Igboeze South Local Government Area, a key political subdivision in Enugu State, is divided into 16 political wards and four development centers: Ekete, South-East, Udeze, and Central.

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These development centers align with the two traditional political zones that have long defined the area’s governance structure: the South-East Zone and the South-West Zone.

Historically, the South-East Zone includes Ekete and South-East development centers, while the South-West Zone comprises Udeze and Central development centers.

Despite the introduction of the development centers, the traditional zones remain intact, continuing to serve as the foundation for political representation and resource allocation within the LGA.

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A significant aspect of this structure is the voting population ratio between the two zones, with the East holding approximately 60% and the West 40%.

Ideally, political and democratic benefits have been shared between these zones.

However, recent developments following the last general elections have sparked concerns over an apparent imbalance.

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The South-West Zone currently holds eight significant positions in government, while the South-East Zone is left with only one outgoing position—the local government’s PDP Chairmanship.

Current Political Representation:

Igboeze South-West Zone:
– Udeze Development Center:
1. Senate – Okey Ezea
2. House of Assembly – Harrison Ogara
3. Commissioner – Hon. Sunday Ajogwu
4. Chairman, Igboeze South Traditional Rulers Council – HRH Igwe Agbaje
5. Vice Chairman, Igboeze South Traditional Rulers Council – HRH Igwe Oke

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– Central Development Center:
1. Member, ESUT Board – Chief Engr Ajibo
2. Patron 2, Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council – HRH Igwe H.I. Ezeh
3. Secretary, Igboeze South Traditional Rulers Council – HRH, Igwe Prof. Omeje

Igboeze South-East Zone:
– South-East Development Center:
1. 1st Term Chairman, PDP Igboeze South – Hon. Princess Chinwendu Ogbonna

– Ekete Development Center:
– No position currently occupied

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This lopsided distribution of power has led to increasing calls for the next Chairman of the council to come from the South-East Zone, specifically from the Ekete development center.

Ekete, which is the most populous development center, accounting for about 40% of the LGA’s population, remains significantly underrepresented.

Emerging Contenders for Council Chairmanship:

Among the key figures vying for the Chairmanship is Barr. Ugo Ferdinand Ukwueze, a prominent legal practitioner from Umulolo Ward in Ekete development center.

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Barr. Ukwueze, the immediate past Chairman of the NBA Nsukka branch and a former Coordinating Chairman of the Bar in Enugu State, has a strong political and professional background.

His contributions to the PDP during the last election cycle are well-recognized, particularly his financial support for various campaign platforms and his philanthropic efforts aimed at empowering widows and orphans in the community.

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With growing support for his candidacy, Barr. Ukwueze’s leadership could mark a significant shift in the political dynamics of Igboeze South LGA, potentially restoring balance and ensuring fair representation across the traditional zones. As the momentum builds, the political landscape of Igboeze South LGA is poised for significant changes.

The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure, Ondo State, on Tuesday, overturned the dismissal of Mr. Iroju Ogundeji, a former Deputy Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, ordering his reinstatement.

The judgment marks the conclusion of a four-year legal battle that began with Ogundeji’s removal in 2020.

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Ogundeji, who represented Odigbo Constituency 2, was ousted from his position following a disagreement with the leadership of the 9th Assembly, then headed by Speaker Bamidele Oloyeloogun.

Following his removal, Ogundeji was replaced by Samuel Aderoboye, who served as Deputy Speaker until the Assembly’s term ended in 2023.

After his removal, Ogundeji sought redress at the Ondo State High Court, which ruled in his favor and ordered his reinstatement.

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However, the House of Assembly challenged the ruling, appealing the decision of Justice Akintan Osadebey at the state’s high court.

In a unanimous decision, the appellate court, comprising Justices Oyebisi Omoleye, Frederick Oziakpono-Oho, and Yusuf Bashir, upheld the judgment of the lower court.

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The Court of Appeal found that Ogundeji had not been given a fair hearing before his removal, rendering the Assembly’s decision null and void.

The court ordered that Ogundeji be reinstated to his position as Deputy Speaker and that he receive all entitlements due to him during his tenure in the 9th Assembly.

The ruling reinforces the principle of fair hearing in legislative procedures and marks a significant victory for Ogundeji in his pursuit of justice.

President Bola Tinubu is set to embark on a three-day official visit to Equatorial Guinea starting Wednesday.

The visit, as disclosed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, follows an invitation from President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea.

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President Tinubu will depart Abuja for Malabo, the capital of Equatorial Guinea, where he will engage in discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.

The visit will focus on key areas such as oil and gas cooperation and security.

Upon arrival, President Tinubu will meet with President Mbasogo at the Presidential Villa in Malabo. During the visit, both leaders are expected to sign several agreements to enhance cooperation between Nigeria and Equatorial Guinea.

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Accompanying President Tinubu on this official trip will be the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, along with other cabinet members.

