Politics
The storm gathers in Abia as Ikpeazu ‘annoints’ successor
BY MARK MBAH JNR.
HEAVY crisis that may lead to the collapse of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia state is building up over allegations that the state Governor, Dr. Okezie lkpeazu has anointed a 66-year-old former Vice Chancellor of the Abia state University, Prof. Uche Ikonne as his successor come 2023.
Reliable information had it that Ikpeazu and some of his kinsmen from Ngwa land and part of ukwa extraction met last Sunday night and after their meeting decided to go and convince the retired academia to come and step into his shoes as his successor next year.
Uche Ikonne hails from Isialangwa North Local Government Area of the Central Senatorial Zone of the state. He has been a former Rector of the Abia State Polytechnic Aba as well as the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the Abia state University, Uturu all in Abia state.
Although there has not been any official statement from either the state Governor, who is said to be out of the country on official engagement or the state PDP chairman, Rt. Hon. Dr. Asiforo Okere to confirm the plot but impeccable sources affirm the story with the published report showing that lkonne has already picked his Governorship nomination and expression forms from the National Headquarters of the party in Abuja.
Prior to this time, there has been heated arguments among political leaders of the three senatorial zones of the state of which zone to start after the Governorship seat must have gone round by the expiration of the incumbent who is from Obingwa in Abia South Senatorial Zone.
Ikpeazu’s immediate prediccessor, Chief Theodore Orji has maintained that the Governorship seat restarts from Abia North Senatorial zone while some other politicians insist it must rotate between the two blocs of Old Aba and Old Bende that make up the state.
The ruling PDP in the state had last week issued a statement that the Governorship seat has been zoned to both Abia central and Abia North Senatorial zones of the state. This sounded ambiguous and alien as many politicians described the unspecific party’s announcement as unusual in the history of PDP zoning formula.
Some lambasted Ikpeazu and his co- travellers in their choice of a man who has not in any way indicated interest in the gubernatorial race neither has he any blueprint yet in his supposed ambition.
Many are of the opinion that should Ikpeazu decide to zero his choice to Abia central senatorial zone of the state that there are more vibrant and tested younger aspirants within the zone with proven integrity and genuine accomplishments. Many politicians of pedigree and repute are openly rooting for younger aspirants like Chief Elvis Ncheta Omerekpe, Enyinnaya Nwafor among others who have verifiable proofs on ground speaking for them for years now across the state and have for long already developed positive blueprints on how to develop the state.
For Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe representing Abia South Senatorial Zone of the state and one of the Governorship aspirants who has already picked his forms, ” the whole arrangements are efforts in futility to foist an unknown individual on the people “
Speaking on a popular radio program within the state last week, Abaribe queried where decisions of zoning and choice of candidate were taken in the state without a high ranking member of the party like him present.
He argued that as a high ranking member of the party who has remained steadfast with the party since it’s formation and today the Senate Minority leader that had participated in all the party’s decisions in the state that it’s absurd of the recent developments and that the entire arrangements are dead on arrival and can never fly.
Abaribe said he was not desperate for the position but has only presented himself to serve because he has confidence to change the narratives and improve the lives and infrastructural development of the people and the state and want the right thing to be done by allowing the party members to choose their candidates.
He stated it categorically that it would be impossible for people like him to be in the party and allow anymore wrong foundations laid in the party.
For former SenatePresident, Senator Adolphus Wabara, his views are that if it must remain in the old Aba bloc, it must be an ukwa-man because ukwa and Ngwa make up the old Aba bloc otherwise the Governorship seat should move to Abia North Senatorial Zone.
His opinion is that hence Ngwa Man in the person of Okezie lkpeazu has taken a slot from the old Aba bloc, should the seat be retained in Aba bloc it must be ukwa person because Ngwa and ukwa made up the old Aba bloc.
But political analysts in the state are of collective opinion that the bloc or senatorial zone is insignificant in this dispensation but the capacity and calibre of a Governor whose impact when elected will be phenomenal in tackling the multifaceted yearning needs of Abia people.
They posited that the idea of selecting or anointed candidate has been retrogressive in the political development of the state and would prefer a candidate who can be independent without being a stooge.
