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Tension In Anambra: Soludo Faces Strong Opposition Amid Insecurity, Church Revolt.

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According to Nivo News, all eyes are on Anambra State as the much-anticipated off-cycle governorship election holds this Saturday. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed its readiness for what is shaping up to be one of the most intense political showdowns in recent times.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The incumbent governor and renowned economist, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), is squaring off against formidable challengers in a five-horse race that has captured national attention. Though 16 names appear on the ballot, only five parties—the APC, LP, YPP, ADC, and APGA—are widely regarded as serious contenders.

Soludo, seeking reelection under APGA, faces Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the APC, Dr. George Moghalu of the Labour Party, Sir Paul Chukwuma of the YPP, and Mr. John Chuma Nwosu of the ADC. Each has assembled strong running mates in an effort to strengthen their chances across the 21 local government areas.

Governor Soludo’s campaign is anchored on his performance, reforms, and his alliance with the federal government, while opposition parties insist his efforts fall short of expectations. Despite his achievements, he faces resistance from powerful church groups, traditional rulers, and market traders angered by harsh tax policies. However, strong political backers such as Sir Emeka Offor, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, and local government chairmen continue to rally behind him.

Security challenges remain a key issue. Many communities in Ihiala and Orumba South are still under the threat of unknown gunmen, with residents living in fear. Critics argue that the state government has failed to fully restore peace in these areas.

In the APC camp, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, a wealthy businessman and politician, is banking on the party’s federal might and the influence of his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife, to tilt the scales. The APC’s strategy is to leverage its national network and reclaim the state as part of its expansion drive ahead of the 2027 general election.

Labour Party’s Dr. George Moghalu is counting on the widespread popularity of former governor Peter Obi and the support of LP legislators, including Senators Victor Umeh and Tony Nwoye. The party hopes to make significant inroads in key areas such as Anaocha, Idemili, and Onitsha. Moghalu promises a new era of transparent, people-driven leadership and insists his ambition is driven by service, not self-interest.

Sir Paul Chukwuma of the YPP, a former APC stalwart and academic, presents himself as a reformist ready to fix the state within six months. Although YPP lacks broad structures across Anambra, Chukwuma’s philanthropic record and strong Catholic support base may earn him sympathy votes.

ADC’s John Chuma Nwosu, alongside his running mate Dr. Ndubuisi Nwobu, is focusing on grassroots engagement but faces internal party crises that could affect his performance. Meanwhile, actress Chioma Ifemeludike of the African Action Congress (AAC) has drawn attention for breaking gender barriers, appealing to the youth, and advocating inclusive governance.

Political analysts believe Soludo remains the frontrunner due to his incumbency and visible projects, but the opposition’s growing momentum and federal influences could reshape the outcome. As campaign drums fade and voting begins, Anambra braces for what many are calling the “final battle” in the state’s political history.


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Shehu Sani Backs Fani-Kayode, Calls For ‘Sakiya’ Diplomacy With South Africa.

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Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has expressed support for Nigeria’s ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, describing him as the right person to manage the country’s diplomatic relations with South Africa amid the ongoing controversy over his treatment by the South African authorities.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Sani argued that South Africa needed a representative who could respond appropriately to different situations, depending on the approach adopted by the other party.

The former lawmaker made the remarks in a post shared on his X handle on Sunday.

“Fani Kayode is the best choice for South Africa at this material time. They need someone who can switch to any mode when the occasion demands for it. If you speak diplomacy you get diplomacy, if you speak ‘sakiya’ you get ‘Sakiya’,” he wrote.

His comments come amid rising diplomatic tensions between Nigeria and South Africa following allegations by the Nigerian High Commission and the South African Presidency over the reported exclusion of Nigeria’s ambassador from a livestream of a diplomatic ceremony.

Fani-Kayode had accused the South African Presidency of deliberately leaving Nigeria’s delegation out of the livestream of the presentation of his letter of credence to President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday.

The ceremony, which took place in Pretoria, involved 15 ambassadors presenting their letters of credence to the South African leader.

The allegation sparked an exchange of claims between the Nigerian High Commission and the South African Presidency, triggering reactions from Nigerians and South Africans across social media platforms on Saturday.

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Abiodun Launches Massive Grassroots Campaign, Unveils 50,400 Renewed Hope Apostles.

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Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has inaugurated 50,400 grassroots political mobilisers, known as Renewed Hope Apostles, across the state as part of the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s strategy to secure victory in the 2027 general elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The initiative will see the canvassers conduct coordinated door-to-door campaigns across Ogun State’s 236 wards, with the aim of strengthening grassroots engagement, expanding the party’s support base and informing voters about the achievements of APC-led governments at the federal, state and local government levels.

Abiodun announced the initiative during a series of strategic meetings with party leaders and stakeholders across the state’s 20 local government areas. The meetings were attended by local government and ward executives, council chairmen, councillors, governorship and other party candidates, party elders, governors’ liaison officers and political appointees.

The governor explained that the Renewed Hope Apostles would serve as the party’s grassroots communication and mobilisation network, taking information about government policies, programmes and achievements directly to residents.

He said the initiative was also aimed at tackling misinformation and ensuring that voters understood how government policies and projects affected their daily lives.

“We have called them the Renewed Hope Apostles. They will now begin to propagate so that the people can be better informed because when there is no information, there is misinformation, and that is what we are addressing.

“In the first instance, in Ogun East, we have 15,000 of them, and across the state, we have 50,400. We expect them to multiply and spread the gospel of the party’s performance,” he said.

