Politics
Anambra Guber: Accord Party Candidate Promises N200,000 Minimum Wage If Elected
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Anambra state Sir Charles . C. Onyeze has promised to pay the sum of N200,000.00 as minimum wage for civil servants in the area if elected .
The amount , according to him would serve as a bumper take home for each worker contrary to N70,000 wage payment to workers by the incumbent All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) led administration of the state Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo.
Onyeze said the payment of the monthly minimum wage of N200, 000 was possible because the state has enough funds to take care of cadre of the state’s work force with a total wage of about N1.5billion which places no much burden on Government.
Speaking during the party’s governorship campaign flag off held in Awka the state capital, Onyeze said the state has what it takes to lift the people up from their current socio-economic and political quagmire, particularly, the wave of insecurity and youth employment trailing the state.
He also pledged to boost the state’s economic and infrastructural development with over 30 expatriate companies that have shown interest to invest in power sector for steady electricity supply, road construction, quality healthcare delivery system, education, Information Communication Technology (ICT), industrialization and other key sectors of economy of the state.
“Our minimum wage for workers will be N200, 000 when we come into power,” he declared.
While giving clarifications on how possible it is to find the minimum wage, Onyeze said,
“It’s 100 percent possible and any government that is telling you it’s not possible is lying to you. They are deceiving people too much”.
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“There’s so much money in the system. I know the salary of workers in Anambra’ state is over one billion Naira; so what is it going to take the governor to set aside N5 billion just for salary? ”
“It doesn’t remove anything from their (governors) body. But everybody just want their pockets, they don’t care about the masses.”
“I am here for the masses, I don’t care about any other thing except the masses. Once the masses are happy you will see that everybody will be happy. You that lives in the city will be happy”
“It’s said that when one person is rich or wealthy the entire family or community is poor but if you have and I have everybody will be happy and there won’t be any fighting anywhere,” he said.
According to him, about 7, 000 youths are to be employed by four of the companies to help reduce the challenge of unemployment which has continued to aide the problem insecurity ravaging the 179 communities and 21 local government areas across Anambra.
The Accord party candidate said his government would spare no time to put to an end the horrifying activities of poorly trained and ill equipped Agunechemba, Udo Ga Achi and Aka Odo security outfits and to ensure an adequate security operatives with the capacity and ability for protection of lives and property of Ndi Anambra.
“There is no one who will say he or she is not aware of what is happening in Anambra’ state especially about the insecurity and activities of Aka Odo. It’s very important for you to choose who has the interest of the people at heart and not one who is selfish,” he said.
He noted that, “You and I are the ones to stop all those anomalies by rejecting vote buying. Youths, mothers, fathers and everybody is involved. Everybody must be careful because this Saturday’s election will different from other previous elections.”
“I have a lot of packages for the state; on the next two years all the unemployed youths must have jobs. All the Aka Odo and all the evils will give way. All the people that travel to the UK, United States and other countries is because there is no jobs. Most people have fled the state because of insecurity but I have so much for the State, youths and people of the state,” Onyeze stated.
“I have about 30 foreign companies that are willing and ready to invest in Anambra’ state in the areas of power generation, health, industries, skills, road construction and many more”.
“This is not about clapping hands for a governor for constructing a road. That’s deceit. They build mushroom hospitals and claim they have basic equipment but nothing to show.”
He explained that, “About 2, 500 youths are to be employed by expatriate firms that are investing in the power sector in Anambra.”
On alleged vote buying, Onyeze carpeted Governor Soludo for allegedly promising to offer a reward of between N5 million, N20 millon, N1 million or more to wards, communities and LGAs for vote buying despite all the denials, saying “he (Governor) is scared” of defeat.
“Let me say it again, in this election we must be very careful; if they give you N5, 000 or N20, 000, it’s for four years and it’s not enough for your food and other basic needs
“Criminals will leave Anambra State within 48 hours of we assume office. All the investing companies will offer 40 percent part time jobs to our students sp they can have something doing while still carrying out their studies in their various schools”.
“Grants will be given as financial support to all businessmen, market women while Micro finance banks will be set up in all the 21 LGAs pf the state who will providing funds to farmers and businesses where necessary.”
