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
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.
-
Crime5 days agoNigeria’s Army General, wife kidnapped by gunmen
-
Foreign5 days agoNigerian Catholic priest convicted in US for sexual assault
-
Crime4 days ago
Oyo abduction: Teachers begin strike as Tinubu sends 1,000 forest guards to rescue victims
-
Education3 days agoEnugu East Chairman Celebrates Children’s Day with St. Ann’s College, Reaffirms Commitment to Education
-
News3 days agoDSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
-
EverydayNews Telescope4 days agoThree Years On the Saddle : The Governor Peter Mbah score card that is a tall order
-
Crime4 days agoUS Announces $3.5m Religious Freedom Initiative, Questions Nigeria’s Response to Attacks
-
Crime3 days ago2 Police Officers Shot Dead as Gunmen Attack Anambra Chief of Staff’s Convoy