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
Residents from various communities in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have endorsed the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Ifeanyichukwuma Odii, as their preferred choice for the February 6, 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made on Wednesday during a gathering tagged “Street Endorsement for Odii” held in Afikpo.
Speaking at the event, the Ebonyi State PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Chinyere Nwele, described Odii’s governorship aspiration as timely and necessary, arguing that the state needed a leader with the competence and vision to drive development.
According to her, Odii possesses the capacity, integrity, experience, and contacts required to reposition Ebonyi State and improve the welfare of its citizens.
She urged residents to rally behind the PDP candidate, warning that the state risked further setbacks if leadership was entrusted to individuals lacking the requisite experience and commitment.
Also speaking, the PDP senatorial candidate for Ebonyi South Zone in the 2027 elections, Mrs. Maria Nwachi, called on residents to support Odii’s ambition and make effective use of their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) during the elections.
Nwachi, a former member of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, described Odii as a leader who understands the challenges facing Ebonyians and has the capacity to address them.
She expressed confidence that the PDP candidate would bring transformational leadership to the state if elected.
The PDP House of Assembly candidate for Afikpo North-East Constituency, Mr. Iheukwumere Okogwu-Otu, described the endorsement as a significant step towards shaping the future of Ebonyi State.
He said the gathering reflected the confidence many residents have in Odii’s ability to provide purposeful leadership and address the state’s challenges.
Similarly, the PDP House of Assembly candidate for Afikpo North-West Constituency, Mr. Ewa Chukwumaijem, urged residents to support the PDP governorship candidate and ensure they obtain and safeguard their PVCs ahead of the election.
The event drew supporters from several communities across Afikpo, who pledged their backing for the PDP candidate as preparations for the 2027 governorship race gather momentum.
The lawmaker formally announced his defection in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read on the floor of the Senate on Monday by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, who presided over plenary.
In the letter, Maidoki said the lingering crisis within the APC had forced him to seek a new political platform.
“I am writing to inform Your Excellency, the President of the Senate, and the distinguished colleagues of my defection from the All Progressives Congress, APC, to the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” he stated.
Explaining the reason for his decision, the senator said the internal wrangling in the ruling party had become a major source of concern.
“My decision is based on the lingering internal crisis of the APC that has made my political inspiration a source of concern,” he said.
Maidoki expressed confidence that the ADC would provide a more suitable platform to advance the interests of his constituents and contribute meaningfully to national development.
“I believe that the ideas of the ADC are better for the benefit of my senatorial district and Nigeria at large,” he added.
The Kebbi South senator also accused the APC of abandoning the principles of justice, peace and unity, particularly during the recently concluded party primary elections in the state.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has not exhibited its slogan as justice, peace, and unity, especially in Kebbi State during the just concluded primary elections,” he declared.
Reaffirming his commitment to his new political platform, Maidoki said:
“It is in this regard, therefore, that I wish to inform you of my defection to the African Democratic Congress, which I believe guarantees my political aspiration.”
The defection marks another political setback for the APC as the ADC continues to attract high-profile politicians ahead of future electoral contests.
Politics
Enugu High Court Receives OAU Onyema’s N20m Recovery Suit Against NDC, Dickson, Egwu, Others
A legal battle has commenced at the Enugu State High Court following the filing of Suit No. E/619/2026 by Chief Sir OAU Onyema against the National Democratic Coalition (NDC), former Bayelsa State Governor Senator Seriake Dickson, Senator Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, Barrister Ikenna Enekweizu, former Ebonyi State Governor Dr. Sam Ominyi Egwu, and First City Monument Bank (FCMB).
The plaintiff is seeking the recovery of N20 million, which he alleges was procured through misrepresentation, undue influence, and coercive inducement, resulting in what he described as unjust enrichment by the defendants.
According to court documents, the defendants have been given 42 days to file their defence. The plaintiff has also filed an application for summary judgment, urging the court to enter judgment in his favour without a full trial on the grounds that the defendants allegedly have no viable defence to the claims. The defendants were granted 14 days after service to respond to the motion.
In a 41-paragraph affidavit supported by 12 exhibits, the plaintiff detailed the basis of his claims and requested an order compelling the defendants, jointly and severally, to refund the N20 million allegedly paid into Account No. 1046691859 belonging to the first defendant and domiciled with FCMB.
As part of the summary judgment application, the plaintiff is also seeking an order freezing the account pending the determination of the substantive suit if the court declines to grant immediate judgment.
In the substantive action, the plaintiff seeks declarations that the N20 million payment was obtained through misrepresentation, undue influence and coercive inducement, and that the defendants’ continued retention of the funds amounts to unjust enrichment.
He is further asking the court to award N5 million as special damages for litigation costs, N200 million as general damages for alleged psychological trauma, embarrassment, hardship and inconvenience, and interest on the disputed sum at the rate of 10 per cent per month from June 2, 2026, until full repayment.
The matter has been tentatively adjourned to July 2, 2026, for returns on court assignment and the fixing of further hearing dates.
Further details of the proceedings are expected as the case progresses.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has released a revised final list of candidates for the June 20, 2026 Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, approving seven candidates from different political parties to contest for the vacant Senate seat.
The updated list significantly expands the race, following the commission’s earlier publication which featured only three candidates from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Boot Party (BP).
The initial exclusion of candidates from several parties, including the Labour Party (LP) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), generated controversy and prompted legal and political reactions across the senatorial district.
The Labour Party had approached the court to challenge the omission of its candidate from the election. However, following the inclusion of its flag bearer in the revised list, the party reportedly withdrew the suit.
