₦airaland Forum

The Ezza Nation in Ebonyi State has reaffirmed its support for Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and other candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The declaration was made at the Inyaba Development Centre during a sensitisation exercise organised by the Ezza Progressive Initiative to mobilise members of the clan throughout the state, ahead of the 2027 general elections.The organisers said the exercise was aimed at communicating the political position of Ezza elders, traditional rulers, youths and women leaders to communities across Ezza land.

Speaking at the event, the coordinator of the Inyaba North Development Centre, Hon. Peter Moses, welcomed the delegation and declared that the centre had resolved to support the APC. He said the large turnout was evidence of the community's commitment, adding that the centre would work for victory for the party in 2027.

Asked whether the gathering amounted to an endorsement, Moses replied that it was "an APC endorsement", saying the community had resolved to support the President, governor, senators, members of the House of Representatives and House of Assembly on the APC platform.

The Deputy Chairman of the APC in Ebonyi State and leader of the Ezza Progressive Initiative, Hon. Chinedu Alphonsus Nwali. said the decision to support Governor Nwifuru was based on what he described as the governor's developmental interventions and appointments of Ezza indigenes into government positions. He cited improved road access to communities and the peace in the state as reasons for the group's position.

He also linked the political decision to the informal zoning arrangement in Ebonyi State, arguing that successive governors had served for eight years in different senatorial zones. According to him, supporting Nwifuru's second term would preserve the existing political understanding and, in the group's view, position Ezza for the governorship in 2031.

Another Ezza leader, Chief Lazarus Nweru Ogbee, urged Ezza communities across the state to support the APC, describing the move as "connecting us back to the national grid" politically. He said Governor Nwifuru had granted autonomy to some communities, restored peace and appointed Ezza people to prominent positions despite the voting pattern in the 2023 election.

Ogbee also called for support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates, including Senator Kenneth Chukwuemeka Eze and candidates for the House of Representatives and House of Assembly. He said supporting the APC would also, in his view, strengthen the political interests of the Ezza people.

The Commissioner for Water Resources, Chukwu Victor Uzoma, said the mobilisation was intended to promote what he described as "pragmatic politicking" and strategic engagement ahead of 2027. He urged Ezza people to reciprocate what he called the governor's support and development efforts by voting for him and other APC candidates.

Uzoma also dismissed suggestions that internal political differences involving some Ezza politicians could undermine the mobilisation. He said the issue was bigger than individual relationships, arguing that the focus should be on the collective interests, welfare and progress of Ezza people.

The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Local Government Pensions Board, Comrade Emeka Nwonu, said the Ezza clan's elders, traditional rulers, political office holders and other leaders had agreed that the clan would support APC candidates across the ballot in 2027. He said the sensitisation campaign would continue in other Ezza communities.

Ogodo-Ali Nome, former chairman of Ezza North local government, said the community had already resolved to support the APC, citing the need for Ezza people to gain greater representation in government. Uchenna Otu, an economist and lawyer, similarly called for a united political voice, saying the mobilisation was intended to remind Ezza communities of what the organisers described as the governor's achievements.

The gathering ended with repeated calls for Ezza voters to support the APC from the presidential election down to state-level contests. The organisers said the mobilisation would continue across Ezza communities as part of their campaign to consolidate support for Governor Nwifuru and the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The senator representing Ebonyi South Senatorial District, Professor Anthony Ani, has attributed his limited performance in the National Assembly to what he described as his ongoing effort to “find his feet” in the Senate.

Ani made the remarks during a town hall meeting with stakeholders and constituents in Ebonyi South, as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The senator, who described himself as “a common teacher” and a professor who ventured into politics by chance, acknowledged that his constituents expect more from him, but appealed for time and another opportunity to serve.

«“I’m just a common professor, a teacher. I’m still trying to find my feet at the Senate. If I return back, I will do more for my people,” Ani said.»

His comments have placed his first two years in office under renewed scrutiny, particularly as constituents begin to assess the performance of their representatives ahead of the next electoral cycle.

For many observers, the senator’s admission raises a fundamental question about representation: how much time should an elected lawmaker require to adjust to the demands of office before constituents begin to demand measurable results?

Ebonyi South has historically been regarded as a constituency that produces politically influential figures capable of commanding attention at both the state and national levels. Against that backdrop, Ani’s statement that he is still “trying to find his feet” is likely to generate debate among constituents as the 2027 contest draws closer.

With the election season approaching, attention is expected to shift increasingly toward the records, promises and priorities of those seeking to represent the district.

For Senator Ani, the message is clear: he is asking the people of Ebonyi South for another opportunity, insisting that a return to the Senate would give him the chance to deliver more for his constituents.

«“If I return back, I will do more to my people,” he reiterated.»

The coming months are therefore likely to bring sharper scrutiny of the senator’s legislative record, constituency interventions and engagement with the people he represents.

Ultimately, the 2027 election will provide the electorate with an opportunity to assess the competing records and promises of candidates seeking the Ebonyi South senatorial seat.

The Ebonyi governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ifeanyi-Chukwuma Odii, has promised free education, affordable healthcare, agricultural transformation and industrialisation if elected governor in 2027.

Odii, popularly known as "AnyinChuks" made the pledge at a pre-campaign council and strategic stakeholders’ meeting to its campaign in Ebonyi.

The PDP Candidate represented by the Party's Publicity Secretary, Mr Darlington Onwe said his campaign would be strictly issue-based and devoid of hate, intimidation and violence.

He said his blueprint, “A Promise of Possibility,” was aimed at transforming Ebonyi into an industrialised, innovation-driven and investment-ready economy.

Odii promised free and compulsory education from primary to secondary school and free tertiary education for Ebonyians studying medicine, specialised sciences and critical technology fields.

He also pledged to transform agriculture from subsistence farming to agribusiness through farmer income stabilisation schemes, social safety nets, agro-processing plants and an Agro-Industrial Park for major crops.

On healthcare, he promised to expand affordable services across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to reduce the financial burden of illness on families.

The PDP candidate said his administration would also leverage the state’s solid mineral resources and digital and creative economies, while introducing merit-based recruitment, transparent financial management and performance-based governance.

Odii further announced plans to empower 20 persons in each ward across the state as part of preparations for the campaign, with additional empowerment planned at polling-unit level.

He said the state-level campaign launch would be followed by campaigns at the local government and ward levels.

“We are driven by service to humanity. Together, we will rescue Ebonyi State, restore our shared prosperity, and leave no one behind,” Odii said.

TELLS RULING CLASS "NO BLOOD IS WORTH YOUR AMBITION" — AS ANYI G'EMEYA AMBASSADORS ROLLS OUT 3420 WARD-LEVEL EMPOWERMENT

Abakaliki — Ebonyi State

Something shifted in Ebonyi politics today, and if you weren't watching, you missed the opening bell of what could be the most consequential governorship race the state has seen in a decade. With the campaign embargo officially lifted, PDP governorship candidate Amb. Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii stood before a Pre-Campaign Council and Strategic Stakeholders Meeting and did something rare in Nigerian politics: he named the game before playing it.

No vague promises. No recycled slogans. Odii walked in with the Anyi G'Emeya Movement's full weight behind him — elders, women leaders, youth structures, and the grassroots foot soldiers who actually move votes — and delivered a message calibrated to hit two audiences at once: the ordinary Ebonyian tired of excuses, and the political establishment he's coming for.

The line that will define this campaign season dropped early: no leadership ambition, he said, is worth the life or blood of any citizen, and any leader who sponsors violence against people over their choice of party has already failed the basic test of leadership. That is not campaign filler. That is a direct, calculated accusation aimed squarely at the culture of intimidation many Ebonyians associate with the current administration, and Odii knows exactly how it will be read on the streets of Abakaliki, Ezza, Ohaukwu, and beyond.

Then came the part that should genuinely alarm Government House. Odii accused the ruling class of weaponizing hunger and poverty as a tool of state control, deliberately starving opportunity so that desperate youths become recruits for thuggery rather than architects of their own future. It's a serious charge, and it reframes the entire poverty conversation in Ebonyi: not as a failure of resources, but as an alleged strategy of control. Whether or not you buy the framing, it's the kind of language that forces a response, and campaigns that force a response are campaigns that control the news cycle.

But Odii didn't stop at diagnosis. He came with a prescription, and it's detailed enough to sound less like a stump speech and more like a governance manual. Free and compulsory education from primary through secondary school. Free tertiary education for every Ebonyian studying medicine, specialized science, and critical technology. A Farmer Income Stabilization and Social Safety-Net Scheme built to protect farmers from flood, price collapse, and bad seasons that currently wipe out entire households overnight. An Agro-Industrial Park to process rice, cassava, and yam inside Ebonyi State, so the value and the jobs stay home instead of leaking out to neighbouring states. Equitable healthcare across all Local Government Areas, so no family is one illness away from poverty. Merit-based recruitment and transparent public financial management, positioned as a direct rebuke of a system he clearly believes runs on connections rather than competence.

All of it, Odii insists, is not improvised. It is drawn from the movement's own blueprint, "A Promise of Possibility," a document built around a vision to make Ebonyi State a globally competitive, industrialized, innovation-led, investment-ready economy, one that finally monetizes the salt lakes of Okposi and Uburu, its limestone and crushed-stone deposits, and a workforce that has never lacked industry, only opportunity.

Here's the outstanding dimension nobody's talking about enough: this wasn't just a speech, it was a mobilization order. Odii announced the empowerment of 20 persons per ward across the state, with a second wave targeted at the polling-unit level, and ward leaders already directed on the procedure for selecting beneficiaries. That is not campaign theatre. That is grassroots infrastructure being wired at the exact micro-level where governorship elections in the South-East are actually won and lost, weeks before a single formal rally has happened. If the execution matches the announcement, this is a machine being built quietly while rivals are still drafting press releases.