Barr. Onyeso Okeke, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while addressing party loyalists recently at a function in Aba called on delegates of the party to resist any attempt to foist a candidate on them.
He said ” l have been a strong PDP member since 1999, our state, Abia has suffered backwardness via this anointed candidates. How can you imagine someone who is not prepared for an examination and suddenly you draft him into the classroom to seat for an exam. The person will certainly perform abysmally and you won’t blame him because you drafted him in”
” For me the Governor should play a role in determining his successor but it must be a collective decision with other principal and critical stakeholders. What happened this week at Isialangwa North where a former Deputy Governor and an in-law of the Governor, Chief Acho Nwakanma with few of his Obingwa brothers and some handpicked individuals from Ukwawest area to call on Professor lkonne to succeed the incumbent is unacceptable and can’t fly at all. They want to destroy the party and make it lose the 2023 election.”
He said” Can you imagine such trash, where are the party leaders, where are the Ochendos, the Wabaras, Onyema Ugochukwu and other leaders across the state. The Governor should please drop this because the heat will be too much for him to bear and it would be very shameful and unfortunate if he fails to cordinate peacefully and effectively the entire leaders of the state to produce his successor. All those pushing Professor lkonne on him will destroy him politically. He should remember that it is his name that’s at stake not those political interlopers and harbingers. With lkonne, the party is doomed and we can’t allow that, never” he said.
Another legal practitioner from Isialangwa, Barr. Ubah Nkem Ajomiwe couldn’t hide his feeling as he bitterly dismissed Professor lkonne’s ambition.
He said, why should someone even mention the name of lkonne for such plum job. Have you not heard his story as a Rector in Abia state Polytechnic, Aba or are you not aware of how he left Abia state University ” ABSU”. Have you not heard of backlogs of unpaid salaries owed these two institutions till now. Was it not during his tenure that these two tertiary institutions were quagmired”
” l have heard the Governor talking about Umunneator, that’s, Isialangwa North, South and Osisioma all in Abia central senatorial which is one of the zones favoured to produce the Governor by the party. If he pitches his tent there then he should look for credible, acceptable aspirant with capacity, vision and goal and not a tired retired academic scholar with doubtful leadership competencies at his days in the higher institutions” he said.
He said “we have vibrant, dynamic and competent young men in persons like Chief Elvis Ncheta Omerekpe, Enyinnaya Nwafor who have demonstrated all round capacity and have touched lives who should be given the opportunity to go and salvage our people not De Uche Eleazer lkonne. I was in final year at ABSU when he became the Vice Chancellor and l know how impoverished he left the institution and he is my brother and sentiment apart, he’s not fit at all for the job. The past records are poor. “
He said ” the other day, l saw his pictures on social media with PDP nomination form and calibre of people around him. Another Abia Governor to tossed around , God forbid.
Those around Professor Ikonne now are jobless individuals who claim to be professional politicians with no other sources of livelihood and cannot survive without being around corridors of power.”
He said ,Did you not see the day Enyinnaya Nwafor went to party office at Umuahia to declare his interest. Did you not see that Umuahia was shutdown last Wednesday for Omerekpe. Can you imagine the unprecedented crowd from the entire state that accompanied Omerekpe to Umuahia. Did you not see Ginger Onwusibe and other credible leaders that accompanied him. My brother make independent inquiries, you will know he’s the people’s choice because his track records speak volume of his ability”
“I have not met Omerekpe physically in my life but my brother go to our area and entire Abia and see that his works speak for him. I watched his documentary on AIT recently and marvelled at what the young man has done for the people ” he said.
He counseled the Governor Dr. Victor Okezie to call his messengers doom back home warning that the consequences of wrong choice will be an end to PDP reign in the state. Let there be open field for the aspirants to test their popularity and acceptability.
ENDS
The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr. Osita Okechukwu, has urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections.
In a statement on Sunday in Enugu, Okechukwu noted that credible elections remained the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.
He was responding to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger.
According to Okechukwu, the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.
He said, “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance.
“However, the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”
He argued that political scientists had long maintained that political parties were more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.
