By Ugoo Aniagoh

From the restoration of electricity at the local government secretariat after 13 years to renewed road, water, sanitation and security initiatives, the Okakpu-led administration is setting its governance agenda in motion.

The administration of Hon. (Dr.) Ikechukwu Okakpu, popularly known as OKD Jnr, and his Deputy, Hon. Ifunanya Nwanadile, has recorded a number of developmental milestones as the duo mark their first 30 days in office as Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Since assuming office on October 3, 2026, the administration has initiated interventions across critical sectors, including infrastructure, environmental sanitation, water supply, grassroots governance and community security.

One of the notable achievements recorded within the period is the restoration of electricity at the Njikoka Local Government Secretariat after 13 years without public power supply. The development marks a significant improvement in the working environment at the council headquarters and is expected to enhance administrative efficiency.

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In the area of water infrastructure, rehabilitation of pipe-borne water facilities across the local government has commenced, reflecting the administration’s commitment to improving access to basic amenities.

The administration has also strengthened its governance structure through the appointment and inauguration of elected councillors, Supervisory Councillors and Special Advisers to support grassroots representation, policy implementation and effective service delivery.

Environmental sanitation has received considerable attention, with over 100 ad-hoc workers engaged to support waste management, routine cleaning and general environmental sanitation across the local government.

On infrastructure development, the administration has commenced a Public-Community-Private Partnership (PCPP) road project along the Awovu–Osili axis in Enugwu Ukwu. An assessment of Ezi Norbert Road has also been conducted as part of efforts to identify infrastructure needs and explore possible interventions.

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Security has equally featured prominently in the administration’s first-month activities. Adopting a zero-tolerance stance towards insecurity, the council has mounted CCTV cameras at strategic locations to strengthen surveillance and improve security monitoring.

In a grassroots-driven security initiative, local traders and street operators have also been engaged as Community Safety Marshals. Equipped with walkie-talkies, the marshals are expected to serve as additional sources of community security intelligence, promptly reporting suspicious movements and activities to the appropriate authorities.

These initiatives represent some of the administration’s early efforts to address longstanding challenges while laying the groundwork for sustained development across Njikoka’s six communities.

Speaking through its first-month performance record, the administration maintains that its focus remains on practical governance, improved public services, environmental responsibility, infrastructure development and a safer community.

Although the administration is still in its early days, its first 30 days have provided an indication of its immediate priorities and development direction.

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For residents of Njikoka, the expectation will now be to see these initial interventions translated into sustainable projects, measurable improvements and lasting impact across the local government.

Thirty days down, more work ahead. Njikoka First.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka

Pro-Biafran agitators based in the United Kingdom have challenged the three leading presidential contenders ahead of the 2027 general elections to address the lingering consequences of the Nigerian Civil War and the plight of families affected by the conflict.

The agitators, operating under the platform of the Biafran Diaspora Movement (BDM), specifically challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to make the Biafran question and the concerns of affected families part of their political conversations.

The group expressed displeasure over what it described as the continued reluctance of political leaders to openly discuss measures aimed at addressing the historical grievances surrounding the Biafran struggle.

Speaking with reporters in Awka on Thursday, the BDM Luton Zonal Officer, Adeze Vivian Nzelu-Iheanacho, argued that the campaigns of the presidential contenders should address the political foundations of the country and offer concrete commitments towards healing the wounds of the civil war.

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According to her, the Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories, particularly among Igbo communities.

“The Nigerian Civil War of 1967–1970 left behind unimaginable suffering, broken families and painful memories. For many Igbo families, the consequences of that war are not simply a chapter in history books.

“Decades later, concerns about marginalisation, political representation, insecurity and belonging continue to shape conversations across the Southeast.

“We cannot keep asking why people feel angry or unheard without being willing to listen to what they are saying,” she stated.

Nzelu-Iheanacho noted that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) had become a prominent voice in the campaign for Biafran self-determination, adding that its supporters view the movement as an avenue for expressing concerns about identity, political exclusion and the future of the Southeast.

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She, however, maintained that the Biafran question transcended any individual or organisation, insisting that changes in political leadership and continued security operations would not automatically resolve the historical and political grievances associated with the struggle.

“The Biafran question is bigger than any individual or organisation. Even when political leaders change or security operations continue, the historical and political questions surrounding Biafra do not automatically disappear,” she said.

She urged the Federal Government to distinguish between legitimate political grievances and criminal activities, arguing that security measures alone could not provide a lasting solution to the concerns driving agitation in the region.

“A government can disagree with IPOB’s demands, challenge its ideas and act against criminal conduct where evidence supports doing so. But these actions do not remove the need to address the deeper issues that keep political grievances alive.

“A problem left unresolved today may become more difficult to address tomorrow,” she added.

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The BDM official observed that while political leaders engage in debates, security operations continue and various movements advance their demands, ordinary citizens bear the consequences of the prevailing situation.

She identified mothers worried about the safety of their children, traders afraid of losing their livelihoods, young people uncertain about their future and families struggling to go about their daily activities as among those affected.

“There are mothers who worry about their children, traders who fear losing their livelihoods, young people who wonder what the future holds, and families who simply want to go to work, send their children to school and return home safely,” she said.

