which empowers it to create new local government areas subject to National Assembly approval, the House seems to be disengaged.

    It is pertinent to reproduce here section 8 subsection 3(a)(i)(ii)(b)(c)(d)of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (supra) thus:
    A bill for a Law of a House of Assembly for the purpose of creating a new local government area shall only be passed if –

    (a) a request supported by at least two-thirds majority of members (representing the area demanding the creation of the new local government area) in each of the following, namely –

    (i) the House of Assembly in respect of the area, and

    (ii) the local government councils in respect of the area,

    is received by the House of Assembly;

    (b) a proposal for the creation of the local government area is thereafter approved in a referendum by at least two-thirds majority of the people of the local government area where the demand for the proposed local government area originated;

    (c) the result of the referendum is then approved by a simple majority of the members in each local government council in a majority of all the local government councils in the State; and

    (d) the result of the referendum is approved by a resolution passed by two-thirds majority of members of the House of Assembly.

    The Assembly’s actions, such as the superficial amendment of the Cross River State Independent Electoral Commission Law and the recent amendment to the Local Government Law that undermines local government autonomy despite Supreme Court rulings, suggest a pattern of regression rather than progress.

    The alleged suspension of a local government councillor for asserting his independence further reinforces the perception that the House of Assembly has become a tool for oppression, hindering rather than fostering good governance.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Impeachment Of Bekwarra Local Government Chairman And Matters Arising BY ELIJAH UGANI

    Impeachment Of Bekwarra Local Government Chairman And Matters Arising BY ELIJAH UGANI

    It is no longer news that Councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council has allegedly impeached the local government Chairman, Mrs Theresa Ushie over gross misconduct.

    Despite denial by the Chairman in a press release signed by her Chief Press Secretary, Mr Agaji Ntamu, the Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, has on the directives of the Acting Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, invited the embattled Chairman of Bekwarra Local Government Council, the ten Councillors, Member representing Bekwarra in the Cross River State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Finance, the state party Chairman of APC and others stakeholders for an important meeting tomorrow to address the lingering crisis in Bekwarra. A development that the council chairman has not issued a rebuttal to the effect.
    Her silence on the this directive from the Acting Governor and her continue refusal of the pending issues in Bekwarra, leaves much to be desired of her as a true servant of her people.

    This matter was first hinted by Mr Solomon Ogar, of Solomon Island, but was refuted by all supporters of the council Chairman who are visible on Facebook. They described the report as a figment of Solomon’s imagination and labeled him a purveyor of fake news.

    The Councillors remained undunted and issued multiple releases to support their position aided with press videos.

    A former President Buhari Aide, and Chairman, Presidential Asset Recovery Committee, Chief Okoi Obono-Obla, has described the impeachment as a child’s play and averred that there are laid down procedures for impeachment of elected council chairman.

    What should interest the public in this melodrama should be the veracity of the accusations and how best to handle the situation that will guarantee the collective interest of Bekwarra.

    It was allegedly reported that Ada Bekwarra ii, Hon Omang Idiege, had brokered a meeting to resolve the lingering issues twice and the Chairman refused to show up for the meeting.

    Many pundits suggests that the council chairman has been ground standing because of her closeness with the governor and so treats the councillors with a wave of hand and disdain.

    As I commend the Acting Governor, Rt Hon Peter Odey, for taking the bold step to convey a meeting to resolve this crisis, I will suggest that he tells the chairman that she cannot function alone without the councillors.

    The Acting Governor should remind her that the Supreme Court just recently berated Gov Fubara for running River State government without the state house of assembly.

    The chairman needs to humble herself and realize that she is rather a servant of Bekwarra and desist from lording herself over her people.

    I wish them a fruitful deliberation as we look forward to having peace in Bekwarra Local Government Area.

