The week which ended yesterday no doubt put Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, prominently in the news and once again, it was for the wrong reason. His wife, Clara, made several damaging allegations against him which were publicised by the media. According to the story, the lady’s fundamental human right on basic issues such as freedom of association and of movement had been breached by her husband for longer than she could bear. She also claimed to have been a victim of forced imprisonment. In his response, Governor Chime insists that whatever actions he has taken have been in the interest of his wife. From the lady’s version of her state of depression and the governor’s diction at a press briefing on the subject, it is apparent that the lady has a peculiar medical challenge.

On April 20, 2013, the Edo State Electoral Commission held local government elections in the state. Several radio and television stations were replete with disturbing reports by election observers of how the electoral body performed worse than the old infamous Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). It is hard to forget FEDECO which in 1983 conducted elections in which the ruling party- the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) won more votes than were available and also emerged victorious in centres where elections did not hold. This was what prompted this column to imagine earlier that FEDECO which was dissolved in 1983 must have resurrected in Benin City, 30 years after and got renamed the Edo State Electoral Commission.

It is no longer news that academic activities in public universities in Nigeria have been paralysed in the last 4 months as a result of the industrial action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). With the adverse impact the strike has had on the nation, emotions have taken over and many people are now pleading with the Union to have pity on their suffering students and suspend the strike. Of course, we are all free to favour peace in our campuses but there are a few immediate issues to be noted.

On December 14 1991, governorship elections were held in all the states of the federation. The conduct was generally hitch-free, but the result of the election in one state-Edo- was nullified by the relevant election tribunal. The tribunal took the decision having convinced itself that the election was adversely affected by undue influence occasioned by a political broadcast by a Benin Chief alleging that the Oba of Benin had directed his people to vote for the eventual winner. Although the Court of Appeal later reversed the nullification, it became a moot point in Nigeria’s electoral history that partisanship by otherwise neutral royal fathers could serve as undue influence in an election.

As if some other unions buy this principle of the power of democracy, the idea of solidarity action is gaining ground by the day on the ASUU issue. Already, 2 other powerful unions are warming up to join the strike. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) was the first to show concern.