Nzelu-Iheanacho maintained that the group’s position was anchored on justice, protection of human life, respect for peaceful voices and the need for government to address genuine grievances.

“Our position is simple: justice must be fair, human life must be protected, peaceful voices must be heard, and genuine grievances must not be ignored.

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“Let justice be done. Let innocent lives be protected. Let the people be heard. And let peace be built on truth, not silence.

“Because at the end of the day, beyond the politics and arguments, ordinary people simply want to live, raise their children and grow old in peace. Surely, that is not too much to ask,” she said.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by Senator David Mark, declaring its actions and decisions on behalf of the party invalid.
The ruling also affects the nomination of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Atiku had earlier appeared on the list of presidential candidates published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He had also picked former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, as his running mate.
In a judgment delivered on Thursday, Justice Peter Lifu declared unlawful the caretaker committee led by Mark, which conducted the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its candidate.
The judgment followed a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former ADC National Deputy Chairman (North-East), who challenged the process through which the Mark-led group assumed control of the party.
Gombe argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Chief Ralph Nwosu, he was constitutionally entitled to assume leadership of the ADC.
He subsequently approached the court, seeking to invalidate the decisions and activities undertaken by the Mark-led leadership in the name of the party.
The defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, included the ADC, INEC, Senator David Mark, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Chief Ralph Nwosu.
The plaintiff also sought an order restraining Mark and Aregbesola from parading themselves as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, arguing that their emergence violated the ADC constitution and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
In his ruling, Justice Lifu upheld Gombe’s arguments and granted the reliefs sought.
The judgment is expected to trigger fresh developments within the ADC as political parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Meanwhile, the ADC has indicated its intention to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
The party’s National Welfare Secretary, Nkemakolam Ukandu, who was subsequently joined in the proceedings as an interested party, confirmed that the party would appeal the judgment.

OPay has explained how Nigerians can determine whether they qualify for the Federal Government’s ₦50,000 monthly cash support programme targeted at vulnerable citizens.
The digital financial services company said eligible customers would receive a pop-up notification on the homepage of their OPay mobile application, providing instructions on how to proceed with the registration or verification process.

In a statement shared on its official X handle on Tuesday, the company advised customers to click on the notification and follow the steps provided to access the intervention.

OPay clarified that customers who do not see the pop-up notification on their app are not eligible for the programme.

The company also stressed that it has no responsibility for selecting beneficiaries or determining who qualifies for the Federal Government’s cash support scheme.

According to OPay, Nigerians seeking further information or clarification about their eligibility should contact the National Economic Recovery and Support Initiative (NERSI).

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“The ₦50,000 monthly Federal Government cash support is available only to eligible citizens. Eligible customers will see a pop-up notification on their OPay app homepage. Kindly click on the pop-up to proceed with the next steps.

“Kindly note that customers who are unable to see the feature on the app are not eligible for it. Please note that we do not determine your eligibility. Kindly contact NERSI at 07000222222 for assistance,” the company stated.

The clarification comes amid growing interest among Nigerians in the Federal Government’s proposed financial support programme for vulnerable citizens.

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Members of the Cross River State House of Assembly have commended the State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, for devoting ₦708.43 billion, representing 71.72% of the 2027 budget estimates, to capital development and ₦279.38 billion, representing 28.28%, to recurrent expenditure.

Lawmakers gave the commendation during Tuesday, 3/11/2026 plenary as they passed the Cross River State 2027 Appropriation Bill for second reading, earlier presented by Governor Otu to the Assembly for consideration and passage.

The Bill scaled second reading following robust deliberations by members at the Assembly Complex, Calabar.

Leading the debate, the Deputy Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Davis Etta (Abi), described the 2027 budget estimates as people-oriented, development-driven and reflective of the Governor’s ‘People First’ mantra. He particularly commended the Governor for devoting a substantial percentage of the total budget to capital expenditure rather than recurrent expenditure, noting that it marks a clear shift from a consumption budget to a production and growth budget.

According to Etta, Governor Otu’s decision to prioritize capital projects demonstrates a clear commitment to infrastructural development, economic expansion, job creation and the industrialisation of the State.

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Contributing to the debate, majority of the members took turns to applaud the Governor for his fiscal discipline and focus. They noted that the high capital component will fast-track the completion of ongoing projects, open up new roads, boost agriculture, improve healthcare delivery, strengthen human capital development, and reposition Cross River as an investment destination.

In his remarks, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who presided over the session, commended his colleagues for their painstaking analysis of the budget and also lauded Governor Otu for sustaining a fiscal policy that places premium on infrastructure over frivolities.

He thereafter referred the Appropriation Bill to the House Committee on Finance and Appropriation for detailed budget defence and further legislative work, with a mandate to report back within three weeks.

In a related development, members of the Assembly commended the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, for organising the just-concluded Budget Retreat for members of the Assembly.

Members noted that the retreat was timely, highly educative and impactful, as it widened their scope and deepened their understanding of budget analysis, scrutiny, legislative oversight and fiscal discipline.

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They observed that the knowledge gained from the retreat was evident in the quality, depth and professionalism of the debate on the 2027 Appropriation Bill, adding that it has better equipped the House to discharge its constitutional duty of thorough budget consideration.