Former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has dismissed as false and misleading reports circulating on social media alleging that he is supporting the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Barr. Nestor Ezeme, in the forthcoming Enugu North Senatorial District bye-election.
In a statement personally signed by him, Ugwuanyi described the claim as fake news orchestrated by political mischief-makers seeking to gain undue advantage ahead of the poll scheduled for June 20, 2026.
The former governor, who is now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said he has no reason to support a candidate from another political party, stressing that his loyalty remains with the APC and all its candidates.
“As a committed member of the APC, I have no business supporting the candidate of another party. My support is firmly and unequivocally for all APC candidates, from the President down to the Councillor,” Ugwuanyi stated.
He specifically reaffirmed his support for the APC candidate in the Enugu North Senatorial bye-election, Chief Ikeje Asogwa, maintaining that his position on the contest has never been in doubt.
“I stand by Chief Ikeje Asogwa and my party, the APC. Any claim to the contrary is fake news and should be dismissed by the public,” he said.
Ugwuanyi further alleged that the rumours were being spread by individuals bent on deceiving the electorate through name-dropping and misinformation.
“These false reports are the handiwork of mischief-makers who have resorted to propaganda and deception in pursuit of electoral gains. The people should not be misled,” he added.
The former governor urged members of the public and supporters across the Enugu North Senatorial District to disregard the reports and remain focused on the issues ahead of the election.

By Staff Reporter
A forum of aspirants of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Enugu State has rejected the party’s primary election process, describing it as flawed, manipulated, and inconsistent with the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
In a communiqué issued after a meeting held in Enugu on Monday, June 15, 2026, the aspirants unanimously declared that no valid primary election took place in the state, insisting that neither a direct primary nor a genuine consensus arrangement involving aspirants and stakeholders was conducted.
The forum accused a small group within the party of hijacking the party structure and undermining internal democracy by excluding the majority of stakeholders, aspirants, and grassroots members from critical decisions affecting the party’s future in Enugu State.
The aspirants further alleged that the process lacked transparency, accountability, and fairness, claiming it was characterized by manipulation, irregularities, and excessive financial exploitation of aspirants.
They specifically stated that at no point during the primary process did former Governor and state party leader, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, convene a meeting with aspirants and stakeholders to pursue a consensus arrangement as stipulated in the party’s guidelines and relevant electoral laws.
Consequently, the forum passed a vote of no confidence on Dr. Nwodo, alongside Mathias Omeh, Major-General Fidelis Azinta (rtd), and Mr. John Nwokeabia, accusing them of high-handedness, abuse of trust, partiality, lack of accountability, anti-party activities, and promoting aspirants perceived as incapable of winning elections.
The group also expressed concern over what it described as a growing wave of defections from the party, particularly in Enugu West Senatorial District, attributing the development to injustice, lack of equity, and poor leadership direction.
As part of its resolutions, the forum called on the national leadership of the NDC to reject any list of candidates submitted by the leadership of the party in Enugu State, alleging that such lists were not products of a credible and inclusive process.
The aspirants also demanded that Dr. Nwodo and other leaders accused of compromising the process recuse themselves from future candidate nominations.
They further urged the national leadership to immediately establish an independent committee to oversee party activities in Enugu State and ensure that credible candidates emerge through a transparent process that complies with party guidelines and electoral laws.
The forum requested an urgent audience with the national leadership to formally present its grievances and recommendations. It also called for a high-level stakeholders’ meeting involving members of the National Working Committee, state leaders, aspirants, and representatives of the three senatorial zones to address issues threatening party unity and stability in the state.
Despite their grievances, the aspirants reaffirmed their loyalty to the party’s national leadership, presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi, running mate Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and National Leader Seriake Dickson.
They reiterated their commitment to democratic principles, fairness, transparency, accountability, and the collective goal of building a strong political movement capable of winning elections and providing effective leadership in Enugu State and across Nigeria.
The communiqué was signed by Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, Chief VinMartin Obiora Ilo, Hon Joseph Udedi, Engr. Eze Izuchukwu Alex and several other aspirants drawn from the three senatorial zones of Enugu State.