    EU.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • A Historical Meditation on Rita Ushie Uguamaye’s Audacity BY DAVE IMBUA

    A Historical Meditation on Rita Ushie Uguamaye’s Audacity BY DAVE IMBUA

     

    History is replete with moments when individuals have dared to break long-held rules—rules designed not to uplift but to suppress, rules that prioritize the comfort of the powerful over the suffering of the weak. At such moments, these audacious voices become the target of scorn, vilification, and threats. Yet, as history has shown us time and again, the voices that defy oppression, injustice, and unbearable hardship often become the voices that posterity reveres, while those who seek to silence them are forgotten in the sands of time.

    Rita Ushie Uguamaye, a youth corps member, has spoken her mind, which is more or less, the truth. She has voiced not just personal discontent but the collective agony of millions of Nigerians struggling to survive under an economic and social system that seems bent on breaking them. In response, some have chastised her, accusing her of violating an oath of allegiance—an oath that, as it is being interpreted, seems to demand blind submission rather than critical engagement with leadership. But history teaches us that there always comes a time when individuals must rise above oppressive conventions and speak out, regardless of the consequences.

    The world once condemned Galileo Galilei for daring to assert that the Earth moves around the Sun, a claim that violated the religious and scientific dogmas of his time. He was silenced, forced to recant, and lived under house arrest. Yet today, he is celebrated as the father of modern science, while those who sought to silence him are relics of a forgotten past.

    Martin Luther, the German monk who ignited the Protestant Reformation, was excommunicated and declared an outlaw for questioning the authority of the Catholic Church. His 95 Theses challenged long-standing religious practices, and he was hunted by those who sought to maintain the status quo. Yet today, his name is immortalized as a revolutionary who reshaped Christianity, while his persecutors are either footnotes in history or completely forgotten.

    Rosa Parks, the Black woman who refused to give up her seat on a segregated bus in Montgomery, Alabama, was ridiculed, arrested, and criticized by those who insisted that she had violated the law. Yet that singular act of defiance sparked the American civil rights movement, changing history forever. Her name is immortalized, while those who upheld segregation are but ghosts of a shameful era.

    In South Africa, Nelson Mandela was branded a terrorist for fighting against apartheid. He was imprisoned for 27 years, condemned by those who insisted that his defiance violated the laws of his country. Yet, today, he stands as a global symbol of freedom and resilience, while his oppressors have been erased from the honor roll of history.

    Even in Nigeria, history remembers Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, who led women in defying colonial and traditional authorities that sought to silence them. She was brutalized, labeled a troublemaker, and dismissed by those who prioritized oppressive norms. Yet, today, she is hailed as a pioneering feminist and nationalist, while her detractors are long forgotten.

    What do all these examples teach us? They teach us that those who dare to challenge unjust systems are often persecuted in their time, but history vindicates them. The same fate awaits Rita Ushie Uguamaye. Whether today’s Nigerians condemn or praise her, one thing is certain—posterity will remember and be proud of her.

    This is not a legal argument. It may not even be politically correct. It is simply a historical meditation, a reflection on how truth and courage, no matter how inconvenient, eventually triumph over oppression. Rita Ushie has taken her place in the lineage of those who refused to be silenced. And history—our most honest judge—will remember her.

  • The Purported Impeachment Of Chairman Theresa Ushie By The Councillors Of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Can Not Stand BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The Purported Impeachment Of Chairman Theresa Ushie By The Councillors Of Bekwarra Local Government Council, Can Not Stand BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The acts of impunity being perpetuated by the councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council under the guise of deep-seated illegality are outrageous and must be condemned unreservedly.

    The purported impeachment of Chairman Theresa Ushie by the councillors of Bekwarra Local Government Council, carried out without the slightest regard for due process as outlined in the Cross River State Local Government laws, is scandalous and cannot stand.

    The removal of a Chairman is a serious matter, and the law has been designed to ensure fairness and transparency. According to the law, the Chairman must first be furnished with a Notice of Allegation, signed by at least one-third of the councillors. This Notice must be served on the Chairman to inform them of the allegations and provide an opportunity for defense.

    Even after the Chairman has defended themselves—or failed to do so—the councillors must secure a two-thirds majority vote to appoint a panel to investigate the allegations. Only if the panel finds the Chairman guilty can the councillors proceed with impeachment.

