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Tinubu’s action in Rivers a Coup, should be removed, tried for treason – Kenneth Okonkwo 

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Veteran Nollywood actor, politician and activist Kenneth Okonkwo has called for the removal of President Bola Tinubu for for what he termed declaration of Martial Law in Rivers State.

What he did is a coup not a state of emergency as people erroneously call it

Okonkwo’s reaction to the recent events in Rivers State is contained in a podcast shared on YouTube which the actor personally availed everydaynewsngr.net.

Hear him:

People have been making a mistake as to what the president did in Rivers State. Tinubu did not declare state of emergency in Rivers State, the president declared a Martial law in Rivers State.

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State of Emergency is recognised by our constitution. And has given the president the power to declare state of emergency under certain conditions.

The Nigerian Bar Association has made it clear that none of those conditions has been fulfilled to warrant the declaration of State of emergency. Meaning that the purported declaration is not a state of emergency.

The Supreme Court is very clear! In the case of Attorney General of Bendel State and Adeyo, It said any act of governance not covered under an enabling law is a nullity. So there is nothing like state of emergency in Rivers. What Bola Tinubu did is not a state of emergency because even when the situation has arisen it doesn’t include the removal of elected representatives of the people.

The constitution is very clear in Section 1(2) that Nigeria shall not be governed or any part thereof by any persons except in accordance with the constitution. Where is it in the constitution that Nigeria or any state shall be governed by a sole administrator. None.

So what the President did is akin to what the president of South Korea did when he declared martial law and wanted to remove the representatives of the people. The legislature moved in immediately.

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Including members of the party of the president and removed the president himself. Declaring martial law to remove representatives of the people; that is a coup against the federation.

The president of South Korea is awaiting trial for doing that.

What the legislature is expected to be thinking about doing is removing Tinubu for declaring martial law on a state, federating unit and trying to rule that state through the military; through Sole administrator, not contemplated by our constitution.

Tinubu usurped the power to make law for that state; he said the sole administrator can make regulation – regulation is part of law. So he usurped it through a decree; not our law. That sole administrator can make law and he, Tinubu, and his cabinet will be the one to authorise the law. Usurping power of the legislature- that is treason. That is trying to govern Nigeria or a part of it in a manner not contemplated by the constitution.

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Tinubu suspended numerous sections of the constitution in order to make his declaration. No state of emergency authorises the govt to suspend any provision of the constitution. But in declaring the martial law which Tinubu did he suspended Sections 1, 179,180, 188, 189, 120 and 121 including Section 117 and 110 of the constitution in order to make that declaration. That cannot be declaration of a state of Emergency.

What are these Sections talking, that you cannot govern Nigeria outside elected members of the representatives of the people. And these Sections enumerated the methods you can use to remove a member of the House of Assembly Or the Governor. One, by death, resignation, impeachment, by permanent incapacity and expiration of term. And for the House of Assembly member by recall. That’s the summary of the Sections I have enumerated.

So the president suspended these sections and wants to rule Rivers State by decree. Because he has already usurped the power of the legislature and that is why I am saying that what he declared was martial law, was a coup against the people of Rivers State.

Rivers State are the ones that elected the Governor and members of the Assembly. And even by interpretation act, it said, he that appoints is the only person that has the power to remove. So the President did not appoint the Governor, he did not appoint members of the Assembly, they were elected. The President has no right to remove them. And any govt in place on a democracy was instituted by laws; that’s why the Supreme Court say any act of governance that is not covered under an enabling law is a nullity.