And then, the line built for T-shirts and trending hashtags: "Let us RETHINK together, and REIMAGINE a NEW Ebonyi State that works for everyone." Short. Rhythmic. Built to be chanted at a rally and screenshotted on a timeline. Say what you want about the substance, but somebody in that campaign understands modern political messaging.

So here's the question every serious Ebonyi watcher should be asking tonight: is this the sound of a credible alternative finally getting its structure right, or just another well-funded manifesto dressed up in urgency? Either way, the embargo is lifted, the gloves are off, and Ebonyi's 2027 race has officially left the theory stage. Drop your takes below — this thread is just getting started.

Breaking:


The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, on Tuesday dismissed a pre-election suit challenging the emergence of former Minister of State for Health, Joseph Ekumankama, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election.

The suit, filed by Idu Igariwey, who contested the APC primary election, sought to invalidate Ekumankama’s victory and compel the party to recognise him as its duly nominated candidate for the constituency.

The Nations News reports that the case was instituted against the APC, Ekumankama and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as defendants.Delivering judgment, the presiding judge, Justice Hilary Ide Oshomah, found no merit in the plaintiff’s case and accordingly dismissed the suit.

Igariwey had prayed the court to restrain the APC and Ekumankama from presenting, sponsoring or recognising the former minister as the party’s candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency in the 2027 election.

He also sought an order directing the APC to recognise and publish him as its duly nominated candidate and compelling INEC to accept him as the party’s candidate in accordance with the Electoral Act, 2026.

However, the court rejected the claims, effectively upholding Ekumankama’s emergence from the APC primary election.

Reacting to the judgment shortly after the proceedings, counsel to Ekumankama, Bar. Roy O. Umahi Nwaeze, SAN, described the ruling as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.

Nwaeze said the judgment demonstrated the competence and fairness of the judiciary in ensuring that justice prevailed, adding that the decision had further strengthened confidence in the democratic process.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of counsel to the plaintiff, Nnaemeka Victor Nwonu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The women in Ebonyi state Southeast Nigeria have Mobilized to give support to All Progressives Congress APC in Ebonyi state ahead 2027 general election.

The Mobilisation came as the result of the policies of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru towards Ebonyi women which has enable them to have sense of belonging in the present Government.

The Special Assistant to Governor on Women Mobilisation, Chief Mrs Rita Iye Nwite disclosed this while addressing Journalists in Abakaliki the state capital

Nwite said the the women are very happy with this Present Government because of Inclusiveness of women in major political offices.

"Today in Ebonyi State, the Secretary to the State Government is a woman, the Head of Service is a woman, good numbers of women are Commissioners and Special Assistants of which I am one of them, if you come to boards and commissions, good number of women are heading there as well". Nwite said.

WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN POLITICS

The Special Assistant further said Ebonyi women have the highest Grassroot Mobilisation when it comes to politics across Nigeria.

POLITICAL INCLUSIVITY AND GRASSROOTS NETWORK

Nwite said she is to Organize Structured Mobilisation System.

"This is to establish a seamless link connecting state level down to senatorial districts, local government areas (LGAs), wards, and polling units"

"Engagement With Market Women Associations & Civil Society Groups: This idea is to partner actively with market women associations, cooperative societies, faith-based women organizations, and youth women networks to ensure no demography is left behind"

"Capacity Building: Facilitation of civic education, leadership workshops, and voter participation drives specifically targeted at women to amplify their political voice and representation in governance". She added.

The Governor's Aide said she is to Facilitate Access to Financial Resources, to Work alongside relevant ministries and agencies to connect women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with state soft loans, grants, and agricultural input"

"Vocational & Technical Skills Training: This drive is targeted at skill-acquisition programs in digital literacy, modern agriculture, artisan trades, and business management to foster financial independence.

"Encourage and assist grassroots women to register and scale cooperative societies, enabling collective bargaining power and direct access to state intervention funds.

HEALTH

She is to Champion Women's Health & Social Safety.

"Advocate for state-wide programs addressing maternal and child healthcare, access to micro-health insurance, and immediate relief packages for vulnerable women and widows (my constituency)"

"To act as a two-way feedback channel—relaying the governor's key achievements and policies directly to women while bringing authentic grassroots women's concerns back to the governor's office.

"Protect Rights & Safety: My intention is to collaborate with local law enforcement agencies, the Ministry of Justice, and social welfare departments to promote protection against gender-based violence (GBV) and safeguard vulnerable women across communities.

She promised to ensure every initiative is measurable, inclusive across all LGAs, and tied back to the governor's broader development agenda.

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The House of Representatives candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency, under the platform of Democratic Leadership Alliance (DLA) Evangelist Godwin Aliuna, has withdrawn from the race, citing the need to promote peace, progress and development in Ebonyi State.

Aliuna, who announced his decision after extensive consultations with his constituents, political associates and prominent stakeholders across the state, said the broader interest of Ebonyians must take precedence over individual political ambition.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the politician said the decision was not an easy one, given his commitment to the people of Ebonyi/Ohaukwu and his desire to provide purposeful, effective and people-oriented representation at the National Assembly.

He said his decision followed a careful assessment of the prevailing political circumstances in the state and the views and expectations expressed by constituents and stakeholders during the consultations.

Aliuna, however, stressed that his withdrawal from the 2027 contest would not diminish his commitment to the people, noting that his political aspiration had always been driven by the desire to contribute to the development of the constituency through effective representation, legislation, empowerment and strategic interventions.

According to him, his development agenda for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu includes massive investment in infrastructure, particularly roads and rural connectivity, as well as provision of potable water through boreholes and other projects capable of improving the quality of life of residents.


The DLA candidate expressed concern over poverty, unemployment and economic hardship confronting families in the constituency, stressing that the challenges required urgent, innovative and sustainable interventions from all levels of government.

He said young people must be equipped with relevant skills and provided opportunities to secure meaningful employment, establish businesses and become productive contributors to the economic growth of Ebonyi State.

Although he expressed confidence that the DLA and its support base were capable of winning the 2027 election, Aliuna said he had chosen to step aside “for the sake of peace” and in recognition of the peace-building efforts of Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.

He said political contests should not become sources of division, bitterness or instability, insisting that the collective interest of Ebonyians should remain greater than individual political ambitions.

Consequently, Aliuna announced that he would mobilize his loyalists, supporters and people of Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency to support Nwifuru in the 2027 governorship election, saying the governor had demonstrated commitment to the interests of the people.

He appealed to his supporters who might feel disappointed by the decision to remain calm, patient and hopeful, assuring them that his political journey was not over.

Rather, Aliuna said he would use the period to regroup, strengthen his political structures and deepen engagement with the people ahead of the 2031 general election, when he intends to return to the political contest with renewed determination.

He also urged Nwifuru to remain focused on delivering greater dividends of democracy, particularly in the areas of employment, infrastructure, education, healthcare, agricultural transformation and empowerment.

Aliuna further appealed to the governor to prioritize competence, accountability and performance, warning against non-performing or incompetent aides, associates or relatives whose actions, he said, could undermine the administration's achievements or create a disconnect between the government and the people.

The politician thanked his constituents, supporters, political associates and stakeholders who supported his aspiration, assuring them that their sacrifices and confidence would remain appreciated.

He called on Ebonyians to remain peaceful, united and hopeful, stressing that his decision was taken in the interest of peace and the greater good of the state.

“Our journey continues, and with God Almighty, the future will provide us with an even greater opportunity to serve,” Aliuna said.

Ojiji Izhi:

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The Governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has described the Ojiji Izhi which is one of the apex cultural activities in the history of Izzi Nnodo as a symbol of peace, Unity and harmony Among the people.

Nwifuru said it's also the time you showcase and assess your hard work for the year as a father and as a youth in Izzi land.

The Governor used the opportunity to commend the people of Amagu, the ancestral home of the Izzi who have upheld the culture of the land including not selling their land which is one of the heritages of their great ancestors.

He called on the good people of the land, particularly the Youths to remain in resolute and decent in all they do as there is reward for all work done at the end.

He warned all the people who are writing falsehood in internet against his Government to stop it, as it will no longer be tolerated.

Our Correspondent gathered that at Amegu, the ancestral home of the Izzi Nnodo people in Ebonyi State, the atmosphere was one of colour, tradition and communal pride as sons and daughters of the Izzi clan gathered to celebrate the grand finale of the annual New Yam Festival ( Ojiji Izzi) .

The Senator Representing Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone, Onyekachi Peter Nwebonyi expressed joy over the massive turnout of people from different parts of the State and beyond who have come out to witness the event.

The senator who is also the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate said "Beyond the feasting, dancing and display of cultural heritage, the celebration offered an opportunity for stakeholders to reflect on the significance of culture in shaping identity, preserving values and transmitting the history of a people from one generation to another".

Senator Professor Anthony Ani, who represents Ebonyi South Senatorial District, described the preservation of culture as an important responsibility of government, stressing that a people could hardly achieve fulfilment without understanding and embracing their cultural identity.

According to him, culture gives people a sense of belonging and helps to shape their behaviour and values.

“The role of government in preserving culture is to sustain it and enable it to survive so that people will not forget their roots,” Ani said, adding that people came from different backgrounds and cultures and that government had a responsibility to serve as a unifying factor

He said the festival marked the end of a farming cycle and the beginning of a new year, providing an avenue for families and communities to celebrate their common heritage.

Ani also called for greater government support for farmers and cultural institutions, arguing that sustaining the festival must go beyond ceremonial celebrations to include supporting the agricultural activities that give meaning to it.

Ani said such traditions, handed down by the forefathers, had continued to shape the conduct and relationships of members of the community.

He stressed that the erosion of culture could have consequences for younger generations, urging communities to preserve the positive aspects of their traditions while passing them on to their children.

