Politics
Enugu guber: Edoga, Ugwuanyi’s top secret and the making of the next governor
By PETRUS OBI
About three years ago, the name of former Reps member and Enugu Commissioner, Hon Chijioke Edeoga was prominent as Ugwuanyi’s successor.
It was a settled matter then, as far as the originators of that rumour were concerned. Many believed, until events and time brought us to the present stage.
So, it was Edeoga all the way until the Nkanu people who form majority part of Enugu East Senatorial Zone commenced a process to reclaim the position they held in 1999 through Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani.
Politcial observers believe that the ochestrated campaigns for a return of power to Nkanu based on zoning and rotation of the Governoship position were partly as a result of the perceived interest of former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu in the guber position.
The other reason is believed to be the fear that Ugwuanyi may decide to go to Isi-Uzo in choosing his successor.
The Nkanu people who dominate the zone are of the view that Isi-uzo being the last born in the zone ought to wait for their turn.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a master in the game did not help matters as the flag off of campaigns for the Local Government elections was held in Isi-uzo. This further fueled speculations that power could be going to Isi-uzo.
If the Nkanu campaigns and lobbying distanced the possibility of Isi-uzo getting the position, the resignation of Edeoga as Commissioner returned Enugu to what I would want to call the ‘status quo.’
People started to run to Edeoga with the belief that his resignation may have come from the governor.
Some stakeholders from Nkanu abandoned the Nkanu project in a scramble to be close to power.
Even subtle threats that there would be protest votes against the PDP should Isi-uzo LGA be chosen started loosing weight that even a major stakeholder was recently quoted as saying that the position could go to Isi-Uzo.
In all of these, the governor remained silent and kept his top secret to himself as the speculations continue.
At a time some said he had endorsed Peter Mbah, he did not utter a word. They tried to blackmail him that Edeoga is his cousin, he kept quiet.
Some said it’s Chinyeaka Ohaa, that he is the most popular, he refused to talk, others said Odengene, citing his ingenuity, experience and success in the business world, yet no pointer from the White Lion.
It was even said that the governor is confused on who to choose but the governor refused to be dragged out of his shell.
Close sources have quoted the Governor as saying that he never asked anyone to buy nomination forms. He has also been quoted as saying that there would be no refund by the party.
The closest Ugwuanyi has come to revealing where his mind could be, was his response at the mega rallies on zoning where he kept repeating his belief in justice.
Recently, there was reported endorsement of Edeoga by delegates from Nsukka Zone (Enugu North) even though the report has been denied in the media, analysts see these as mere speculations and signs of frustration on the part of politicians who are getting impatient by the day.
In all, observers have refused to write off Edeoga, yet they still believe that Ugwuanyi may respect the wishes of Nkanu people.
Also, the solo run by Ekweremadu is expected to influence Ugwuanyi’s choice of a successor. PDP they say cannot gamble with any chance of not having a field day at the polls.
Ugwuanyi, analysts insist is not ready to allow loopholes or make any mistakes.
Thus, they opine that his choice would be an acceptable and popular candidate that will make the election another easy one for the PDP.
They have therefore suggested a four-man horse race amongst Odengene, Chinyeaka Ohaa, Peter Mbah and Chijioke Edeoga.
Keep a date as we look at the chances of these four top aspirants in the run up to the Enugu PDP guber primary.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
Ahead of the 2027 National Assembly elections, a mass protest voting movement may be building up in Anambra South Senatorial District, following reported moves by members of major political parties to support the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Chief Ebuka Onunkwo.
The development is said to be linked to grievances among some members of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remnants of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the treatment allegedly meted out to Onunkwo during previous political contests.
Onunkwo, who had previously contested the Anambra South senatorial seat under APGA, later emerged as the NDC candidate for the 2027 election.
Although the ADC is currently embroiled in legal disputes over the authentic candidates and the conduct of its primary elections, some members of the APC and APGA are also reportedly dissatisfied with developments within their respective parties.
It was gathered that a section of APGA members, in particular, are backing Onunkwo as a form of protest over the conduct of the party’s senatorial primary, while some members of other parties are also believed to be considering voting for him irrespective of their party affiliations.
Confirming the growing support for Onunkwo, the Chief Executive Officer of NOWAS Oil and Gas Limited and a major stakeholder in Anambra South politics, Chief Ignesus Ikechukwudere Nnubia, said the NDC candidate currently enjoys widespread acceptability across party lines.
Nnubia said the growing support for Onunkwo had made his party affiliation less significant, arguing that voters would ultimately vote according to their conscience and assessment of the candidates.
He said, “At the moment, the number of APGA members with him and supporting him makes one wonder what is left of that party. Even the remnants of the PDP have pitched their tents with him, while members of the ruling APC at the national level are also behind him.
“So, the party that he belongs to is not a factor at all. You know that it is a game of numbers, and people are going to vote according to their conscience and not necessarily because of the political party they belong to.
