Politics
2023: The search for Ugwuanyi’s Successor -By Ozor Eke Joel Chinedu
Introducing Dr. Chris Ede,
Dr Chris Ede, a Russian trained medical doctor hails from Ugbawka, in Nkanu East LGA.
He is the Managing Director/CEO of MAXIVISION Eye Hospital, Lagos. A Specialist Hospital adjudged one of the best in Africa.
I first met him during a medical mission which his hospital organized for Enugu State Government, during the administration of His Excellency Sullivan Chime.
Another opportunity with him came when Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo Youth Council, conferred on him the position of PATRON. This event took place about eight years ago and he spoke passionately about Governance, politics, and way forward for Enugu State
Hear him: If you ask me about the development of any society in Africa today, I will name three things. Number one Industrialization, number two Industrialization, number three Industrialization.
“Because we have not started and Enugu State has the opportunity. We only need to draw at both human and natural resources that are available, do a proper analysis to be able to have a synergy between what comparative advantages the state has and tailor a programme that will bring in investors and industries that will make use of those comparative advantages for the industrial development of the state.
“The state has opportunity to be an Industrial hub, it has opportunity to be a scientific hub in Nigeria and Africa if there is proper planning and programming. Building scientific and Industrial parks that would make use of the large number of talents that we have among our young people.
“Create conditions that will be attractive to our many specialists that are outside the country making contributions to the development of other countries and societies when we need more of their services.”
Plans for Ogbete Main Market
Ede said there will be no need to relocate the Ogbete Main Market. “I believe Ogbete doesn’t need to be moved, it will stay there but in a different form. In the form of a transformation that will see ultra modern multi floor shopping Mall that will have multi floor underground parking lots to clear the double parking you see on the roads and some flyovers that will relieve the traffic around the market.”
This he said won’t be difficult to do if the correct atmosphere is created to get investors.
Who is Dr. Chris Ede?
He grew up in the village. Went to school at the Community School Obeagu Ugbawka, not far from the railway station then, when rail was still operational.
After his Common Entrance as it was done in those days, Ede was posted to Boys Secondary School Ozoubulu in the old Anambra State.
After his secondary school he traveled to Kano as a little boy looking for job. He started work with the Northern Nigeria Flower Mills as an Accounts Clark with a salary of N250, in 1982.
In the course of those years he became involved in trade union. He eventually travelled to Bulgaria late 1982 on a10-month-Course where he studied Philosophy and Politcial Economy.
On his return, Dr. Ede worked as State Organizing Secretary for the Civil Service Technical Workers Union in Kano.
During that period he still had the urge and desire to further his education. Fortunately, he got a scholarship to study medicine in the then Soviet Union.
The Enugu guber hopeful, studied at the People’s Friendship University of Russia which was then named after Patrice Lumumba and graduated in 1991 just about the time of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
He was in Russia when the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. As it is in life every situation has some opportunities in it. Russia was stepping into market economy and he catched in on the opportunities and opened some businesses as well as trying some efforts in commercial ventures.
He had a company in the area of electricals, lighting fixtures, crystal chandeliers, most of which were in high demand. He was importing his goods from Austria, from Italy and others.
He continued until 2006 when he had a project to build a 60 Megawatts Power Station by the Bayelsa State Government.
After that project, he decided to fully return to Nigeria and set up the hospital. And since then has been both on and off in Russia, in New York. He has also been participating in a whole lot of politcial activities especially in the area of politcial activism.
MAXIVISION Eye Hospital, Lagos
An eye specialist Hospital, among the leading eye care centres in Africa. It has made its mark in the industry.
Patients who have had their sights restored even at some very difficult circumstance and have testified the wonderful records of the hospital.
The hospital has also engaged in some outreach progrmames doing free eye screening in various parts of the country.
In Enugu State it came and did free eye screening in the three Senatorial zones; at Agbani, Nsukka and Udi.
It has also done same in three Federal Universities, University of Ibadan, in Lagos, in Akwa Ibom as part of our corporate social responsibility and also as a way of giving back to the society.
The federal universities are UNN and Othman Danfodio University, Sokoto.
Similar progrmames were also carried out in various places in Lagos-Ikeja, Ikorodu and the lsat one at the palace of the Oba of Lagos.
