The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and former Education Minister, Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili, clashed on Monday at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association conference in Enugu over the state of the nation’s economy and governance.
Their exchange came amid protests outside the conference venue by constituents of an Enugu lawmaker, Bright Ngene, who alleged that his imprisonment was politically motivated.
During a panel session, Tunji-Ojo argued that Nigeria’s progress depends on shifting focus from consumption to research-driven production.
“China spends so much on research and development, whereas Nigeria spends so much on the provision of infrastructure. Until this is done, economic growth and prosperity would continue to elude the country,’’ he said.
Ezekwesili, however, countered that government policies were worsening the plight of citizens, citing the fuel subsidy removal as a prime example of a good reform poorly executed.
“It is a tough job to have to defend the APC government. You can do the right policies but if you do it the wrong way, there will be a problem,’’ she stated.
Taking the example of petroleum pricing, she stressed that the reform lacked adequate preparation.
“That is not how to do reforms. The reform was not prepared for. It was a good reform done the wrong way. It is bad because inflation is punishing the populace. You really have to prepare for reform,” she added.
She faulted President Bola Tinubu’s inaugural-day declaration of “subsidy is gone,” saying it threw millions of Nigerians into hardship.
“Inflation hits the poor so hard and they have nowhere to run to. It was a good reform done wrongly,” Ezekwesili insisted.
Speaking directly to the legal professionals in attendance, she cautioned against aligning with political elites at the expense of ordinary Nigerians.
“133 million Nigerians are in a state of poverty. The lawyers are determining the rule of law in Nigeria. There should be evaluation of the political class. This country lies prostrate for the poor. I am praying for the legal profession. Any profession that is rewarding prebendalism is not a profession,” she said.
She further warned lawyers not to let political interference corrode their profession.
Another discussant, George Etomi, criticized the judiciary’s current state, lamenting that it appeared more independent under military rule than in democracy.
“Our judiciary was more independent under the military. I don’t know what the new law is. They are abusing democracy today. We must protect the judiciary,” Etomi remarked, while accusing government of prioritizing the 2027 elections over governance.
Protest over Ngene’s incarceration
Outside the venue, protests erupted as supporters of Labour Party lawmaker, Bright Ngene, demanded his release. Ngene, representing Enugu South Urban constituency, is serving a seven-year sentence handed down by a magistrate court over a longstanding community dispute, which protesters described as politically motivated.
They alleged that efforts to challenge the verdict at the state high court have stalled, with judges repeatedly recusing themselves.
Protesters brandished placards reading: “Release Bar. Bright Ngene now, a political prisoner of conscience,” “Say no to miscarriage of justice,” and “NBA please help Bright Ngene to represent his constituency.”
One of the protest leaders, Benedict Kachukwu, said, “We are here to register our peaceful protest to tell the world what has been happening in Enugu State for the past one year.
‘’Since July 28, 2024, Bright Emeka Ngene that won the House of Assembly seat in Enugu South Urban has been unjustly incarcerated.
“Charges that were put on him were baseless, the judicial process was not followed, and in less than two weeks, judgment was dispensed. And the man has been in detention since then. Efforts to take the matter to the high court have proved abortive because judges are now recusing themselves from the case.
“The chief judge has refused to assign the case to a new judge. So ever since then, this man, Bright Ngene, has been in detention for no just cause, all because he won an election. Somehow, he has reaffirmed the decision of the mandate of the people on August 16, 2025, where he won overwhelmingly again, even from detention.
“So, we are here to plead with the Nigerian Bar Association to look into this matter, so that the judicial process will be followed. Let me make it clear that we are not afraid of going through the judicial process, we have consistently asked them to assign the case, no matter the judgment that comes, we will take it in good fate.
‘’But up till now, we have not seen, we have not heard, and the case has been in comatose state at the state high court.’’
Although security operatives blocked their entry into the main conference hall, the protesters staged a peaceful demonstration around the premises before dispersing.