Even the National Assembly that has the right, and I am talking now about the State of emergency, for us to know the difference between State of emergency and what Tinubu did. In state of emergency, Section 305 is very clear, you declare State of emergency when there is war, when there is imminent threat of invasion of Nigeria – that has not happened. Or when there is actual breakdown of public order and public safety as to warrant extra ordinary measure to correct the situation or where there is a danger that such a thing will happen or where there is a natural calamity of such that needs extraordinary measure to correct it or where there is a threat to the collapse of the federation of Nigeria. This is Section 305(3). Now, none of these has happened and the President came on TV to say there is a security report – security report Mr President is for you, it is not for Nigerians. So anything that Nigerians do not know should not know Nigerians. You that know your security report has not given you the right to remove elected representatives. So what the State of emergency actually is doing is that the president should empower the democratic forces to be able to overcome the danger even if it means using extraordinary measure. What is the extraordinary measure? The state of emergency that is talking about extraordinary measure is that you have the right to restrict the fundamental rights of Nigerians when you are taking away the extraordinary measure it does not mean removing elected representatives and it was stated in Section 45 of the constitution when they say that the provisions of the human rights cannot invalidate any law made by the National Assembly if that law is intended for the defense, public safety, public morality, public order or public health of the country and even that Section made it clear that the National Assembly has the power to make such law for the defense even if it affects the fundamental human rights. And in Section 11(4) the constitution made it clear that the making of the law by the National Assembly does not include the removal of the governor or the deputy. That is, even if the legislature is not functioning in that state. What does that tell you, that no law gives any right to any elected president to remove elected representatives of the people. Now let me tell you this catch, because the President is referring to one pipeline or two that was breached. During the regime of President Goodluck Jonathan the whole pipelines in Niger Delta were threatened; most of them were breached by the militants that had waged war against the federal Republic because of marginalisation of The Niger Delta. President Goodluck Jonathan…that was a situation that needed a state of emergency, he did not even declare a state of emergency because he didn’t believe there was anything extraordinary in what these people were doing which the security forces cannot contain. He simply made an order that security forces should restore order in that region and arrest the culprits and bring them to justice. That was what he did and the security forces moved in. No governor was affected, no assembly was affected and it led to the dialogue which resulted in the amnesty which brought peace to the region which we are enjoying today. When a competent president wants to make peace in any part of the country he goes by the way that Goodluck Jonathan, that Umar Y’adua did. You negotiate; you go into dialogue not going to support your appointee in order to destroy the state because you want to capture the state. That is why it is not a state of emergency he is doing because Y’Adua faced with problem in the entire Niger Delta which breached all the pipelines, which brought war against the federal government did not even declare a state of emergency and a president is telling you apprehension, there is tension not that there is something actual, no evidence, that is one. Secondly, when Goodluck Jonathan was faced with invasion, insurgency by a terrorist group called Boko Haram that had taken over local governments and three states were under threat, Goodluck Jonathan rightly declared a state of emergency and did not remove any governor and did not remove any representative of the people; why? Because he was not declaring any martial law he was declaring state of emergency and he took out that situation and in six weeks he wiped them out. Why he declared a state of emergency is to let the people know- your movement might be curtailed so don’t come and quote for us freedom of movement. You shouldn’t come out at so so time because stray bullet can catch you. And then if hit by stray bullet you can’t go to anyone and say the person was killed. That’s the essence of the state of emergency. Your fundamental human rights could be be involved.

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Now, let’s go to Obasanjo because he was the only leader that removed some governors while declaring state of emergency which the courts now have ruled illegal. But one thing Obasanjo did; he didn’t use it as an instrument of power grab. Obasanjo never declared or removed any elected representatives in the opposition party; it was only PDP members, his own party he removed. And there was another governor that had security issues from another party, Obasanjo refused to remove him because he knew it would be interpreted as power grab. He wrote a letter of warning to that Governor.

When Tinubu was governor there were security problems in Lagos. Obasanjo restrained himself from declaring state of emergency in Lagos.

.. it is a coup to forcefully and with military remove elected representatives so that he can take over the state and administer it with military people that’s a coup.

Tinubu is the first President since 1979 that has used the instrument of State of emergency to usurp power from the opposition party. There was nothing in Rivers State that necessitated a declaration of State of emergency.

When they organised local government election in Rivers State secretaries were burned by people who were against the Governor. Somebody was caught with a bomb; he detonated it, it wounded him. They arrested him, what has happened to him till date, nothing. People committed arson; people loyal to appointees of the president. Burned down secretariats in open glare, nobody was arrested, why? No state of emergency was declared, why? And then, now you have peace you are saying you declared state of emergency.

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I was really troubled When the president was mentioning Supreme Court judgement; Supreme Court said that appropriation act must be re submitted by the governor because the governor had submitted it to a legitimate House of Assembly and they were legitimate until the declaration of the Supreme Court.

They said he should re-present it to the 27 lawmakers. And the law is that no money of the state can be spent except it’s appropriated by the House of Assembly and that the Governor will present it for such appropriation.