    In this case, however, Chairman Theresa Ushie was never furnished with any Notice of Allegation. Instead, she discovered scurrilous allegations against her on Facebook, accompanied by the shocking claim that she had been impeached.

    This is a travesty of justice. All people of goodwill must rise to condemn this kangaroo impeachment of Chairman Theresa Ushie. It is an egregious act of injustice and blackmail, orchestrated by mediocre politicians seeking to intimidate her.

    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Section 130(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( 1999 (as amended) establishes the office of the President for the Federation BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    Section 130(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( 1999 (as amended) establishes the office of the President for the Federation BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    Section 130(2) of the same Constitution further defines the President’s role as the Head of State, the Chief Executive of the Federation, and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

    The President possesses significant constitutional authority to address critical situations that threaten the peace and stability of the nation. This authority includes the power to declare a state of emergency, as outlined in Section 305(1), (2), and (3)(a-g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended):

    Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the President may by instrument published in the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof.

    (2) The President shall immediately after the publication, transmit copies of the Official Gazette of the Government of the Federation containing the proclamation, including the details of the emergency, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each of whom shall forthwith convene or arrange for a meeting of the House of which he is President or Speaker, as the case may be, to consider the situation and decide whether or not to pass a resolution approving the Proclamation.

    (3) The President shall have the power to issue a Proclamation of a state of emergency only when:

    (a) the Federation is at war;
    (b) the Federation is in imminent danger of invasion or involvement in a state of war;
    (c) there is an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof to such extent as to require extraordinary measures to restore peace and security;
    (d) there is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof requiring extraordinary measures to avert such danger;
    (e) there is an occurrence or imminent danger, or the occurrence of any disaster or natural calamity, affecting the community or a section of the community in the Federation;
    (f) there is any other public danger that clearly constitutes a threat to the existence of the Federation; or
    (g) the President receives a request to do so in accordance with the provisions of subsection (4) of this section.

    The Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act 2018 also grants the President certain powers.

    A common, although controversial, understanding is that after declaring a state of emergency in a specific area, a logical step might seem to be the suspension of democratic institutions and elected officials in the affected areas. The reasoning behind this is purportedly to facilitate the administration of the emergency measures.

    It is often assumed that a state of emergency entails the suspension of the rule of law and the implementation of emergency laws or measures as stipulated in the Emergency Powers (Repeal and Re-enactment) Act. This is done to enable the appropriate and adequate resolution of the issues that triggered the emergency declaration.

    However, it’s vital to note that suspending democratic institutions and the rule of law are serious actions with significant legal and ethical implications and must be approached with utmost caution and within constitutional boundaries.

    @ Okoi Obono-Obla

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Okoi Obono-Obla, and does not represent TheLumineNews, it’s agent or the organization the author works for.

  • That Viral Youth Corper Who Criticized Tinubu Is A Victim That Nigeria Happened To… BY AGBA JALINGO

    That Viral Youth Corper Who Criticized Tinubu Is A Victim That Nigeria Happened To… BY AGBA JALINGO

    That Viral Youth Corper Who Criticized

    There are NYSC bylaws that bar corps members from doing many things, including openly criticizing authorities. The penalties are grave and I will accept that Corps member Ushie Rita uguamaye, faulted the rule book. But I want to tell you why I say she is a victim and I will not have done differently if I were in her shoes.

    She is from my place, Obudu, in Cross River State. Her father was an Immigration officer who died in May 2019, after participating in a protest over the demolition of his palm plantation for the Obudu International Airport.

    There was a protest by youths and women of Ukambi community over the demolition of their community farmlands for the Obudu International cargo and passenger airport. According to a CrossRiverWatch report, her dad, Mr. Raphael A. Ushie, a Chief Inspector of Nigeria Immigration Service NIS, who was also the younger brother of Governor Ayade’s personal physician, Dr. Vincent Ushie, died after he was rushed from a hospital in Obudu to the Univerisity of Calabar Teaching Hospital UCTH, having participated in the protest.

