Former Imo State Governors, Chief Achike Udenwa and Chief Emeka Ihedioha, have spearheaded a N219.7 million fundraising drive for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), signaling the party’s growing influence in the state and its ambitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The fundraising took place during an ADC stakeholders’ meeting in Owerri on Tuesday, attended by party leaders and supporters.
According to Udenwa, the funds will be used to support party activities and strengthen grassroots mobilization across Imo State.
He described ADC as the leading opposition party in the state and expressed confidence that the party would challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“We may be the underdogs, but we’ll put the ruling party in their place after the elections. We will uproot the APC,” Udenwa said.
Ihedioha praised Prof. James Okoroma, the state chairman, and his team for their leadership, calling on party faithful to continue supporting ADC.
Okoroma, while speaking, emphasized that the meeting aimed to strategize for future challenges and unify party leaders behind the party’s goals.
“We will remove them from power. It is a generational duty. It will not be easy, but we will do it; it is a constitutional responsibility,” he stated.
The meeting also saw the induction of new members from other parties, including Chief Paul Mbadiwe, son of the late former Minister of Aviation, Kingsley Mbadiwe, as well as several chieftains from the Labour Party.
Their inclusion is expected to broaden ADC’s reach and strengthen its electoral machinery in the state.
Political observers note that the fundraising and high-profile endorsements reflect ADC’s serious intent to challenge APC in the 2027 elections.
The participation of former governors and defectors signals a strategy of coalition-building and grassroots expansion. Analysts caution, however, that while financial resources and new members are important, the party must also maintain unity and present a clear policy agenda to convert support into electoral success.
With the groundwork laid and party ranks strengthened, ADC appears poised to emerge as a formidable contender in Imo State politics over the next election cycle.
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has re-elected Dr. Ahmed Ajuji as its National Chairman, a move party leaders say signals a renewed push to expand the party’s influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Ajuji was returned unopposed through a voice vote at the party’s National Convention held on Saturday in Abuja. Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present to monitor the exercise.
The convention also saw the re-election of Dipo Olayoku as National Secretary, alongside other members of the party’s national leadership, all of whom emerged unopposed and were later affirmed by delegates.
Speaking after his re-election, Ajuji thanked party members for the confidence reposed in the leadership and pledged that the NNPP would intensify efforts to strengthen its structures nationwide.
He said the new leadership accepted the responsibility of steering the affairs of the party over the next four years, describing the moment as critical to the NNPP’s future.
“Our task is clear. We must work harder, remain united and position this party to win the trust of Nigerians ahead of 2027,” Ajuji said.
He urged national officers to treat their re-election as a call to service and to uphold the oath of office administered to them.
“Our Flag Must Fly Higher” — Ajuji
Earlier in his welcome address, Ajuji called on NNPP members across the country to remain hopeful and committed to the party’s vision of a united and prosperous Nigeria.
He said the NNPP was determined to build a strong, progressive and inclusive nation, stressing that the party had been repositioned to play a leading role in Nigeria’s democratic process.
“Our flag must fly higher across all parts of Nigeria. Nigerians want reassurance that a better country is possible, and NNPP is ready to provide that hope,” he said.
According to him, the party’s restructuring and internal reforms have strengthened its readiness to compete nationally.
“All eyes are on NNPP to show the way forward for sustainable democracy and development. Nigerians deserve a fresh start and a new deal,” Ajuji added.
Kwankwaso, Abba Yusuf Back New Leadership
The National Leader of the NNPP and former Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, congratulated the re-elected national executives and urged them to remain disciplined and loyal to the party.
Kwankwaso said the performance of the NNPP-led government in Kano State offered a clear picture of what Nigerians could expect if the party is elected into power in 2027.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, described the convention as a defining moment for the party, saying it reflected the NNPP’s growing national relevance.
He urged the new leaders to promote unity, fairness and inclusivity within the party.
“Let this convention mark a new beginning where no one is left behind,” Yusuf said.
NNPP Dismisses Rumours of Internal Crisis
Chairman of the National Convention Planning Committee, Bala Mohammed, said the NNPP had recorded notable achievements in the past four years, strengthening its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.
He explained that the convention was held to ratify key decisions of the National Executive Committee and formally elect national officers.
“This gathering is also about reinforcing the unity and brotherhood that define us as a political family,” Mohammed said.
