Category: Politics

ENUGU, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has reiterated his commitment to addressing major challenges facing Nigerians, particularly insecurity, healthcare, education, unemployment and poverty if elected in 2027.

Obi made the pledge during engagements in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Otukpa in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State.

The former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, in a statement titled “My Engagements Across Three States — Kogi, Benue, and Enugu,” issued on Sunday, urged NDC supporters to remain committed to the democratic process and turn out in large numbers to vote.

He also urged them to protect their votes from the polling units through the final declaration of results.

Obi said he visited Olamaboro LGA in Kogi State after his engagements in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he met with stakeholders and party supporters alongside the NDC Kogi East Senatorial candidate, High Chief Peter Ameh.

He said he used the engagement to reaffirm his commitment to tackling insecurity, improving healthcare and education, creating employment opportunities and reducing poverty.

“I reaffirmed our commitment to addressing the major challenges facing our people, especially insecurity, healthcare, education, employment, and poverty alleviation. I also assured our large base of supporters that these issues would remain central to our efforts,” he said.

Obi also visited Otukpa in Ogbadibo LGA of Benue State and Obollo Afor in Enugu State, where he interacted with residents and traders operating along the routes.

According to him, the engagements provided an opportunity to hear directly from the people and understand their concerns.

“I heard their concerns and assured them that, under my leadership, they would have a government that recognises their difficulties, prioritises their welfare, and provides an environment in which their businesses can grow,” he said.

Obi said the concerns raised across the three states were largely similar, including insecurity, unemployment among youths, inadequate healthcare and education, and limited access to resources needed for decent living.

“These are not excessive demands. They represent the basic expectations citizens hold of a government dedicated to their welfare,” he said.

The NDC candidate later travelled to Okpo in Olamaboro LGA, where he attended the 65th birthday celebration of Evangelist Sunday Oguche.

Obi described Oguche as a respected servant of God and community builder who had devoted himself to serving God and contributing positively to the lives of his people.

He offered prayers and best wishes to Oguche, asking God to grant him good health, strength and many more productive years in service.

Obi also paid a courtesy visit to His Royal Majesty, Igwe Willy Ezugwu, Eze Ka Eze I of Ideke Land and Eze Ogbozalla III of Opi Kingdom, Nsukka, Enugu State.

He described the traditional ruler as a Nigerian with a strong belief in the future of the country and thanked him for his prayers, royal blessings, counsel and encouragement.

Obi said his campaign message remained focused on building a Nigeria where government serves the interests and welfare of its citizens.

“As we move forward on this journey, our message remains unequivocal: Nigeria can succeed, and government can be made to serve its people,” he said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (Agency Report) — The National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Sen. David Mark, has urged the party’s governorship candidates to shun hate speech, ethnic and religious profiling, violence and empty promises ahead of the forthcoming elections.

Mark made the call during a consultation meeting with the candidates at the ADC National Headquarters in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Monday by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC chairman warned candidates against making promises they would not be able to fulfil if elected.

He said such conduct could undermine the party’s integrity and credibility.

“Our campaign must reflect the kind of country we would like to build.

“Avoid hate speech, ethnic or religious profiling, and violence.

“Unlike other political parties, ADC does not believe that all is fair in politics,” Mark said.

He urged the candidates to familiarise themselves with the party’s governance and ethical principles contained in its ‘Orange Book’ and manifesto.

The governorship candidates, in separate remarks, expressed appreciation to the party for providing them with the platform to contest the forthcoming elections.

They also welcomed the decision by the ADC and its presidential candidate to make reducing the cost of living a central focus of the party’s campaign.

According to the candidates, the party’s position includes a proposal to restore fuel subsidies as part of measures to reduce the price of petrol.

The candidates pledged loyalty to the party and promised to work towards winning their respective governorship elections and making the ADC proud.

NAN

PORT HARCOURT, Nigeria (NPA) — The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has arrived in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as part of the party’s ongoing engagements across the country.

Kwankwaso, a former Governor of Kano State, said he received a warm welcome from Kwankwasiyya and Obidient supporters upon his arrival in the state capital.

In a statement on Wednesday, Kwankwaso said his engagements included a high-level meeting with representatives of Northern communities residing in Rivers State.

The meeting was attended by the NDC governorship candidate in the state, Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, and other party leaders from various Local Government Areas.

Kwankwaso also held a separate meeting with Hausa traditional leaders in Rivers State, led by Alhaji Ussaini Isa Madaki, leader of the Hausa community.

He described the visit as part of efforts to deepen the NDC’s engagement with communities and stakeholders across the country.

