Politics
Enugu 2023: The Governorship Seat calls for Dr. Kingsley Udeh
…the odd favours him to win
By Kenneth Okey Anozie
In every season of political contest, there are men and women whose kernel the gods have cracked as the political system throws them up to become the cynosure of all eyes, while the political permutations fall in their favour.
Today, Enugu State has the mantra ‘Enugu State is in the Hands of God’. It is palpable that this mantra is playing its divine role in who emerges as the successor of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Gburugburu). The PDP family in Enugu State, as usual, is poised to continue its winning streaks in the State by fielding the right candidate.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh, who has a solid and versatile academic qualifications with requisite political and governance experience, added to his very humble and amiable personality, has a youth base that is powerfully enchanting. The good people of Enugu State will rejoice with a character like him as the Governor of Enugu State come 2023; a worthy successor to the performing Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
As a jolly good fellow, who matches his words with actions, Dr. Kingsley Udeh has procured his expression of interest and nomination forms, which gives him the impetus to now run as the Enugu State Guber Aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Enugu State has an unwritten understanding of zoning and, Dr Udeh, being a native of Ozalla in Nkanu West Local Government Area, falls within the zone that the next Governor is expected to come from.
His previous governance duties as the Senior Special Assistant to the incumbent Governor on Development Aid Coordination and Mobilization, later as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education, and the Focal Person of the Enugu State Open Government Partnership (a multi stakeholders’ good governance platform and unifying force between government and the civil society) endows him with the versatile experience to excellently pilot the affairs of Enugu State from 29th May 2023. He is a Developmental Expert, and has in the previous offices held in Enugu State developed unparalleled developmental initiatives that will take Enugu State further. Dr Kingsley Udeh is what Enugu State needs now, and the people of Enugu should rally round and hire him as the Best Man to oversee the affairs of Enugu State in the succeeding Administration. He is a clean slate man, with no baggage that will encumber his service.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh possesses the unassuming character and humility of a true servant leader, like the incumbent Governor, and will definitely continue and advance His Excellency’s trajectory of developing Enugu State and enthroning peace. This is guaranteed because Dr. Udeh, a man that fears God, has always been a silent achiever and developmental philanthropist, supporting widows, orphans, people with disabilities (PWDs), the less privileged and communities, without fanfare.
Enugu State has a youth voting base of nearly 34% of the voters. And with a proper youth as the National Youth Leader of PDP, the sky is the limit for the highly skilled and progressive Youths of Nigeria to excel, of which Dr. Kingsley Udeh is one. If the youths can properly engage themselves, and work with the women and the men of Enugu State, their political success will be limitless. Their courage and commitment in projecting Dr. Udeh as the Best Man for the job of the succeeding administration in Enugu State will bear bountiful fruits. There is no way Enugu State will not continue to be in the Hands of God with Dr. Kingsley Udeh at the helm of affairs, as the youths vicariously and politically mobilize one of their own to clinch the 2023 Enugu State Governorship ticket. Youths of Enugu State will thrive in that time, as Dr. Udeh has always in various capacities empowered the youths in diverse ways, including scholarships and skills acquisition.
In terms of professional work experience, Dr. Kingsley Udeh was a Lecturer at the Nigerian Law School, a Senior Lecturer at Baze University, Abuja, a visiting Senior Lecturer at University of Nigeria, as well as having held other forms of academic positions in other prominent Higher Institutions.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh did his secondary school at the elite College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu; obtained a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the prestigious University of Nigeria; a Master’s Degree in Law (LLM) from the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; capping it with a Doctor of Philosophy/Doctor of Laws Degree (PhD/LLD) from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. One can say that he got it all, academically.
Dr. Kingsley Udeh’s career has seen him working as a highly skilled Consultant with International Development Organizations, such as the United Nations, (UNICEF, UNDP, etc.), the World Bank, African Development Bank, FCDO, the European Union; in addition to national institutions, including the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. He has close to two decades of development work experience across all the states of the Federation and other parts of the world. Indeed Dr. Udeh has seen it all when it comes to experience with International Development Partners and Governments. No doubt, he will bring these excellent capacities to bear on State Administration, if the good people of Enugu State will hire him as their Chief Servant. He possesses all it takes to excel.
Indeed, one of the greatest legacies that Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, who has done exceedingly well, will bequeath to Enugu State will be to have a man like Dr. Kingsley Udeh succeed him in office. That is when the positive paradigm shift that the good people of Enugu State have been clamouring for would have been successfully actualized!
Kenneth Okey Anozie
Political Analyst
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.
-
Crime4 days ago
Oyo abduction: Teachers begin strike as Tinubu sends 1,000 forest guards to rescue victims
-
Foreign5 days agoNigerian Catholic priest convicted in US for sexual assault
-
Education4 days agoEnugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
-
News4 days agoDSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
-
Crime4 days ago2 Police Officers Shot Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Chief of Staff’s Convoy
-
Crime4 days agoUS Announces $3.5m Religious Freedom Initiative, Questions Nigeria’s Response to Attacks
-
EverydayNews Telescope5 days agoThree Years On the Saddle : The Governor Peter Mbah score card that is a tall order
-
News2 days agoPower Doesn’t Last Forever, It Has Expiry Date — VeryDarkMan Warns Wike