Abiodun disclosed that the canvassers were selected from different local government areas and organised around polling units to ensure that the campaign reached voters at the community level.

According to him, the recruitment and verification process lasted approximately three months, during which the necessary details of the participants were compiled and verified to establish an effective and accountable mobilisation structure.

He added that the canvassers would be equipped with information about the achievements of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Ogun State Government to enable them to explain the impact of APC policies to residents.

Abiodun highlights Tinubu’s projects in Ogun

Speaking on the impact of the Tinubu administration on Ogun State, the governor listed the reconstruction of the Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Ore Road, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the facilitation of the Gateway Deep Sea Port, the revival of the Ogun LNG project and the establishment of a major Customs facility in the state.

He said the projects, alongside other federal interventions, were improving Ogun’s economic prospects, attracting investments, creating employment opportunities and strengthening its position as one of Nigeria’s leading industrial destinations.

Abiodun described the economic and policy decisions introduced by Tinubu as necessary measures that had helped stabilise the national economy and placed it on a path towards sustainable growth.

Ogun government lists achievements across sectors

The governor also highlighted the achievements of his administration in infrastructure, housing, education, healthcare, agriculture, energy and economic empowerment.

He disclosed that his government had constructed more than 1,700 kilometres of roads across the state’s three senatorial districts, rehabilitated and constructed over 1,600 schools, and provided more than 7,000 housing units currently occupied by residents.

In the health sector, Abiodun said 160 Primary Healthcare Centres had been equipped and upgraded as part of his administration’s plan to establish at least one functional primary healthcare facility in each of the state’s 236 wards.

He added that contracts had recently been awarded for the construction of new hospitals in Odogbolu, Isara and Itori, while the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital had been repositioned to improve healthcare delivery.

The governor also announced the completion of the 250-bed Gateway Medical Centre of Excellence in Abeokuta, which he said had been abandoned by previous administrations.

On electricity, Abiodun said his government had established two independent power plants in Abeokuta to support industrial and social activities.

He further disclosed that more than 20,000 farmers had benefited from the distribution of agricultural inputs, including pesticides, fertilisers, seedlings and tractors.

According to him, over 60,000 women had received support through the Oko Owo Dapo initiative, while cooperative societies and artisans had benefited from more than ₦1 billion in financial assistance to expand their businesses.

In education, the governor said his administration had recruited and deployed more than 7,000 teaching personnel to address manpower shortages in public primary and secondary schools.

Abiodun also highlighted the state’s aviation project, noting that beyond developing a world-class airport, his administration had established an airline whose aircraft had commenced international operations from Lagos to Bangui.

Abiodun urges APC members to unite ahead of 2027

The governor charged the newly inaugurated Renewed Hope Apostles to carry out their duties with commitment, discipline and a clear understanding of the party’s achievements.

He said their responsibility was to engage voters, address their concerns and mobilise support for the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.

Abiodun also appealed to party leaders and members to set aside personal differences and work together to secure the party’s electoral success.

He maintained that unity and effective grassroots coordination were essential to achieving the party’s objectives.

“A divided party cannot win an election. We must work together as a team, strengthen our relationships and ensure that every member understands the importance of this assignment,” he said.

The governor explained that the meetings with party stakeholders were also designed to strengthen internal cohesion, review mobilisation strategies and establish a common direction ahead of the elections.

Prominent APC leaders, including the state chairman, Chief Yemi Sanusi; Director-General of the Presidential and Governorship Campaign Council, Senator Lekan Mustapha; Deputy Director-General, Dr Apaye; Ogun East Senatorial Chairman, Chief Adeleke Adedotun; and APC Chairman in Odeda Local Government, Hon. Musulumi Saka, pledged their support for the party’s success.

They assured the governor of their readiness to mobilise members and supporters across their constituencies in support of President Tinubu, Governor Abiodun and other APC candidates.

The inauguration and stakeholder engagements have so far covered Remo North, Sagamu, Ikenne, Ijebu North East, Ijebu-Ode, Odogbolu, Ijebu East, Ijebu North, Ifo, Ewekoro, Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South, Odeda and Obafemi-Owode local government areas.

The engagements form part of a wider political outreach programme by Abiodun, who has also held consultations with religious organisations, traders, artisans, traditional worshippers, labour leaders and cooperative societies to build broader support for the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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2027 Election: SERAP Gives INEC Seven-Day Ultimatum Over Electoral Offenders

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seven days to prosecute individuals suspected of involvement in electoral violence or risk facing legal action.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a letter addressed to INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, the organisation urged the commission to take urgent steps to ensure that those responsible for electoral violence are brought to justice ahead of the 2027 general elections.

SERAP warned that failure to prosecute the suspects could encourage politicians and political thugs to continue using violence to intimidate voters and manipulate election outcomes.

The rights group also called on INEC to make public the identities of the suspects and provide updates on the progress of their prosecution to demonstrate its commitment to credible, free and fair elections.

“We are giving INEC seven days to take concrete steps to prosecute electoral violence suspects. If nothing is done, we will head to court to compel the commission to do its job,” the organisation stated.

SERAP described electoral violence as one of the major threats to Nigeria’s democracy, noting that fear of attacks has discouraged many citizens from going to polling units to exercise their voting rights.

The organisation further maintained that INEC has the authority under the Electoral Act to prosecute electoral offenders, insisting that the commission should not ignore its responsibility to address the problem.

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