By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) escalated on Sunday as a factional executive led by Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo reportedly moved to take over the party’s state secretariat in Awka.
However, the executive led by Senator Emma Anosike described the move as unlawful and warned party members against attending any meeting convened by the rival faction.
The dispute stems from a Federal High Court judgment which the Osegbo faction claims affirmed its leadership. The Anosike camp, however, insists the judgment has been misrepresented, describing it as flawed and arguing that neither Senator Emma Anosike nor the party’s State Secretary was joined as a party in the suit. According to the group, the National Working Committee (NWC) and the APC National Chairman were the only defendants in the case.
The Anosike-led executive further argued that any attempt by the Osegbo faction to take over the state secretariat must first be backed by the National Working Committee, which it said remains the only authority empowered to effect such a change.
The group also maintained that security agencies, including personnel deployed by the Inspector-General of Police, continue to recognise Senator Emma Anosike as the authentic chairman of the party in Anambra State.
Despite this, members of the Osegbo faction reportedly arrived at the party secretariat on Sunday to assume control, although the keys to the offices remain in the custody of the Anosike-led executive.
Defending the move, the faction’s Legal Adviser, Barrister Rich Egenti, insisted that the court judgment had already been fully executed.
“There is nothing left to stay. Mere filing of a stay of execution at the Court of Appeal after full execution of the judgment does not amount to a stay. Those challenging the judgment should approach the Court of Appeal and obtain the appropriate order instead of circulating propaganda,” Egenti said.
He added that the Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court had acknowledged that the execution process had been concluded.
“Any attempt by any person or group to stop the lawful assembly of the Anambra APC will be deemed contemptuous and illegal and shall be vehemently resisted,” he stated.
Responding, the Anosike-led executive said it had already taken all necessary legal steps to challenge the judgment.
In a statement, the group noted that Chief Ifeanyi Osegbo did not contest for any position during the last state congresses, including the office of state chairman.
“Our legal team has filed the necessary applications, including a stay of execution and an appeal before the Court of Appeal,” the statement read.
The group further claimed that the APC national leadership had also appealed the judgment and continued to recognise Senator Emma Anosike as the party’s state chairman.
“We remain confident that the courts will determine the issues in accordance with the law. It is also on record that the Inspector-General of Police and other security agencies are investigating allegations of document forgery which allegedly misled the court into delivering the judgment,” the statement added.
The Anosike faction urged party members to remain calm, law-abiding and refrain from attending meetings convened by any leadership other than that led by Senator Emma Anosike, Hon. J.C. Okeke and Sir Obi Okpala, whom it described as the duly elected and inaugurated executives of the party in Anambra State.
On July 3, the faction filed a notice of appeal and an application for a stay of execution before the Court of Appeal, Abuja.
In the appeal, Senator Emma Anosike, Sir Obi Okpala and other elected executive members are seeking an order setting aside the June 24, 2026 judgment delivered by Justice M.G. Umar, describing the proceedings as a nullity.
The appellants also asked the appellate court to stay the execution of the judgment pending the determination of their application.
Among the grounds of appeal are alleged non-service of court processes, denial of fair hearing, misrepresentation in obtaining the judgment, forum shopping, issue estoppel, and the court’s jurisdiction to set aside a judgment alleged to be a nullity.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has come under criticism following its decision to alter the list of candidates that emerged from its National Assembly primaries, sparking fresh concerns over internal democracy and the credibility of its candidate selection process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Opposition parties condemned the move, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) accusing the ruling party of descending into confusion, the Labour Party (LP) describing the substitutions as undemocratic, and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) branding the action reckless.
The APC, however, defended the changes, insisting they reflected fairness and the wishes of party members. It also urged opposition parties to focus on resolving their own internal crises rather than commenting on its affairs.
The controversy followed the APC’s directive to its state chapters to submit the final list of candidates for the 2027 elections while issuing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nomination forms for completion.
Several aspirants who were initially declared winners alleged that they were replaced after the party’s May Primary Election Appeal Commission reviewed petitions arising from the primaries.
Reports indicate that the APC National Working Committee (NWC), acting on the appeal committee’s recommendations, overturned the victories of several senatorial candidates in nine states and restored six serving senators to the party’s final list.
Those reinstated include Sunday Karimi (Kogi West), Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East), Titus Zam (Benue North-West), Shuaibu Isa Lau (Taraba North), Adeniyi Adegbonmire (Ondo Central), and Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North). In Abia South, Prince Paul Ikonne replaced Edinburgh Erondu.
Among those affected was former Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam, whose earlier victory in the Benue North-East primary was nullified in favour of incumbent Senator Emmanuel Udende.
The revised list has since generated internal disagreements and raised legal questions, particularly in light of INEC’s warning that it would reject the names of candidates who did not emerge from primaries monitored by the commission.
Reacting to the development, PDP National Publicity Secretary, Jungudo Mohammed, described the changes as evidence of growing confusion within the APC, saying the opposition would take advantage of the situation ahead of the elections.
“With the change of the candidate list, there is confusion in the APC. Let them remain in confusion so that we can take advantage of it and reclaim power. It is not our duty to advise them on how to put their house in order,” he said.
The Labour Party also criticised the substitutions, insisting that candidates who emerge from valid primaries should not be replaced.
LP National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party had consistently respected the outcome of its primaries, describing the APC’s action as a mockery of the Electoral Act and democratic principles.
“For us in the Labour Party, we have never removed the names of people who won our primaries and replaced them with those who did not. That is how democracy should be practised,” Asogwa said.
However, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, argued that political parties have the constitutional right to determine their candidates through internal mechanisms.
He noted that the Supreme Court had affirmed the authority of political parties to nominate candidates and stressed the need for aggrieved members to pursue available internal appeal and reconciliation processes.
Similarly, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) defended the APC’s action. Its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, said the Electoral Act empowers political parties to manage their candidate selection process, including addressing irregularities through internal mechanisms.
He maintained that if a party identifies flaws in its primary process and opts to make adjustments in line with its constitution, it is within its rights to do so, while denying allegations that the NDC had imposed candidates.