The party’s National Adviser, Magaji Ibrahim, dismissed claims of division within the NNPP, insisting the party remained united under Kwankwaso’s leadership.
“I can assure Nigerians that nothing will divide this party. We are solid and focused as we move toward 2027,” Ibrahim said.
A major highlight of the convention was the ratification of the suspension of Article 37(1) of the NNPP Constitution (2024 as amended).
In a move many described as politically motivated, the Rivers State House of Assembly has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office.
The endorsement, announced on Wednesday, was presented as a vote of confidence in appreciation of what the lawmakers called the “numerous Federal Government projects and interventions” in the state under Tinubu’s leadership.
The motion, signed by 26 members and read by the House Leader, Mr. Major Jack (Akuku-Toru), claimed that Tinubu’s administration had demonstrated commitment to peace, stability, and development.
In a controversial justification, the legislators cited Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency and the temporary suspension of the state legislature, moves widely criticized by Nigerians and international observers, as evidence of his “fatherly role” in restoring order.
Speaker of the House, Mr. Martin Amaewhule (Obio/Akpor I), praised the president as a “compassionate father” working to reposition the nation for growth.
He also lauded the appointment of Rivers indigenes into key federal positions, saying it reflected Tinubu’s inclusiveness and strengthened the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.
The lawmakers further pledged loyalty to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and promised to mobilize grassroots support for Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Abuja – The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has warned that women’s underrepresentation is weakening the country’s legislature and slowing national development.
At the 2025 FIDA Law Week, Mrs. Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, FIDA Abuja Chairperson, said women occupy just 3.62% of federal legislative seats, calling this “alarming and unacceptable.” She urged the adoption of reserved seats for women, describing it as a structural correction, not a handout.
“Excluding women is not tradition; it is a choice. A legislature without women is like a choir missing half its voices,” Onyenucheya-Uko said.
Mrs. Wendy Kuku (SAN), Chair of the Law Week Committee, added that countries like Rwanda, Chile, and New Zealand show that women’s leadership strengthens democracies and accelerates development.
FIDA is calling on political actors, civil society, and male allies to push for meaningful reforms that make women’s voices ordinary, not exceptional, in Nigeria’s Legislature.
Lokoja, Kogi State – Former Kogi Governor Alhaji Idris Wada, along with several prominent politicians, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move Vice President Kashim Shettima described as a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national unity and inclusivity.
“This Is Not a Victory of One Ego Over Another”
Speaking in Lokoja during the formal reception, Shettima said:
“This is not a victory of one ego over another. What we are witnessing is an alignment with a broader national vision and a platform of stability.”
He described the APC as a political home where progressives converge to build a renewed Nigeria and urged new members to use the party as a platform for service and development, especially in Kogi State.
“We shall deepen peace in Kogi. We shall expand development. We shall uphold the promise of a renewed Nigeria,” Shettima added.
A “Triumph of Reason”
Shettima hailed the defections as a “triumph of reason” and commended President Tinubu for attracting credible leaders from across the country. Drawing a symbolic connection between Lokoja—the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers—and political unity, he emphasized the movement as a step toward stability and national alignment.
The Vice President also praised Governor Usman Ododo for providing continuity and people-driven governance, and former Governor Yahaya Bello for a dignified democratic transition, calling the cooperation between the two leaders a “reassuring national example of political maturity.”
Governor Ododo Welcomes New Members
Governor Ododo described the defectors as “men of value, character, and integrity,” and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their support.
“We are here to receive the decampees into the progressives’ family and to express our appreciation to our leaders who have laid the foundation for continued good governance,” Ododo said.
APC National Chairman: “Rescue from a Sinking PDP”
APC National Chairman Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda framed the defections as a lifeline for those disillusioned with the opposition.
“We are here to provide a platform for those stranded in the sinking ship called PDP. I welcome you to the family of progressives. You have taken a wise choice in your political life,” he said.
Wada Cites Tinubu’s Performance as Motivation
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Wada highlighted the APC’s achievements in infrastructure, economic reforms, and social investment as key reasons for joining.
“APC is leading Nigeria in the right direction. Fuel prices are dropping, the exchange rate has stabilized, and the naira is appreciating,” he said.
Notable Attendees
The reception drew several high-profile dignitaries, including:
Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu
Former Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu
Senator Smart Adeyemi
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu
When a people are denied leadership for nearly five decades, anger stops being noise — it becomes history knocking for fairness.
By Dahiru Ali
“Obla didn’t curse Benue — he challenged it to grow up.”
When Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, sat before the camera and poured out his heart, it wasn’t the rant of a bitter man. It was the lament of someone who has carried the weight of silence for too long.
His viral video — where he decried the systematic exclusion of the Idoma people from leadership in Benue State — was less a provocation and more a cry for justice.
But, in a familiar twist, that cry was met with accusation.
Majagara Bem Ugoh, convener of the Takuluku Anyam Azenga Advocacy Organization (TAAOR), released an open letter titled “An Advisory to Chief Godwin Obla, SAN, on His Hate Speech and Venomous Diatribe Against the Tiv People.” In it, Ugoh accused Obla of divisive rhetoric and claimed that Tiv political dominance was simply “democratic reality” — a function of population and voter choice.
It was a tidy rebuttal. But tidy arguments don’t erase truth.
Democracy Without Fairness Is Just Numbers
Ugoh’s defence leans heavily on demographics. Yes, the Tiv are the majority. But democracy is not only about numbers; it is also about justice.
When one group wins power every time for nearly half a century, something is fundamentally wrong with the system — not with the minority that dares to question it.
Since 1976, Benue has had six governors. Every one of them Tiv. Not a single Idoma or Igede person has held the state’s top office. That’s not coincidence. That’s a pattern.
And so, when Obla says the Idoma are marginalised, he’s not stirring trouble — he’s stating a fact.
The Cry Behind the Accusation
Let’s be honest: Obla’s words were passionate, even fiery. But anyone listening beyond the tone would hear a wounded truth — the frustration of a people who have contributed, cooperated, and compromised for decades, yet remain perpetually sidelined.
Those quick to brand him a tribalist forget that political inequality, when left unaddressed, breeds the very division they fear. The Idoma are not asking to replace the Tiv. They are asking to be recognised as full citizens of Benue — not guests in their own home.
“Obla’s emotion was not hatred. It was heartbreak.”
Ugoh’s Letter and the Comfort of Power
In his open letter, Ugoh pointed to Idoma figures who have held positions such as Chief Judge, SSG, and Commissioner. Fair enough. But inclusion isn’t about a few appointments — it’s about access to the centre of decision-making.
Tokenism cannot replace equality. Giving someone a seat at the table does not mean they are allowed to speak.
Ugoh’s appeal to “peace” and “mutual respect” sounds noble, but peace without fairness is merely quiet oppression. Asking the Idoma to be calm while every meaningful position remains out of reach is not unity — it’s control disguised as harmony.
Benue’s Peace Is Built on Idoma Patience
Benue loves to describe itself as peaceful and united. But that so-called peace is fragile because it relies on the patience of the excluded.
Every time an Idoma leader speaks up, they’re told to tone it down — to protect “unity.” But unity without justice is simply a truce.
What Obla did, uncomfortable as it was, is to call the bluff. He reminded Benue that a state cannot move forward when one group is perpetually leading and the other perpetually waiting.
“Ugoh’s camp calls for calm; Obla calls for correction.” The first preserves comfort; the second invites change.
The Truth in the Mirror
Chief Obla did not attack the Tiv — he attacked inequality. And for that, he deserves engagement, not condemnation. His message was not “we against them.” It was “we deserve better.”
Benue needs to hear that message without fear. The state’s progress depends on honesty — the kind that forces us to confront the imbalance we’ve normalised for decades.
Ugoh’s eloquent letter may have satisfied political correctness, but it didn’t answer the core question: When will Benue be led by all its people, not just some of them?
Obla’s Cry Is Not a Curse
Chief Obla’s words may have been raw, but they were real. He spoke the truth that polite politics has long buried under courtesy and compromise. His message wasn’t about division; it was about dignity.
Benue’s future will not be decided by who shouts the loudest, but by who listens longest. And if those in power truly believe in unity, they must start by sharing it.
Obla didn’t curse Benue — he challenged it to grow up.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has issued a stern warning against vote-buying ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the warning on Tuesday during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) held to review preparedness for the upcoming polls.
Amupitan reaffirmed his commitment to conducting free, fair, and credible elections that genuinely reflect the will of the people, noting that the Commission had completed a week-long readiness assessment across Anambra State.
“Our mandate is to conduct credible elections, and we are determined that no eligible voter should be disenfranchised,” he stated.
He, however, disclosed that INEC encountered network issues during a recent Mock Accreditation Exercise conducted in 12 polling units across six Local Government Areas using the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).
He assured that necessary steps are being taken to ensure a seamless voting process on election day.
Providing further updates, the INEC Chairman said results of the election would be collated at 326 ward centres, 21 local government centres, and finally at the State Collation Centre in Awka.
Following a report that only 63.9 percent of registered voters had collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), Amupitan announced an extension of PVC collection in Anambra State.
The exercise, he said, will continue from Wednesday, October 29, to Sunday, November 2, 2025, to allow more voters to obtain their cards.
“Our mission remains ensuring that every logistical, security, and operational element required for the Anambra election is perfectly in place,” Amupitan added.
He also emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies, describing it as “non-negotiable” in the effort to safeguard the integrity of the polls.
The Commission, according to him, has concluded arrangements with transport unions, including the National Association of Transport Owners (NATO), the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Maritime Union Workers of Nigeria (MUWN), hiring 200 buses and 83 boats for the smooth movement of electoral materials and personnel.
The INEC boss warned political actors and stakeholders against any form of inducement or vote trading, stressing that security agencies must ensure a zero-tolerance environment for vote buyers.
“We must join hands to combat the menace of vote buying.
Security agents cannot afford to create an environment that allows vote buyers to operate during the Anambra election.
Together, let us uphold the values of democracy and work relentlessly for the credibility of our elections,” Amupitan said.
Describes the agitation by some members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the adoption of Sen. Tanimu Turaki as the consensus candidate for the party’s national chairman as normal in politics
The Zamfara state governor, Dauda Lawal has challenged members of the party who are opposed to the emergence of Tanimu Turaki as consensus candidate for the Chairmanship of the party to join the race.
Tanimu Turaki
Lawal, who is the Chairman of the Convention Special Duties Sub-Committee, stated this in an interview with newsmen after the sub-committee’s inaugural meeting at the PDP headquarters in Abuja on Friday.
The PDP Northern Stakeholders had, on Wednesday, endorsed Turaki, a former Minister of Special Duties, as their consensus candidate for the party’s Nov. 15 national convention in Ibadan.
Lawal, while stating that consensus was allowed in PDP’s constitution, however advised anyone not comfortable with it to test his popularity at the national convention.
“No matter what we do, some people will still be aggrieved. Even if we bring you, some people will say ‘No’, you have an issue. It is normal. It is part of politics.
“What we are doing is to try and bring everybody together in the interest of this party.
“It is an ongoing process and I can assure that things will be okay. But it is normal to have agitations.
“You can see, we have gone through a lot in the past and now, things are getting better day by day. I am very sure, very optimistic, that we will bounce back. In fact, we are already bouncing back.
“In the constitution of our party, there is a provision for consensus. So there is nothing new. It is okay; it is normal. It is part of our constitution in PDP,” he said.
Lawal, however, urged all the sub-committees to accord the committee the needed cooperation and respect for the success of the convention.
“To the members of special duties committee, the trust reposed in you is immense. You are the architects of our convention’s solvency and the guidance of its operational integrity. I have every confidence that you will rise to this challenge with distinction,” he said.
Speaking earlier during the accreditation sub-committee’s inaugural meeting at the Legacy House in Abuja, Lawal said that the party was working internally to bring everyone on board for a successful convention.
“Well, I don’t think that should be something we should be concerned about, because in politics, it’s about give and take. No matter who is selected, there will always be agitation from the other members.
“So it’s normal, It is something that is internal. And we are working on making sure everybody is on board so that we can have a very, very successful conference,” he said.
Lawal, who also chaired the accreditation sub-committee meeting, acknowledged the current political climate, urging members of the party and stakeholders to embrace unity and genuine reconciliation.
Addressing concerns over the defection of some governors from the party, Lawal said PDP remained unshaken.
“The only thing that is constant and permanent is change.
“In 2015, when PDP had over 29 to 30 governors, what happened at the end of the day? I’m sure you’ll be the judge. So as I said, no shaking, no alarm.
“Our great party is a family, and like any family, we may have disagreements, but the overall interest of this collective family must supersede individual ambitions,” he said.
