Osborne Umahi, son of the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has obtained the chairmanship nomination form for Ohaozara Local Government Area ahead of the forthcoming local government elections in Ebonyi State.

Osborne was among aspirants recently endorsed by Governor Francis Nwifuru as the All Progressives Congress candidates for the council polls across the state’s 13 local government areas.

The endorsement has continued to generate mixed reactions among political observers and stakeholders in Ebonyi.

Reacting to the development, Senator Umahi reportedly described the governor’s decision as a profound show of appreciation and confidence in his political family.

Accompanied by supporters and well-wishers, Osborne purchased the N30 million nomination form at the APC secretariat in Abakaliki on Friday.

He, however, declined to speak with journalists after completing the process.

Speaking at the party secretariat, the State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Francis Ori, expressed confidence in Osborne’s capacity to lead, describing him as a worthy choice for the people of Ohaozara.

According to Ori, Osborne would build on the legacies of his father, noting that he possesses the qualities needed to replicate Senator Umahi’s achievements as a former governor and current minister.

He added that residents of the local government area are firmly behind Osborne and are expected to demonstrate their support during the election.

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt on Friday restrained the Chief Judge of the state from receiving any impeachment notice from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the Clerk of the House, and 29 other members.

The court issued the order following an application brought before it challenging the impeachment process initiated by the lawmakers.

In its ruling, the court directed all the defendants to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Details shortly…

former Abia governors,

The All Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abia State chapter, has dismissed claims that funds meant for local government areas in the state are being misappropriated.

Speaking to reporters on Friday after a meeting in Umuahia, ALGON chairman and Isuikwuato LGA Mayor, Chinedu Ekeke, clarified that the state government manages and distributes the allocations.

“We are not aware of any hijacking of funds. The government handles the sharing of our allocations,” he said.

Ekeke explained that funds from the federal government have not been directly reaching local governments, noting that allocations are managed through the JAAC accounts.

“The local governments are properly funded from the JAAC accounts, and the 17 LGA Mayors are performing their duties effectively,” he added.

On the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding local government autonomy, Ekeke said the federal government is still evaluating how to implement it.

He emphasized strong collaboration between the state and local governments, praising the leadership of Governor Dr. Alex Otti for supporting the LGAs financially.

ALGON further condemned recent political statements by former governors and their allies, describing them as attempts to undermine the state’s progress.

The association highlighted Otti’s achievements, including infrastructure development, healthcare and educational improvements, prompt payment of salaries and pensions, and prudent financial management.

The association concluded by stressing that in a democratic system, leadership should be assessed based on performance and the electorate’s choice, not on “declarations, pronouncements, or political theatrics,” and reaffirmed its confidence in Governor Otti.

Four members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who had earlier urged a political solution to the state’s crisis have reversed their stance and thrown their weight behind the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

The lawmakers made their new position known on Friday during a live press conference in Port Harcourt, where they joined their colleagues in insisting that the governor no longer enjoys the confidence of the Assembly to resolve the lingering political turmoil in the oil-rich state.

At the briefing, the legislators accused Governor Fubara of blackmail, intimidation and repeated violations of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that such actions had eroded trust between the executive and the legislature.

They said the Assembly was left with no option but to invoke its constitutional powers to commence impeachment proceedings.

The lawmakers further alleged that both the governor and his deputy attempted to undermine the independence of the legislature, describing the situation as a direct threat to democratic governance in the state.

Despite their hardline position, the legislators expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis and appealed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, to reconvene the Assembly to allow legislative activities resume.

In a dramatic shift, the four lawmakers who had previously canvassed dialogue and reconciliation publicly recanted their earlier position, declaring full support for the continuation of the impeachment process against the governor and his deputy.

Shortly after the press conference, the lawmakers moved to the Assembly complex where a plenary session was held.

During the sitting, members unanimously voted to commence an investigation into allegations of gross misconduct levelled against Governor Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have resolved to continue impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, insisting that the governor no longer enjoys the confidence required to resolve the political crisis in the state.

The lawmakers made their position known on Friday during a live press conference in Port Harcourt, where they accused the governor of blackmail, intimidation, and violations of the 1999 Constitution.

According to the legislators, the alleged actions of the governor left the Assembly with no alternative but to invoke its constitutional powers to begin impeachment proceedings.

They also accused both the governor and his deputy of attempting to undermine the independence of the legislature.

While reaffirming their stance, the lawmakers expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for intervening in the crisis and appealed to the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, to reconvene the Assembly for legislative business.

In a dramatic turn, four lawmakers who had earlier called for a political resolution reversed their positions and announced their full support for the continuation of the impeachment process.

Shortly after the press briefing, the lawmakers proceeded to the Assembly complex, where a parliamentary session was convened.

During plenary, members unanimously voted to investigate allegations of gross misconduct leveled against the governor and his deputy.

Details shortly..