News
APC wins all chairmanship, Councillorship seats in Enugu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won all chairmanship and Councillorship seats contested in the Sept. 26 Local Government Election in Enugu State.
It would be recalled that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) conducted election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state on Saturday.
Declaring the election results at the ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu on Sunday, the Chairman of the Commission, Prof Christian Ngwu, said that the election was free and fair.
Ngwu said that the election was conducted according to rules guiding the Commission, and “subsequently, we are issuing the winners with certificate of returns.”
Speaking after collecting his certificate of return, Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Chief Caleb Ani, attributed the landslide victory of the candidates of APC to the massive developmental works of Gov. Peter Mbah.
Ani urged the residents of the state to vote for Mbah en masse in the forthcoming 2027 General Election to continue the good works.
“Gov. Mbah has done well in all ramifications, this is partly while the APC candidates won overwhelmingly.
“I urge the people to vote for him, come 2027 General Elections so that he will continue with his good works and do more,” he said.
Reacting, the APC Chairman in Enugu State, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, said that the resounding victory at the polls indicated the dominance of the national ruling party, APC, in the state.
“We will not rest as we push the developmental efforts of President Bola Tinubu and our amiable governor, His Excellency Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, for the world to see.
“Tinubu, Mbah and all the APC candidates will be reelected in 2027 as they have performed exceptionally well in the past three years,” he said.
In the numerical figures of the results pronounced, APC chairmanship candidates won with margins while the opposition parties trailed behind with minimal votes.
For instance, in Udenu, Igbo-Eze North and Igbo-Eze South local Government Areas respectively, the APC chairmen elect secured virtually the whole votes cast.
The Federal Government has opened discussions with the World Bank for three new loans worth a combined $1.5bn, even as Nigeria’s public debt rose to a record N166.79tn at the end of June 2026.
Documents from the World Bank indicate that the proposed financing consists of three separate $500m facilities targeting climate resilience, social protection and early childhood development.
The first facility is a proposed $500m additional financing for the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes project, known as ACReSAL. The World Bank is expected to consider the facility on October 29, 2026.
The Federal Republic of Nigeria is listed as the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Environment will serve as the implementing agency.
If approved, the additional financing will increase ACReSAL’s total funding from the previously approved $700m to $1.2bn. The entire facility is expected to be financed through the International Development Association, the World Bank’s concessional financing arm.
According to the World Bank, the government requested the additional $500m to expand the project’s results and strengthen the institutional, operational and financing arrangements required to sustain integrated landscape management.
The funds are expected to support landscape restoration, watershed rehabilitation, erosion and flood management, irrigation and drainage, water harvesting and storage, reforestation and other climate-resilient initiatives.
Of the proposed $500m, $310m would be allocated to dryland management, $165m to community climate resilience and $25m to institutional strengthening and project management.
ACReSAL currently operates across 19 northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, focusing on land degradation, water insecurity, climate vulnerability and declining agricultural productivity.
The World Bank estimates that desertification and land degradation affect about 43 per cent of Nigeria’s land area. It also warned that inadequate action on climate change could reduce Nigeria’s GDP by about 2.6 per cent annually by 2030 and as much as 6.7 per cent by 2050.
$500m Social Protection Loan
The second proposed facility is a $500m IDA credit for the Household Prosperity and Empowerment-Social Protection Project, known as HOPE-SP.
The project is still at an earlier stage of preparation, with a technical design review scheduled for October 30, 2026. The World Bank has tentatively set March 16, 2027, for consideration of the project by its board.
The Federal Ministry of Finance is listed as the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction is expected to implement the programme.
The project has an estimated cost of $500m, comprising a $420m results-based programme and an $80m investment project financing component.
The proposed programme is aimed at establishing regular social assistance for poor and vulnerable households while gradually increasing the role of federal and state governments in financing social protection.
The World Bank said the programme would support targeted unconditional and conditional cash transfers, modernise the social registry, integrate the National Identification Number into the social protection information system and strengthen implementation at the federal, state and local government levels.
The lender noted that Nigeria spent only 0.14 per cent of its GDP on social safety-net programmes in 2021, compared with a global average of 1.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent among lower-middle-income countries.
The World Bank also estimated that the proportion of Nigerians living in poverty rose from 40 per cent in 2019 to 56 per cent in 2023 and could reach 62.5 per cent in 2026.
It attributed the worsening situation to factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflation, natural disasters and conflict, while noting that the removal of fuel subsidies and exchange-rate reforms increased living costs in the short term.
$500m Early Childhood Development Programme
The third proposed facility is another $500m IDA credit for the Nigeria Early Childhood Development Programme, which is expected to be considered on March 15, 2027.