One of such traditions, according to a stakeholder prince Chinedu Uburu, the immediate past chairman of Ebonyi local government, is ishi-nri-nwanyi, a cultural practice associated with marriage and communal support. Through the tradition, friends and members of the community support a newly married man with farm produce, particularly yam, as he begins a new phase of family life.

The practice, stakeholders explained, reflects the communal spirit of the Izzi people, where success and responsibility are not regarded as the concern of an individual alone.

The tradition also demonstrates how cultural practices can provide social support systems for young people and families, particularly at important stages of their lives.

For the Izzi people, the strength of the festival lies in the values embedded in the traditions surrounding it.

Also speaking, a member of the House of Representatives, Joseph Nwobashi, described the gathering as an opportunity for the Izzi people to celebrate and preserve their culture.

Nwobashi said the large turnout at the grand finale demonstrated the importance the people attached to their heritage, noting that participants came from different places to identify with the celebration.

He urged young people not to allow their culture to go extinct.

“We should imbibe our culture. We should not allow our culture to go extinct. Our culture is what we should sustain,” he said.

For Ebere Nwogba, immediate past chairman of Abakaliki Local Government Area, the festival represents the people’s way of life and an important moment of thanksgiving.

Nwogba said he was delighted to identify with the Izzi people at the celebration, stressing that the New Yam Festival signified the completion of one agricultural year and the beginning of another.

“It is commonly said that culture is the people’s way of life,” he said.

According to him, the celebration was an opportunity for the people to thank God for the good things that had happened during the year while looking forward to another year with hope.

He urged the people to sustain the tradition and ensure that it was transmitted to their children and the generations yet unborn.

The gathering at Amegu therefore became more than a celebration of the yam harvest. It was a reminder that culture can serve as a bridge between the past, present and future.

As the drums sounded and families gathered around the new harvest, the message from the stakeholders was clear: a people who preserve their culture preserve their identity.

For Izzi, the New Yam Festival remains a living expression of who they are, where they come from and the values they hope to hand over to those coming after them.

By Okike Eze



The Lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, has called on the anti graft agency, EFCC to investigate the business and financial activities of a popular socialite and businessman, Paschal Okechukwu Chibuike, popularly known as Cubana Chief Priest, as he may involved in money laundering.

Comrade Ogah made this call during a press briefing in Abakaliki the state capital.

The Lawmaker noted that Cubana Chief Priest has no electoral value or political relevance to discredit the performance of Governor Nwifuru in Ebonyi State.

He defended Nwifuru, highlighting that the governor has recorded milestone achievements and substantially transformed his state more than any other governors in Nigeria.

The federal lawmaker rejected the criticism as unacceptable and further demanded an immediate apologies from the Celebrity Socialite, adding that failure to comply would seek legal action.

“Who is Cubana Chief Priest? What is his address that gives him the impetus to speak against our governor, the most performing governor in Nigeria?” Ogah asked.

The lawmaker said the alleged comments were not only an attack on Nwifuru but also an affront to the people and political stakeholders of Ebonyi State.

“He should withdraw that statement and apologise to Ebonyans. He is insulting Ebonyans. He is insulting us as National Assembly members and other well-meaning stakeholders of this state,” he said.

Ogah told Cubana Chief Priest that he had no impetus to speak on political performance when he could not even secure the APC ticket to run for his House of Representatives ambition in Imo state

“If he said he is popular, why is it that he could not win the primary of the election he contested in Imo State?. All he knows is to be galavanting from one night club to the other”

“I am urging EFCC to thoroughly investigate him, investigate his bank accounts, investigate all the things he does,” Ogah said.

He also condemned the Abuja protests which he claimed was sponsored by members of the opposition parties in the state, stressing that the allegations raised were mere political propaganda against Nwifuru.

The lawmaker emphasized that Governor Nwifuru has not threatened any opposition members in the state, and the governor has exhibited political tolerance and accomodation in the state.

He also accused unnamed political actors of allegedly sponsoring campaigns aimed at discrediting the Nwifuru administration and weakening the All Progressives Congress, APC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ogah argued that such activities could ultimately undermine President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s political fortunes in the South-East, stressing that Nwifuru remained one of the major political allies of the President in the region.

“Those people are making Mr President not to win the election in 2027, because they won’t stand to work with the President,” he said.

The lawmaker equally defended the state’s security architecture, particularly the Commissioner of Police, Hope Okafor against what he described as an orchestrated campaign for her removal.

He urged the police, Department of State Services, DSS, and other relevant agencies to investigate individuals behind the alleged campaign and determine whether any offence had been committed.

“All of us can attest to the peace and security we enjoy in Ebonyi State. The Army, the police, the Civil Defence and the DSS are doing marvellously well in Ebonyi State,” Ogah said.

He also criticised another critic of the state government, Charles Otu, accusing him of allegedly mobilising persons from outside Ebonyi State to participate in a demonstration in Abuja against the state government.

Ogah alleged that the protesters were presented as Ebonyians despite allegedly originating from different parts of the country.

“He went and mobilised fake people claiming they are Ebonyians to demonstrate in Abuja. I would have asked the police: why can’t you investigate and audit those people that he mobilised?” he asked.

“You find out some of them are from Benue, some of them are from Nyanya, some of them are from Kaduna, some of them are from Kano. They are not Ebonyians. For that, he has no local standing to speak for Ebonyi people,” Ogah alleged.

He further disclosed that his lawyers had previously petitioned the DSS over allegations involving Otu, urging the security agency to investigate the matter.
“My lawyers have written a petition against Charles Otu before now to the DSS, and they have not investigated that matter,” Ogah said.

The lawmaker also referred to an appearance by Otu on Arise Television, challenging him to substantiate what Ogah described as allegations made against him.

“When Charles Otu went to Arise to cast aspersions on me, I only requested him to come and prove his case. Come and prove your case to know whether what you are saying is true or not,” he said.

Ogah, however, urged the security agencies to establish the facts surrounding the allegations, insisting that anyone found to have breached the law should face due process.

“My own is that whosoever defaults the law, we take it legally. I cannot mention who I have not known. But when we get there, it is for the security agencies to investigate,” he said.

On the administration of Governor Nwifuru, Ogah cited the state government’s scholarship programmes, school construction, road projects and other development initiatives as evidence of its performance.

He claimed that hundreds of Ebonyi indigenes had benefited from postgraduate scholarships in Nigeria and overseas, while schools and roads were being constructed across the state’s 13 local government areas.

Ogah maintained that the governor had also demonstrated political tolerance by allowing opposition politicians to conduct political activities in the state.

“The governor welcomes all the political opposition,” he said, citing the activities of opposition candidates and parties in the state as evidence.

He argued that political contests should be determined by voters rather than through media attacks, protests or alleged mobilisation of outsiders.

“Ebonyi people will choose who is their leader. They should stop using the media to castigate the governor,” Ogah said.

The lawmaker also questioned the omission of Governor Nwifuru from President Tinubu’s campaign council, describing it as an error that should be corrected.

“How can a governor that has done much in APC not be included in the campaign council? How can a governor that is elected under the APC not be included?” Ogah queried.

He maintained that Nwifuru’s political influence and the APC’s electoral performance in Ebonyi made the governor an important stakeholder in the President’s 2027 re-election project.

Ogah warned political actors against what he described as attempts to exploit the media to destabilise the state, insisting that disagreements should be addressed through established legal and democratic mechanisms.

“We are ready. We are ever ready for them,” he said.

The briefing was attended by the Secretary-General of the Tinubu Support Group, Ebonyi State chapter, Chief Oliver Nwachukwu, the South-East Zonal Coordinator of the group and other supporters of the Tinubu administration.

Ogah, the TSG State Coordinator said he would continue to use lawful channels to defend the interests of his constituents and the state, while urging security agencies to investigate the allegations raised and take appropriate action where necessary.

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The Former Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Chief Chaka Nweze has admonished the Peoples Democraric Party (PDP) Gubernatorial Candidate in Ebonyi State, Dr Ifeanyi Odii to rescind his decision of running for the position in the 2027 general elections.

The Current Chairman of the Ebonyi State Scholarship Board made the admonision in an interview in Abakaliki, noting that the peace and overall interest of Ebonyi State supercedes all personal interests.

The Former Vice Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Ebonyi State Chapter, said there was an avid need to respect the power rotation arrangement existing in the state.

"This arrangement was initiated by the Dr Sam Egwu's administration and consolidated by the Engr. David Umahi's administration

"This arrangement has ensured peace, political tolerance, overall upward trajectory of the state and therefore, will be wise if upheld,".

Nweze being more specific, admonished Odii that the current zoning arrangement was even more beneficial to the Ebonyi south Senatorial district where both of them hail from.

"This is because the Ekumenyi bloc consisting of the North and Central senatorial districts are greater in population than the Afikpo bloc where the southern senatorial district is found.

"The Ekumenyi bloc is more of a monolithic entity than the Afikpo bloc which is more diverse and heterogeneous by origin.

"It smacks the greatest level of unfairness that the senatorial district which produced the state governor in the immediate last dispensation will be eyeing the slot now,."

He further buttressed that if the present zoning arrangement is altered not to talk of being short circuited, it will be very difficult for future gevertaion of Ebony south district to win governorship election in the state.

"When such arrangement is altered, the people responsible for altering it would lose their rights of bargain even when the electoral pendulum should ordinarily swing to its side.

"The nation's electoral system is evolving towards reforms which guarantees that votes must count.

"This will ultimately offer advantage to any bloc with the highest population. making them the determinant of electoral fates,"

Nweze noted that Governor Francis Nwifuru has performed creditably in his first tenure and therefore should be allowed in the spirit of equity, to complete his second tenure.

"The three past governors of the state led for eight years and all had remarkable imprints on the lives of the people and existence of the state.

"Dr Sam Egwu is reverred for his imprints in the education sector, Chief Martin Elechi adored for intensive rural development and Engr. David Umahi for his monumental infrastructural turnaround of the state.

