Senator Victor Umeh, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, has insisted that Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo cannot match the popularity of Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Anambra State or across Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Umeh made the declaration on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

Commenting on Soludo’s decision to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, the senator argued that the governor’s endorsement would not prevent the people of Anambra State from voting for Obi.

Umeh recalled Obi’s electoral performance in Anambra, claiming that the former governor had dealt significant blows to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 elections.

He predicted that the 2027 election would produce a similar outcome in the South-East, describing Obi as a highly popular political figure in Anambra State.

According to Umeh, Soludo’s support for Tinubu would not diminish Obi’s standing among voters.

He said, “Today, no matter what Soludo does, Peter Obi will continue to be more popular than him, both in Nigeria and in Anambra State.”

Meanwhile, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, recently predicted that Obi could defeat Soludo in the 2027 election.

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, Momodu described Obi as a political star in the South-East and South-South, arguing that his popularity could pose a significant challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Momodu further maintained that Obi’s appeal among voters could affect Soludo’s electoral prospects and, by extension, those of Tinubu in the two regions.

Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central in the Senate, has accused Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of attempting to outdo former governor Peter Obi out of what he described as envy and hatred.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), governed Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, while Soludo assumed office as governor in 2022.

Soludo has recently criticised Obi’s tenure, accusing the former governor of failing to pay salaries and repay loans incurred during his administration.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Umeh argued that Soludo was trying to surpass Obi’s achievements and political record.

The senator, who said he attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), alongside Obi and Soludo between 1980 and 1984, suggested that their shared academic history might be contributing to what he described as peer envy.

Umeh also maintained that Obi remained more popular than Soludo, despite the latter’s position as the incumbent governor of Anambra State.

He said, “He (Peter Obi) cannot be drawn to what is called peer envy and hate. You know, all of us were in the university together. Myself, Soludo, Peter Obi. We were at the University of Nigeria from 1980 to 1984, all of us graduated the same day.

“So sometimes when you see people talk, they talk out of maybe peer envy. Soludo is running after Peter Obi’s record.”

The Federal Government has asked the National Assembly to approve the issuance of promissory notes worth ₦269.44 billion to settle outstanding debts owed to contractors and other creditors.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

President Bola Tinubu made the request in a letter conveyed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and read during plenary at the House of Representatives in Abuja.

The President is seeking lawmakers’ approval to establish and expand the Promissory Note Programme to address the government’s outstanding financial obligations.

In the letter dated August 18, 2026, and received by the Speaker’s office on October 21, Akume disclosed that the total liabilities amounted to ₦269,446,402,822.56.

He explained that the debts, which include contract-related and project-related obligations, were identified and confirmed following a comprehensive review by the relevant ministries, departments and agencies.

According to the SGF, the programme would provide “a structured, transparent and fiscally responsible framework” for settling the liabilities, with only verified and validated claims considered for payment.

In addition to seeking approval for the issuance of the promissory notes, Tinubu asked lawmakers to authorise the inclusion of the identified categories of creditors and beneficiaries, subject to final verification and certification.

The President also requested approval for the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, the Debt Management Office and other relevant government agencies to oversee the implementation of the programme.

Akume said the initiative would prevent the outstanding debts from accumulating further interest, penalties and other charges.

He added that the arrangement would reduce the financial pressure on affected creditors and demonstrate the government’s commitment to fulfilling its legitimate obligations.

The SGF noted that the Promissory Note Programme had previously been used to address inherited domestic debts and contractual liabilities, following approval by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly.

He explained that the scheme would allow the government to settle the obligations in phases without placing excessive pressure on public finances, in accordance with sound debt management principles.

Akume urged the House of Representatives to consider the request urgently, citing the substantial value of the liabilities, the length of time some debts had remained unpaid and the risk of additional interest accruing.

He said timely approval would enable the government to commence issuing the promissory notes and facilitate the resolution of the outstanding obligations.

A detailed schedule containing the debts, beneficiaries, amounts involved and supporting documents was attached to the request for lawmakers’ consideration.