Nnaji Denies Certificate Forgery Claims, Dismisses Report of Court-Ordered Arrest
Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, has described as false and misleading reports alleging that a court ordered his arrest over a certificate forgery allegation.
Nnaji said the publication was part of a sustained campaign aimed at damaging his reputation and misleading the public.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his spokesperson, Dr. Robert Ngwu, the former minister insisted that he is neither in hiding nor under investigation by any law enforcement agency. He added that neither he nor his legal team has received any invitation, summons, warrant, or correspondence from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the statement, reports suggesting that Nnaji was being sought by the authorities were unfounded, noting that his residences in Asokoro, Abuja, and Independence Layout, Enugu, have been publicly known for decades.
“Chief Nnaji is not in hiding and has never evaded any law enforcement agency,” the statement said. “As a former minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, his residence in Abuja, where he has lived for nearly two decades, is well known to public authorities. His Enugu residence has likewise been publicly known since 1990.”
The statement further maintained that neither Nnaji nor his legal team, led by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), had been served any legal process by the ICPC.
It also drew attention to a pending case before the Federal High Court, Abuja, Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1909/2025, which Nnaji reportedly initiated to seek judicial clarification on issues relating to his academic records.
According to the statement, the former minister voluntarily approached the court to secure the release of his academic transcript and other relevant records, stressing that the matter remains before the court and has not been determined.
The statement accused sections of the media of attempting to subject Nnaji to a “media trial” amid growing political interest in his future aspirations.
It noted that when previous reports alleged that the ICPC had launched a manhunt for him, his representatives promptly denied the claim and requested evidence to support the allegation.
Reaffirming his commitment to due process and the rule of law, Nnaji expressed confidence that the truth would ultimately prevail.
“Chief Nnaji remains committed to due process, transparency, and the rule of law. He remains confident that facts, not sensational headlines, will ultimately prevail,” the statement said.
It concluded with an Igbo proverb: “Ezi Okwu Ga-Apụta Ije” — meaning, “the truth will always come to light.”

A legal practitioner and former senatorial aspirant under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Sir OAU Onyema, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged procurement of N20 million through misrepresentation, undue influence and coercive pressure by members of the party’s senatorial screening committee.
In a petition dated June 3, 2026, and received by the EFCC on June 9, Onyema, through his solicitors, OAU Onyema & Co., alleged that he was induced to part with N20 million after being made to believe that the payment was necessary to secure consideration for the Enugu West Senatorial ticket of the party.
According to the petition, Onyema had earlier purchased the party’s Expression of Interest Form for N3 million and also voluntarily paid N500,000 as a development levy into the party’s account.
The petitioner claimed that during the senatorial screening exercise, the chairman of the screening panel, former Governor Sam Egwu, allegedly informed aspirants that senatorial contenders were expected to “show capacity” by contributing N20 million, while House of Representatives and governorship aspirants were expected to contribute N10 million and N50 million respectively.
He alleged that although the payment was described as voluntary, the comments and conduct of the screening committee created the impression that payment of the N20 million was a prerequisite for serious consideration as a senatorial candidate.
Onyema further alleged that after making the payment and submitting evidence to the screening committee, he later discovered that several aspirants who did not make similar contributions were still being considered and sponsored by the party.
The petitioner maintained that he would not have paid the N20 million but for the representations allegedly made by members of the screening committee and party officials.
He also claimed that despite participating in the screening exercise and primary election process, he was neither issued nomination documents nor given any official explanation regarding the status of his candidature.
According to the petition, Onyema subsequently resigned from the party and demanded a refund of the N20 million through a letter addressed to the party leadership. He alleged that the demand was ignored.
The petitioner is asking the EFCC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the collection of the funds, the utilisation of the money paid into the party’s account, and the roles played by persons connected to the transaction.
He also urged the anti-graft agency to recover the money and prosecute anyone found culpable of obtaining money under false pretence, fraudulent inducement, extortion, abuse of office or related financial crimes.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the NDC leadership to the allegations were not immediately successful as of the time of filing this report.