Category: Politics

OWERRI, Nigeria (NPA) — Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma has assured stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from neighbouring Abia State that the ruling party offers the Southeast region a stronger platform for development and national inclusion.

Receiving the delegation led by Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu CFR, Uzodimma said the visit underscores growing unity and shared vision within the APC across the region.

He declared that the “South East has risen and will undoubtedly shine in the scheme of national governance, attracting critical developmental projects and strategic initiatives from the Federal Government.”

The Governor emphasised that the APC remains the surest vehicle for the Southeast to achieve the progress it desires. He urged party members to embrace the party’s ideology, avoid past mistakes, and work collectively to deliver President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR and all APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.

Uzodimma’s remarks come at a time when former presidential candidate Peter Obi, a youth‑backed political figure from the Southeast, is preparing to challenge President Tinubu at the polls under the African Democratic Congress. In the 2023 election, Tinubu defeated Obi, who contested under the Labour Party and recorded significant gains against the ruling party’s candidate. As the 2027 elections draw closer, political meetings, alliances, and realignments are expected to intensify, shaping the contest’s outcome.

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — The Ebonyi State Government has outlined the developmental strides and achievements of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, highlighting what it described as the practical implementation of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs as a people-centred vision in action.

In a statement issued on April 21, 2026, by the Governor’s Special Assistant on New Media, Leo Ekene Oketa, the administration said Nwifuru’s leadership reflects governance driven by inclusiveness, continuity, and measurable impact.

The statement presented a sector-by-sector account of achievements, noting that the administration’s approach has ensured balanced development, strategic empowerment, and improved quality of life for residents.

According to the government, Ebonyi State is undergoing a quiet but significant transformation, anchored not on rhetoric but on sustained policies, infrastructure delivery, and human capital development.

From the outset, the administration adopted a “continuity and consolidation” strategy, focusing on completing inherited projects while initiating new ones to maximise value and accelerate development across key sectors.

In the health sector, the government said it has upgraded general hospitals with modern equipment and improved working conditions for medical personnel. Doctors have received official vehicles and enhanced welfare packages to boost service delivery. It added that the recruitment of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and other health workers has strengthened the system, while the state’s health insurance scheme continues to expand access to affordable care.

The administration also facilitated the demerging of the Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital to enable medical students of Ebonyi State University complete their clinical training within the state.

Education remains central to the administration’s long-term vision. The government said subventions to Ebonyi State University have been increased, staff salaries improved, and tuition fees reduced to ease financial burdens on students. It noted that first-class graduates are now offered teaching opportunities, aimed at building a pool of homegrown academic talent.

Beyond tertiary education, the state is constructing 50 model secondary schools and pilot primary schools, alongside distributing free learning materials to students.

The statement added that over 300 indigenes have been sponsored abroad for postgraduate studies in science and technology-related fields, while more than 500 are studying in Nigerian universities under government sponsorship.

It further highlighted ongoing development of the University of ICT in Offerekpe and the University of Aerospace Engineering in Ezza, designed to position Ebonyi as a hub for innovation and specialised education.

The government described agriculture as a key driver of economic growth, noting that the revitalisation of the Ebonyi State Fertilizer and Chemical Company has boosted farm productivity. Farmers have received fertilizers, improved seedlings, and mechanised equipment, with over 3,800 machines distributed to support large-scale cultivation.

Projects such as rice and cassava processing centres, feed mills, and solar-powered boreholes have enhanced value chains and rural economies.

The administration also partnered with development organisations, including USAID and Michigan State University, to train farmers, youths, and women in modern agricultural practices and agribusiness.

In the water sector, the government said it has revived key facilities, including the Ezillo Water Treatment Plant, Oferekpe Water Scheme, and Abakaliki Water Scheme, restoring supply to households and businesses. Pipeline expansion across the capital is ongoing to improve distribution and support industrial growth.

On infrastructure, over 800 kilometres of roads are under construction across the state, while major urban roads in Abakaliki have been upgraded to ease transportation.

The completion of the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport runway in Onueke was described as a major milestone expected to boost economic activities and investment when the airport becomes fully operational.

The administration also introduced the EBOCAB digital transport system and strengthened the state transport corporation with new buses to improve mobility.

Among major projects is a bridge linking Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State with Oju Local Government Area of Benue State, expected to enhance trade routes and connectivity to northern Nigeria.

The government said the project would improve access to healthcare, education, and markets, particularly benefiting surrounding communities.

The administration said it has prioritised civil service reforms, ensuring prompt payment of salaries and pensions, as well as clearing longstanding arrears.

Retirees now receive gratuities upon retirement, while over 1,700 new workers have been recruited across various sectors, including education and public service.

Free transportation support for workers and students has also been introduced to reduce living costs and improve productivity.

The government noted that Ebonyi remains one of the safer states in Nigeria, attributing this to proactive security measures, including the appointment of security aides across local government areas.

In youth development, initiatives such as the Abakaliki Football Club are aimed at nurturing talent and promoting social engagement.

Housing projects, including the construction of units for displaced persons, were also highlighted as part of efforts to address social needs.