"Nwifuru has stood out in educational revolution and human empowerment, therefore should be allowed to follow the full--tenure completion trend,"

He counselled Odii to untimately put the state's overall interest over personal bias and be assured that time will definitely fly to his convenience.

"When Nwufuru completes four years, the central district will take its turn and before eyes are closed and opened, it will be the southern district's turn.

"Odii is still a very young man who would still be physically strong and mentally alert to vie for the No.1 position in the state.

"He should be assured that those whom he listened to their wise counsel now would be available to back him then,".

The Ebonyi State Government has commenced moves to address outstanding challenges at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke, with a commitment to complete all pending works and acquire aircraft for the commencement of full-fledged airline operations.

The Commissioner for Transport and Aviation, Collins Igboke, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking with journalists shortly after inspecting facilities and ongoing works at the airport alongside other stakeholders.

Igboke said the inspection was aimed at identifying and documenting areas requiring further intervention to ensure that the airport becomes fully operational and capable of supporting scheduled commercial flights.

According to him, about 89 to 90 per cent of the airport project has been completed, while the remaining works include repairs to some facilities damaged by vandalism and natural elements, particularly rain and water.

“We are here to compile all the remaining works at the Chuba Okadigbo International Airport and know how to finish them because, in no distant time, airline operations will commence here,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the team would submit its findings to Governor Francis Nwifuru for necessary action, stressing that the state government was determined to put all required infrastructure and approvals in place before commercial operations begin.

He noted that the airport had the potential to significantly boost the state's internally generated revenue once it commenced full operations, adding that the government expected substantial economic returns from the facility.

Igboke, however, acknowledged that establishing an airline operation involved several regulatory approvals and technical arrangements, assuring prospective passengers and residents that the necessary processes were being pursued.

“Passengers need to exercise a little patience with us. In no distant time, this airport will be fully functional. I am assuring you of that,” he said.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Transport and Aviation, Frederick Nwogbaga, said the inspection revealed some areas requiring attention, particularly facilities affected by rain and water, but expressed optimism that the outstanding issues would be resolved.

Nwogbaga urged citizens to remain patient, noting that the state government must follow all necessary procedures with the Federal Ministry of Aviation and other relevant regulatory agencies before full commercial operations could commence.

He said the airport was already operational in certain respects, but that the government was working to complete the required processes for scheduled passenger flight services and make the facility fully functional.

The General Manager of Chuba Okadigbo international airport, Onueke, Anazo Kalu, said the airport's runway was among its major advantages, describing it as one of the longest runways in Nigeria and capable of accommodating larger aircraft.

Kalu said the airport's facilities, including its control tower and elevator, were functional, adding that a temporary tower was currently being used to provide the necessary services pending completion of the permanent arrangements.

He explained that scheduled passenger flight operations would enable airlines to bring passengers into the airport while also handling baggage, cargo and mails, thereby creating additional economic opportunities for the state and operators.

According to him, after completion of the remaining works, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would be invited to conduct a verification exercise, after which an aerodrome certificate would be issued, if the facility meets the required standards.

“With the aerodrome certificate, we will have the permit to operate scheduled passenger flight services. That is the end point and the goal,” Kalu said.

He added that Governor Nwifuru was “very desirous and eager” to see the airport commence full operations, expressing confidence that the necessary processes would be completed soon.

The member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Chinedu Ogah, has alleged that people enlisted in the ongoing recruitment exercise of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) are not genuine indigenes of Ebonyi State.

Ogah in a statent on Thursday urged the Corps Marshal and Chief Executive Officer of the FRSC, Shehu Mohammed, to immediately review the list and enlist genuine indigenes of the state.

He described the development as unacceptable, a shortchanging of Ebonyi in the recruitment exercise and a violation of the federal character principle.

He said the federal character principle stipulates that every state must be equitably and genuinely represented in recruitment exercises conducted by federal agencies, ministries, departments and parastatals.

The lawmaker, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Reformatory Institutions, alleged that names contained in the list released by the FRSC as successful candidates under the Ebonyi quota were not indigenes of the state.

He further alleged that some of the candidates presented forged identification certificates to secure employment under the Ebonyi quota, thereby denying genuine indigenes the opportunity to benefit from the recruitment.

“The Corps Marshal of FRSC should review the list for Ebonyi quota in the ongoing recruitment exercise because the names in the Ebonyi list are not Ebonyi people.

“If the Corps argues this, there should be a physical parade of those candidates they enlisted as Ebonyi people. Let us come and show them that those candidates are carrying fake identification certificates,” Ogah said.

He urged the FRSC to immediately correct what he described as an anomaly by ensuring that genuine Ebonyi indigenes are enlisted under the state's quota.

“The Corps should immediately enlist real Ebonyi people into the ongoing recruitment exercise because Ebonyi quota can't be given to those that are not indigenes of the state.

“They should obey the federal character rules which stipulate that every employment must be done equitably and genuinely.

“They should not tag people they enlisted as Ebonyi people because they are not our people. Over 80 per cent of those people they enlisted for Ebonyi State are not indigenes of the state,” he alleged.

The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Uzoh Toochukwu Machiavelli, has dismissed claims by opposition critics that the state has been placed on “auto reverse gear” under Governor Francis Nwifuru, challenging them to produce empirical evidence to substantiate the allegation.

He vowed to mobilize massive support for the re-election of governor Francis Nwifuru and president Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027 general election in the state.

Uzoh, in a statement on Tuesday, said the claim was contradicted by developments across key sectors of the state, including education, healthcare, infrastructure, agriculture, digital technology, workers’ welfare, youth empowerment and industrialisation.

He was reacting to comments attributed to opposition figures, including Awuzie Frankline and Pascal Chibuike Okechukwu, who had criticized the Nwifuru administration and alleged that the state was regressing under the governor.

The commissioner said political criticism was legitimate in a democracy but should be based on verifiable facts, policies and measurable outcomes rather than personal attacks and unsubstantiated assertions.

According to him, the Nwifuru administration has pursued its “People’s Charter of Needs” through programmes designed to improve the welfare and living conditions of workers, pensioners, youths, women and vulnerable residents.

Uzoh cited the payment of pension and gratuity arrears dating back to 1996, overseas scholarships for more than 1,000 Ebonyians pursuing Master’s and PhD programmes, construction of Smart Model Schools across communities and the establishment of the ICT University as evidence of the government’s investment in human capital.

He also listed the upgrading and equipping of healthcare facilities, recruitment of health workers, improved remuneration and welfare packages for resident doctors, as well as the enrolment of civil servants and about 200,000 residents in the state health insurance scheme.

On infrastructure, the commissioner said the government had embarked on road construction across the state, including at least two-kilometre roads in the autonomous communities, while more than 800 kilometres of rural and community roads had either been initiated or completed.

He mentioned several major projects, including the 23-kilometre Stadium-Nwofe Road, 19-kilometre Obvudechi-Iziogo Road with a two-span bridge, Ebonyi Ring Road, New Mile 50 Road, Court Area Okposi-Isinkwo-Ojigwe Road, Okebigwe-Nworie Road, Akanu Ibiam Road, Ndibe-Nkpoghoro Road and other inter-community and feeder roads.

Uzoh said the administration had equally invested in housing and resettlement programmes, including houses for widows and vulnerable residents, 140 housing units for civil servants and more than 400 housing units for people displaced by communal conflicts.

The commissioner said the state’s digital transformation drive had seen the deployment of fibre-optic infrastructure across the capital and other areas, provision of free internet services for students and public offices, and training and certification of more than 2,000 Ebonyians in advanced ICT skills.

He further disclosed that the government had intensified its industrialisation programme through the revitalisation of the pipe production, hatchery and fertiliser factories,

while construction of the Ebonyi State Industrial City at Izhiangbo, Ohaukwu Local Government Area, was designed to provide a major hub for manufacturing, technology, logistics and export activities.

On agriculture and youth empowerment, Uzoh said 200 young Ebonyians trained at CSS Farms in Gora, Nasarawa State, received N5 million each as start-up capital, representing a N1 billion intervention.

He added that 300 other youths trained in rice production, fishery, poultry, piggery and other agro-based enterprises were empowered with N3 million each, while 500 Ebonyians received N2 million business grants and another 1,500 youths were given N1 million each to support their businesses and livelihoods.

The commissioner argued that the programmes represented a deliberate attempt by the government to combine skills, capital and opportunity to create sustainable livelihoods rather than merely announce empowerment initiatives.

Uzoh also attributed the state’s development strides partly to the peace and security sustained under the present administration, stressing that investors, businesses and farmers could not operate effectively in an atmosphere of insecurity.

He therefore challenged those alleging that Ebonyi was on “auto reverse gear” to identify the sector they believed had collapsed, the major projects they claimed had been abandoned, the policies they considered failures and the measurable development indicators that had regressed.

“Criticism is healthy in a democracy, but it should be constructive. You can disagree with Governor Nwifuru’s policies, question his priorities and challenge his figures, but serious criticism must be supported by evidence,” he said.

Uzoh maintained that the scale of interventions in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, ICT, industrialisation and human capital development did not support the claim that Ebonyi was moving backwards.

He urged political actors and commentators ahead of the 2027 elections to shift the conversation from personal attacks to issues, policies and verifiable records, insisting that “facts do not become false because they are inconvenient.”

The commissioner said the Nwifuru administration would remain focused on its development agenda and urged Ebonyians to judge the government by its programmes, projects and impact on the lives of citizens.

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The All Progressives Congress APC in Ebonyi state has engaged Major Stakeholders in the state, particularly in Onicha Local Government Area to strengthen the bond between the Local Government and APC Ahead 2027 general election.

The Former Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Professor Chigozie Ogbu highlighted that the meeting was to ensure that the house is strengthened to intensify efforts in the state, ensuring that APC wins the forthcoming general election in landslide.