“People are not bound to vote for their party, and some of them are ready and willing to vote for him.
“We are not talking about the party because he will surely get votes from the NDC, APGA, APC and even other political parties that are already closing ranks to support him as their candidate.”
Nnubia further described Onunkwo as the candidate currently standing tall among the contenders for the Anambra South senatorial seat, expressing confidence that his emergence would usher in what he described as a “new dawn” for the district.
He said political parties should not be the major consideration for voters, stressing that what matters most is the ability of elected representatives to improve the lives of their constituents.
According to him, political parties exist because of the people, and therefore the influence of party structures and incumbency has its limits during elections.
Nnubia said those factors would ultimately be tested by the electorate in the 2027 election, which he described as a contest in which voters’ choices would determine the outcome.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 Ebonyi State election, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has pledged to attract more than ₦2 trillion in private-sector investment to the state within six months of assuming office if elected.
Odii made the pledge while addressing supporters in Lagos ahead of the formal commencement of his campaign.
He said his investment strategy would cover key sectors of the Ebonyi economy, including mining, hospitality, real estate and manufacturing.
According to the PDP candidate, he has identified more than 2,000 prospective investors, each capable of investing about ₦1 billion in the state.
“I have over 2,000 people who can invest ₦1 billion each. When you multiply it, you will get over ₦2 trillion. This has been structured in such a way that all aspects of the economy will be involved,” Odii said.
He said the proposed investment drive was designed not only to inject capital into the state but also to create jobs, expand the productive base of the economy and provide opportunities for young people and entrepreneurs.
Odii said Ebonyi’s natural resources and strategic location placed it in a strong position to attract large-scale investments if its economic potential was properly harnessed.
He promised that his administration would prioritise private-sector participation, industrialisation and job creation while creating an enabling environment for both local and foreign investors.
The candidate also said existing businesses in the state would be supported to expand, while new investors would be encouraged to establish operations across various sectors.
His pledge comes amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with economic development, employment generation and wealth creation featuring prominently in his campaign message.
The proposed ₦2 trillion investment target within six months, if achieved, would represent a significant boost to Ebonyi’s economy and rank among the most ambitious private-sector investment mobilisation plans proposed in the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The planned visit of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to Anambra State has sparked controversy following a protest by the state Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Emma Anosike, that the party was not informed about the visit.
Anosike said the APC in Anambra was never consulted or briefed about the proposed visit, adding that the party was taken aback by reports that the wife of the party’s national leader and presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would be visiting the state without recourse to the state chapter.
He said, “It is indeed strange that the First Lady of our presidential candidate is visiting Anambra State without recourse to the party in the state.
“The party wishes to state categorically that we are not part of the arrangements for the reception of our First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, because the party was never put in the picture.”
Anosike also dismissed the mantra that “The Progressives Are Working Together”, being canvassed by the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), describing it as a smokescreen by the ruling party in Anambra to hijack President Tinubu’s re-election from the APC.
He said, “For instance, the APGA-led government in Anambra State did not interface with us on the organisation of the visit, and the party wonders if the progressives are indeed working together.”
The APC chairman, however, said the development would not compromise the First Lady’s visit, urging all APC members and supporters in the state to turn out and give Senator Oluremi Tinubu a warm welcome.
He stressed that despite the party’s reservations over the arrangements, APC members remained committed to welcoming the First Lady to Anambra State.
Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sagir Saleh, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Saleh, who served as deputy governor under former Governor Isa Yuguda, announced his resignation in a letter submitted to the party leadership in Katagum Local Government Area.
He cited personal reasons for his decision but did not provide further details.
His exit comes amid growing disagreements within the Bauchi APC following the party’s 2027 governorship primary. Other prominent members, including former governorship aspirant Bala Jibrin and Sunusi Kunde, an associate of Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, have also reportedly left the party.
Jibrin, a former National Auditor of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), resigned on August 31, 2026, following his opposition to the emergence of former Bauchi Governor Muhammad Abubakar as the APC’s 2027 governorship candidate.
He had criticised the primary process and questioned how the candidate emerged.
Kunde also resigned from the APC in August, submitting his resignation to the party chairman of Beti Ward in Misau Local Government Area.
The latest departures are coming as efforts continue to resolve internal disputes and disagreements among APC members in the state.
The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot to assassinate former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 general election.
Ayodele issued the warning in a video shared on his verified X account on Sunday, urging both opposition figures to strengthen their security and remain vigilant.
The cleric did not identify those allegedly behind the purported plot but claimed that attempts were being made to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
According to him, divine intervention would prevent the alleged plan from succeeding.
“Obi and Atiku, be very conscious of your security. They are looking for any means to eliminate Obi and Atiku.
“But God will never allow it to happen. Watch out and be cautious about your security,” he said.
Ayodele also urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider travelling to the United States, alleging that there were forces in America working against his political fortunes.
The claims come as political activities and realignments intensify ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.
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