These officials will participate in the signing of agreements and explore additional opportunities to bolster bilateral ties between the two nations.

The Federal Government has advised those calling for regime change to wait until the next presidential election in 2027.

This statement was made by the Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, following the inaugural Council of State meeting under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

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The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa, was attended by former Presidents Muhammadu Buhari and Goodluck Jonathan, with former Heads of State Yakubu Gowon and Abdulsalami Abubakar joining virtually. However, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida were absent.

During the meeting, the National Security Adviser (NSA) briefed the Council on the country’s security situation, particularly addressing recent unrest that some have interpreted as an attempt to forcefully change the government.

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Alake emphasized that any change in government must occur through the electoral process, not through unconstitutional means.

The NSA reassured the Council of the government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy and maintaining security across the nation.

The Council also expressed gratitude to Nigerians for resisting unconstitutional actions and affirmed that any future changes in leadership must come through the ballot box.

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In addition to the security briefing, presentations were made by several ministers on the progress of various sectors under the “Renewed Hope” agenda, focusing on economic diversification and transformation.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq, who chairs the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, noted that the Council of State and the Governors’ Forum both passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu, expressing satisfaction with the government’s direction and progress.

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The meeting concluded with a private session between the President and the Governors, where further discussions reinforced the confidence in the current administration’s plans and strategies.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has confirmed Senator Muhammad Danjuma Goje as a legitimate member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Gombe State, overturning a previous ruling by a Federal High Court.

The appellate court, composed of Justices Abba B. Mohammed, E.O. Abang, and P.C. Obiora, delivered the judgment on Tuesday, dismissing the earlier verdict that barred Goje from representing himself as an APC member.

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The court also imposed a N200,000 fine on the Gombe APC for its actions.

The dispute began in April 2023, when Goje was expelled by the APC Kashere Ward executives in Akko Local Government Area over alleged anti-party activities during the 2023 general elections.

Challenging his dismissal, Goje filed an appeal through his counsel, Paul Erokoro (SAN), on July 4, 2023, arguing that the Federal High Court’s decision violated his right to a fair hearing.

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He asserted that the letter from the ward chairman, Tanimu Abdullahi, failed to specify the anti-party activities he was accused of committing.

The Court of Appeal sided with Goje, nullifying the Federal High Court’s judgment and affirming his continued membership in the APC.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently visited Nigerian musician Paul Okoye (Rudeboy) and his elder brother, music executive Jude Okoye, amid a brewing family feud.

The visit comes on the heels of a public fallout between Paul, his twin brother Peter Okoye, and Jude.

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In a recent interview, Rudeboy accused his twin brother Peter of filing a petition with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), leading to his arrest.

However, Peter Okoye, in an open letter on Monday, denied these accusations, asserting that his focus was on uncovering the truth behind a secret company, Northside Music, allegedly owned by Jude Okoye and his wife, Ifeoma.

The visit by Peter Obi appears to be an effort to mediate the conflict.

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Paul Okoye took to Instagram on Tuesday to express his gratitude for the gesture, sharing photos of the visit and captioning them, “Thank you very much and God bless you sir P.O @peterobigregory #yourexcelency.”

It’s worth noting that Paul and Peter Okoye were prominent supporters of Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election campaign.

The Abia State House of Assembly has officially sworn in Mr. Aaron Uzodike of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the representative for the Aba North State Constituency.

This event took place on Tuesday, nearly nine months after the Court of Appeal in Lagos nullified the election of his predecessor, Mr. Destiny Nwangwu of the Labour Party (LP).

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The Court of Appeal’s ruling on November 27, 2023, declared Uzodike the rightful winner of the March 25, 2023, state Assembly election.

As a result, the court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw the Certificate of Return previously issued to Nwangwu and to issue a new one to Uzodike.

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Despite this clear directive, Uzodike’s inauguration faced delays, reportedly due to controversies surrounding the court’s judgment.

However, on Tuesday, the Clerk of the House, Mr. JohnPedro Irokansi, administered the oath of office and allegiance to Uzodike during the plenary session.

Following his swearing-in, the Speaker of the House, Mr. Emmanuel Emeruwa, extended congratulations to Uzodike on behalf of his fellow lawmakers.

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In his post-inauguration remarks to the press, Uzodike pledged to serve his constituents diligently and expressed his gratitude to God, Governor Alex Otti, and the Speaker for the opportunity to assume his role.

“Delay is not denial; the end justifies the means. I believe every position one occupies is ordained by God,” Uzodike stated.

In other developments, the Assembly passed the Local Government Amendment Bill, an Executive Bill proposed by the Majority Leader, Mr. Uchenna Okoro of the Arochukwu Constituency.

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This amendment is anticipated to facilitate the smooth conduct of the forthcoming Local Government elections.

The Assembly subsequently adjourned for recess and is scheduled to reconvene on September 24.