“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.
“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.
Okechukwu also dismissed the allegation of other political parties feelings that INEC is the handgun of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The APC chieftain said that APC needed free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.
“I dismiss the handgun allegation, as APC needs free and fair elections,not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance,” he said.
He maintained that the APC remained a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, says Buhari didn’t publicly back Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary due to religious and ethical concerns.
In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal revealed that Buhari was initially hesitant to back Tinubu due to religious and ethical considerations regarding his suitability as a successor.
Lawal claimed that, however, after extensive discussions, the late president agreed to remain neutral and allow party delegates to decide the candidate at the convention.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu played a critical role in previous APC election campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition outright.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.
Lawal added that before the APC presidential convention, he advised Buhari to refrain from backing any aspirant and allow party delegates to choose the candidate.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that on the basis of your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if he allowed him to manage the process, Tinubu would emerge as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.“I say, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.
“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He added that Buhari also expressed concern over whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if elected president.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”
Ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari repeatedly urged party delegates to choose a candidate they believed could advance the party’s ideals but stopped short of publicly endorsing any of the aspirants, despite intense lobbying by contenders, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, went on to defeat other leading aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He later won the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as president on May 29, 2023.
Politics
Enugu NDC Passes Vote Of Confidence On Dr. Johnpaul Anih-Led State Exco, Warns Against Destabilisation
The Enugu State chapter of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee (SWC), reaffirming its confidence in the current leadership and warning individuals allegedly plotting to destabilise the party to desist.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during an expanded meeting of the state working committee, party stakeholders, candidates and members, who commended the state executive for its leadership, commitment and efforts at repositioning the NDC in Enugu State.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the meeting, the Chairman of the party in Isiuzo Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Ogbu, said the current state leadership had transformed the fortunes of the party in Enugu.
“This is the only leadership of the party that emerged through a valid congress monitored by INEC, and any attempt by Enugu politicians spending dollars in Abuja to destabilise the party will be firmly resisted”.
“Without the current leadership, nobody would be hearing about the NDC in Enugu State today. The Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive has given the party life and made it attractive through its programmes and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.
Corroborating his position, the Igboeze North Local Government Chairman of the party, Hon. Kingsley Ape and his Aninri counterpart, Hon. Stephen Ajah, stated that the achievements of the present leadership had positioned the party to participate effectively in the forthcoming local government elections.
According to them, without the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led executive, the NDC would not have been on the ballot for the forthcoming local government chairmanship and councillorship elections in Enugu State.
The party leaders declared that they remain firmly behind Dr. Anih and his executive, insisting that the State Working Committee enjoys the overwhelming confidence and support of the party’s grassroots structure across the 17 local government areas of the state.
They further warned that any attempt to tamper with the existing leadership could trigger a mass exodus of members from the party in Enugu State.
The stakeholders also cautioned individuals allegedly fomenting crisis within the party, urging them to steer clear of activities capable of undermining the unity, stability and progress of the NDC.
According to them, any attempt to create parallel party structures or sow discord among members would be firmly resisted in the interest of preserving the party’s cohesion ahead of future political engagements.
The members equally expressed concern over what they described as the actions of the party’s national leadership, alleging that recent developments could further deepen internal disagreements if not handled with fairness and respect for due process.
They urged the national leadership to refrain from actions capable of escalating tensions within the party, stressing that internal disputes should be resolved in line with the party’s constitution and democratic principles.
Reaffirming their loyalty to the NDC, the stakeholders called on members across the state to remain united, focused and committed to building a stronger political platform.
They pledged their continued support for the Dr. Johnpaul Anih-led State Working Committee and maintained that the Enugu chapter would continue to protect the integrity of the party while working tirelessly to advance its political objectives in the state.
Kwankwaso disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television on Monday, saying the agreement was aimed at ensuring power returns to the North after a single four-year tenure in line with the party’s power-sharing arrangement.
The former Kano State governor said he had no reason to doubt Obi’s commitment to honouring the agreement.
“Oh yes, I personally believe him. I don’t think, based on what I now know about him, that he will change his mind when the time comes. We are all gentlemen,” he said.
