Politics
Don’t politicize Security Situation in Ebonyi-LG boss warns Sam Egwu, others
Obinna Uchendu
Abakaliki
Chairman Afikpo South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Dr. Eni Uduma Chima, Thursday warned against the politicization of the precarious security situation in Ebonyi State.
Barr. Eni gave the warning in a press statement titled “The hollow sanctimony of Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu with some Ebonyi State Law makers; a glaring ignorance of the home situation and expression of political frustration.” in Abakaliki.
Barr. Eni noted that “unless the right steps are taken as Governor Umahi is doing, the Legislators should know that there may be no 2023 General Elections for which they dance naked in public.”
It would be recalled that the Ebonyi State National Assembly members caucus led by Dr. Sam Egwu had on Tuesday addressed the Press in Abuja on the security situation in the State with growing concern about the inauguration of the South East Security Network code named “Ebubeagu” in the State.
The two-time lawmaker regretted that while the country is facing her worst challenge in insecurity, the National Assembly members could speak out against the practical attempts by Ebonyi State people to survive serious threats to their very existence as a people.
He argued that “the unravelling security infrastructure favours neither the PDP nor APC, neither children nor adults, neither Christians nor Muslims, neither the rich nor the poor and certainly, neither Abuja based or Non Abuja based politicians.”
The Council boss further noted that “for the Abuja Legislators to distract serious minded statesmen with party gibberish at this critical period and trying times which require sobriety and total concentration to the essence of Government which is the security and welfare of the people, is to be uncharitable to the millions of people who have invested hope in them as representatives.”
According to him, “As usual, While Ebonyi people are grappling with imminent existential threats, these Federal Law Makers of Ebonyi State origin are focused on 2023 General Elections and politics at the expense of the security and welfare of the masses.
“This confirmed that indeed, conscientious statesmen like Governor David Nweze Umahi think for the next generation while the Abuja politicians will think of the next election. To them, politics is an endless cycle of elections with no regard to service and this is why they read political undertones into every laudable stride of the Ebonyi State Governor.”
He expressed the concern why the Legislators will complain against the South Eastern security Outfit code named ” Ebubeagu”.
“One is constrained to question the logic of the attack on the setting up of a vigilante outfit against the back drop of their lucid interval observations, of heightened insecurity. From all indications, the Legislators are on a self-serving mission as can be clearly seen in the last paragraph of the write up to say ” that the Inspector General of Police should note that Governor Umahi should be held directly responsible should any harm befall any member of the National Assembly.
“In the light of this expression, it follows that Governor Umahi or any other person for that matter should be free and that the rest of Ebonyi State indigenes and Nigerian Citizens resident in Ebonyi State, can go to hell should any harm befall them since they are not members of the National Assembly, this is the height of selfishness”.
“Ordinarily one should not have reacted to the write up by the Legislators, if not for the reference to the thirteen Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State where they allege that Pump Action and Ak47 Rifles were distributed under the guise of “Ebubeagu” vigilante.
“Assuming without conceding that such weapons were distributed, pray, how many times has Dr. Sam Egwu and his colleagues spoken out against Boko Haram and ISIS fighters using Ak47, Anti- Aircraft Guns, Machine Guns, Armoured Tanks etc to fight the country? Why has none of this Abuja based Legislators spoken out against incessant burning of police stations, killing of security personnel, most of who are Ebonyi State and South – East indigenes and burning of public infrastructure including the office of Independent National Electoral Commission apparently by unknown Gunmen?
“How many times has Dr. Sam Egwu queried the “foreign” herdsmen wielding Ak47 in the forests of different Local Government Areas in Ebonyi State on the floor of the Senate or even in the Senate Cafeteria where he feels at home?
“By the accounts of Dr. Sam Egwu, “Ebonyi State is awash with weapons supplied and distributed by the State Government to persons who are neither documented, nor trained in weapons handling” The National Assembly members could not say anything about undocumented weapons in the hands of Bandits who kidnap in singles and en masse for ransom, Unknown Gun Men and other violent criminals ravaging the Country without let or hindrance. Ends.
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).
The governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, has accused Governor Francis Nwifuru of running the state like a personal family business.
Odii made the remark shortly after emerging as the PDP governorship candidate for the 2027 election following the party’s primary election conducted across the 13 local government areas of the state.
Speaking to party supporters in Abakaliki, Odii said the 2027 election would be about rescuing Ebonyi from poor governance and restoring economic growth and public welfare.
“Ebonyi can never be consumed. Ebonyi can never be conquered. Ebonyi can never become a personal family business, and we are here for the rescue of our dear state,” he stated.
The PDP flag bearer pledged to improve the welfare of civil servants and teachers while promising policies aimed at reviving the state’s economy.
Odii also dismissed fears over political opposition ahead of the election, insisting that his focus remained the development and progress of Ebonyi State.
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