Professor Ogbu said "I am particularly happy about the meeting because it was all about how APC can move in oneness to ensure overall victory of the party in the forthcoming general election".

Another stakeholder from Onitcha Local Government Area, Chief Donatus Njoku said Onitcha Local Government is mainly APC as no another party existing in that are except APC.

The APC State Chairman, Chief Stanley Okoroemegha promised that the party shall win all positions in the 2027 general election.

Okoroemegha said the works of the Governor is speaking for itself and Ebonyi people are very much happy with APC in the state.

The Chairman of Onitcha Local Government Area, Mr Ikechukwu Ogbuofia said the Governor of Ebonyi State has charged the newly sworn-in LG Chairmen to go and make Peace among Stakeholders.

Ogbuofia said the Governor charged all the Local Government Chairmen on the day of their swearing- in as follows: "If I as the Governor has any enemy in your local Government Area, don't inherit the enemy, go and make friends with that my enemy and reconcile us".

He commended the Governor who has brought permanent peace in the state and promised that they are going to deliver Onicha Local Government to APC.

The Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Donatus Njoku, in interview immediately after the APC/Onicha Stakeholders' meeting said the Governor and all the candidates of APC in the forthcoming general election should go and relax as the local Government doesn't have major contender from the opposition during the next election.

.....
begins grassroots mobilisation

By Chris Omar

The Ebonyi youths, under the aegis of the ICO Youth Movement, have reaffirmed their support for Chief Ifeanyi-Chukwuma Odii, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2027 general elections.

The youths made their position known during the inauguration of the movement by PDP leaders on Saturday in Abakaliki, where they pledged to commence grassroots mobilisation across the 13 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state.

Some of the inaugurated ICO Executive included: Mr Kelechukwu Igwe, President Nwogbaga Philip, Vice President, Irem Chidi, Secretary, Elem Ifeanyi, Treasurer, Onua Sunday, Media and publicity among others.

Igwe, the National President in his remark said the initiative was aimed at mobilising young voters through grassroots campaigns, community engagement, sensitisation and political outreach.

The President said youths remained critical to the success of any democratic society and urged them to take active part in the political and democratic processes ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said the movement would also focus on leadership development, policy advocacy, civic education and bridging the gap between experienced political leaders and the younger generation.

“Our movement is driven by a simple but powerful motto: ‘One Voice, Victory is Ours.’

“This motto reminds us of our collective responsibility to remain steadfast, united, courageous and actively committed to the growth and success of the PDP and the political vision of our principal, Chief Dr Ifeanyi-Chukwuma Odii,” he said.

Igwe said the movement would work to strengthen the PDP’s grassroots structure from the state level to the LGAs, wards and polling units.

He called on youths across the state to reject political apathy and participate actively in the democratic process, while urging them to protect the integrity of their votes through lawful and peaceful means.

According to him, the movement will also promote youth participation in governance and prepare young people for responsible leadership and public service.

Also speaking, Mr Okorie Okorie, Patron of the movement and National President of the Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO), Ebonyi chapter, pledged his support for the PDP governorship candidate.

Okorie said the group would resist what he described as “every form of intimidation” by individuals or political parties, stressing that it would continue to stand for what it considered to be the truth.

He commended the PDP leadership for its commitment to the political process and called on party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation.

“We must go to the rural communities and ensure massive support for the PDP,” he said.

The inauguration attracted PDP leaders, youth stakeholders and supporters of the movement, who pledged to work toward strengthening the party’s grassroots structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.

....promises people-driven representation


Mr Joseph Ekuma-Nkama, a House of Representatives Candidate for the Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, has called for peace and unity among contestants from Edda Local Government area of Ebonyi ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ekuma-Nkama, a candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) made the remarks in an interview with journalists after receiving the blessing and endorsement of traditional rulers of Edda on Wednesday during their new yam festival.

He expressed hope that the people would ultimately determine who represents them at the National Assembly.

Ekuma-Nkama described the endorsement as significant, saying the blessing of traditional rulers and elders was an indication that the people and their leaders were comfortable with his aspiration.

“You know, there is nothing that you need as a man when you are aspiring for a political position or anything you want to do in life more than to receive the blessing of your fathers and traditional leaders.

“For me to receive this blessing signifies a lot to me. It sends a message to everybody that my people and their leaders are all behind me,” he said.

According to him, the endorsement also demonstrates confidence in his character and integrity, noting that traditional rulers and community leaders would not ordinarily support candidates they were uncomfortable with.

Ekuma-Nkama, however, said he was willing to engage other candidates from Edda contesting the same seat with a view to achieving consensus and presenting a common candidate from the area.

“There are three of us from Edda contesting the same position. There are: Chief Eni Uduma-Chima, PDP and Chief Agwu Amah, NDC party.

"So, reaching out to them is part of the process. You keep engaging with your other candidates.

“If, halfway through, they accept, fine. If towards the third stage or almost at the verge of the general election they decide to step down, all good.

“But it will be good for Edda to have one candidate who will be standing for the election. I want to believe that will take place. But if it doesn't, the people will decide, and I know that they will line up behind me,” he said.

On his agenda if elected, the aspirant said his priority would be to provide effective representation, support policies aimed at national development and attract more infrastructure and human-capital projects to the constituency.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for ongoing infrastructure projects in Ebonyi and the South-East, particularly road construction and rehabilitation.

Ekuma-Nkama cited the ongoing concrete road projects linking Amassiri to Okigwe, the Abakaliki-Enugu road, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other road projects linking Ebonyi with neighbouring states.

He also commended the Federal Government for the ongoing rehabilitation and dualisation of major roads in the South-East, saying the projects would improve transportation, stimulate economic activities and enhance security.

“What is my dream? My dream is for every legislation that is required, whether it's the budget or approval of policies, to become law, to make sure that we give the administration the support that it requires to complete every good work it has started,” he said.

He said, if elected, he would focus on legislation and advocacy in the areas of healthcare, education, infrastructure and human-capital development.

He added that he would soon unveil his manifesto detailing specific programmes and projects he intended to pursue for the constituency.

Ekuma-Nkama stressed that his representation would be people-driven, promising to hold quarterly stakeholder engagements with constituents to determine their priority needs.

“It wouldn't be all about me. It's all about what the people want. I would engage with the people every quarter to have serious stakeholder engagements where the people say, ‘This is what we want.’

“It wouldn't be a case of what you want, because sometimes the idea of what you want is not what the people generally need most,” he said.

He explained that although federal lawmakers had access to constituency projects, effective representation required working with relevant ministries and agencies to attract major projects to the constituency.

The aspirant also pledged to maintain an open-door approach and pursue politics without bitterness or violence.

“I’m a man of peace. Everybody can attest to that. I've never hurt anybody. I don't intend to hurt anybody.

“I don't play politics based on bitterness or violence, politics of godfatherism and the rest of the things that can be attributed to other people,” he said.

Ekuma-Nkama said his political aspiration was rooted in service, integrity and peaceful engagement, assuring constituents that their interests would remain at the centre of his representation.

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ebonyi State, Dr. Ifeany Chukuma Odii, known as Anyichucks, has said he would not have joined the race for the governorship position if the state was working effectively and delivering good governance to the people.

Anyichucks made the statement while speaking with journalists at his country home, ISU, in the Onicha local government area of Ebonyi State, when he came home, perhaps ahead of the governorship campaign, slated for September.Dr. Ifeanyi Odii has not really come for the campaign, according to our reporter, in his words

"When I landed from my aircraft, I saw massive support, even though I never wanted it, for the love Eboyians have shown me, I will make sure that Ebonyi is not the same again, once I'm governor,"

Anychucks said his decision to contest the governorship of Ebonyi state was motivated by his desire to provide an alternative leadership and improve the living conditions of the people of the state.

He said his ambition was backed by extensive planning and consultations with professionals and internationally linked consultants who studied Ebonyi for months and developed a comprehensive document on how the state could be better governed.

The PDP candidate promised to prioritize agriculture, workers' welfare, access roads, and the resolution of communal and land-related disputes, rather than focusing mainly on major infrastructure projects.

He said his administration would provide access roads for farmers to support agricultural activities while also ensuring that civil servants and other residents enjoy better conditions of living.

Anyichucks, who contested the 2023 governorship election and pursued the case up to the Supreme Court, said his strategy for the forthcoming election would be different from what obtained in 2023, dismissing concerns over the delay in selecting a running mate.

He urged Ebonyi voters and his supporters not to be intimidated during the election, calling on them to vote and protect their votes, while expressing confidence that the PDP would offer the state a new direction.

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The Traditional rulers in Edda Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Afikpo/Edda Federal Constituency, Barrister Joseph Ekumankama, ahead of the 2027 general election.

The traditional rulers, numbering about seven and led by HRH Ezeogo Charles Azuenya, Owu of Ebunwana Edda Autonomous Community, gave their endorsement during the New Yam Festival, “Iyi Akpa Oke Ikeji Festival,” organised by Dr. Onuoha Nnachi at Ezi Edda, Edda LGA.

While offering prayers for Ekumankama, Ezeogo Azuenya called on the people of Edda to rally behind the former Minister of State for Health, saying the endorsement reflected the confidence of the traditional institution in his aspiration to represent the constituency.

Speaking shortly after the endorsement, Ekumankama said the blessing of traditional rulers was significant to his political ambition, stressing that it demonstrated the support of the people and their leaders for his candidacy.
Ekumankama, who is contesting the seat alongside two other aspirants from Edda, said he would continue to engage them towards achieving consensus and presenting a single candidate from Edda.

He however, said the people would decide if consensus was not reached, expressing confidence in their support.

On his agenda if elected, the former minister pledged to provide effective representation, support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and advocate legislation to improve healthcare, education, infrastructure and human capital development in Afikpo/Edda.

