Politics
2023: Why I want to represent Enugu West in the Senate – Osita Ngwu
Having won the PDP Enugu West Senatorial Primaries, how do you feel?
Thank you for congratulating me. I am happy but I know it is a call to serve. Apparently, not a call for jamboree because even getting the PDP nomination in Enugu West was not easy. We were 13 in number that contested. I think the most viable contested zone in the whole of Nigeria as far as my party is concerned. So, I am grateful for the trust and confidence that my party men and women reposed in me to lead them to victory in the general election for the Enugu West Senatorial election in 2023.
Could you tell us why you chose to run for the Enugu West Senate and what your chances are?
The last time, if you have followed my political journey, I ran for House of Representatives in 2018 against the 2019 election. I had to concede for the incumbent to be able to get a second tenure in the National Assembly on compassionate grounds. My drive has always been to represent my people and provide quality and effective service to the People of my constituency. I have served in my private capacity, and will do more as a public office holder. I want to use the leverage and instruments of public sector to drive and bring development to my people.
I will represent Enugu West effectively in the affairs of the federal republic of Nigeria. As for your question on my chances at the polls, I think it is very bright. By the grace of God, and the support of the good people of Enugu West Senatorial Zone, we will win the election convincingly.
With the political rumbling of other growing political parties, what are the chances of PDP winning Enugu?
I don’t think we have any genuine threat. PDP has been in Enugu and has performed as a government in Enugu. The best thing PDP did in the last primary election was to produce credible and competent candidates. If you check from the House of Assembly to National Assembly and then to our governorship candidate, the party produced credible candidates. The political awareness is very high in Nigeria. People are looking for competent and credible candidates now. This is an era of where people are clamoring to vote candidates of their choice and not just political parties. So, we have two things going for us. PDP is the only party on ground in Enugu and have sustained its structure. It is the only party that is widely spread in Enugu that you can find in all the nooks and crannies of the rural communities; it is one advantage for us. The second advantage is the quality of candidates that the party produced. We have candidates that can win elections even if they are running from other parties. We have the best chances of winning this election. I don’t think there is any genuine threat but it won’t stop us from working hard. We must continue to talk with our people to reassure those that are already with us, and convince those that are not yet decided.
Don’t you feel concerned that Enugu has been one political party since 1999?
No, I am not concerned. The political party is one thing but it is the people that vote to produce the leaders. It also means PDP has been producing credible candidates. There are other parties in Enugu, APC, AGPA, Labour, etc. They produce candidates and people go to the polls and still vote for PDP. If by any chance they produce better candidates, they can also have a chance. No, I am not worried, provided we have effective and responsible leadership. I will only become worried when my party, PDP starts losing elections to other political parties. It is a good thing that PDP in Enugu State has remained focused in good leadership to the good people of Enugu State.
Other parties are also encouraged to start producing good candidates, so the elections can become more competitive.
With the force and rise of the Labour Party, do you think that it will not trounce the PDP in the forthcoming election?
No, I think the issue of Labour Party is totally misplaced. Labour party is only benefiting from Peter Obi’s popularity and acceptance across party lines as a credible choice for presidency. Labour party will likely disrupt voting demographics for the presidential election, but I don’t think they will make any significant impact in other federal and state elective positions.
What would you say distinguishes your team from the other candidates for this race?
My pedigree and my performance in positions I occupied in the private sector. I have distinguished myself in the private sector of the Nigerian economy.
And I also have a proven record of ability to inspire, mobilise and organise credible men and women of substance in cooperative efforts to achieving extraordinary ends for the greater good of humanity. My uncommon ability to listen and make myself accessible to all, has been acknowledged by the good people of Enugu West.
In addition, some of the people that you see struggling to get tickets under other political parties ran for primaries in PDP. They lost in the primaries and started running from pillar to post, which is their right anyway. The credible candidates that contested with me at the primaries all accepted the outcome and are supporting me. I give them special thanks.
There were speculations following a video trending online that you mocked Ike Ekweremadu who is facing charges of alleged organ harvesting. How true is that?
It is laughable to say that I am mocking Ike Ekweremadu; I can’t do that. It is not in my nature. In a campaign of this nature, you will always have overzealous supporters who may be overtaken by heightened emotional frenzy that is usually associated with internal party primaries, and may do or say hurtful things.
However, I wish to clarify that this particular video was captured in the heat of things, when we just finished the primaries; I think two days or so after the primaries, and one cannot personally control the emotions of everyone. If you watch that video, you notice that I didn’t react. I was just standing.
The first time I saw the video online was on June 6; so it’s not a recent video.