The statement emphasised that the administration’s success lies in its integrated approach, where investments across sectors reinforce one another to drive sustainable growth. It noted that improved healthcare, education, agriculture, and infrastructure are collectively strengthening the state’s economic base and enhancing citizens’ well-being.

The government also highlighted empowerment programmes targeting youths and women, providing skills and financial support to promote entrepreneurship and reduce poverty.

As the administration approaches its third year in office, the Ebonyi State Government said its policies have laid a solid foundation for long-term growth and prosperity, describing Governor Nwifuru’s leadership as transformative, driven by a commitment to delivering tangible results and improving the lives of citizens.

According to the statement, the administration’s achievements reflect a governance model rooted in service, accountability, and inclusive development, positioning Ebonyi State as a growing example of sustainable progress in Nigeria.

UMUAHIA, Nigeria (NPA) — Abia State Governor Alex Otti has performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of 1,200 housing units under the Federal Housing Authority’s Renewed Hope Housing Project in Umuahia, the state capital.

Governor Otti noted that the landmark project was made possible through collaboration between the Federal Government and the Abia State Government. He emphasised that the initiative cements Abia’s position as the first state in Nigeria’s South East, and among the first five nationwide, to partner with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on such a large‑scale housing development.

In a statement issued today, Otti expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the project and commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Housing Authority, Hon. Oyetunde Oladimeji Ojo, and his team for their commitment.

“Together, we are expanding access to affordable housing and improving the welfare of our people,” he said.

The governor clarified that before authorising the groundbreaking, the state ensured verified landowners among host communities were duly compensated. Out of about 900 claimants, more than 800 have already been settled in full, while the remaining are encouraged to resolve bank or ownership issues to access payments already deposited in the bank.

Otti stressed that his administration’s focus remains on people‑oriented projects that uplift lives beyond the distractions of politics, ethnicity, or religion. “The welfare of Abians will continue to be our priority,” he concluded.

The Renewed Hope Housing Project is expected to significantly expand access to affordable housing in Abia, improve living standards, and contribute to the broader national agenda of inclusive development.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Political leaders from Enugu State have pledged their full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re‑election in 2027, describing his administration as transformative and committed to Nigeria’s economic prosperity.

Governor Peter Mbah led a high‑powered delegation to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Tuesday. The delegation included Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh; Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke; former Senate President, Ken Nnamani; former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla; and former Governors Sullivan Chime and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Former Governor of old Anambra State, Jim Nwobodo, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and academics were also present.

President Tinubu, in his remarks, thanked the delegation for their solidarity and commended Governor Mbah for aligning with the governing All Progressives Congress (APC). He noted that testimonies of growth and infrastructural development across states validate the impact of his administration’s economic reforms. Tinubu highlighted improvements in health, education, and infrastructure, stressing that reforms are yielding tangible results.

The President assured the delegation of continued federal support, particularly in infrastructure projects such as the Port Harcourt–Enugu railway line and power sector reforms. He emphasised that long‑term developmental goals are now achievable with improved funding mechanisms for states.

Tinubu praised Governor Mbah’s efforts to tackle insecurity and enhance healthcare and education, describing him as a visionary leader.

Governor Mbah, in his address, said the visit symbolised Enugu’s gratitude for the President’s investment in the state and his commitment to bridging political divides. He recalled Tinubu’s January 2025 visit to Enugu, during which several landmark projects were inaugurated, noting that the interventions boosted socio‑economic development.

Mbah declared that Enugu’s citizens stand firmly behind the President and will support his re‑election in 2027.

Former Senate President Ken Nnamani echoed this sentiment, stressing that the achievements in Enugu would not have been possible without federal backing. He affirmed that the state’s leaders and citizens are united in their support for Tinubu’s second‑term ambition.

The visit is widely seen as a significant boost to President Tinubu’s re‑election campaign and the APC’s prospects in the 2027 polls, particularly as the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) seeks to challenge the incumbent’s hold on power.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — Prominent African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader and 2027 presidential aspirant Mr Peter Obi has cautioned that Nigeria is “drifting dangerously” following the Formal Notice issued last week by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to broadcasters.

In a statement titled “Yesterday’s Advocates of Democracy, Today’s Oppressor of the Press”, Obi said the directive comes at a time when Nigeria should be strengthening democratic institutions, not undermining them. He described the notice, particularly in the context of the approaching general elections, as “very troubling.”

Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, stressed that a free and responsible media should never be treated as an enemy of government. “The media is the conscience of the nation,” he said, warning that attempts to stifle voices, moderate opinions, or intimidate journalists under the guise of regulation only weaken Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

He argued that institutions exist to serve the people, not governments, and urged authorities to focus on addressing insecurity, economic hardship, and the frustrations of young Nigerians rather than controlling media narratives.

“Nigeria does not need stronger control. Nigeria needs stronger institutions. I stand in solidarity with Nigeria’s media houses and broadcasters who are resisting this attempt to silence independent voices and restrict free expression,” Obi declared.

He concluded by calling for a return to transparency, accountability, and independence across government agencies. “We cannot continue to endanger our democracy,” he said.