Like HOPE-SP, its technical design review is scheduled for October 30, 2026.
The Federal Ministry of Finance will be the borrower, while the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning is expected to implement the programme.
The project will cover all 36 states and the FCT and is designed to improve access to integrated health, nutrition, early learning, childcare, water, sanitation and other essential services for children aged zero to five.
The proposed $500m financing will comprise a $400m programme-for-results component and a $100m investment project financing component.
If approved, the three facilities would bring the total value of the Federal Government’s proposed new World Bank borrowing to $1.5bn.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Health, Prof. George Ugwu, says the All Progressives Congress (APC) have come to stay with dominance in Nsukka axis of Enugu State.
Ugwu said this to newsmen on Saturday after casting his vote at polling unit 4 in Obukpa Ward in Nsukka Local Government Area.
He commended the electorate for the organic and block votes the people of Obukpa and by extension Nsukka gave to the APC, adding: “This is true show of acceptance and love.”
According to him, our people will repeat this organic and block votes system in the reelection of Gov. Peter Mbah and all line up of APC candidates come 2027 General Elections.
Ugwu commended Gov. Mbah for providing the environment for a peaceful local government election, noting that the exercise reflected the government’s commitment to grassroots democratic participation.
He lauded the electorate in Nsukka for their peaceful conduct and orderly atmosphere demonstrated during the election.
Ugwu said, “Our people trooped out to cast their votes for APC.
“The gesture is to show appreciation to the monumental developmental projects His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, have executed in the council area and by extension Nsukka axis of the state.
“We are also here to return our hard working and people-loving Council Chairman, Engr Chinedu Asogwa, who have shown leadership capacity, done developmental projects and provided human face to the council’s administration,” he said.
He also appreciated security agencies and the media for discharging their duties professionally.
It would be recalled that ENSIEC conducted election into the 17 Chairmanship and 260 Ward Councillorship positions in the state.
Seven political parties, who signed the Peace Pact for the election on Monday, participated in the council election.
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AMOFIA AGU AFFA, UDI — One year after the passing of Mrs Sylvia Ifeyinwa Isaac Nwoye, family members, friends and loved ones continue to remember her as a loving mother, devoted wife, cherished grandmother and a woman whose life was defined by strength, resilience, sacrifice and unwavering commitment to her family.
Fondly called “Mum,” Mrs Nwoye was described by her family as a remarkable woman who built and nurtured a family of five children with diligence, honour and perseverance. Through her life, she instilled in her children enduring values of love, humility, hard work and the fear of God.
REST IN PEACE, ADA-IFE
Mrs Nwoye was remembered as a loving mother and devoted wife who demonstrated formidable strength, patience and dedication throughout her marriage and family life.
“She came, she saw, and she conquered,” her family said, describing a woman whose influence extended beyond her immediate household to the generations that followed.
At the peak of her life and career, Mrs Nwoye had become a grandmother and the proud mother of five energetic children, who, according to the family, were always ready to celebrate her achievements and honour the woman who had given so much to them.
Her death, however, came quietly and unexpectedly.
Just as preparations were gathering momentum to celebrate the life and achievements of the beloved mother and wife, she went to sleep and never woke up.
“Without a word, without the opportunity for a final hospital visitation, Mum, as she was fondly called, answered the eternal call of the Almighty,” the family said.
A LEGACY THAT LIVES ON
One year on, the pain of her absence remains deeply felt by those she left behind. Yet, for her family, her memory continues to live through the values she embodied and the lives she touched.
“No amount of tears can adequately express the pain of your absence,” the tribute states. “Yet, your presence continues to resonate whenever you are mentioned.”
Her strength, wisdom, courage and warmth, the family added, remain alive in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
Mrs Nwoye is remembered not only as a wife and mother, but also as an exceptional woman whose legacy was built on love, sacrifice, humility and perseverance.
“She was a remarkable woman, a loving wife, an exceptional mother and a cherished grandmother. Her legacy of love, sacrifice, humility and perseverance will live on through her family,” the family said.
MEMORIAL MASS
To mark the first anniversary of her passing and pray for the repose of her soul, a Thanksgiving/Memorial Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Amofia Agu Affa, Udi Local Government Area, on Sunday, September 27, 2026.
The Mass will provide an opportunity for family, friends and loved ones to come together in thanksgiving, remembrance and prayer as they honour the life and enduring legacy of Mrs Sylvia Ifeyinwa Isaac Nwoye.
As the family bids farewell once again to their beloved wife, mother and grandmother, the tribute concludes with words of love and faith:
“Adieu, Nwunye Odogwu.
We love you, but God loves you most.
May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace until we meet again, never to part.
Amen.”