He said his representation would be people-oriented, promising to hold quarterly stakeholder engagements to identify the needs of constituents and determine the projects and interventions that should be pursued.

“Most importantly,I will give my people the best possible representation. It wouldn't be all about me. It's all about what the people want,” he said, adding that he would soon unveil his manifesto detailing his programmes for the constituency". He said.

Ekumankama also commended ongoing infrastructure projects across Ebonyi State and the Southeast, particularly federal road projects, saying he would work with relevant ministries and agencies to attract more development to the constituency if elected.

He further described himself as a man of peace, saying he not engage in politics driven by bitterness, violence or godfatherism.

Earlier, the organiser of the festival, Dr. Onuoha Nnachi, said the New Yam Festival was designed to foster unity and peaceful coexistence, noting that the traditional sharing of yam porridge symbolised brotherhood and discouraged people from thinking evil against one another.

The Highlights of the new yarm festival was lectures delivered by Professor Douglas Nwonuma, who gave lectured people of Edda on economic implications of Ikeji and way forward.
The new yarm festival was a show of different transitional dancing groups including the one from outside Ebonyi State.

The Vice Chairman--elect of Afikpo Local Governmentt Area of Ebonyi, Mrs Chinyere Egwu has pledged that the newly elected leadership would evolve people--oreinted policies and programmes to achieve set goals.

Egwu who was elected alongside the Incumbent Council Chairman, Chief Timothy Nwachi in the council polls held in the state in Aug.22, said she will assist the chairman to continue delivering democratic dividends to the people.

She noted that Afikpo LGA had witnessed rapid growth under Nwachi's tutulage and she was honoured to contribute her quota in the economic and infrastructural transoformation of the area.

"I want to assure the people that we would justify the confidence reposed in us for contiuued creation of positivie impact on their lives.

"The massive turnout recorded during the election shows the people's belief in the chairman's abilities to sustain his first tenure's endearing legacies,".

Egwu thanked Governor Francis Nwufuru and Wife for believing in women's abilities to contribute positively towards societal change and development.

"We have two female chairman--elect and all the 13 LGAs have women as their vice-chairmen elect.

"This shows that the present administration is gender-friendly and recognises that no society can function optimally without the contribution of women,".

She also thanked the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for affording her and other women, the platform to contribute their quotas in the state's governance.

"We pledge active mobilisation of the people to vote for all APC candidates during the 2027 general elections.

"I also thank the Ebonyi State Independent Electoral Commission (EBSIEC) for the peaceful and smooth conduct of the council polls.

"The democratic will of the people prevailed and such accounted for APC's landslide victory at the polls,."

The APC it will be recalled, won the 13 chairmanship and 171 councillorship seats during the polls.

Nwifuru Commissions Legacy Projects In Ohaozara As Stakeholders Assure Election Victory

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The Governor of Ebonyi State and Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, has commissioned landmark infrastructural projects executed by the outgoing Chairman of Ohaozara LGA, Hon. Chinonso Ajah.

The commissioning took place during the campaign for the local government council elections held at the Ohaozara LGA ahead of the August 22, 2026 polls.

Governor Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemaechi Obila, lauded Chinonso Ajah for his visionary leadership and execution of high-impact signature projects that directly align with the People's Charter of Needs agenda. Presenting the official APC flag to the Chairmanship candidate, Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi, and his Vice-Chairmanship running mate.

The Governor charged the electorate to vote massively for all APC candidates in the forthcoming elections.

The Governor commended the Minister of Works, Senator Engineer David Nweze Umahi, for making Ebonyi State proud through his national achievements, expressing absolute optimism that his son, Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi, will replicate his father's legendary performance in public service.

Ohaozara Stakeholders Assure Victory Of Osborne Umahi As incoming Local Government Chairman

The Major Stakeholders in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State have assured the people of the State that Osborne Umahi, the Son of Nigeria Minister for Works, David Umahi will win the forthcoming Local Government election on landslide.

One of the Stakeholders, the state Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Engr Francis Orih disclosed this at Osborne Lapalm Event Center in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the State.

Ori said all preparations have been made to ensure that Osborne Umahi emerges winner on Saturday 22nd August, 2026.

"We are here in Uburu for Mega Rally in support of APC Candidate for Chairmanship Position in favor of Osborne Umahi and I am assuring you that all APC Candidates shall win including the counselors". Orih said.

Also, the state Commissioner for Agriculture Mrs Nkechinyere Iyioku said not only that Osborne shall Win but the election is going to be free, fair and credible.

The Speaker Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Moses Odunwa expressed joy over the turnout of people for the rally.

Speaking at the rally, the State Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha, represented by his Deputy Chairman, Alphonsus Nwali, expressed complete confidence that Ohaozara remains an opposition -free zone, urging the electorate to demonstrate their loyalty through an overwhelming turnout on election day.

The Chairman, State APC Local Government Campaign Council, Amb. Frank Ogbuewu, Ogbuefi Enekwachi Akpa, Chairman, Ohaozara Campaign Council, Darlington Okereke, Chairman of the Occasion, Kama Nkemkanma, and Chikezie Igu, declared that Ohaozara LGA is fully mobilized to deliver a 100 percent vote for all APC candidates.

The Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government, Chinonso Ajah, expressed gratitude to Governor Nwifuru for granting local government councils full administrative autonomy, noting that he is bowing out as a fulfilled administrator having delivered life -enriching projects to his people.

The Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku, Commissioner for Agriculture, Uzoh Tochukwu, Commissioner for ICT, Godwin Chuku, SA on Internal Security, Ohaozara, Hon. Stanley Kamani, SA on Culture and Tourism and Comrade Nasir Ernest Nweze, PhD, APC Zonal Chairman, appreciated Governor Nwifuru and Minister David Umahi, reassuring them that Ohaozara remains an impenetrable APC stronghold.

Accepting the party's flag, the APC Chairmanship Candidate, Engr. Osborn Nweze Umahi, thanked Governor Nwifuru, APC leadership, and the people of Ohaozara LGA for their overwhelming support. He promised a new era of rapid development and governance, pledging to hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration on September 1, 2026.

The projects commissioned include; Senator David Nweze Umahi Health Center in Mgbom Ugwulangwu, Odenigbo Regional Market in Okposi and Barrister Chioma Nweze Health Center, Mebi/Ameke Okposi, among others.

By Moses Peter, Abakaliki

The People's Democratic Party (PDP) in Ebonyi State, All Progressives Congress (APC) and the state government are bickering over alleged procurement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to rig the 2027 general election.

While the PDP accused APC and the state government of fabricating allegations that its members are engaged in illegal procurement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a pretext to intimidate, harass, arrest, and incarcerate the members loyal and officials, APC and the the government described the allegations as baseless and last kick of a dying horse.

Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the state capital, Publicity Secretary of PDP , Darlington Onwe alleged calculated plot by the state government and APC to frame, harass and criminalize members of the party in the state.

He stated that according to information reported to our the party, the next phase of the plot involved fabricating allegations that PDP members are engaged in the illegal procurement of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), as a pretext to intimidate, harass, arrest, and incarcerate our loyal members and officials.

"This latest manoeuvre comes barely months after the Governor publicly vowed to "consume" the PDP and opposition parties in Ebonyi State ahead of the 2027 general election—a statement our Party had already petitioned relevant institutions over and condemned as reckless and unbecoming of a serving Chief Executive sworn to protect, and not persecute, the citizens of the State, including members of opposition parties.

"It is therefore our considered position that this new plot is a desperate response to the Governor's declining popularity and the PDP's growing influence across the State, rather than any genuine electoral infraction on the part of our members.

"Our Party is a law-abiding political organisation, and at no time has it contemplated, authorised, or condoned any conduct capable of violating the Electoral Act 2026, the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), or any other extant law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

"We therefore reject, in its entirety, any attempt to associate our members with unlawful dealings in PVCs, and we hold that this narrative is being manufactured solely to justify a pre-planned campaign of arrests and intimidation against our party faithful.

"Accordingly, we wish to place on record that the actions being contemplated by the Ebonyi State Government and the ruling APC, if allowed to proceed, would constitute a grave violation of fundamental constitutional rights and international legal conventions.

" Specifically, this planned repression directly assaults the rights to personal liberty, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and free movement guaranteed under Sections 35, 39, 40, and 41 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), alongside Section 222 and related provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 governing lawful political activities and due process.

"Furthermore, it breaches Nigeria’s binding international obligations under the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights (Articles 6, 9, 10, and 13), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Articles 9, 19, 21, 22, and 25), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 9, 19, and 20), the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (1998), and ECOWAS Protocol A/SP1/12/01 on Democracy and Good Governance, which explicitly mandates Member States to safeguard political pluralism and protect opposition parties from state-sponsored persecution.

"Consequently, any attempt to weaponise state security architecture to entrap, arrest, or detain PDP members on manufactured allegations would amount to an assault on these instruments and on the democratic character of the Nigerian SStat", he said

Onwe further alleged that on a previous occasion, political thugs were mobilised and deployed to breach a PDP event and unleash mayhem on the journalists and pressmen covering it at Ikwuator, Idembia, in Ezza South Local Government Area, during a rally organised to receive a defector, a former APC member, into the PDP.

He said about ten journalists of the Correspondents' Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), travelling in a clearly branded vehicle to cover the event, were reportedly set upon by a mob of suspected political thugs, numbering more than fifty and allegedly led by a lawyer, who smashed the vehicle with stones and other objects and searched for fuel to set it ablaze before the driver escaped. At least ten PDP supporters were also injured in the same assault and had to receive hospital treatment.

"The Ebonyi State chapter of the NUJ subsequently condemned the attack as barbaric and demanded that security agencies identify and prosecute those responsible, describing the safety of journalists as critical to the survival of democracy", Onwe stated.

Reacting to the allegations against the state government, Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Inter-Party Affairs, Comrade Sunday Nwambam described them as spurious and unfounded and challenged PDP to back the allegations with facts.