There have also had progrmames with the International Women Federation for Peace. They brought in widows and the hospital offered treatment free of charge.
It has also in conjunction with some other corporate organizations engaged in some free eye Servics. Both for their staff and some localities that we jointly carry out with them.
A man who values human capital development Dr. Ede has also been focused on training young people in various fields.
He has trained 21 persons in various Russian Institutions, various professions some of them up to PhD levels, some up to masters level.
He rehabilitated one of the major roads that leads to his village, Akpaa. “The last time I saw that road graded was as a little boy in primary school.
“So when I came back one of the yeras, in 2011 precisely I tried to go through that road it was not possible. I had to go back, go through another circuitous routes. From that day I took a decision and started doing that road. It took me four months to complete the work and as if it was God that sent me, after doing that road, the only other road connecting the two Communities, the bridge collapsed.
“So when the bridge collapsed it was the road I just finished that became the only link both in and out for the two Communities there was no other. And I thank God that He made it possible for me to do it at that particular time.”
Ede has also tried his best in helping some other categories in the social strata, the widows, orphans, currently he just cleared a place he is preparing for a Health Centre for the village.
He has also embarked on a rural electrification progrmame in a deliberate effort to bring electricity to his Community. All poles for the project have already been erected. NDI ENUGU, BETTER DAYS ARE HERE WITH DR EDE CHRIS.
Ozor Eke Joel Chinedu
Ozor Okedinchi wrote from Enugu
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
In the now-controversial post shared on his social media page, Osborne wrote: “In a sane clime president Bola Ahmed Tinubu would’ve respectfully and honourably resigned. I’m of APC but truth be told.”
The comment quickly generated reactions online before the Akwa Ibom State Government moved to terminate his appointment.
In a letter dated June 2, 2026, the Office of the Political Adviser to the Governor announced his immediate disengagement.
The termination letter, signed by the Political Adviser to the Governor, Prince Godwin Ntuk Udeh, stated that Osborne Ubong Okon had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect.Politics
According to the letter, the decision was taken over actions the office described as disloyal.
“You are hereby relieved of your engagement as a Media Aide to the Political Adviser to His Excellency the Governor, with immediate effect and from today, 2nd June 2026,” the memo read.
The letter further cited “actions bordering on disloyalty” and the need to keep the office “purified” as reasons for the dismissal.
The office also issued a warning to members of the public and government officials regarding future dealings with the former aide.
“Any person having dealings with the above-mentioned former Media Aide in relation to this office of his former engagement does so on his/her own peril,” the statement added.
The development has sparked fresh conversations about the limits of political expression for government appointees and the expectations of loyalty within public service, particularly when comments are directed at the presidency.
Neither Osborne nor the Presidency had publicly responded to the development as of the time of filing this report.
The decision was taken during plenary on Tuesday at the Assembly complex in Dutse, the state capital, as the party continues to deal with the fallout from recent primaries.
The action comes amid a wave of suspensions across Jigawa APC following the recently conducted primary election.
Several special advisers and special assistants have already been suspended statewide over alleged anti-party activities from state level down to local government level.
Maigari, who doubles as the councillor representing Auyo Ward, was suspended after the House considered a motion by the Majority Leader, Lawan Dansure.
The motion sought disciplinary action against the lawmaker for conduct deemed harmful to party cohesion.
Moving the motion during the Assembly’s plenary session on Tuesday, Dansure urged members to support the suspension.
He said the House must act to protect the integrity of the ruling party ahead of 2027.
According to him, the actions of the Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress in the state.
“His actions are detrimental to the unity, stability, and progress of the All Progressives Congress,” Dansure told the House.
He argued that anti-party conduct at the grassroots level could undermine APC’s performance in future elections.
He said the House could not fold its arms while party discipline was being tested.
“Hon. Haruna Maigari is hereby suspended as Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council over alleged anti-party activities,” Dangyatin announced during plenary.
The Speaker also said the House remains committed to party discipline at all levels of governance in the state.
Dangyatin then constituted an investigative committee to look into the matter and report back within two weeks.
“The committee is expected to establish facts and recommend further action based on its findings,” he said.
The Speaker also directed the suspended lawmaker to hand over all official documents in his possession to the Deputy Speaker of Auyo Legislative Council.