The video was made many weeks before the unfortunate ordeal of our Senator occurred.
People are bound to make mistakes, retract and apologise. The people in the video couldn’t have predicted that Senator Ekweremadu’s present predicament will ever happen. It is very unfortunate and shameful that someone wants to play a political card with it now.
Senator Ekweremadu, who has been serving as our senator since 2003, has performed well. I was interviewed two or three times in the past two weeks and I said it clearly. I am going to continue from where he stopped, and consolidate the gains he has made so far.
I spoke with Senator Ike Ekweremadu several times after the primaries.
He congratulated me and we scheduled to meet immediately after his return from his trip because I need his guide, support and assistance. It is that trip that he is yet to return from, very disheartening. And while we are all praying for him, I am directly in touch with his family even up to last week. His current ordeal can happen to anybody. We will continue to pray for him and will receive him here sooner than we think because he will be exonerated
Ike Ekweremadu was a high-ranking senator who spent so many years in the Senate. Do you think you will fit into his big shoes?
Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu performed creditably to the benefit of our people, and I intend to continue where he will stop. I have the courage, competence and capacity to improve on his achievements.
What would be your plans for the people of Enugu West if elected as the senator?
I will provide them with effective leadership and effective representation. You know the job of the senator is lawmaking, primarily. So, we are going to make laws that will create opportunities for our people. We are going to legislate laws that will enhance the people’s welfare, create jobs, security and good governance in Nigeria.
I will focus legislative effort ion sponsoring or supporting bills that will promote excellence in education, skill acquisition and improved healthcare for the good people of Nigeria. I will continually lobby for the appropriation of funds for projects to be sited within my Senatorial constituency for the benefit of all.
The fulcrum of my legislative efforts will revolve around Human Capital Development, particularly skill acquisition and job creation (through support for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises).
With inflation just around, do you think you have the financial war chest to tarry along till the day of the election?
The election is almost five months away. Elections these days are not about who has the highest money. The people are aware of who they are going to vote for. The people have confidence and trust in me. They are not expecting me to carry money and give them and I don’t have all the money to throw. I am not hoping that it is money that is going to buy Enugu West senatorial seat. I hope it is the credibility and capacity of my person to give effective representation that will count.
What would you say is the greatest challenge facing the people and the state as a whole?
Among the greatest challenges in Nigeria today are insecurity, dwindling economy, poor education and healthcare infrastructures, which every part of the country is dealing with.
I think the Federal Government has not done enough to solve the insecurity problem that has now come down to the South East. I think the root cause of the intractable insecurity challenges we are having today is the inorganic, unintelligent and unintelligible security and administrative structure of the Nigerian federation. I will spend substantial legislative effort in crafting, sponsoring and supporting a comprehensive bill to restructure Nigeria back to a secure and productive nation.
Even today, as we speak, there was an attack on the police station within Enugu West. The current APC led Federal Government has put the whole nation in deep security and economic jeopardy.
What advice would you give to the electorate towards this forthcoming election?
To be steadfast and monitor the candidates; they should avoid campaigns of calumny against perceived opponents. People should have issue-based campaigns. Voters should open their eyes and listen to what the candidates have to offer. Be prepared to vote and protect their vote.
What do you think about the Labour Party candidate in Enugu West senatorial seat?
The Labour Party candidate that I saw INEC publish is Uchenna Ekwe. He was in the House of Representative years back. He’s not new to politics, a fine gentleman who I also have respect for. He cannot be taken for granted. But another fact is that the Labour Party in Enugu West is having an internal crisis especially regarding his candidature. They are in court because someone who lost an election in PDP has gone to sponsor a court case against Labour Party and its candidate to create unnecessary problems for them in LP after trying and failing in PDP.
I hope they resolve their issues because it is distracting the candidate, and I wish him luck. My focus now is on Osita Ngwu, PDP, the people of Enugu West and the job ahead.
How are you going to unite Enugu West after the election?
I am a peaceful person and a unifier. We were 13 that contested for the ticket of Enugu West under PDP. I visited 11 of them immediately after we finished the primaries, to ask for their support and they all gave me their word. Some have hosted me and are all part of our campaign. If I was able to unify Enugu West PDP after a very grueling primary campaign and election, then you can easily predict what I will do after the general election. I will raise the olive branch and make sure that all of us work together to develop Enugu West.
What strategies and platforms do you have on ground to get the full support of the youth?
