Politics
Enugu guber: Who is afraid of Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa
The race for the Enugu Lion Building has long begun. The consultations, lobbying, horse trading and permutations have continued to play out at the background.
The issue of zoning is all but settled as politcial observers continue to monitor the Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s body language.
But, Enugu East Zone, expecting to get the nod at the end of the day, have continued to roll out aspirants in preparation for the showdown.
One man stands out in this crowd of aspirants. He is Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa. The recently retired Federal Permanent Secretary could not refuse the urge, the call, the request by his Nkanu people to present himself for the guber race.
What started like the usual politcial cliche, where politicians arrange for people to beg them to run for an election, soon, like a wild fire became a consciousnees.
His acceptance and credibility was imminent. It soon spread across the state and everybody struggled to identify with ‘Odalije.’
Award ceremonies, special recognitions and various types of social gatherings in honour of Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa became the order of the day.
Today this grassroots propelled guber aspiration has grown into a movement and has thus become a threat to every other ambition in the state.
EverydayNews investigations reveal concerted gang up to discredit and probably pull down this shining star long before the chips are down.
Then came the reception of Sir Ohaa by the Awkunanaw clan. The speech of former Senate President Ken Nnamani became an issue for camping as they unsuccessfully twisted and adjusted to make it an attack weapon.
An unruffled camp merely laughed at the ignorance of a people and refused to join issues.
Senator Ken Nnamani spoke on Saturday, 14/08/21, at Akpasha, Akegbe Ugwu, Nkanu West Local Government Area, Enugu state, venue of the reception organised by the Awkunanaw Welfare Association, the umbrella development Union of 21 autonomous communities of Awkunanaw clan in Nkanu West and Enugu South Local Government Areas of Enugu state.
He narrated how he intervened to stop the harassment of his fellow kinsman, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa by EFCC, advising the EFCC to dig deeper in its investigation instead of hounding an ordinary civil servant whose offense is mere execution of the directives given by those on whose table the buck stopped. EFCC heeded the advice and let Senator Ken Nnamani’s kinsman off the hook after a thorough investigation, a probe that lasted several months within which Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was unlawfully detained and removed from office as the Accountant General of Enugu State to allow for unfettered investigations.
Upon completion of investigation and after a harrowing 3 months of incarceration, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was freed by EFCC with no condition attached. He was found to have committed no crime. Between him and EFCC, there was no plea bargain as to warrant him becoming a prosecution witness; he was, therefore, not made a witness to or against any of the other accused persons in the matter as there was no basis for that.
This is what Senator Ken Nnamani, got wrong, probably by a slip of thought when he wrongly claimed that Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was made a witness.
It is noteworthy that immediately Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was freed by EFCC, the government of His Excellency, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani in 2007 appointed him the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Enugu State.
The minimal Constitutional requirement for such appointment is security clearance from DSS and EFCC, and an appearance before the State House of Assembly for screening, approval and confirmation.
Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa got a clean bill on the security reports from all the security agencies prior to the House of Assembly screening as nothing criminal was pending against him.
The pertinent questions remain, at what point was he then a witness against the government of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani or anybody else in that government? Was he a witness against the government in a matter pending in the court at the instance of EFCC and Governor Chimaroke Nnamani went ahead to appoint him the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture in the same government?
The Court records are also there to confirm if there were an any evidence of his court appearances or statement to EFCC portraying him as a prosecution witness? The pendency of the case against those indicted by EFCC in this matter has lasted several years and at no point or adjournment has Sir Chinyeaka ever appeared as a witness. The court records are there.
The thought/allegation, bereft of any shred of evidence, that Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was a witness in the EFCC case against Dr Chimaroke Nnamani or anybody in that government is replete with patent illogicalities, and those bandying about the falsehood that Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has a case to answer with EFCC should go to the next door.
The granite fact is, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was not, neither would he have been, nor would he ever be a witness against a government that elevated him to the enviable position of Accountant General of Enugu State.
At the end of the regime of Dr Chimaroke Nnamani in 2007, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa transfered his service to the federal Civil Service where he rose to become Director of Finance and Accounts in several ministries, including the ministries of Labour, Transport, Water Resources and Defense.
In 2015, the government of President Mohammadu Buhari appointed him to the position of a federal Permanent Secretary, deploying him, first, to Ministry of Sports and Youth Development and, later, to the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, HOSF.
Again, he was deployed to the Federal Capital Territory Authority, FCTA. He, finally, retired as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power on 4th February, 2021.
It is trite that, with the tentacles of President Buhari’s anti graft agencies spread across all the MDAs, thorough background checks through high wire security investigations, resulting in objective security reports/clearance, preceded all the federal appointments made by President Mohammadu Buhari, including the post of Permanent Secretary, which Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa by the grace of God, hard work and dedication, got in the course of his epic sojourn at the federal civil service. To, therefore, state or insinuate that Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has a case to answer in respect of the EFCC investigations and indictment of some officials of the government of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani after Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa was freed by the EFCC on the same matter, 15 years ago, is utterly frivolous, vexatious and preposterous.
Sir Ohaa is only paying the price of acceptably and popularity as he marches, one step at a time, to the Enugu Lion Building.
Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.
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).
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Nnamani Felix
August 23, 2021 at 3:13 pm
Praise Singers, trying to justify their pay.