Politics
Enugu guber: Ekweremadu’s withdrawal, a Peter Mbah Ace?
By PETRUS OBI
Since 1999 the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has held sway, winning all politcialp positions virtually unchallenged in Enugu State.
From Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and Rt. Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, it’s been PDP running the politcial affairs of the state.
It’s been a large family where positions are decided at the PDP primaries. Whoever picked the party ticket is as good as having won the election proper.
Whatever threats to PDP’s dominance in Enugu has always been PDP itself. This comes in the form of internal crisis, which over time, have been successfully handled.
The closest of such internal wranglings was the tussle for the guber ticket where an Anayo Onwuegbu came very close to denying then incumbent Sullivan Chime the PDP guber ticket in 2011.
It was so close that Onwuegbu’s name was at a time pasted as the PDP Candidate at the State INEC Headquarters. This was the period Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo was the National Chairman of the party. The rest as it is said, is now history.
Again, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani in search of a return to the Senate at the height of his face off with his politcial godson, Sullivan Chime, joined PDC-People for Democratic Change.
He was reportedly cruising to victory until the instrument of government was brought to bear, and as usual PDP had its way.
Again, Ekweremadu’s rift with Governor Sullivan Chime over the Enugu West Senatorial position split the party leading to a parallel guber primary which produced Senator Ayogu Eze.
Ugwuanyi was adopted as the party Candidate and the ensuing legal battle ended at the Supreme Court.
Fast track to 2022 with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in charge. A man of few words, but highly tactical in politcial schemings. Ugwuanyi has smoothly adopted dialogue in settling politcial issues. He has been in charge and everything had gone on smoothly until former Deputy President of the Senate Ekweremadu declared interest to run for governor.
In the face of an existing Zoning formular, Ekweremadu, a heavy weight in his own right was seen as a major threat to the sustenance of the PDP domination in the state.
Bookmakers were of the view that the PDP would block him from picking the PDP ticket, thus, his defection was speculated and anticipated.
Seeing the handwriting on the wall, Ekweremadu pulled out of the guber primary, this was largely due to the delegates list which he alleged was manipulated.
Emergence of Peter Mbah
The emmergnce of Peter Mbah though in line with the Memorandum of understanding signed by all guber aspirants raised some issues and created bad blood amongst the top contenders.
The anger wasn’t against the candidate, so to say, but other avoidable issues that arose in the build up to the party primary.
As a result, Capt Evarest Nnaji (Odengene) withdrew from the primary, and refused to attend the primary.
The same with another top contender, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa who also stayed out of the primary. Only Chijioke Edeoga was a top four aspirant that took part.
The tension was high as tempers continued to rise. Speculations were rife, as the next line of action of the aspirant couldn’t be predicted. There were fears and apprehension in the party and the APC was lurking to catch in.
Ekweremadu’s behind the scene moves to join another party were speculated. It would soon be confirmed by the Enugu APC Chairman Barr Ugochukwu Agballa.
Agballa however, vowed that the party cannot grant his request for the APC guber ticket.
The unresolved issues from the PDP primary gave the APC some hopes that they could actually end the PDP domination in the State.
But not so fast, as the PDP Candidate, Barr Mbah had an ace up his sleeves.
A former Commissioner and successful businessman, the soft spoken governor in the making went to work. And before long succeeded to bring all aspirants together.
It was a politcial breakthrough for both the party and the candidate. A statement after the meeting confirmed an agreement to work together. Unity was returning.
While analysts were still wandering how he did it, Ekweremadu announced his decision to drop his guber ambition.
He said: “After considering that the things that hold us together as Ndi Enugu will ultimately outlive the treacheries of the moment;
“After receiving assurances from the gubernatorial candidate of our party, Barr. Peter Mba, that he would integrate our “Pathway to a New Enugu State” in his programme and his assurances of the participation of everybody in his campaign team and government;
“I, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, hereby formally withdraw from the 2023 gubernatorial contest in Enugu State. I congratulate Barr. Peter Mba and wish him success.
It is time to unite.”
It was a masterstroke. End of discussion; And 60% victory to PDP even before the whistle as Ekweremadu was seen as the candidate that could rock the boat or at least give the PDP a run for its money.
Analysts have hailed these two recent moves which has portrayed Peter Mbah as a man of peace and a go-getter.
It’s certainly a Peter Mbah Ace that would go a long way in determining who wins the 2023 guber elections as well as other elective positions in the state.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. These first steps are surely too significant to be neglected.
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.
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