    Her father, who was nearing retirement from the Nigeria Immigration Service had invested his lifetime savings in a palm plantation in his village, Ukambi. On hearing that farmlands in neighboring Atiekpe and Ikwomikwu had been demolished and same was going to commence in Ukambi, he rushed home to confront the bulldozer that was encroaching into his palm plantation.

    He arrived and went straight to the farm in his uniform and met the bulldozer nearing his plantation. He faced the operator and tried to prevent him from encroaching into his land before other community members joined him in the farm. He participated fully in the day’s protest and the demolition and collapsed after then. He was rushed to a hospital in Obudu. The matter couldn’t be handled there and he was moved to UCTH in Calabar where he passed on.

    Not a single dime was paid to the family as compensation for the palm plantation or for any other other expenses.

    Ushie Rita Aguamaye, who is now 24, was 19 years old when the inefficiency of Nigeria took her dad away. Their poor mum was left alone to see them through school and till now, there is no hope that the investment their father hoped to keep for them will be compensated.

    And this young girl goes to the market and comes back to complain about what everyone in the country, including the President’s supporters are grumbling about, and some persons are calling for her head?

    If you were in her shoes, you live in a country where the system kills your dad for no reason, when you are only 19, your mother suffers to see you through school and when you try to express your frustrations publicly, the same nation that killed your father threatens to kill you too? So where is the freedom of expression?

    I think that rather than pushing this young girl into additional complications, well meaning Nigerians should rather sympathize with her ordeal and rise up to support her and the family to regain the missing gaps in their lives.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    The attached picture is the picture of her late dad.

     

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • The King And The Weight Of The Royal Beads BY AGBA JALINGO

    The King And The Weight Of The Royal Beads BY AGBA JALINGO

    There is an African proverb amongst royalty that says that, “it is the one who wants to suffer for the people that accept the heavy weight of royal beads.”

    And truly speaking, royal beads are many and very heavy. Not just heavy in terms of responsibility but physically when measured on a scale. A complete set of royal dressing includes not just the beads but also several age long metals that carry a lot of weight on the scale. Part of the idea is to constantly remind the carrier of the huge responsibility he or she bears.

    With all its envied privileges, royalty confers even greater responsibility and denial. Because to lead, is to be in a position of advantage, in the first place amongst equals. To be a pathway, a leading light and bridge for others into a new destination; holding them by the hand to find their way from ignorance; shining as an example for them to follow.

    Talking about new destinations, if I were to be a leader, I would endeavour to build on the good things my predecessors did by thinking out new and improved methods of doing those same things for the good of the people.

    Assuming that my predecessors many years ago, bought hoes and cutlasses for our people who are predominantly farmers, Me, their new King, should be able to move it further and introduce our people to modern farming tools, to boost resources utilization and yield per hectare, as well as expanding economic opportunities. If they were given fishing nets, can we now explore the chances of giving them fishing boats?

    Bringing it down to political leadership, if our leaders distributed Okada to our people 20 years ago, dug boreholes for our people 20 years ago, distributed generators for our people 20 years ago, gathered our people under canopies and trees for health outreaches 20 years ago, campaigned with wrappers and rice, 20 years ago, etc, after two decades, isn’t there any new thinking to improve on, modify or do away with these methods after such a long period? Are we so bereft of innovating new initiatives to improve on executing these same programs by employing new ways of doing things? Or is there a deliberate ploy to perpetuate our state of being 20 years ago?

    The budget figures are scaling up yearly and changing rapidly, can the methods of implementing these budgets also change along? Can we intentionally decide to improve on our governance processes and discard this copy and paste model? Is our goal to develop our communities or just to share power? Can these thrones survive by keeping the people down perpetually?

    If the King must lead and enjoy the perquisites of the throne, he must not forfeit the sacrifice of appeasement, lest he falls.

    Yours sincerely,
    Citizen Agba Jalingo.

    Disclaimer: The opinion expressed in this article is strictly that of the author, Agba Jalingo, and does not represent TheLumineNews, its agent or the organization the author works for.