Hon. Prince Isaac Nwoye
Husband, for the Family
The leadership crisis rocking Enugwu-Agidi community in Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State has taken a fresh turn following a court judgment that ordered Ozo Nwankwo to stop parading himself as the President-General (PG) of the community.
The court also directed Ozo Nwankwo to stay away from the Enugwu-Agidi Town Hall and refrain from performing any duties or functions exclusively reserved for the office of the President-General.
The judgment further recognised the executive led by Hon. Ebuka Onuorah for the purpose of conducting a fresh Enugwu-Agidi Town Union election.
According to the court’s directive, the Hon. Ebuka Onuorah-led executive is to organise and conduct the town union election within 90 days, in line with the provisions of the community’s constitution.
The development is expected to bring a new dimension to the prolonged leadership dispute in the community, which has centred on the legitimacy of the town union leadership and the administration of its affairs.
The court’s order effectively places the conduct of a fresh election at the centre of efforts to resolve the leadership crisis and establish a constitutionally recognised administration for Enugwu-Agidi.
Residents and stakeholders are now expected to await the implementation of the judgment and the electoral process within the stipulated 90-day period.
News
Crisis Hits Umuahia Premier Club as President Ako Obioma Accuses Obi Aguocha of Abandonment, Calls Him Ingrate
A fresh crisis is brewing in the influential Umuahia Premier Club following a strong-worded statement by the President of its Umuahia Branch, Prem Ako Obioma, accusing the member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and South Federal Constituency, Hon. Obi Aguocha, of ingratitude and abandonment.
The statement, which has leaked and is circulating widely across WhatsApp groups in Ohuhu, Umuahia and Ikwuano, is already generating heated debate.
In the leaked message addressed to “Prem Ebo”, Obioma, who identified himself as Aguocha’s political godfather and sponsor, claimed he was instrumental to Aguocha’s emergence as Labour Party candidate in 2023.
According to him, Aguocha never planned to contest for House of Representatives in 2023 and only got the Labour Party ticket after losing out in the PDP.
“I personally gave Obi Aguocha the ticket for the Labour Party after Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu disappointed us in PDP. My brothers and their associates refused, but at that time, the Labour Party was a family agenda, and Obi’s position was my allocation. Despite that, it took me weeks to convince Obi Aguocha to return for the contest because of the trauma of losing PDP ticket,” the statement read.
Obioma further alleged that since the 2023 elections, the federal lawmaker has not attended Prem meetings nor paid his dues, except for a recent payment of N500,000 which he said was made after intervention by the national leadership ahead of the 2027 elections.
He also claimed that after the election, Labour Party sent a delegation to his house to thank him for his role in delivering Umuahia South.
“After Labour Party sent their representatives to my house in April 2023, which include Hon Acho Obioma, Prem Mcdee Uba, and Prem Obi Aguocha in attendance to appreciate me for (Wike) role I and my PDP structure played in that first of its kind in Umuahia South election result that gave them victory, Prem Obi Aguocha has never crossed my gate, to talk more of entering my house,” he alleged.
He added that since Aguocha went to the National Assembly, he only briefly entered one meeting convened by Emeka Uta and never attended any other Prem meeting.
Obioma who was reacting to claims that he was jealous and envious of Aguocha, challenged the lawmaker to tell the world the truth about how he became candidate.
He maintained that Prem has a template for supporting its own which Aguocha benefited from in 2023, and has never endorsed any candidate including Aguocha himself.
“Let any Prem come out and state any instance where we have endorsed any candidate, including Prem Obi Aguocha’s last election. Prem has a template for supporting his own, and we have always applied it, and Obi Aguocha benefited from that template in his last election,” he said.
He added that the fear and hullabaloo in the camp of the lawmaker was due to guilty conscience, noting that at the appropriate time, Ohuhu people and Ndi Nwem will judge who is the ingrate.
“I have publicly come out to say I have forgiven everyone and ask God to judge all of us. Our spiritual father, the ArchBishop Opoko, can attest to all these. However, now that Prem Obi Aguocha has come out to tell the world that his political Godfather and sponsor which I claim and will defend is envious and jealous of him, at the appropriate time, the Ohuhu’s and ndi nwem will judge between me and Prem Obi Aguocha who is the INGRATE and who is JEALOUSING WHO. I rest my case,” he concluded.
The development comes days after the leadership of Umuahia Premier Club, Umuahia Branch, in a rejoinder dated 21st September, 2026 and signed by its President, Premier Ako Obioma and Secretary, Premier Chuka Agomoh, debunked reports that the Club endorsed Aguocha for second term, describing the purported endorsement as unauthorized, null and void.
Efforts to get Hon. Obi Aguocha’s reaction were unsuccessful as of press time.
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