The Oyo State Government has denied reports claiming it paid ransom to secure the release of pupils and teachers abducted by bandits in Oriire Local Government Area, describing the allegation as false and misleading.

In a statement issued on Friday, the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, said the claim was “far from the truth” and accused “irresponsible bloggers” of deliberately spreading misinformation to confuse the public.

“Although both the Oyo State and Federal Governments have been making concerted efforts to secure the safe release of the abducted children and their teachers, no ransom has been paid to the bandits, either directly or indirectly,” Oyelade stated.

He urged residents to disregard the reports and rely only on information released through official government channels.

The commissioner added that the Oyo State Government is working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe release of the abductees and bring the incident to a successful conclusion.

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The pupils and teachers were abducted on May 15 when armed bandits attacked three schools in the Yawota and Ahoro-Esienle communities of Oriire Local Government Area. The coordinated attack also claimed the life of a teacher.

The victims have remained in captivity since the attack, while the Oyo State Government, the Federal Government, and security agencies continue efforts to secure their freedom.

By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has dismissed reports that aggrieved aspirants who lost the party’s primary elections are plotting to work against its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Following the conclusion of the party’s primaries a few weeks ago, reports had alleged that some unsuccessful aspirants were considering supporting candidates of other political parties in protest, with the aim of undermining APGA’s chances at the polls.
However, APGA National Publicity Secretary, Mazi Ejimofor Opara, described the claims as false, insisting that the party remains united after a reconciliation meeting convened by Governor Charles Soludo.
“I am hearing this from you. As a party, we have not received any report of such a plot. Let me state clearly that all the aspirants have resolved to work for the success of the party in the 2027 general elections,” Opara said.
He explained that during the meeting held at the Light House in Awka, aspirants and candidates openly discussed issues arising from the primaries, stressing that none of the participants accused the party of conducting an unfair or non-transparent process.
“Everyone expressed their views about the primary elections. No one alleged that the process lacked transparency. The only concern expressed was that each aspirant had hoped to emerge victorious.
“At the end of the meeting, every misunderstanding, anxiety and misgiving surrounding the primaries was resolved, and the party remains one united family,” he added.
Opara also warned opposition parties against what he described as deliberate attempts to spread falsehoods and create disaffection within APGA.
He cautioned individuals engaging in cyberbullying and name-dropping for political purposes to desist, warning that the party would not hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone found defaming its members.
“This is nothing but cheap blackmail by the opposition. They should be mindful of the legal consequences of cyberbullying and name-dropping. We urge our party faithful and the general public to disregard these spurious reports,” he said.
This version improves grammar, flow, attribution, and readability while preserving the substance of the original report.

Former Minister Uche Nnaji
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a court order permitting it to detain former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Geoffrey Uchechukwu Nnaji, for an initial 14 days as investigations into alleged certificate forgery continue.

The remand order followed Nnaji’s arrest on Wednesday at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, shortly after he arrived from Enugu aboard a chartered flight.

According to an official of the anti-graft agency, the court-approved remand will enable investigators to interrogate the former minister over the allegations, with the possibility of seeking an extension should further investigation require additional time.

Nnaji was apprehended following the execution of a bench warrant earlier issued by the Federal High Court after he allegedly failed to honour several invitations extended by the commission.

The ICPC subsequently confirmed the arrest in an official statement signed by its spokesperson, John Odey, stating that the former minister is in the commission’s custody as investigations continue into allegations bordering on the forgery of academic credentials and a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate allegedly submitted during his ministerial screening process.

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