ABA and Onitsha are cities in the South-East of Nigeria with an importance that sets them apart. They have never been regional or even state capitals, yet they tower above most of the “A” grade urban metropolises in Nigeria, most of which enjoy the status of political capitals.

FOR the fourth time in three years, electoral tribunals have ousted governors after lengthy judicial processes that have exposed the ineffectiveness of electoral tribunals in granting justice timely.

LADY justice, the symbol of the essence of the impartiality of justice, comes blinded-folded. She is not interested in the parties to disputes; her concerns are seeing justice dished out fairly to all. The blindfold denies her the opportunity of knowing whether litigants are high, low, rich, poor, strong or weak.

NIGERIANS are no longer surprised when Profes-sor Attahiru Jega, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, speaks about the possibility of the 2011 elections holding at a later date. What may still surprise some is that Jega, who arrived at the job highly recommended, is building strong alibis, in case things go awry.

THE successful rescue of all the 33 miners trapped underground for more than two months in Chile has resonated in celebrations throughout the country. The world joined Chileans in watching the agony of the men buried more than half a kilometre underground.