Politics
2023: Wike, G-5 Govs storm Enugu as PDP flags off campaign, shutdown capital
….as coalition of political parties collapses structures, drums support for Mbah
…We’ve seen, heard and convinced Enugu is overwhelmingly PDP – G -5 Govs
Ahead of the 2023 general elections, the people of Enugu State on Friday turned out en masse to show overwhelming solidarity and support for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at its official campaign flag off at Okpara Square, Enugu.
In a carnival-like atmosphere, supporters of the party across the different communities and local government areas in the state numbering thousands, stretched beyond the popular Okpara Square to both Agricultural Bank axis and Presidential Road, pledging to stand with all the candidates of the party at the polls.
Hailing the people for pouring out in huge numbers to identify with the party, the visibly jubilant State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Augustine Nnamani, said the presence of the mammoth crowd showed that the PDP was on ground, alive and safe in the state.
The chairman attributed the support to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s leadership prowess which he said has enthroned the atmosphere of peace, prompt payment of workers’ salaries and other emoluments, his landmark achievements in rural development and the quality of candidates the party is parading for the elections.
Hon. Nnamani, who described Dr. Peter Mbah, governorship candidate of the party, as a man with the capacity to deliver on the people’s mandate having carved a niche for himself in the private sector, added that the governorship hopeful had already toured 56 development centres where he had direct discussions with the people at various town-hall meetings.
The Director General, DG, of the PDP Campaign Council in the state, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, boasting that the intimidating crowd which came out to welcome the PDP sent a strong message that the state was comfortable with the PDP, noted that the dividends of democracy the governor had brought to the state made it possible for them to embrace the party.
Chief Asogwa insisted that PDP would clear all the polling units in the state because of their walk-the-talk policy of grassroots mobilisation, saying the campaign council under his leadership will get the work done and deliver huge victory.
The DG further expressed faith in Dr. Mbah’s capability to move the state to greater heights through economic transformation and efficient service delivery.
On his part, the party’s gubernatorial flagbearer while commiserating with the Governor and the people of Abia State over the recent loss of the PDP’s governorship flagbearer in the state, commended the 5-G Governors of Rivers, Benue, Oyo and Abia states, governors Nyesom Wike, Samuel Ortom, Engr. Seyi Makinde and Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively, for honouring the party with their presence.
Dr. Mbah stressed that the state has remained one of the most peaceful and investors-friendly over the years, saying it was possible because of Governor Ugwuanyi’s inclusive economic development, massive infrastructure, robust education leading to the state emerging the best in the recent results released by the West Africa Examination Council (WAEC).
He also stated that the people understood and appreciated the significant of the good governance the party had brought in the last 24 years which spurred them to troop out to express their readiness to renew the mandate given to the party.
According to him, his administration will build on the existing infrastructure, grow the economy seven-fold, create millions of job opportunities for the teeming youths, attract healthy investments and steer the state out of the parlous national economy if and when elected governor.
Dr. Mbah, maintaining that PDP will continue to win in the state, said they’ve carried the banner of the party with a great pride and would not stop at taking bold steps that will lead to monumental development that will transform the people’s lives.
He urged them to vote for the candidates of the PDP in the March 25 and February 11 elections.
Appreciating the people for always queuing behind the PDP in the state, Governor Ugwuanyi expressed delight in the reaffirmation of the electorate that they would still vote for the PDP again.
Recalling that the PDP has been winning all elections since 1999, the governor, who’ is also the senatorial candidate in the Enugu North Senatorial District, promised that the party not fail in delivering good governance to the people and residents of the state.
Meanwhile, leaders of the opposition parties in the state who attended the flag off ceremony collapsed their parties’ support base, pledging to work for Dr. Mbah’s emergence as governor.
While adopting the PDP gubernatorial candidate as their preferred candidate, the opposition parties under the aegis of Coalition of Registered Political Parties and led by Dr. Sam Adams Ani, said they were at the event to renew their partnership with the ruling party.
They promised to extend the support that Governor Ugwuanyi is presently enjoying to Dr. Mbah at the polls.
…We’ve heard, seen and convinced Enugu is overwhelmingly PDP – G -5 Govs
In their separate remarks, members of the G-5 Governors, commended the people for their impressive turnout and overwhelming support for the ruling party, adding that they were convinced with what they saw in the state.
“We have heard, seen and are going home with the impression that Enugu State is PDP,” the said.
Describing Ugwuanyi as a reliable and dependable person who can be trusted always, Governor Wike assured that they would give the party all the support that will give it landslide victory.
“It is obvious that Dr. Peter Mbah is going to win, and we are happy with that,” Wike added.
Similarly, Governor Makinde urged the stakeholders in the party to go back to their various polling units and political wards and deliver them to the party since elections are not won on the state level.
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).
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