According to INEC’s final notice, the candidates cleared to participate in the by-election are Chika Idoko Emmanuel (ADC), Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka (BP), Eze Ejike Simon (LP), Ossai Elias Okwudili (NDC), Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP), and Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu (PRP).
The revised list brings four additional political parties into the contest, broadening the field and offering voters more options ahead of the election.
Political observers and stakeholders have welcomed the development, describing it as a step toward a more inclusive and competitive electoral process.
The by-election is scheduled to hold on June 20 across the six local government areas that make up Enugu North Senatorial District: Nsukka, Igbo-Eze North, Igbo-Eze South, Udenu, Uzo-Uwani, and Igbo Etiti.
INEC’s records show that Eze Ejike Simon of the Labour Party, aged 67, is the oldest candidate in the race, closely followed by Ossai Elias Okwudili of the NDC, who is 66.
The youngest contender is Aneke Kingsley Chukwuebuka of the Boot Party at 39 years, while Chika Idoko Emmanuel of the ADC is 41.
Other candidates include APC’s Asogwa Ikeje Israel, aged 56; PDP’s Ezeme Nestor Chika, aged 55; and PRP’s Ugwuanyi Charles Ugochukwu, also 55.
The commission further disclosed that all seven candidates contesting the by-election are male.
With the publication of the final list, political parties are expected to intensify campaigns in the final days before the poll, which will determine who represents Enugu North Senatorial District in the Senate for the remainder of the current tenure.
Credit: Nation
Stakeholders also called for sanctions against Justice Peter Lifu for flouting a superior court order, as the ADC assures supporters they will remain on the ballot.
Political parties and stakeholders affected by the Federal High Court’s controversial deregistration order welcomed the Court of Appeal’s decision to stay the execution of the judgment.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered a stay of execution of the judgment that directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to deregister the ADC, Action Peoples Party, Action Alliance, Accord Party and Zenith Labour Party, while delivering a stinging rebuke to Justice Lifu for flouting a May 22 appellate court order restraining him from delivering the ruling.
In a unanimous decision on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Justice A. B. Mohammed condemned Justice Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja for flouting a May 22 order that directed him to suspend proceedings before him, describing his conduct as the gravest form of judicial misconduct.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is a brazen violation of the hierarchy of the court and the 1999 Constitution,” the panel held.
The appellate court went further, invoking a Supreme Court precedent to characterise Justice Lifu’s conduct in the harshest terms.
“The decision of the lower court to proceed with the judgment despite the express order of this court is the highest form of judicial impertinence,” the panel declared, adding that the Supreme Court had previously held that a judge who acted in such a manner “is unfit for the bench as it amounts to judicial rascality.”
The court said it had a duty to assert its supervisory authority over lower courts and protect the integrity of the judicial hierarchy.
“Courts are enjoined to protect their integrity. This court has supervisory authority over the trial court. This court has the duty to invoke its powers in ensuring that its orders are obeyed. The application for stay of execution is hereby granted. The enforcement of the judgment is stayed,” the panel ruled.
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Lifu, had on Monday ordered INEC to deregister the ADC, Accord Party, Action Alliance, Action Peoples Party and Zenith Labour Party, ruling that the five parties failed to meet the constitutional performance thresholds under Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution, specifically, requirements related to securing at least 25 per cent of votes in certain states or winning seats in the 2023 general elections.
Earlier in Tuesday’s proceedings, INEC told the appellate court it was stunned by Justice Lifu’s decision to deliver the judgment, disclosing that the commission only learned of the ruling through media reports rather than any official notification.
INEC’s lead counsel, Mr Haliru Mohammed, told the panel that the commission had been aware of the appellate court’s May 22 order restraining the lower court from delivering the judgment, which had originally been reserved for June 5.
“We were not aware of any notice from the court regarding the delivery of the judgment. We only saw it as breaking news in the media. We therefore do not oppose the application of the appellant to stay the execution of the judgment,” Mohammed submitted.
The commission also aligned itself with the notice of appeal filed by the affected political parties.
Counsel to the ADC, Mr Shuaibu Aruwa, SAN, told the court that Justice Lifu communicated the judgment’s delivery to the party via WhatsApp, a disclosure that drew visible reactions from the bench.
Aruwa described the lower court’s conduct as an invitation to anarchy and urged the appellate court to invoke its disciplinary jurisdiction under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution to sanction the judge.
“The action of the trial judge calls for swift and extraordinary measures from this court. We have come to the stage where this court should press the reset button.
“We urge this court to take disciplinary steps by immediately suspending that judgment. This court has the power to protect its own integrity. We pray this court suspends the judgment immediately without further delay,” he added.
APC reacts
Reacting to the appellate court’s decision, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ruling offered a measure of hope for the judiciary’s credibility, though he was careful not to celebrate unreservedly.
“It indicates that the judiciary may still redeem itself. We are cautiously delighted but we insist that it shouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Abdullahi said in a telephone interview.
He called on the National Judicial Council to take urgent steps to rid the bench of judges whose conduct brought the institution into disrepute.
“We, therefore, hope that the judicial council will take urgent steps to purge the bench of judges who bring the judicial institution to disrepute,” he said.
The National Leader of the Action Peoples Party, Ikenga Ugochinyere, was more emphatic in his welcome of the ruling, describing it as a vindication of the party’s position from the outset and calling on the NJC to weed out what he termed controversial judges.
“There was no need to panic in the first place, and, so, this ruling is a vindication of our position from the get-go,” Ugochinyere said.
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