He said Governor Francis Nwifuru is among those who believe that party pluralism should not be sacrificed on the altar of ones ambition hence his administration's resolve and commitment to sustain an enabling environment for all parties to thrive in the state since his assumption of duty.

He averred that the PDP was playing infantile politics and flying a kite with allegations as a prelude to launch perfected scheme to buy PVCs ahead of the general election.

"While I am still trying to know the faction Prince Darlington represents, let me categorically clarify that the allegation of plotting to frame up, arrest and detain some members of PDP over alleged dealing in Permanent Voters Cards of for any other reasons is false, misleading, baseless and reflective of the last kicks of a dying horse.

"Since the return of democracy in Nigeria in 1999, Democrats have maintained that multi party system as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution must remain the fulcrum of the nation's democracy.

This is to ensure that Nigerians especially political actors and supporters are provided with different platforms and structures to pursue their political aspirations unhindered.

"His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, is among those who believe that party pluralism should not be sacrificed on the altar of ones ambition hence his administrations resolve and commitment to sustain an enabling environment for all parties to thrive in the state since his assumption of duty.

"That is why the people of the state and relevant government agencies alerted in the briefing by the PDP agents should dismiss the purported plan to frame up the party members as the figment of their own imagination.

"Prince Darlington' onwe's factional PDP in Ebonyi State is hereby informed that they are playing infantile politics as they are merely flying a kite with their allegation perhaps as a prelude to the launch of a perfected scheme to buy PVC ahead of General Election.

"Otherwise, we call on the factional.PDP of Prince Darlington Onwe to support their allegations with facts as it cannot usurp the responsibilities of security agencies to uncovered a plot for the arrest of its members.

",The Governor is not averse to the people supporting candidates of their choice as the electorate in Ebonyi State have already seen the infrastructure development drive of Governor Nwifuru and will respond when the time comes", Nwambam said.

Also reacting to the allegations, the state Chairman of APC, Chief Stanley Okoro Emegha disclosed that some members of the PDP have been arrested for buying PVCs ahead of the 2027 general election.

"I can tell you that this is a petition for somebody you sent to be buying voters’ cards from people and he was arrested. Those people are still in police custody here now in Abakaliki.

"Why should someone be going from house to house buying voters’ cards from aged women that don’t know? Is that how to win election?

"There is no justifiable reason for you to give me N5,000 and be holding my PVC. Let me have my PVC so that I will have access to vote for whosoever I want.

,"People will just come down and then be creating confusion because they want to get money from certain big men, certain rich men", Emegha said

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has commenced routine and preventive maintenance works along the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road in the Federal Capital Territory.

The maintenance exercise, which covers the stretch between Chainage (CH) 46+000 and CH 88+000, commenced on Monday, August 10, 2026, as part of FERMA’s nationwide road maintenance programme.

The programme was approved by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FERMA, Engr. (Dr.) Chukwuemeka Agbasi, FNSE, FNIHTE, FNICE.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Federal Roads Maintenance Engineer (FRME) for the FCT, Engr. Martin Chidozie Eze, charged the 50 participants engaged for the exercise to put in their best towards achieving the objectives of the programme.

Eze urged the participants to demonstrate commitment, professionalism and dedication throughout the one-month maintenance exercise.

At the end of the flag-off ceremony, working tools, safety kits and reflective jackets were distributed to all the participants to facilitate effective and safe execution of the maintenance works.

According to FERMA, the routine maintenance programme is aimed at enhancing corporate social responsibility, creating employment opportunities for locals and improving visibility along Nigerian highways.

The programme is also expected to contribute to reducing insecurity and road accidents on the affected Federal roads, while extending the lifespan of the road infrastructure.

FERMA said the initiative would also help discourage youths from engaging in criminal activities by providing them with legitimate employment opportunities.

Another objective of the exercise is to minimise the negative impact of torrential rainfall on Federal roads through proper drainage and regular maintenance.

Why the Zuba-Abaji Road Was Selected
FERMA explained that the Zuba-Abaji-Kogi State border road was selected because of its strategic importance to the Nigerian economy.

The road serves as a major transportation corridor connecting Northern Nigeria with the southern part of the country and facilitates the movement of people, goods and services across different regions.

The Agency noted that the economic importance of the route makes regular maintenance necessary to ensure safe and efficient movement along the corridor.

Scope of the Maintenance Works
The scope of the maintenance programme includes desilting of the carriageway and hydraulic structures.

It also covers vegetation control, evacuation of refuse and abandoned vehicles along the road corridors, provision of earth drains, as well as filling and repairing potholes on the carriageway.

Expected Outcomes
The one-month maintenance exercise is expected to result in improved safety and visibility for motorists and other road users along the highway.

FERMA also expects the programme to strengthen collaboration and partnership between the Agency and communities along the road corridor.

The Agency further expressed confidence that the successful completion of the exercise would help uphold its integrity and reinforce its commitment to maintaining Federal road infrastructure across the country.

...Calls on security agencies to recover items


A former member of the House of Representatives representing the Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. Darlington Okereke, has accused the Coordinator of Ohaozara East Development Centre, Mrs Favour Uloma Okorie of allegedly distributing federal government-provided skill acquisition equipment as personal empowerment materials.

Okereke made the allegation while interacting with newsmen in Abakaliki, saying the equipment was attracted during his tenure in the House of Representatives to create opportunities for skills acquisition and economic empowerment for people of the area.

According to him, the items include manual sewing machines, electric sewing machines, weaving machines, dryers, hand dryers, head washers, furniture-making machines and other equipment.

He said the equipment was supplied by the federal government in 2010 for the equipping of the Mgbom-Ugwulangwu Skill Acquisition Centre but arrived while the building was still under construction.

"I wish to put on record that the items shared as empowerment materials by the coordinator of Ohoazora East Development Center are not the property of the development centre but skill acquisition materials supplied by the federal government for the equipping of Ngubomu Ugwulangwu Skill Acquisition Center in 2010.

"This was attracted by me when I was in the House of Representatives. The materials arrived while the building was still under construction. It was warehoused in the development centre under the leadership of the Honourable Tony Nwafor. It is therefore surprising that instead of returning the items to the completed skill acquisition centre, where they would benefit the general number of people.

"The coordinator made the surprising decision to distribute federal government property, which was designated for a specific project, to her friends. The coordinator should return those items from those she has shared them with so that the skill acquisition centre will take off," he queries.

The former lawmaker maintained that the Development Centre should provide its own empowerment materials from its resources rather than distributing equipment he said was procured for a specific federal government-funded skill acquisition project.

He called on relevant security agencies to intervene, investigate the matter and recover the equipment for the benefit of the people for whom the project was established.

"Ordinarily, I would have put them in my house. But I felt it was not the right thing to do. As a lawmaker, I decided to warehouse these items in the development centre. One, for security purposes. Two, for government property.

"It is not my own property, and the development centre coordinator is surprising because I had told them that what they needed to do was put burglary proof on the building so that these items would be well secured totally and paint it because the contractor didn't finish both painting to secure these things and install this equipment for our people.

"Its for the generality of people to use to learn skills to learn trade some people who want to go into tailoring, hairdressing and all those should go there and learn this trade and it will help a good number of people from ugwulangwu it is not meant for anybody to distribute not at all If it was meant for people to distribute, I would have distributed them long ago".

He described the alleged distribution of the equipment as a misappropriation of government property and questioned the decision to keep some of the industrial machines in the coordinator’s personal residence, insisting that such items should only be distributed if they were legitimately procured for that purpose

Celebration of vibrant culture, profound unity as Amenu Uburu Iri-ji festival holds August 31
Illustrious sons and daughters of Amenu Welfare Union Worldwide (AUWUW) are expected to grace the Iri ji Ndi Amenu Uburu holding on August 31, 2026 at Amaorji, Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Themed, "coming together in unity, celebrating our heritage, building our tomorrow," the chairman of the organizing committee of the event, Hon. Ogbonnaya Ene-Odii, described it as "a festival of thanksgiving, unity and renewal."

"Let us give thanks for His goodness, celebrate our new beginnings and strengthen the bond that makes us one family," the committee stated.

According to the organisers, the event is aimed at promoting the rich cultural heritage and profound unity of Amenu even as it will also be an opportunity for key stakeholders to discuss practical ways to move forward."

The Amenu Uburu Welfare Union is a community-based socio-cultural and charitable organization formed by indigenes of Amenu, one of the celebrated villages in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigeria.

The union operates through various branches in Lagos, Abuja, Aba, Port Harcourt and Abakaliki, among others to foster unity, preserve cultural heritage, and support community development back home.

Amen Uburu Welfare Union Worldwide Organizes large-scale humanitarian programmes, including free medical outreaches providing health checks, medications.and treatments for vulnerable residents in Uburu.

It also advocates for the welfare, legal protection, and general well-being of Uburu sons and daughters residing outside their home state.

It connects members across different regions in Nigeria and elsewhere to promote mutual progress, celebrate milestones, and maintain strong ties to their ancestral roots.

The President-General (PG) of Amenu, Mazi Elias Eneh, urged sons and daughters to return enmass and support the effort. He emphasized that all things considered, the unity and progress of Amenu cannot be compromised or negotiated.

The Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) says it will endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for a second term in office as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day.

The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed by its National Executive President, Mr Okorie C. Okorie and issued to newsmen on Monday in Abakaliki.

According to Okorie, NYO will commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day on Wednesday, Aug. 12, with its leadership from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) converging at the Banquet Hall of Barcelona Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja.

He said distinguished Nigerians would speak on the journey of Nigerian youths so far, with discussions centred on the theme: “The Roles of Nigerian Youth in Consolidating the Gains of Democracy.”

The organisation said it had, over the years, remained committed to advancing the rights of young Nigerians and creating opportunities for their growth, development and progress.