The governor called on PDP leaders to provide unbiased and selfless service to consensus-building and a truly all-inclusive convention.
“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. We must stand together; we must work together; we must heal together,” he stated.
Lawal also tasked members of the accreditation committee to uphold integrity, fairness and transparency as the ‘gatekeepers of the convention’.
He implored them to give the assignment the ‘total dedication and selfless commitment it demands’.
“The work you are about to undertake is the very foundation upon which a credible, transparent and successful convention will be built,” he said.
Lawal described the committee’s mandate as both a honour and a very heavy burden, with clear responsibilities including provision of delegate tags and ensuring the welfare and accreditation of all participants, from dedicated delegates and observers to the Board of Trustees.
“This is not merely an administrative task; it is a sacred trust. You are the gatekeepers of our convention’s integrity,” he said.
On the logistics, the governor assured that arrangements were in place for the transportation and accommodation of all delegates.
“The whole essence of this committee is to work on the logistics. There will be no major issue,” he assured.
The All Progressives Congress (APC), reputed for street protests and demonstrations, has taken a swipe at organisers of the #FreeNnamdiKanuProtest.
Mr Seye Oladejo, APC Spokesperson in Lagos, Monday in Lagos condemned nationwide street agitations being staged in parts of the country, especially across the South East and Abuja, the Nigerian capital.
In a signed statement, Mr. Oladejo said that the party condemns, in the strongest terms what he calls “the orchestrated tension and politically motivated street agitations.”
According to him, the party finds it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are the ones endorsing and sponsoring the protests.
He said that the alleged the involvement of opposition leaders revealed what could only be described “as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau”.
He said that the protest was a deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism.
“While freedom of expression and peaceful assembly are sacrosanct in any democracy, what we are witnessing is far from a legitimate call for justice.
“It is a dangerous display of reckless politics, carefully scripted by desperate opposition figures who see chaos as their last political weapon.
“This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration.
“It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics – an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance,” Oladejo said.
He described as shocking the insensitivity of the protest organisers and their sponsors.
Oladejo lamented that the protesters were embarking on a protest at a time when the South East was still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home orders.
He said that with all consequences of violent agitation, the protesters had chosen to mock the memories of the victims.
“They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans, and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence.
“Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent,” the APC chieftain said.
According to him, for years, ordinary citizens in the South East have lived in fear.
He said that traders were afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity.
Oladejo said: “Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.
“Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts.
“Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent, and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation.”
He called on security agencies to remain vigilant, urging all patriotic Nigerians, especially leaders of thought in the South East, to reject the antics of those who traffic in bitterness.
“Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we must not allow political desperation to tear it apart.
“There must indeed be a limit to bitter politics,” he added.
Media reports indicate that there have been several appeals to President Bola Tinubu to grant clemency to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) now holds a two-third majority in the Senate, following the defection of Senator Kelvin Chukwu of the Labour Party (LP) to the APC.
Senator Chukwu represents Enugu East Senatorial District.
With Senator Chukwu’s defection on Wednesday, the APC’s strength in the Senate rose to 73 members.
The latest development further reduces the number of opposition lawmakers, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now having 28 senators; Labour Party, 4; All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), 2; and both the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) holding one seat each.
In a letter addressed to the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and read during plenary, Senator Chukwu attributed his defection to internal crises within the Labour Party at both the state and national levels.
“I write to formally, effective immediately, resign from the Labour Party. Recent developments in the Labour Party at both the state and national levels have made it difficult for me to represent my constituents under its banner,” the letter read in part.
The Enugu lawmaker explained that his decision followed extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates, and stakeholders across different levels in Enugu State.
“After careful reflections, I am convinced that the APC, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, provides a more inclusive platform for the nation.
I remain committed to serving the people of Enugu East and hereby join the Progressives family in the 10th Senate,” he stated.
Senator Chukwu further noted that his move to the APC was driven by the desire to better serve his constituents and contribute more meaningfully to national development.
“This decision reflects my commitment to aligning with a platform that works. I believe I can represent the collective interests of my people better,” he said.
He also claimed that his defection would enable him to deliver greater dividends of democracy to his district and Nigerians at large.
“I will meet the aspirations of the good people of Enugu East Senatorial District and Nigerians at large,” he pledged.