Remember I am also a youth, so this election is our project. The biggest youth platforms we have in Enugu West are all supporting us. We have about four youth groups now campaigning vigorously. On September 29, a youth group called Renaissance Youths held a mega rally in Udi Local Government in support of PDP candidates. Thousands of youths came out. We have youths strongly behind us. We have several other platforms too. We have women groups, teachers, motorcycle riders (okada), and market women all supporting us. Persons living with disabilities have an association that has thrown their weight behind us. It’s overwhelming. It’s almost like the election has already been won.
What is your take on zoning in the state?
It’s a political party affair. I support zoning and I will remain an advocate of zoning.
Ranging from insecurity to economic crises in the Southeast, which would be your priority?
Security is key. I think when you tackle insecurity, the economy will continue to thrive. It’s like the chicken and egg situation. They have mutually beneficial relationship. Probably, insecurity is caused by a bad economy and a bad economy causes insecurity. Once you deal with insecurity, then you can go back to work. You should know, it’s not about the Southeast. In Nigeria as a whole, we have insecurity and economic problems.
What gives you an edge in this race?
My experience, my competence, my intellectual capacity; I have performed. We have nine political parties that have forwarded candidates for the next election. I have looked at the candidates they have produced and I have not seen anyone that can match me in performance in terms of what I have achieved as a private individual both in experience and capacity. I stand out because I have performed. I can also tell you that in Enugu West, I am one of the highest employers of labour through the factories that I have set up. I presently employ about 600 people, and I can tell you confidently that there’s no other person amongst those contesting with me that have up to 10 or 15 people under their employment.
Therefore, the difference is clear.
Do you think the PDP will retain power generally in Enugu State and why?
I am very confident that PDP will retain power in Enugu after the 2023 general election. Enugu State will remain PDP because as I earlier mentioned, the PDP candidate for the Enugu state governorship election is a very successful business man who has come home to help.
Dr Peter Mba is a perfect example of a distinguished entrepreneur and public administrator wound in one person. Enugu State is very lucky to have a man of his ilk make himself available to serve us at this time.
I have no doubt he will be elected as the next governor of Enugu State, and we will all be better for it.
All other political parties have candidates who don’t even have a manifesto. Our candidate will unveil his manifesto on Thursday, October 13 and I urge you to also come and witness the unveiling of that manifesto. All the others are not sure why they want to go to the lion building.
The Ebonyi State Government has effectively restricted political campaigns and gatherings in Ezza South Local Government Area, directing political parties and groups to obtain prior approval from the council chairman before holding such events.
The directive, issued by the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government Area, Hon. Chinedu Mkpuma, follows a recent security breach in Amaezekwe community amid growing concerns over political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement made available to journalists in Abakaliki, Mkpuma expressed dismay over the security situation and said the measure was necessary to protect lives and property, maintain public order and prevent further security breaches.
He acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to freedom of association and peaceful assembly but warned that political gatherings in the local government area must henceforth receive prior approval from his office.
The chairman added that violations of the directive would attract appropriate action in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party governorship candidate, Eze Oko, has condemned the reported killings and alleged attacks on opposition parties in the state, calling on political leaders to end violence and intimidation.
Oko questioned why opposition members were allegedly being targeted and urged youths to resist attempts by politicians to use them as instruments of violence.
He called for a level playing field for all political parties and candidates, insisting that political competition should be based on ideas, manifestos and records of performance rather than violence.
The LP candidate also cautioned political leaders against inflammatory statements capable of fuelling tension during the electioneering period.
He urged candidates seeking re-election to allow their achievements to speak for them instead of allegedly engaging political thugs to intimidate opponents.
Oko further appealed to youths to reject political thuggery and violence, while extending his condolences to the families of those reportedly killed in the incident.
The development comes as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, with renewed calls for security agencies to investigate reported attacks and ensure that all political parties can operate without intimidation.
The Minister of Works and former Governor of Ebonyi State, Senator David Umahi, has declared that 2027 is not the South-East’s turn to produce Nigeria’s president, insisting that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, is not the region’s best presidential candidate.
Umahi, who made the declaration during an interview with ARISE News on Friday, defended South-East political leaders supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, maintaining that their political choices should not be interpreted as betrayal of the Igbo presidential ambition.
“Peter Obi is not the best of our finest in South East. He’s not the best, he can never be the best,” Umahi declared.
The minister faulted Obi’s approach to the 2023 presidential election, alleging that he failed to adequately consult governors and other influential political stakeholders in the South-East before pursuing his ambition.
“You cannot play politics in South East without consulting people like us,” he maintained.
According to Umahi, any presidential aspirant seeking to represent the collective aspirations of the region must first engage critical stakeholders and build the necessary political consensus.
He argued that Obi’s performance in the 2023 presidential election did not automatically make him the South-East’s most qualified presidential candidate, stressing that the region boasts several other capable political figures.
Umahi also questioned why Anambra State should be given preferential consideration whenever the opportunity arises for the South-East to produce Nigeria’s president.
Citing Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, who hailed from the area now constituting Anambra State, the minister maintained that Ebonyi, Enugu, Abia and Imo states equally deserve consideration in future presidential arrangements.
On the growing support for Tinubu among South-East political leaders ahead of 2027, Umahi dismissed allegations that those backing the president had abandoned the region’s political interests.
He insisted that the South-East’s path to the presidency lies in strategic negotiations, consensus-building and alliances with other geopolitical zones rather than presenting loyalty to Obi as the ultimate test of commitment to the Igbo cause.
The former Ebonyi governor had earlier challenged comparisons between himself and Obi during a political engagement in Benin City in September, declaring that he saw no area in which the former Anambra governor was superior to him.
While expressing confidence that the South-East would eventually produce Nigeria’s president, Umahi maintained that the region’s opportunity had not yet arrived, insisting that “it is not yet our turn.”
Politics
2027: APGA, APC Set for Joint Meeting in Anambra to Mobilise Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State have scheduled a joint meeting for November 1 to strengthen collaboration and mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The planned meeting comes amid claims that the two parties are not working together in the state to advance Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The meeting, convened by Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, in his capacity as the state coordinator for Tinubu’s re-election campaign, is expected to bring together leaders and members of both parties, including serving and former political officeholders and members of their respective national and state working committees.
The APC State Chairman, Senator Emma Anosike, also confirmed the meeting, telling reporters that he would lead members of his party to attend the gathering.
The development is expected to counter claims of disunity between the two parties over the president’s re-election project in Anambra State.
According to an announcement dated October 22 and signed by Dr Ben Nwankwo, Chief of Staff to the Governor and Coordinator of the Secretariat for the Presidential Campaign Council in Anambra State, the meeting will take place at the International Convention Centre, Awka.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., while accreditation will commence at 10 a.m. Participants have been directed to arrive early, as the doors will be closed once the meeting begins.
Attendance is restricted to duly accredited invitees drawn from designated categories of political officeholders, party officials and other stakeholders who remain members of APGA or APC.
Those invited include serving and former governors and deputy governors of Anambra State; members of the national, zonal and state working committees of both parties; and serving and former members of the National and State Assemblies from the state.
All APGA and APC candidates for the 2027 general elections who are members of either party have also been invited.
Other participants expected at the meeting include serving and former political appointees in the state and federal governments, members of the PBAT/APC Presidential Campaign Council from Anambra State, as well as serving and former elected local government chairmen, mayors and transition committee chairmen affiliated with either party.
The invitation list also covers current and former members of the boards of trustees of APGA and APC from Anambra State, coordinators of Tinubu support groups, and serving local government chairmen, secretaries, women leaders and youth leaders of the two parties.
Elected councillors, ward chairmen of APGA and APC, as well as members of the state working committees of the Accord Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are also listed among the invitees.
The announcement further stated that selected stakeholders nominated by the state chairmen of APGA and APC, alongside individuals nominated by the state coordinator of the Presidential Campaign Council, would attend the meeting.
It explained that the notice was intended to ensure that all eligible stakeholders were informed of the gathering, adding that anyone who falls within the specified categories would be deemed invited.
The joint meeting is expected to provide a platform for the two parties to coordinate their political activities in Anambra State ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Strengthen the headline and opening
Trim the lengthy invitation list
Make the report more neutral
…Unveils 17 Buses for Grassroots Mobilisation
…Expresses Confidence in Tinubu, Mbah’s Victory
Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN, is set to unveil his grassroots mobilisation and political support group, As Tinubu and Mbah Move (ATM), ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The minister has also expressed confidence in the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah.
Udeh disclosed this on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during a strategy meeting at the group’s secretariat, where he unveiled 17 branded Toyota buses to support the movement’s grassroots mobilisation ahead of the elections.
Addressing members, the Senior Advocate of Nigeria urged them to work towards securing victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in the presidential and governorship elections.
He said the buses were provided to facilitate mobilisation and strengthen the movement’s presence across communities, wards and polling units.
Expressing confidence in the electoral prospects of Tinubu and Mbah, Udeh said the movement must distinguish itself from political groups that generate publicity without translating their activities into electoral gains.
“I want this group to be different so that it will not end in noise-making. The aim is to make APC win from top to bottom, especially the President and the Governor,” he said.
He charged members to take responsibility for delivering their respective polling units and wards, stressing that grassroots engagement remained crucial to electoral success.