The President said the major highlight of the 2026 celebration would be the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, in recognition of what it described as his creative advancement of opportunities for Nigerian youths through the introduction and implementation of various programmes and policies.

The NYO said some of the initiatives included the establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the Nigerian Youth Academy (NIYA GIGS) and interventions by the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, among other programmes of the administration.

He further commended the Tinubu administration for what it described as its determination and capacity to tackle the country's security challenges.

The organisation noted that, apart from charging the armed forces to defeat terrorists and bandits, the administration had also approved significant salary increases for military personnel as motivation for them to confront the challenges associated with securing the country.

The NYO said it was pleased to identify with Tinubu on what it described as his patriotism, youth-focused policies and determination to rejuvenate the Nigerian economy.

It added that the policies would create greater opportunities for Nigerian youths to express their creative abilities, earn decent livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to national development.

Polycarp Sola

Recent developments seems to comfirm the fears that the N400m fully furnished mansion in Life Camp Abuja recently gifted to a popular Nigerian content creator, Habeeb Hamzat, aka Peller, and his partner, Jarvis on their wedding may be sitting on a disputed land.

Documents made available to newsmen have revealed that the huge gift from a real estate entrepreneur, King Ochacha may be located on an encroached portion of land allegedly belonging to Yakoson Ventures and Urban Paradise Estate, behind Ochacho Estate, Life Camp, Abuja.

Urban Paradise Estate had raised a contention that Paul-B Homes Limited allegedly encroached on the property without their consent and subsequently commenced the sale of portions of the disputed land to Ochacha, Silas Homes, NLG Cooperative and other developers, stating that the dispute over the land is still pending at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Apo, Abuja, with Suit No: CV/116/2026.

In a recent petition, Urban Paradise Estate alleges that Paul-B Homes Limited has continued construction activities on portions of the disputed land despite the service of relevant court processes on the company through substituted means. This development, according to them, has continued to generate concerns among affected investors and other interested parties, particularly regarding compliance with ongoing judicial proceedings and respect for due process.

They called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to prevail on Paul -B Homes and other developers to show respect for the rule of law and pending Court Proceedings, and desist from further activities on the diaputed land pending Court's final determination.

"It is important to stress that the ownership dispute remains sub judice and subject to the final determination of the court. No party should therefore be treated as having been finally vindicated or condemned until the court reaches its decision"

"We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued emphasis on the Renewed Hope Agenda, institutional reforms and the strengthening of the rule of law and due process in Nigeria.

"We also commend the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for his efforts to restore order, planning discipline and accountability within the Federal Capital Territory.

"It is in this same spirit that we appeal to the FCDA and other relevant FCT authorities to ensure that the rule of law is fully respected in this matter, that no development takes place in defiance of valid court processes or orders, and that the rights of all legitimate stakeholders are protected pending the determination of the court" the petition stated.

It further appealed to members of the public and prospective investors to exercise extreme caution and conduct proper due diligence before committing their hard-earned funds to properties within the disputed area.

"Those already developing properties on the affected land are urged to seek proper legal clarification and take appropriate steps to protect their investments pending the resolution of the dispute", the petition added.

The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the August 22 local government elections in Ebonyi State, Chief Chidi Aloh, has pledged to prioritize security, education, infrastructure, and rural development in Abakaliki Local Government Area if elected.

Aloh gave the assurance while interacting with newsmen at his residence in Inagboke, Azugwu area of Abakaliki Local Government Area, after flagging off his campaign earlier on Monday at Nkwegu Primary School, which witnessed a massive turnout.

He appreciated the Governor Nwifuru-led administration for giving him the opportunity to serve his people, saying he would reciprocate by ensuring that he steps down the People's Charter of Needs agenda to the grassroots when elected.

"God have done a wonderful thing to me, and my family, and my entire village, and the entire people of Abakaliki local government by giving me a chance to fly the APC flag to contest election.

"There is a lot of work to do. I need their vote. If they vote me in, I will try my best to make sure that unity and love that our governor give to the state will continue in my local government. I will give them development: rural roads, a light network, electricity networking, schools, health center. I will try my best to make sure that people's charter of need's agenda go down to the rural areas." He said.

Aloh promised to operate an open government where youths, men, and women would not be left behind, saying he would be open to criticism and accessible to everyone who would need his attention while serving them.

"Our fathers, we must regard them. And recognize our youth and our women. And make sure that everything is alright. So that the peace will remain," he added.

In his remarks, Comrade Okwa Fidelis, Chairman of Motomechanics Village in Abakaliki, advised Aloh to do better than the outgoing chairman when he takes over.

"People are always full of expectation when a new person is coming to the seats. They will be expecting for him to fulfill all his promises. And I am praying that by the special grace of God, the incoming chairman is a man of trust. He's a man of his word. I am believing so much that he's going to perform more than his promises because I know who he is. He's a man who can tell you something and stand on what he says." He added.

IFAD-VCDP Boosts Women's Networking in Ebonyi




The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Value Chain Development Programne (VCDP) has conducted a networking forum to promote women's connectivity in Ebonyi.state.

The Rural Institution Gender Youth Mainstreaming Officer (RIGMO) of IFAD--VCDP, Mrs Fransisca Anya said while addressing the women during the forum, that it was one of the programme's exit strategies.

Anya said that women's voices are not usually heard which prompted IFAD--VCDP in Ebonyi, to institute a special forum for women to inter--connect.

""This affords women opportunities to interact, network and connect as done in several related forums such as the International Women's Day celebration."

She noted that the programme has registered several women network forums aimed at achieving intended connectivity objectives.

""We have registered the silver women network at Izzi Local Governentl Area (LGA) of the state.and the golden star women network in Ohaozara LGA.

"We have also registered impactful women network in Ivo LGA, the Rising star network in Ishielu among others in the eight participating LGAs of the state.

"Most of the women networks havs conducted their elections to elect executives and this has given them purposeful leadership,".

Anya said that the most gratifying aspect of the networking is sustainability as the networks can stand even when IFAD--VCDP winds up.

"They can stand as groups to demand women's rights and accountability from elected officials including others in authority," she said..

The IFAD--VCDP State Ccordintaor, Chief Sunday Ituma described the event as inspiring with ts roots originating from the biblical recognition of the importance of women.

Ituma represented by the programme's Agricultural Production Officer in the state, Mr Darlington Onele remarked that God recognised the importance of women in the society which necessidated their creation.



"You have exhibited various produce and products as the overall intention is for you to develop yourselves and the society.

Mrs Jane Okoro. One of the participants at the event thanked IFAD--VCDP for the networking iniwtiative and urged women to make adequate use of the opportunities provided.

Suspected political thugs have attacked journalists in Idembia, Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The journalists were attacked while driving into a road to cover a program organized by Chief Ifeanyi Nworie.

Nworie invited the attacked journalists for the event.

The journalists were attending the event with their official vehicle marked"Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) when the thugs led by one Mr Friday Agbom attacked them.

The thugs badly hit the vehicle in attempt to gain entrance into it and were looking for fuel to set it ablaze when the driver of the vehicle maneuvered them and escaped.

The thugs, numbering over 50, were still at the entrance to the place the event the journalists were attending supposed to hold as at the time of this report.

The thugs were wearing t-shirts bearing pictures of a lawmaker.

Meanwhile, the thugs descended on a man who was passing on the road when they were attacking the journalists and beat him up till he fell inside the bush.

The event was billed to hold on a village square by the roadside in the community when suspected political thugs stormed the place and disrupted it.

The organizer decided to shift the event to his compound. But the thugs went to the road leading to his place and barricaded, and started attacking those coming for the event through the road.

Over 20 armed policemen were seen within the playground the program was billed to hold.

The Minister of Works, Senator David Nweze Umahi, has urged Nigerians to remain patient with President Bola Tinubu, saying ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in the South-East, are creating jobs, boosting local industries and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth.

Speaking during an inspection of the Abuja–Benue–Nasarawa–Calabar Super Highway project in Ebonyi State, Umahi said the President's investment in road infrastructure was stimulating economic activities by creating employment opportunities and increasing patronage for local businesses.

"The President means well for this country. Everything cannot be corrected in three years, but he is making grave efforts across different sectors of the economy," he said.

The minister noted that the adoption of reinforced concrete pavement on federal highways had reduced dependence on imported materials while increasing demand for locally produced cement, sand, and other construction inputs.

He added that the projects had also created opportunities for food vendors, transporters, and suppliers along the construction corridors, describing infrastructure as "a catalyst for tackling hunger and driving economic revolution."

Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ebonyi State, Maxwell Oko, said the Abuja–Benue–Nasarawa–Calabar Super Highway, being handled by MSS Infoest International Limited at a contract sum of ₦454 billion, had recorded 39.12 per cent completion, with work progressing on both carriageways.

Project Manager of the contractor, Engr. Mohammed Mostafa, confirmed that construction had reached approximately 37.8 kilometres on the left carriageway and 34.9 kilometres on the right carriageway, while earthworks, soil stabilisation and reinforced concrete pavement continued simultaneously across the project.

Speaking further, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), Barrister Chioma Nweze, said the completed sections of the highway were already improving connectivity and opening new economic opportunities across the region.

According to her, the road network would ease access to markets, healthcare facilities, and other essential services while expanding trade within the Southeast.

Nweze also commended the Federal Government for ongoing projects, including the Ndibe Bridge, the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway, the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Umuahia–Port Harcourt highway, describing them as critical investments that would accelerate economic development and regional integration.

She further lauded the Tinubu administration for sustaining stability in tertiary institutions and expanding access to the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), urging students in the South-East to take advantage of the scheme.

"Whatever is good for the North is also good for the South. Our students should access the fund and benefit from the opportunities available," she said.

Nweze praised Umahi for personally supervising federal road projects across the region, saying his hands-on approach was ensuring timely delivery of infrastructure that would improve the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians.