Akeem Lasisi

The Senate has proved that it is not immune to the popular error of using ‘international’ with passport.

Many Nigerians refer to the travelling document as ‘international passport’ whereas it is simply called what it is in other countries: passport.

Branding it ‘international passport’ makes the expression tautological.

Some experts would say ‘international’ is redundant in the statement, with other examples of tautological expressions including ATM machine, NIN number and ISBN number.

‘International passport’ came up as the Senate, on Tuesday, mandated its committee on ‘Interior’ to investigate the circumstances leading to the delay in issuance and renewal of the document by the Nigerian Immigration Services (NIS).

As the News Agency of Nigeria reports, the resolution is sequel to the adoption of a motion on the “Delay on issuance, renewal of Nigeria International Passport” by the NIS.

The motion was sponsored by Sen. Uche Ekwunife (PDP-Anambra).

Ekwunife, in her lead debate, said the delay was resulting in untold hardships for Nigerians who needed to travel out of the country or return.

She said the ‘international passport’ was an official identity document, issued to Nigerians for the purpose of international travelling in exercise of their right to personal liberty and freedom of movement.

She said many Nigerians were still facing challenges with passport processing, despite the six weeks time line of processing it, given by the Federal Government barely a year ago.

Interestingly, Ekwunife is, however, quoted to subsequently drop the redundant word thus: “The international students are also finding it very difficult to renew their passports to enable them travel back to reunite with their families.”

Meanwhile, it is acceptable to say Nigerian passport, British passport or diplomatic passport. But ‘international passport’ is an overkill as there is no ‘national passport’ in the first place.

The Election Petitions Tribunal sitting in Awka on Monday dismissed the application filed by Mr Nkem Ekweozor of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), seeking the panel to relist his petition against Sen. Uche Ekwunife of the PDP.

Ekwuozor , who was the candidate of the PPA in the Feb. 23 senatorial election for Anambra Central had approached in the tribunal on Aug. 5, seeking it to relist petition which was struck out in April.

The petitioner filed his petition on March 18.

In his petition, the applicant urged the tribunal it to upturn the declaration of Ekwunife as the winner of the poll, claiming that the election was marred by irregularities and did not comply with the Electoral Act of 2010 (as amended).

He, urged the tribunal to nullify the election and order a fresh exercise.

Delivering ruling , Justice Esther Haruna, Chairperson of the tribunal, held that Ekwuozor did not demonstrate seriousness on having the petition relisted.

The Judge ruled that seeking relisting of a petition such was struck out in April four months later did not depict the serious nature of litigation business adding that he should have applied immediately.

She held that it amounted to abuse of court process and dismissed the application.

Speaking to newsmen after the ruling, Ekweozor said he would appeal the ruling because he was convinced had strong case against Ekwunife’s election.