Asked whether the understanding had been documented, Kwankwaso replied that both the party and the two candidates signed separate agreements.
“We have done one for the party, and we have done another one between the two of us,” he said.
Explaining the substance of the agreement, Kwankwaso said it provides for a single four-year tenure for Obi before the presidency returns to the North.
“The agreement is what you said, that for four years, we will work together, team together as a group, party, friends and brothers so that after his term of four years (2027-2031), it comes back to the North. That is the general agreement.”
“Together we felt that the presidency should go to the South for four years; thereafter it will come back to the North.
“We believe that should be the consensus of everybody in this country so that we can move together as a family, both North and South,” he said.
On whether he intends to contest the presidency in 2031, Kwankwaso said the party remained focused on winning the 2027 election while keeping its long-term political plans in view.
“We have a short-term plan which we are executing now and, of course, we also have our medium and long-term plans for the country, and that is what we are working on now,” he said.
Obi had in May announced that he would serve only one term if elected president, saying the decision was intended to promote political stability and strengthen national unity.
“I want to be a one-term president because of stability. I would not stay a day, with a gun to my head, longer than four years,” Obi had said.
The NDC has consistently defended its power-sharing arrangement, presenting the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as a consensus aimed at balancing the country’s regional interests ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The leadership crisis rocking the Anambra State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) took a fresh turn on Monday after the Federal High Court in Abuja granted a stay of execution on its earlier judgment that removed Sen. Emma Anosike as the party’s state chairman.
The order effectively restores Anosike to office pending the determination of the legal proceedings.
The dispute began after a faction of the party led by Ifeanyi Osegbo approached the court, seeking recognition as the duly constituted State Working Committee (SWC) of the APC. The application was opposed by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).
Following the initial judgment, the Anambra APC dismissed the ruling as a “kangaroo judgment,” alleging that the plaintiffs misrepresented facts before the court. The party further claimed that some individuals listed as plaintiffs were unaware of the suit and that their names had been inserted without their knowledge.
The party also argued that Anosike and the state secretary, Mr. Obi Okpala, were not joined as parties in the suit, making the judgment unenforceable against them.
Relying on the earlier judgment, members of the Osegbo faction reportedly took over the party secretariat in Awka, gaining access to the offices and holding a meeting there.
In response, Anosike, Okpala, acting on behalf of themselves and other elected executive members, filed an application challenging the judgment. They asked the court to set aside the ruling delivered on June 24, 2026, by Justice M.G. Umar, describing it as a nullity.
The applicants also sought an order staying the execution of the judgment pending the hearing and determination of their application.
Among the grounds for the application were alleged non-service of originating processes and hearing notices, denial of fair hearing, misrepresentation of facts, forum shopping by the plaintiffs, estoppel, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction to set aside a judgment obtained through procedural defects.
Speaking after Monday’s proceedings, counsel to the APC, Douglas Najime, alleged that the earlier judgment was secured through misrepresentation and without proper service on the affected parties.
According to him, the court’s decision to grant a stay of execution means that Sen. Emma Anosike remains the substantive chairman of the Anambra APC, alongside the existing executive committee, pending the outcome of the appeal.
He maintained that the stay of execution effectively suspends the enforcement of the earlier judgment and preserves the status quo until the legal dispute is finally resolved.
-
News5 days ago“I Did Not Kill Him, He Died on Top of Me” — Woman Who Was With Abacha Reveals
-
News5 days agoFour Herders, Several Cattle Killed As Gunmen Attack Ranch In Anambra
-
Crime4 days agoFake Doctor Arrested Over Alleged ₦500,000 Job Scam
-
News5 days agoAnambra LG Polls Threatened as 56 Councillors Sue to Stop ANSIEC
-
News4 days agoAnambra: Fight Erupts at INEC Office Over Alleged ₦2,000 PVC Processing Fee
-
Sports5 days agoBeyond the Trophy: Lessons in Success, Discipline and Integrity from Spain’s World Cup Triumph
-
News5 days agoMainPower Restores Electricity Supply to Parts of Enugu After Outage
-
Business5 days agoNNPC Announces Increase in Petrol Pump Price