“But vote for Accord party to help deliver the state. Do the right thing when you get to your wards it’s for your better tomorrow, he added.
The Director General of the party’s 2025 Governorship Campaign Organization, Mrs Uju Nzeakor urged the people, electorate and supporters drawn from across the 21 LGAs, 326 wards and 179 communities to rally round the party candidate and to cast their votes for him so that Anambra will escape the antics of political jobbers and fraudsters come Saturday’s poll.
She describes Sir. C. C. Onyeze as the song of the soil with youthful blood, sympathy and empathy as well as different strategies to enlarge the coast of the state for greater future.
“We need somebody to heal the state and the nation and Onyeze has what it takes to make Anambra’ great again. We must shun vote buying.
The Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Dr. (Mrs) Apollonia Ezeadili in her remarks called on the electorate and Ndi Anambra not to compromise their conscience by accepting to be bought with just N10, 000 so that the children who are the future generations will not suffer.
While appealing that they cast their votes for A cord party and Onyeze, Dr. Ezeadili said, “it is important we decide today to vote for A cord party so that the state will be better.”
A stalwart of the party, Chief Edwin Obasi noted that, “Accord is a big party and it needs an assistance in Anambra’ state. Sir. C. C Onyeze has come to revive everything and to lead the way in both the state and the nation.”
Politics
Breaking: Court of Appeal Sets Aside Judgement Ordering Deregistration of ADC, Four Other Parties
The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal has set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court which ordered the deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Accord Party and three other political parties.
The appellate court, in a unanimous decision on Tuesday, declared the judgement ordering the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the parties “null and void.”
Recall that Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja had ordered INEC to deregister the parties over their performance in the 2023 general elections.
Dissatisfied with the decision, the affected political parties — the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Peoples Party (APP), Action Alliance (AA), Accord Party (AP) and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) — approached the Court of Appeal seeking to nullify the Federal High Court judgement.
However, the three-member panel of the appellate court, presided over by Justice Abba Mohammed, held that the trial court lacked the judicial power to entertain the case in the first place.
The Court of Appeal also faulted the Federal High Court for proceeding with the delivery of the judgement despite an order by the appellate court directing a stay of proceedings, which included the delivery of the judgement.
The appellate court described the Federal High Court’s decision as “a nullity,” stating that the action of the trial court amounted to “judicial impertinence” or what the Supreme Court had described as “judicial insubordination.”
The court further held that the first respondent lacked the locus standi to institute the action in the first place, and consequently set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court.
“The evidence before the court clearly shows compliance with Section 225A of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended). The judgement of the trial judge was perverse,” the Court of Appeal held.
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
In a statement on Sunday in Enugu, Okechukwu noted that credible elections remained the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.
He was responding to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger.
According to Okechukwu, the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.
He said, “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance.
“However, the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”
He argued that political scientists had long maintained that political parties were more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.
“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.
“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.
Okechukwu also dismissed the allegation of other political parties feelings that INEC is the handgun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC chieftain said that APC needed free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.
“I dismiss the handgun allegation, as APC needs free and fair elections,not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance,” he said.
He maintained that the APC remained a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, says Buhari didn’t publicly back Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary due to religious and ethical concerns.
In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal revealed that Buhari was initially hesitant to back Tinubu due to religious and ethical considerations regarding his suitability as a successor.
Lawal claimed that, however, after extensive discussions, the late president agreed to remain neutral and allow party delegates to decide the candidate at the convention.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu played a critical role in previous APC election campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition outright.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.
Lawal added that before the APC presidential convention, he advised Buhari to refrain from backing any aspirant and allow party delegates to choose the candidate.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that on the basis of your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if he allowed him to manage the process, Tinubu would emerge as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.“I say, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.
“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He added that Buhari also expressed concern over whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if elected president.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”
Ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari repeatedly urged party delegates to choose a candidate they believed could advance the party’s ideals but stopped short of publicly endorsing any of the aspirants, despite intense lobbying by contenders, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, went on to defeat other leading aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He later won the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as president on May 29, 2023.
Politics
Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation
The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.
“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.
“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.
Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.
According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.
The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.
They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.
According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.
They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.
They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.
Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.
“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.
On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.
“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.
Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.
The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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