Category: Politics

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonnaya Nwifuru, has expressed confidence in securing re-election in the 2027 general elections, saying his administration’s achievements and acceptability among residents would give him an advantage. 

Nwifuru made the statement after casting his vote in Saturday’s local government election at his hometown of Oferekpe Agbaja, Izzi Local Government Area of the state. 

The governor, who is the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, acknowledged that other political parties would field candidates for various elective positions ahead of the 2027 elections. 

“I am the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ebonyi, but you should expect other political parties to field candidates for various positions in the elections,” he said. 

Nwifuru, however, said political opponents should be reasonable, competitive and capable of identifying the lapses of the incumbent administration. 

“One should, however, expect to meet opponents who are reasonable, competitive and ready to expose your lapses,” he said. 

“An opponent is supposed to teach you what you don’t know because he will not hide your lapses.” 

The governor attributed his confidence in winning a second term to his acceptability among the people and what he described as the numerous developmental strides of his administration. 

He also attributed the peaceful and orderly conduct of the local government election to the level playing field provided for participating political parties and candidates. 

“The APC allowed the people to choose who will lead them at the grassroots, and that is why the support is massive,” Nwifuru said. 

“I believe in the candidates of our party and their abilities to deliver the goods to the people who voted them.” 

He said the participation of candidates from other political parties also contributed to the smooth conduct of the election. 

“I believe other parties presented their own candidates, and that is why we are having a seamless process,” he said. 

On his own political future, Nwifuru said he would prefer to be endorsed by the people based on the performance of his administration. 

“My desire is for the people to endorse me because that is the right thing. My administration has been working for the people and will continue doing so,” he said. 

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported that the ruling APC fielded candidates across all 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ebonyi State. 

Among the notable APC candidates were Osbourne Umahi, who contested the chairmanship of Ohaozara LGA; Prince Ifechukwu Ogbufia, the incumbent chairman seeking re-election in Onicha LGA; and Engr. Timothy Nwachi, who contested for a second term in Afikpo LGA. 

The APC’s participation across all 13 LGAs was seen as part of efforts to consolidate its grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

In Ebonyi State, elected local government chairmen and councillors are expected to serve a three-year tenure across the state’s 13 LGAs and 171 wards. 

The tenure applies to both chairmen and councillors elected under the state’s local government electoral framework, after which fresh elections are expected to be conducted. 

The local government election forms part of the state-level electoral process through which grassroots leadership is selected in Ebonyi State. 

ABAKALIKI, Nigeria (NPA) — Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has reiterated his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace, unity and development across the state. 

Nwifuru made the pledge on Saturday following the conclusion of the local government elections held across the 13 Local Government Areas of the South-East state. 

The election, which was described by observers as generally peaceful, produced candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as winners in several local government areas, including Osbourne Umahi, the 28-year-old son of former Ebonyi Governor and current Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi. 

In a statement, Nwifuru said he joined other Ebonyi residents to exercise his civic responsibility by voting at his polling unit, Edupfu Okemini 002, Enyanwuigwe Ward, Izzi Local Government Area. 

He expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the election and the turnout of voters across the state. 

“I am pleased with the orderly conduct of the election and the large turnout of our people across the State. Reports from across the 13 Local Government Areas indicate that Ebonyians have come out in their numbers to participate in the process,” he said. 

The governor commended residents for what he described as their peaceful participation in the election. 

“I remain grateful to the people of Ebonyi State for their continued support and confidence in our administration,” he said. 

“As we move forward, my commitment remains to the peace, unity and development of Ebonyi State.” 

The local government election was conducted across the state’s 13 LGAs, with the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) responsible for organising and supervising the exercise. 

The ruling APC fielded candidates across all 13 LGAs, while the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) boycotted the election. 

Among the notable APC candidates were Osbourne Umahi, who contested the chairmanship of Ohaozara LGA; Prince Ifechukwu Ogbufia, the incumbent chairman seeking re-election in Onicha LGA; and Engr. Timothy Nwachi, who contested for a second term in Afikpo LGA. 

The APC’s participation across all 13 LGAs is seen as part of efforts to consolidate its grassroots support ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

In Ebonyi State, elected local government chairmen and councillors are expected to serve a three-year tenure across the 13 LGAs and 171 wards. 

The tenure applies to both chairmen and councillors elected under the state’s local government electoral framework, after which fresh elections are expected to be conducted. 

The local government election is part of the state-level electoral process through which grassroots leadership is selected in Ebonyi State. 

IBADAN, Nigeria (NPA) — Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has congratulated his Osun State counterpart, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

In a statement on Sunday, August 16, 2026, Makinde described Adeleke’s journey to re-election as a “long and arduous journey”, saying the outcome reflected the will of the people of Osun State.

“Hearty congratulations to my brother, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke, on his re-election as Governor of Osun State. It has indeed been a long and arduous journey, but we are delighted that the will of the good people of Osun State prevailed in the end,” Makinde said.

The congratulatory message came after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke winner of the closely contested election following the final collation of results at the state collation centre in Osogbo on Sunday.

As earlier reported by Newpost Africa, Adeleke won 19 of the 30 Local Government Areas (LGAs), while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 11 LGAs.

The State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, declared Adeleke winner after the results from all 30 LGAs were collated and party agents signed the results.

According to the INEC figures, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.

The margin between the two leading candidates stood at 66,252 votes.

The candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.

Makinde’s congratulatory message adds to a series of reactions from political leaders following Adeleke’s return to office, with the election outcome marking the conclusion of a closely fought contest for the Osun governorship.

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated the re-elected Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, following his victory in Saturday’s governorship election.

Tinubu made the call during a telephone conversation with Adeleke on Sunday, according to a statement personally signed by the President.

The President said Adeleke’s re-election reaffirmed the confidence the people of Osun State had in his leadership.

“I called Governor Ademola Adeleke earlier today to congratulate him on his election victory in Osun State. His victory once again confirmed the confidence the people of Osun State have in him,” Tinubu said.

He wished Adeleke success as he prepares to lead the state for another four years, urging him to unite the people of Osun State irrespective of their political affiliations and choices during the election.

“Now that he has won, Governor Adeleke must unite the people of Osun State and rally them for growth, stability, and social and economic progress, regardless of the political choices they made at the election,” he said.

Tinubu also commended the other contestants for what he described as their courage and discipline, saying their participation contributed to the development of Nigeria’s democratic culture.

“The outcome of the election reflects the will of the people and is a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our land,” the President said.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for conducting what he described as a peaceful and transparent election that produced a clear winner.

Tinubu said the outcome demonstrated the resilience of Nigeria’s democratic process and expressed hope that the country’s democracy would continue to thrive and be strengthened.

“May our democracy continue to thrive and be strengthened,” he said.

LAFIA, Nigeria (NPA) — Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the removal of fuel subsidy and other measures have increased the state’s monthly allocation from the Federation Account from about ₦4.5 billion to approximately ₦16 billion.

Sule stated this in Lafia when he received members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Tour, led by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The team, comprising presidential media aides and more than 50 senior journalists, is on a nationwide inspection tour of Federal and state government projects across the North-Central region.

According to a statement signed by Tunde Rahman, Director, Media and Publicity, Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Team, on Sunday, Sule said the increase in federal allocations had created greater fiscal space for Nasarawa State to execute major projects and respond more effectively to the developmental needs of residents.

The governor said the state was transparent in its management of increased resources, noting that his administration publicly announces the value of contracts awarded for projects.

“For us in Nasarawa State, we are very transparent. I came from the private sector, so every contract I give, I announce the amount that we are spending on that contract, so that people can now see the difference with the kind of money we are receiving,” he said.

Sule explained that before the reforms, Nasarawa State received between ₦3.8 billion and ₦4.5 billion monthly from the Federation Account, limiting the government’s capacity to undertake major capital projects.

He acknowledged that the removal of the fuel subsidy and other economic reforms initially created hardship for citizens but said Tinubu demonstrated political courage by taking responsibility for difficult decisions considered necessary for the country’s economic recovery.

The governor also stressed the importance of effective communication in helping citizens understand government policies, particularly reforms that may initially cause difficulties but are intended to strengthen the economy and improve governments’ capacity to deliver public services.

He said the President “took the bullet” on behalf of state and local governments by implementing the reforms, thereby creating greater fiscal capacity for the three tiers of government.

“Today, we are beginning to see the benefits because the resources available to us have increased tremendously,” Sule said.

According to the governor, the additional resources have enabled his administration to undertake projects in road infrastructure, industrialisation, education, healthcare and water supply across the state.

He commended the Renewed Hope Ambassadors National Media Team for undertaking the nationwide tour, describing it as an opportunity for Nigerians to see the impact of government policies and projects beyond official narratives.

Sule said the visit would enable Nigerians to assess first-hand the projects being executed by the Federal and Nasarawa State governments and determine the extent to which the Renewed Hope Agenda is translating into development at the grassroots.

He expressed optimism that continued implementation of the Federal Government’s economic reforms would further strengthen the fiscal position of states and enable them to undertake more transformative projects.

During its visit to Nasarawa, the media team inspected the completed multi-billion-naira state secretariat housing the Ministries of Education, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Justice, as well as the 1-megawatt solar farm powering the secretariat along Shendam Road.

The team also inspected the completed 16-kilometre Makurdi bypass in Lafia, which connects Nasarawa and Benue states, the Wing Commander Abdullahi Ibrahim Vocational and Skills Acquisition Centre, the Shinge Waterstorm Channel and the completed Kilema Bridge along the Lafia-Doma Road.

Onanuga, while commending the projects inspected, praised what he described as the courage of President Tinubu in removing the fuel subsidy and implementing economic reforms that previous administrations had acknowledged as necessary but repeatedly postponed.

“Actually, when President Tinubu came in 2023, he initiated some audacious reforms that ought to have been introduced some decades ago. But the country kept postponing them until he came, and from Day One uttered that famous phrase ‘subsidy is gone,’” Onanuga said.

He noted that the administration subsequently floated the naira and ended the multiple exchange-rate regime, measures which he acknowledged initially contributed to inflation and increased hardship.

“The first year was very difficult. But later, things got better,” he said.

Onanuga also commended Governor Sule for supporting the reforms during their initial phase, recalling that the governor had publicly defended the President’s decision to implement them.

He said the reforms had freed up resources that state governors had long sought to use for development.

Also speaking during the inspection of the Makurdi bypass, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Public Enlightenment, AbulAziz AbdulAziz, said the scale of infrastructure development witnessed across Benue and Nasarawa states demonstrated that the Renewed Hope Agenda was delivering results.