Tinubu suspended the constitution because he wanted to go against the Supreme Court judgement which has ordered the governor to re-present the budget to the Assembly. This declaration is against the Supreme Court judgement and it is now Tinubu disobeying the Supreme Court judgement not the governor. The governor wrote to the Assembly; come let is discuss about the budget. What a good man. Why is he inviting them? Because the budget that contained only four members of the Assembly will not be the same as the budget that will contain 27 members. They refused. They gave him ultimatum. Ultimatum means we are waiting for you and you must come and present this within this time. The governor went to honour the ultimatum. They locked the gate against him and yet Tinubu is giving it as an example. And he is calling the governor who said he would obey the decisions of the Court and has obeyed all. And you are still calling him. That means you have a sinister motive to overthrow his government by force and that is exactly what he did, deploying the military which is against the judgement of the Supreme Court. It’s an impeachable offense for a President to go against the judgement of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court is very clear that no money should be spent. It even suspended the allocation. So saying that you will unilaterally make a law to overrule the Supreme Court and give Rivers State money to a Sole administrator who is not even from their State means that you want to use your power which is military power as Commander in chief of the Armed forces …if this is not military dictatorship tell me what it is…so what happened in Rivers State is coup and Nigerians must rise..like what happened in South Korea, Tinubu ought to be removed and ought to be facing trial for treason…”

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Ebonyi 2027: Can Odii Ride the Winds of Change to Turn the Tables?

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BY PETRUS OBI

As the political atmosphere gradually thickens ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ebonyi State, one name continues to dominate discussions within opposition circles: Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii. Having emerged as one of the most formidable opposition figures in the state, Odii appears poised to make another attempt at the governorship. The question many are asking is whether the prevailing political climate, both nationally and locally, could finally provide the conditions needed for him to achieve what eluded him in previous contests.
Across Nigeria, economic hardship has become the defining issue of the moment. Rising inflation, worsening poverty, unemployment, and persistent insecurity have fueled public frustration. Whether fairly or unfairly, many Nigerians associate these challenges with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. If this sentiment remains strong heading into 2027, opposition candidates across the country could benefit from a growing appetite for change.
In the Southeast, that desire for change has increasingly found expression through the political movement associated with Peter Obi. Obi’s political influence appears to remain significant and, by some accounts, continues to grow. He was recently affirmed as the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and subsequently named Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as his running mate, creating what many observers see as one of the most formidable opposition tickets ahead of 2027. The alliance combines Obi’s strong support in the South and among younger voters with Kwankwaso’s political network in parts of Northern Nigeria.
For Odii, the rise of an Obi-led opposition movement could prove politically valuable. In 2023, the “Obi effect” transformed voting patterns across many parts of the Southeast. Should that momentum persist into 2027, opposition candidates at the state level may enjoy increased voter enthusiasm, especially among youths, professionals, and first-time voters seeking an alternative to the political status quo.
Yet national sentiment alone does not win governorship elections in Nigeria. Elections are ultimately fought and won through organization, mobilization, and resources. Here, Odii possesses what many consider his greatest advantage. He is widely regarded as one of the most financially capable politicians in Ebonyi State. In a political environment where campaign logistics, grassroots mobilization, media visibility, and election-day operations require enormous resources, financial capacity remains a critical factor. While money does not guarantee victory, it can significantly enhance a candidate’s ability to compete effectively across all 13 local government areas.
Beyond resources, Odii has built substantial name recognition and a political brand that resonates with many voters. His philanthropic activities over the years have created networks of goodwill that could serve as an important political asset. Unlike a newcomer seeking to introduce himself to the electorate, Odii enters the contest with an established profile and a support base that has remained active despite previous electoral setbacks.
However, the greatest obstacle before him remains the formidable structure of the ruling APC. Incumbency, political networks, grassroots structures, and control of key political machinery continue to give the ruling party a significant advantage. The APC remains deeply entrenched in Ebonyi politics and cannot be dismissed simply because of national dissatisfaction with the federal government.
Nevertheless, recent political developments, including defections from the ruling party to opposition platforms, suggest that the political landscape may not be as settled as it once appeared. If those defections continue and are accompanied by growing public frustration over economic conditions, the opposition could enter 2027 with a stronger platform than many anticipated.
Ultimately, the 2027 Ebonyi governorship election may be shaped by a convergence of factors: economic hardship, the growing appeal of political change, the influence of Peter Obi’s movement, Odii’s financial strength, and the ability of the opposition to build a cohesive statewide structure. If these elements align, Odii could emerge as the strongest challenger the APC has faced in years.
For now, the battle for Ebonyi appears to be evolving into a contest between the power of incumbency and the growing demand for change. In that contest, Odii may believe that the political winds are beginning to blow in his direction. Whether those winds become a storm strong enough to sweep away the ruling establishment remains the defining question of Ebonyi politics as 2027 approaches.

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2027: Ebonyi commissioner resigns, dumps Nwifuru For Odii

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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and the Ebonyi State Commissioner for Project Monitoring, Mr Felix Igboke, has resigned his position and defected to the Peoples Democratic Party.

Igboke, who officially announced his defection on Sunday during a PDP gathering attended by party leaders, executives and supporters in Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of the state, said he defected with more than 10,000 supporters ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He described his return to the PDP as a homecoming, noting that his political journey began with the party.

Igboke said his decision was informed by the need to align with a political platform capable of advancing the interests of the people and promoting inclusive development in the state.

“I am happy to return to the political platform that built me. I served as a councillor, development centre coordinator and chairman of Onicha Local Government Area under the same party before I joined the APC,” he said.

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“I am grateful to the PDP family in Ebonyi State, especially the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Chukwuma-Odii, the incoming governor,” he added.

The state chairman of the PDP, Mr Chukwuma Igwe, who welcomed the defectors, described Igboke’s return to the party as a major boost to its fortunes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Igwe said the PDP had regained its strength across the state and was well-positioned to reclaim power in the next election cycle.According to him, the influx of thousands of supporters into the party demonstrates growing public confidence in the PDP and its leadership.

Also speaking, the PDP candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency seat in 2027, Mr Eni-Uduma Chima, said the party was experiencing rapid growth across Ebonyi.

Chima expressed optimism that the increasing support base would translate into electoral victories for the PDP in future elections.

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He urged party members to remain united and committed to strengthening the party’s structures at the grassroots level.

The event attracted party faithful, community leaders and supporters from various parts of the state, who pledged their continued support for the PDP.

(NAN)

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2027: Enugu East endorses Tinubu, Gov. Mbah for second term 

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…donates N300 million to back Mbah’s re-election

By Chinedu Sabastine

The people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone, Saturday turned out en masse to endorse President Bola Tinubu and Gov. Peter Mbah for a second term in office, come, 2027.

At a rally tagged, “Ofu Obi Mega Solidarity Rally,” held at Okpara Square, Independence Layout, Enugu, the people of the zone not only endorsed Mbah as their sole governorship candidate but also donated the sum of three hundred million Naira, N300 million, to procure nomination form for the governor.

Earlier, elders and traditional rulers from the senatorial district presented Gov. Mbah with a totem, Ofo, as a sign of their support and solidarity.

Prominent sons and daughters attended the rally in their numbers including the former governor of the old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo and the former Senate President Ken Nnamani were among the top citizens of the zone that graced the occasion.

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Speaking, Gov. Mbah, overjoyed with the show of support and solidarity from his people, said that he was overwhelmed.

Mbah noted that at an earlier rally held at Nsukka by the Enugu North Senatorial Zone, the turn out and mobilization was impressive but that of the Enugu was stunning.

“This is massive. I have used this word before but this one is mind blowing. The last time I was at Nsukka, I saw a sea of heads but this one quite stunning,” Mbah declared pointing out that he lacked words to show he delighted he was.

He pointed out that the endorsement of President Tinubu was also highly appreciated and added that the show of solidarity was highly appreciated.

According to Mbah, his people did a similar thing in 2023 and were re-affirming their support again this time around.

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“Four years ago, you presented your son as a governor and today, you are re-affirming the import of that presentation and the import of what you are doing today cannot be lost on us.

“This show of affection and support is beyond symbolicism and my heart is full of gratitude, gratitude because you have always stood firmly like a rock behind me,”he said.

Gov. Mbah said that four years ago, his people did something that defined an era, stressing that what they did has today produced tangible results because today, Enugu has air transports, EnuguAir, a remodeled Hotel Presidential, completed and functional International Conference Centre, ICC, transport terminal as well as CNG buses with Air conditioner and wifi services as well as Green and Smart Schools and Type 2 primary health centres among others.

He said that when he assumed office, he sign a citizens charter to deliver good governance to the people and has been living up to it.

