Politics
Igbo Presidency: Onyema Ogochukwu left Ekwueme to support me – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has narrated how Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, a former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), dumped a fellow Igbo man, Dr Alex Ekwueme, to support his presidential bid in 1999.
Speaking on Saturday in Abuja at the thanksgiving service held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse, Zone 3 for the 80th birthday of Ugochukwu, the former President, who disclosed that he did not belong to any political party, hailed the celebrant for being a loyal and supportive person during his campaign prior to the 1999 election despite the fact that Ekwueme also contested for the same position in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Obasanjo, who urged Ugochukwu to remain solidly with the Lord and be committed to humanity throughout the rest of his life, said: “But remember what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13. Your faith must not diminish. You must never lose hope. Even when things are as gloomy as they are in Nigeria today, we must remain optimistic and hopeful. And finally, you must live and continue to live a life of love. Love for your family.
“Love for friends and foes. Love for your community. Love for your state. Love for your country. Love for humanity. And love for God.
“When we came together, it was during the campaign. I’ve known a little bit about you by your reputation. We were two candidates competing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), myself and Alex Ekweme. And right from the word go, you decided who you would be with. Some Yoruba elements in our campaign saw you as a spy. The Igbo elements on the other side saw you as a bastard. Why should you be with a Yoruba man when an Igbo man is contesting? And you stood your ground. You were unshaken and unshakable.
“You remained totally loyal. And I appreciate it. And you remain with me. Not 99.9% loyal, but 100% loyal. Throughout my tenure. I will be eternally grateful to you. When you went in, as the bishop said, to contest the election, and they overturned the election, you didn’t take revenge on anybody. You were not bitter. You didn’t even move out of the party. You remained. Some people will have moved out of their party. And you know some who are in our party, close to us, who did that.
“Over the years, whether I am in or out, whether people are abusing me or oppressing me, I know your stand. I know I can count on you. Not only as my supporter, but for the party that we all built”.
On his part, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, at the reception, also commended Ugochukwu for his patriotism, saying that the celebrant did not take sides when he (Atiku) had problems with Obasanjo, adding that rather he tried to be a peacemaker.
Atiku said: “I will not claim that I know Ugochukwu long enough because we only met during our administration around 1998-99 and till now, we have been in contact with each other.
“But I want to say that during our administration even when the president and I were having problems, Ogochukwu never took sides, rather he tried to be a conciliator and I want to say that all along I found him to be an extremely dedicated, passionate Nigerian. Let me also testify that in all those years that we worked together I never heard or you never heard of any unwarranted action by Onyema Ogochukwu. He was still a credible and perfect gentleman. Mrs. Ogochukwu, I think you are very lucky to have him.”
“Honestly I want to say that this is one of the very rare events I have put on a public face to identify myself, but I feel extremely delighted to have been part of this event. I also look forward to getting to your age. So, once again congratulations Onyema Ogochukwu and family and the entire people of Abia State and Nigeria in general”.
In his remarks, Ugochukwu was emotional while explaining that out of his seven siblings five are dead, remaining him and his sister.
According to him, he was the first out of his siblings to attain the age of 70, just as he acknowledged God’s faithfulness in his life, and promised to continue to serve God and humanity more than ever before.
He said, “My dear friends, I thank you for taking out time traveling from all places to come to this birthday celebration. Ten years ago, when I turned 70, I was the first of my siblings to reach the age of 70. It should have been a very big celebration, but it wasn’t.
“Because 2014, I lost my two younger brothers in that year itself. My father, and then my uncle, and there was no urge to celebrate. There were seven. My eldest brother, let him be known, was the best of us all. But he died at 64. My older sister died in her 50s. My immediate junior brother died in the war. My sister, Chinyere, an evangelist, is here with us, and is alive. Ude Chukwu, died February 2014. And in April, another”
Politics
Speaker suspended over anti-party activities
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.”
Politics
Nnamani Rejects Suspension Claim, Insists on PDP Governorship Ticket
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.
Politics
Presidency Refutes Claim Tinubu Begged Peter Obi to Withdraw
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).
Politics
2027 Guber: PDP Candidate Odii Accuses Nwifuru Of Running Ebonyi As Family Business
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.
Politics
Odua, Nwankwo, Obidigwe Others Make APGA list Of Nominated Candidates For Assembly, NASS
By Okey Maduforo Awka
The trio of Sen Stella Odua, Chief Dozie Nwankwo, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe among others emerged winners of the All Progressives Grand Alliance( APGA) primary elections in Anambra state.
Odua emerged as Senatorial candidate for Anambra North District, Dozie Nwankwo was nominated as candidate for Anambra Central District while Chinedu Obidigwe won the nomination for Anambra East and West Federal Constituency
Similarly Chief Emma Nwachukwu, Chief Paschal Agbodike, Mrs Mourine Gwacham were returned by the party members for the second term as candidates of the party for Anambra South District , Oyi -Ayamelum as well as Ihiala Federal Constituencies.
In a joint press briefing of the National Assembly and State Assembly Committees Mr Agunzi Victor (SAN) , described the exercise as transparent, peaceful and seemless adding that both the winners and aspirants who did not win appreciated the peaceful process.
Both Committees lauded the National leadership for creating a conducive environment for them to discharge their duties .
‘We will have to specifically commend the National leadership of our party and the Governor of Anambra state who is the National leader of our great party for providing the conducive atmosphere and also making the entire exercise free and credible devoid of any interference ”
“He has indeed demonstrated that he is a true democrat and we commend him for that and we hope that other leaders would emulate his attitude”
“He allowed us the member of the Committees to carry out the process that the winners of the primary elections reflect the wished of the members of the party”
In the case of Awka North and South Federal Constituency the committee had reasons to reschedule seven ward elections two in Awka North and five in Awka South local government areas as well as Dunukofia Njikoka Anaocha Federal Constituency.
“We have reasons to reschedule the supplementary primary elections across some wards within the state”
“We had supplementary elections in some wards in the Anaocha -Dunukofia – Njikoka Fed Constituency and Chinedu Oli was nominated ”
“We had another one within Awka North and South we had reason to hold supplementary elections within Awka North and South which led to the nomination of Chief Obi Nwankwo”
“Two in Awka North and five in Awka South”
“,In the case of Awka North and South Federal Constituency there is a provision in our party guideline they after the completion of the election there are places that election could not hold due to one reason or the other, we are to reschedule the another supplement election. so as to determine the winner within that Constituency”
“In this case the margin of wining after the first primary election of 23rd was quite lesser than the number of registered members within these seven wards ”
“Because the margin we had was about 200 votes but registered members of the party that did not vote is over 4,000 in those wards ”
“Proceeding with the results will amount to denying them the right to vote and the All Progressives Grand Alliance is determined to ensure that no member of our party is disenfranchised “he said.
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