  • Re: Know Your Constituency Projects in 2025 Budget BY INYALI PETER 

    Re: Know Your Constituency Projects in 2025 Budget BY INYALI PETER 

    I commend Citizen Agba Jalingo for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring that our National Assembly members are accountable to the people whose mandates they hold on trust. By highlighting projects facilitated into the budget by them, he is not only equipping the people with more information on the activities of their representatives but also promoting the efforts of lawmakers.

    However, we must also sensitize our citizens to know that appearance of projects in the budget does not translate to funding of the project. This is important to avoid a situation where we’ll begin to harass our lawmakers for projects that the executive arm is yet to fund. The legislative arm only has appropriation power and not the authority to fund/execute projects.

    Currently, Nigeria is unusually running more than one budget. The 2024 budget is now running concurrently with the 2025 budget even though so many projects there are yet to be funded. Even though we expect that the Nass members who nominated these projects will follow up and lobby relevant authorities to ensure contracts are awarded and funded, people should be educated on where their power end.

    Also, some privileged Cross Riverians who are working in offices where they can make case for the funding of these items should help. The Nass members definitely need the support of everybody to ensure that their vision for these projects are actualized.

    I commend Honourable Peter Akpanke and Godwin Offiono for the overwhelming number of projects they’ve facilitated into the budget for their respective constituencies. As first timers and opposition lawmakers, this is a huge statement of intent. I encourage them to take their efforts further by lobbying to ensure that the projects are funded and executed.

    Once again, bravo Citizen Agba!

    Inyali Peter, Ph.D.

  • Reining In The Powers of Governors: The Rivers State Example BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    Reining In The Powers of Governors: The Rivers State Example BY OKOI OBONO-OBLA

    The Supreme Court of Nigeria made several damning findings against Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara in its two judgments delivered on February 28, 2025. These rulings arose from the prolonged political crisis that has engulfed the state since 2023. According to the Supreme Court, Governor Fubara presented a budget to only four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which they passed, and he subsequently signed into law.

    The Supreme Court condemned the Governor’s actions, stating that he behaved like a dictator, showing no respect for the Constitution, the rule of law, and principles of good governance. Furthermore, the Court held that Governor Fubara’s actions were those of a lawless individual, unbecoming of the office he holds, particularly given his order to demolish the buildings housing the Rivers State House of Assembly.

    The Supreme Court also found that Governor Fubara breached the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria ( 1999) (as amended), which he swore to protect, preserve, and defend. Additionally, the Court held that Governor Fubara prevented the Rivers State House of Assembly from convening to perform its constitutionally assigned role. The Supreme Court lamented that, effectively, there was no functioning government in Rivers State.

    Some pundits believe that Governor Fubara may face impeachment proceedings due to the Supreme Court’s findings, which constitute gross misconduct under the Constitution.

    Gross misconduct refers to a grave violation or breach of the Constitution or a misconduct that the House of Assembly considers serious enough to warrant removal from office. According to Section 188(11) of the Constitution, gross misconduct is subjective and determined exclusively by the House of Assembly.

    The procedure for removing a governor from office due to gross misconduct is outlined in Section 188(1-10) of the Constitution. Here’s a breakdown:

    Step 1: Notice of Allegation: A written notice signed by at least one-third of the House of Assembly members, stating the Governor’s gross misconduct.
    Step 2: Investigation: The House of Assembly resolves to investigate the allegation, requiring a two-thirds majority vote.
    Step 3: Panel Appointment: The Chief Judge appoints a seven-person panel to investigate the allegation.
    Step 4: Defense and Findings: The Governor defends themselves, and the panel reports its findings to the House of Assembly.
    Step 5: Removal: If the panel’s report is adopted by a two-thirds majority vote, the Governor is removed from office.

    It’s essential to note that the House of Assembly has the exclusive power to determine what constitutes gross misconduct, making it a subjective decision.

    The case of Governor Fubara may be a litmus test to curb the magisterial and unconstitutional manner in which governors in the country have been exercising their powers, incurring the wrath of Nigerians. It is left for the Rivers State House of Assembly to decide the best course of action to take against the Governor, whose relationship with the majority of the members has been greatly strained.
    @ Okoi Obono-Obla