“I arrived in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, today to a warm reception of pomp and pageantry from our ardent Kwankwasiyya and Obidient supporters,” Kwankwaso said.

“As part of our engagements, I hosted a high-level meeting with Northern communities residing in Rivers State, alongside Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, the NDC Governorship Candidate, and NDC leaders from various Local Government Areas across the state.

“I also held a separate meeting with the Hausa traditional leaders in Rivers State, led by Alhaji Ussaini Isa Madaki, Leader of the Hausa Community.”

Kwankwaso said he looked forward to a “fruitful and productive” stay in Port Harcourt, describing the city as the Garden City.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has visited traders affected by the recent fire incident at Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, where more than 45 traders reportedly lost their shops and goods worth millions of naira.

Obi, a former Governor of Anambra State, said he met with some of the affected traders and pledged financial support to assist them as they begin the difficult process of rebuilding their businesses and livelihoods.

In a statement following the visit, Obi expressed sympathy with the traders, many of whom he said were still clearing debris and attempting to salvage whatever remained of their goods after the inferno.

“Yesterday, I visited Eda Plaza in Jabi, Abuja, where more than 45 traders lost their shops to the recent inferno that gutted part of the complex,” Obi said.

“I met with some of the affected traders, many of whom were still clearing the debris and trying to salvage whatever could be recovered from the ruins. I expressed my deepest sympathy to them and pledged my support, however modest, as they begin the difficult journey of rebuilding their livelihoods.”

The NDC presidential candidate said the losses suffered by the traders went beyond the destruction of shops and merchandise, noting that many of the businesses represented years of hard work, savings, sacrifice and hope.

“For many of these traders, their shops represent years of hard work, savings, sacrifice and hope. What was lost is therefore far more than physical structures and merchandise; livelihoods have been disrupted, dreams have been set back, and families have been placed under additional hardship,” he said.

Obi reiterated his long-standing position that governments must demonstrate concern for citizens, particularly during periods of hardship and vulnerability.

“My consistent position has been that government must always care for its people, particularly in moments of difficulty and vulnerability,” he said.

“In times like this, leadership must be measured not only by what government builds, but also by how it stands with citizens when they lose what they have painstakingly built.”

He prayed for the affected traders to recover from the incident and rebuild their businesses.

“I pray that God Almighty grants the affected traders the strength, resources and opportunity to recover from this painful loss, and that their businesses and livelihoods will be restored,” Obi said.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government to ensure that the appeal filed by its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is listed and heard, threatening to boycott the 2027 general elections if the demand is not met.

The group said the proposed boycott could affect elections across the South-East and other areas it describes as “Biafraland.”

IPOB’s spokesperson, Emma Powerful, announced the ultimatum in a statement on September 1, amid concerns over the delay in the hearing of Kanu’s appeal.

The group accused the Federal Government of moving swiftly to prosecute and secure Kanu’s conviction while allegedly showing little urgency in responding to the appeal.

IPOB said Kanu’s family had raised concerns over the delay and that the detained IPOB leader had written to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court of Appeal, requesting the immediate listing and hearing of his pending cases.

“IPOB is giving the Federal Government 14 days to list and hear Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s appeal. If they refuse, we will consider boycotting the coming elections across Biafraland and beyond,” the group said.

“A government that cannot face its Court of Appeal has no right to demand our votes.”

IPOB questioned the legal basis of Kanu’s conviction and continued detention, asking the Federal Government to explain the law under which he was convicted and the specific offences supporting his continued imprisonment.

The group also criticised previous judicial decisions relating to Kanu’s case, including the handling of his earlier discharge and acquittal by the Court of Appeal.

According to IPOB, the delay in the appeal raises serious concerns about due process and public confidence in the judicial system.

The group argued that its proposed withdrawal from future elections would represent a political statement by people who have lost confidence in the electoral system.

IPOB said it would review its position on participation in the 2027 general elections if its demand for the listing and hearing of Kanu’s appeal was not met within the 14-day deadline.

The development could add a new political dimension to preparations for the 2027 general elections, particularly in the South-East, where voter participation could become a major issue.

The Federal Government had yet to issue an official response to IPOB’s latest ultimatum as of the time of filing this report.

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has charged the newly sworn-in chairmen and vice chairmen of the state’s 13 Local Government Areas to see their positions as a sacrifice and a call to service rather than mere privileges.

The governor gave the charge on Tuesday after swearing in the newly elected council officials at the Christian Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki.

Nwifuru said their assumption of office represented a renewed commitment to taking development, good governance and the dividends of democracy closer to the people at the grassroots.