“Politics is local. Everybody should work to ensure that APC wins in their respective wards and polling units,” he added.
Udeh explained that ATM was established to provide members with a platform to connect with political leaders and contribute to the activities of the party.
According to him, active participation in grassroots mobilisation could also create opportunities for members to engage government officials and seek assistance in addressing challenges facing their communities.
The minister, who described himself as not being a career politician, said integrity and the fulfilment of commitments were central to his dealings with people.
He also pledged to spend more time in the South-East during the campaign period to coordinate the movement’s activities.
Earlier, the ATM Coordinator, Igboke Onyebuchi, said the meeting was convened to establish and ratify the movement’s structures ahead of the planned commencement of local government-level mobilisation in November.
Onyebuchi described ATM as a political movement rather than an ordinary group, explaining that some members were motivated by their desire to support Governor Mbah and acknowledge his role in Udeh’s ministerial appointment.
“We are doing this to support the governor for giving such a smart young person the opportunity to be a minister. This has not happened in recent times,” he said.
He explained that the movement comprised community mobilisers, union leaders and individuals from the civic space, many of whom were not career politicians but were willing to contribute to the political process.
According to him, ATM plans to adopt an innovative, community-based approach to mobilisation, focusing on reaching rural residents and strengthening the APC’s existing grassroots structures.
He added that a community map had been developed to guide the movement’s engagement with residents.
Onyebuchi thanked Udeh for providing members with a platform to participate in the political process, expressing hope that the movement would encourage greater political opportunities for young people with strong professional and intellectual backgrounds.
Politics
One Feared Dead, Several Injured as Thugs Attack Ebonyi NDC Assembly Candidate, Burn Campaign Vehicle
…Ebonyi Democratic Movement Blames Police Commissioner, Demands Immediate Redeployment
The campaign convoy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Ezza South State Constituency in the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Barr. Rollins Offia Nwali, has reportedly come under armed attack at two separate locations in Amaezekwe Community, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, leaving one person feared dead and several others injured.
The attackers, suspected to be political thugs, also reportedly set ablaze a 2024 Toyota Hilux vehicle belonging to the campaign convoy.
According to preliminary accounts, trouble began when Nwali, who was scheduled to meet with his polling unit canvassers, received information that some government officials allegedly accompanied by armed hoodlums had stormed the meeting venue.
The officials reportedly warned that they had received orders from above to prevent opposition candidates from holding campaign activities during the swearing-in ceremonies of local government chairmen in the state.
Sensing danger, Nwali reportedly directed his convoy to turn back a few metres from the venue.
However, suspected political thugs riding motorcycles and tricycles allegedly opened fire on the convoy, resulting in an exchange of gunfire involving security personnel, including operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) attached to the candidate.
About five persons reportedly sustained gunshot injuries, while one person was feared killed during the confrontation.
The casualty figures could not be independently verified.
In another attack a few metres away, a separate group of suspected hoodlums, reportedly operating in a Mercedes-Benz vehicle and tricycles, allegedly intercepted the retreating convoy, opened fire and set one of its Toyota Hilux vehicles ablaze.
A state government appointee was accused of leading the second group of attackers.
Reacting to the development, Chairman of the Ebonyi Democratic Movement, Chief Emmanuel Igwe Chidi, condemned the incident and accused the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police of failing to address what he described as recurring political violence against opposition figures in the state.
Igwe alleged that the failure of the police to prosecute individuals previously implicated in electoral violence, despite several petitions submitted to the state command and the Inspector-General of Police, had emboldened suspected political thugs.
He recalled that the movement had earlier organised a nationwide protest over alleged persecution of opposition members and the deteriorating security situation in Ebonyi State.
The EBM chairman consequently called on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately redeploy the Ebonyi State Commissioner of Police, arguing that the measure had become necessary to restore public confidence in the neutrality of the police ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also demanded a comprehensive investigation into the Amaezekwe attacks, insisting that all those found culpable must be identified and prosecuted irrespective of their political affiliations or positions in government.
Igwe further urged security agencies to guarantee adequate protection for opposition candidates and their supporters, stressing that no government official or political interest has the authority to prevent citizens from exercising their constitutional rights to political participation.
He warned that democracy would be endangered if political competition was allowed to degenerate into intimidation, gunfire and destruction of property rather than being determined through the ballot box.
The allegations against government officials and the police, as well as the circumstances surrounding the reported death, remain unverified. The accounts provided did not include responses from the Ebonyi State Government or the Police Command.
Separate reported facts from allegations
Tighten the casualty and attack sequence
Use a more legally cautious headline
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