Expressing hope that if returned as a governor, come 2027 he would do more, pointing out that in no distant time, Enugu will begin to experience uninterrupted power supply by launching a 36O mega watts of electricity through a Coal fire powered plant.

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With that he said, citizens of the state will stay in the state to do business instead of moving out to other cities in Nigeria and beyond.

Speaking earlier, former governor, Jim Nwobodo, while endorsing Mbah for a second term in office said that other governors before Mbah did eight years and that it would be good that he too go for a second term in office because he has performed and is performing.

“I didn’t come here for party. Others did eight years and now Mbah will do eight years. He is doing well, let him complete his second term. As far as I am concerned, Peter Mbah will go for a second term.

“I don’t have much to say. I say the truth. Peter Mbah is doing well. It is not only APC that will vote. PDP, ADC and others will vote for Peter Mbah. Allow Peter Mbah to finish what he started,” Nwobodo declared.

On his part, the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani said that Mbah has shown that he has a vision and a mission and should be allowed to continue.

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Nnamani urged those who are itching to compete with governor Mbah to steer clear because one does not rule with anger. “We have only one candidate and that is Gov. Mbah,” he emphasised.

The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the APC, Ben Nwoye, commended political leaders and stakeholders from Enugu East Senatorial District for endorsing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah for second terms in office, describing the move as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to continuity.

He praised the district’s leaders for what he described as a visionary decision aimed at sustaining ongoing development efforts at both the federal and state levels.

“I have seen people like the former governor of old Anambra State; I have also seen the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, and many of the founders and leaders of Enugu State here, all for the endorsement of our dear President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah. I’m quite impressed because your presence shows political maturity,” Nwoye said.

He noted that continuity in leadership would provide the opportunity to consolidate achievements and complete projects already initiated by the two administrations.

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Nwoye particularly lauded Governor Mbah for what he described as remarkable developmental strides across Enugu State, saying the governor had demonstrated commitment to transforming the state through infrastructure, economic and social development programmes.

According to him, Mbah’s performance has earned him support across political and regional divides.
The APC deputy national chairman also highlighted the importance of the governorship zoning arrangement in Enugu State, describing it as a major factor behind the peace and political stability the state has enjoyed since 1999.

Chairman of the Planning/Steering Committee that organised the mega rally, Ofu Obi Mega Rally, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, noted that Gov. Mbah by every ramification has shown the capacity to govern and should be allowed to continue with his good works and urged his people to give the governor their maximum support.

“Today is not just another political gathering. Today is a historic declaration of faith, unity, gratitude, and determination. Today, the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone have risen with one voice, one spirit, and one mission to declare before the entire nation that we stand firmly, proudly, and unshakably behind the re-election of His Excellency, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, come 2027.

“What we are witnessing here today is not an ordinary rally. This is the mother of all rallies. This is the gathering of a people united by progress, inspired by vision, and riven by the extraordinary transformation taking place across Enugu State under the purposeful leadership of Governor Peter Mbah. Our assembly here today offers us a unique opportunity to welcome home, our son in whom we are well pleased.

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“My brothers and sisters, when leadership is visionary, the people rejoice. When leadership is courageous, development becomes visible. And when leadership is committed to the welfare of the people, hope returns to society.

“Governor Peter Mbah came into office with a clear vision to make Enugu State one of the leading economies in Nigeria, to create jobs for our youths, to modernize infrastructure, to secure our communities, to reposition education, healthcare, agriculture, transportation, and technology for the future.

“Today, that vision is no longer a promise; it is becoming a living reality before our very eyes. He came, he saw and he is conquering the development challenges and transforming the socio-political and economic landscape of the capital State of Eastern region. Across our roads, schools, hospitals, communities, and economic sectors, the evidence of transformational leadership is speaking louder than propaganda. The people can see the difference. The youths can feel the energy of a government working for them. Women can see renewed hope. Traders, farmers, civil servants, professionals, and entrepreneurs can testify that Enugu State is moving forward with confidence and speed.

“That is why we are gathered here today to celebrate and to consummate and express a collective resolve to queue and rally round this icon of leadership and enigmatic apostle of disruptive innovation, who is steadily taking us to the lofty heights of growth and stability. We are here today not because anybody forced us, but because gratitude compels us; because conviction unites us; because the future of Enugu State matters to us.