“Today, I had the honour of swearing in the newly elected Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of our 13 Local Government Areas at the Christian Ecumenical Centre, Abakaliki,” the governor said.

“Their assumption of office marks a renewed commitment to taking development, good governance and the dividends of democracy closer to our people at the grassroots.”

He urged the council chairmen to serve with integrity, humility, discipline and commitment, stressing that they had taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and protect the interests of the people of Ebonyi State.

“I charged the new Council Chairmen to see their positions not merely as privileges, but as a sacrifice and a call to serve,” he said.

Nwifuru said he expected the new council leaders to faithfully implement the programmes and policies of the state government while working with relevant stakeholders to advance development across their respective local government areas.

He also urged the vice chairmen to work closely with their chairmen and avoid rivalry, stressing that unity and teamwork were essential to delivering on the mandate entrusted to them.

However, the governor also issued a strong political warning to the newly inaugurated chairmen ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwifuru threatened to remove any council chairman who fails to deliver his or her local government area to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.

“Any chairman who fails to win his council will be removed from office and replaced with a councillor,” the governor said.

“I want this information to be on the headlines of newspapers because, as politicians, we would not speak in secret.”

The governor said the chairmen were expected to ensure the APC maintained its political strength across the state and warned them against allowing opposition parties to gain ground in their respective areas.

“The chairmen know we would win in the state and if they choose to sleep and allow others to take their areas, they would be removed,” he said.

He further charged the council leaders to work towards delivering what he described as a 100 per cent victory for the APC in Ebonyi State during the 2027 elections.

Addressing the vice chairmen, Nwifuru urged them to remain loyal and cooperative with their chairmen, warning against rivalry and allowing gossip or outside influence to damage their working relationships.

He encouraged them to remain available to their chairmen and take an active interest in the daily activities of their respective councils.

The governor also cited his deputy, whom he said previously served as a local government chairman, as an example of how effective performance in public office could lead to greater responsibilities.

The re-elected Chairman of Afikpo Local Government Area, Chief Timothy Nwachi, who spoke on behalf of the newly inaugurated officials, thanked the governor and party stakeholders for the opportunity to serve.

“We pledge to justify the confidence reposed in us and especially ensure that APC records a landslide in 2027,” Nwachi said.

Among the newly inaugurated council chairmen are Engr. Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, David Umahi, who was sworn in as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area.

Also inaugurated was Mr Chidi Nwode, a younger brother to the wife of Governor Nwifuru, who emerged as Chairman of Ikwo Local Government Area.

The governor said the journey towards deeper grassroots development in Ebonyi State had continued, urging the new council leaders to justify the confidence reposed in them by the people.

“Together, we will build an even greater Ebonyi State,” he said.

AWKA, Nigeria (NPA) — Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has presented Certificates of Recognition to two newly recognised traditional rulers in the state, charging them to provide inclusive leadership and serve as fathers to all members of their communities.

The governor presented the certificates to Igwe John Nzekwesili Nweke of Nsugbe and Igwe Ethelbert Muoka of Adazi-Nnukwu at the Light House in Awka.

Soludo, who recently won re-election, said traditional leadership comes with significant responsibilities and challenges, urging the new monarchs to carry everyone along, irrespective of political or personal differences.

“Today at the Light House, Awka, I presented Certificates of Recognition to two new Traditional Rulers: Igwe John Nzekwesili Nweke of Nsugbe and Igwe Ethelbert Muoka of Adazi-Nnukwu. Congratulations to both of you,” Soludo said.

“Leadership comes with challenges, but I charge you to be fathers to all — supporters and critics alike.”

The governor said his administration was working on a new Community Administration Law aimed at bringing greater structure to community leadership, resolving disputes and rival factions, and placing communities on a path towards order and prosperity.

“That is why we are working on a New Community Administration Law to bring structure, end rival factions, and put our communities on a path of order and prosperity,” he said.

Soludo also appealed to experienced traditional rulers in the state to provide guidance and support to the newly recognised monarchs.

“To our veteran Igwes: please guide the new ones. Together, we will build the Anambra of our dreams — from the bottom up,” the governor added.

Meanwhile, Soludo has extended New Month greetings to residents of Anambra State as September begins, assuring them that his administration remains committed to the continued development of the state.

“September is here. The work continues. The Solution continues. Anambra continues to rise,” he said.

“This month, may your hands be blessed, your businesses grow, and peace reign in every home across our dear state.

“Let’s pray and work together to build the Anambra of our dreams.”