He said the handover must be done immediately to ensure continuity of council business.
Meanwhile, the House also received a formal notification from Governor Umar Namadi regarding an official trip.
“The governor is billed to attend a two-day West African Rice Investment Roundtable in Accra, Ghana,” the Speaker said during the plenary session of the Assembly.
Dangyatin, who explained that the governor’s foreign engagement will hold between June 2 and June 3, 2026, added that “the governor’s participation is aimed at attracting investment to Jigawa’s rice value chain.”
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mr. Samson Chukwu Nnamani has declared that he remains the authentic governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State ahead of the 2027 election.
Nnamani made this known on Friday during a press briefing held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Enugu.
Reacting to allegations that he was suspended from the party before the PDP governorship primary election, Nnamani dismissed the claim, questioning how a supposedly suspended aspirant could participate in the exercise and secure votes.
“The purported claim that I was suspended is very funny. If I was suspended as they claim, how can they attribute votes for me during their kangaroo primary,” Nnamani questioned.
Represented by his Media Director, Dr. Buchi Nnaji, the PDP chieftain said his authenticity derives from the present recognition of the Abdulrahman-led faction of the PDP by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), of which he is a member.
The clarification followed the emergence of multiple claimants to the PDP governorship ticket in Enugu State.
Nnamani insisted that the party was no longer factionalised following INEC’s recognition of the Abdulrahman-led PDP leadership, noting that the panel which declared him winner where sent from their headquaters, Abuja.
Nnamani expressed gratitude to PDP leaders and supporters whom he said turned out massively on Sunday, May 24, 2026, to elect him as the party’s governorship candidate.
He pledged to reposition Enugu State through infrastructure development, job creation and people-oriented policies.
“As the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in Enugu State, I remain committed to the ideals of good governance, inclusive leadership, economic development, youth empowerment, quality education, improved healthcare and enhanced security for all residents,” he said.
He added that his aspiration was to build “a greater Enugu State where opportunities abound for every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation, religion or social status.”
According to him, his administration would prioritise infrastructure development, industrialisation, support for small businesses and welfare programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people.
“We shall also review and remove policies and practices that are truncating the wellbeing, economic survival and social advancement of the citizens,” he stated.
Nnamani further called on stakeholders, party faithful, youths, women, traditional rulers and the people of Enugu State to join hands in building “a united, peaceful and progressive state.”
“Together, we can achieve the Enugu of our dreams,” he added.
The Presidency has reacted following the circulation of an alleged WhatsApp voice note in which President Bola Tinubu reportedly claims he begged opposition figure Peter Obi to step down ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The reaction came on Wednesday from Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President.
Onanuga condemned the audio file, labeling it a fabrication and called for legal action against popular social media critic VeryDarkMan who shared it.
“This VDM needs to face the weight of the law for being the conveyor and disseminator of a fake audio of President Tinubu. This is a clear case of an egregious abuse of the social media platform.,” Onanuga tweeted.
In the viral video, VeryDarkMan used the alleged leaked audio to urge Nigerians to vote against President Tinubu’s reelection bid in the upcoming 2027 polls.
Recall that just days ago, on Saturday, May 23, 2026, President Tinubu secured the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a landslide nationwide direct primary election.
During that contest, Tinubu faced a lone challenger, Edo State businessman and APC chieftain Stanley Osifo. The President won with 10,999,162 votes from the 12,643,306 registered party members, while Osifo secured 16,503 votes.
Meanwhile, Peter Obi, who finished third in the 2023 election, is widely expected to fly the flag for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC). Both Obi and Tinubu hail from the southern region of Nigeria and are set to face last year’s runner-up, Atiku Abubakar, who is expected to lead the ticket for the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
-
Crime5 days ago
Oyo abduction: Teachers begin strike as Tinubu sends 1,000 forest guards to rescue victims
-
Education4 days agoEnugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
-
News4 days agoDSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
-
Crime5 days agoUS Announces $3.5m Religious Freedom Initiative, Questions Nigeria’s Response to Attacks
-
Crime4 days ago2 Police Officers Shot Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Chief of Staff’s Convoy
-
News3 days agoPower Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike
-
Politics3 days ago
Speaker suspended over anti-party activities
-
Crime4 days agoAbducted Army General: Gunmen Make Demands, Contact Family