“This rally is a loud message to the entire nation that Enugu East Senatorial Zone and in deed Enugu State, stands solidly behind our son, our leader, our pride, Governor Peter Mbah. We are proud that he comes from our soil, but even more importantly, we are proud of the quality of leadership he has brought to Enugu State.”

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2027: Enugu’s Backing for Tinubu, Mbah Shows Political Maturity — Nwoye

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By Chinedu Sabastine

The Deputy National Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ben Nwoye, has commended political leaders and stakeholders from Enugu East Senatorial District for endorsing President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah for second terms in office.

Nwoye, describing the move as a demonstration of political maturity and commitment to continuity.

Nwoye spoke on Saturday at Okpara Square during a gathering where stakeholders from Enugu East Senatorial District publicly declared support for the re-election of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah.

Addressing the gathering, the APC chieftain praised the district’s leaders for what he described as a visionary decision aimed at sustaining ongoing development efforts at both the federal and state levels.

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“I have seen people like the former governor of old Anambra State; I have also seen the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, and many of the founders and leaders of Enugu State here, all for the endorsement of our dear President Bola Tinubu and Governor Peter Mbah. I’m quite impressed because your presence shows political maturity,” Nwoye said.

He noted that continuity in leadership would provide the opportunity to consolidate achievements and complete projects already initiated by the two administrations.

Nwoye particularly lauded Governor Mbah for what he described as remarkable developmental strides across Enugu State, saying the governor had demonstrated commitment to transforming the state through infrastructure, economic and social development programmes.

According to him, Mbah’s performance has earned him support across political and regional divides.
The APC deputy national chairman also highlighted the importance of the governorship zoning arrangement in Enugu State, describing it as a major factor behind the peace and political stability the state has enjoyed since 1999.

“Rotation among the three senatorial districts has given us peace since 1999. It is good that this event held today, in addition to those of Enugu West and North senatorial zones, so that our people will know where we are going,” he said.

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Nwoye explained that the zoning formula had ensured fairness and equitable distribution of political power among the state’s three senatorial districts, fostering unity and inclusion.

He urged political stakeholders to continue supporting the rotational arrangement, which he said had helped sustain a peaceful political atmosphere in the state.

“The stakeholders should sustain the peaceful political atmosphere in Enugu State brought to us through the zoning of the governorship position,” he added.

The endorsement event attracted political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community representatives and supporters from across Enugu East Senatorial District, many of whom expressed confidence in the leadership of President Tinubu and Governor Mbah.

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Senate: Enugu West Aspirant OAU Onyema Quits NDC, Alleges Manipulation of Party Primaries

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Chief Sir OAU Onyema, a senatorial aspirant for Enugu West in the 2027 elections, has announced his resignation from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), citing alleged lack of transparency, internal manipulation, and attempts by party leaders to impose candidates on the electorate.
Speaking during a media briefing, Onyema accused influential figures within the party of abandoning democratic principles by allegedly sidelining popular aspirants in favour of loyalists and personal associates.
According to him, party leaders have failed to release the results of screening exercises and purported primary elections, raising concerns that the process is being manipulated to favour preferred candidates before names are submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The former aspirant specifically alleged that a prominent political figure from Delta State was working with some NDC leaders to undermine the wishes of the people of Enugu West Senatorial District by promoting a personal aide for the senatorial ticket despite lacking grassroots political support in the district.
Onyema said such moves would be resisted through lawful and democratic means, insisting that the people of Enugu West deserve candidates with established political relevance and local acceptance.
He further claimed that efforts to integrate political structures built around Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, into the NDC were frustrated, resulting in what he described as weak and ineffective party structures at the ward level.
The politician also alleged financial irregularities within the party, including what he termed the undue collection of funds from members, though he did not provide specific evidence during the briefing.
Expressing disappointment with the party’s operations, Onyema declared that the NDC had failed to live up to expectations of transparency, fairness, and sincerity.
He vowed to work towards providing voters in Enugu West with credible alternatives ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of political party affiliation.
“We remain committed to the ideals of justice, fairness, democracy, and the will of the people,” Onyema stated, adding that while he still believes a new Nigeria is possible, he has lost confidence in the NDC and is formally exiting the party.
He maintained that the 2027 elections would be “interesting” and expressed confidence that voters would increasingly focus on the quality of candidates rather than political party platforms.

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