The elders’ caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has advised governorship aspirants to exercise patience before obtaining the party’s prescribed nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2026 election.

In a statement signed by the caucus chairman, Mr. Sola Akinwumi, the group said it had received the report of its Adhoc Committee on the 2026 Osun Guber Election and resolved to establish a Screening Committee.

The committee has been tasked with screening all governorship aspirants promptly, and party stakeholders are expected to wait for the committee’s report before collecting forms.

“All aspirants are urged to exercise patience in obtaining the prescribed forms until the Screening Committee submits its report,” the statement read.

“All party stakeholders should continue to remain steadfast with the Party.”

The APC in Osun State has scheduled its governorship primary for December 13, 2025, ahead of the August 8, 2026 election.

So far, about 13 aspirants have declared interest in the party’s ticket, including: Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, MD, National Inland Waterways Authority, Senator Iyiola Omisore, ex-Deputy Governor of Osun State, Senator Babajide Omoworare, ex-Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Mr. Dotun Babayemi, Benedict Alabi, immediate past Deputy Governor and Akin Ogunbiyi, Chairman, Mutual Assurance Benefits.

Others are: Dr. Peter Babalola, ex-Chief of Staff to the Governor, and Kunle Adegoke (SAN), legal practitioner.

Meanwhile, the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke has been screened by the PDP to contest in the election.

On a related note, Senator Iyiola Omisore became the first APC aspirant to collect the party’s ₦50 million nomination and expression of interest forms for the 2026 election.

Confirming this in a phone interview, the APC’s Deputy National Organising Secretary, Nze Chidi Duru, said the development was accurate.

Omisore, who arrived at the APC national secretariat in Abuja with a large crowd of supporters in customised attire, said his decision was motivated by service rather than ambition.

“This is not about ambition; it is about responsibility, a responsibility to rebuild our state, restore trust in leadership, and chart a new direction for a prosperous Osun,” he said after collecting his forms.

Former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has debunked circulating rumours claiming he had died, stating unequivocally that he is “alive, hale, hearty, and in excellent health.”

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 14, 2025, through his official contact, Obiano addressed the widespread misinformation that had trended on social media earlier in the week, describing the reports as both baseless and unfortunate.

“My beloved Ndi Anambra, friends, and well-wishers, I woke to hear of a rumour making the rounds about my well-being,” the statement read.

“Let me assure you personally: I am alive, hale, hearty, and in excellent health. By the special grace of God, I am doing very well.”

He criticised those responsible for spreading the false claims, describing them as peddlers of “falsehoods,” and urged the public to disregard the rumours entirely.

“To everyone who reached out with calls, messages, and prayers, I sincerely appreciate your concern. Your love and goodwill mean more than words can express,” he added.

Obiano, who served as governor of Anambra State from 2014 to 2022, remains a notable figure in state and national politics.

His reassurance has eased concerns among supporters and associates who were shocked by the earlier unverified reports of his supposed death.

Concluding his message, he expressed gratitude and hope:
“We remain focused, grateful, and guided by God’s grace. Daalu nu, and may God bless you all.”

Before Obiano’s personal statement, a former Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Mr. C-Don Adinuba, had already dismissed the reports.

He emphasised that the former governor is alive and residing in Houston, United States, with his family.

In his statement titled “Former Governor Willie Obiano is Alive, Healthy, and Kicking,” Adinuba wrote:

“The Nigerian media have been abuzz in the last couple of hours with a rumour that the immediate past Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has passed on in London.

“This rumour has no basis. Chief Obiano lives in Texas, United States, and not in London.

“He is not only alive but healthy, strong, and remarkably agile for someone who has just turned 70.

“We thank people from different walks of life across the globe, including leading international media like the BBC, for their keen interest in the former governor, whose large-heartedness and record of service delivery remain impressive by every standard.

“The outpouring of love across the world following the rumour shows how much Chief Obiano means to many, almost four years after leaving public office and choosing a quiet private life abroad.

“At only 70 years of age, Chief Obiano has joined the ranks of great men like the Great Zik of Africa, whose rumoured death once turned out to be utterly false and without any foundation.”

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has been urged to urgently address the worsening waste management situation in Abuja to prevent a potential public health crisis.

Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, highlighted the issue in a post on his official X account on Friday.

“My primary concern is the state of waste management and disposal in Abuja. Clearly, the system has broken down and needs urgent attention,” Ajayi wrote.

“Refuse is now taking over the city. Minister Wike must act quickly to avert a public health crisis. While we commend his visible achievements in road construction and reviving abandoned projects, managing the city’s waste cannot be overlooked.”

Ajayi’s warning comes as heaps of garbage and foul odors increasingly occupy public spaces, raising concerns about sanitation and residents’ well-being.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has weighed in on a separate issue involving Wike, calling on President Tinubu to compel the minister to apologize to a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima.

The dispute arose over a piece of land in Abuja linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

Falana criticized both Wike and the officer for taking the law into their own hands.

He noted that although Wike was performing his duties under Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his use of derogatory language toward the officer was inappropriate.

Citing a Ghanaian case where a minister had to apologize for insulting a taxi driver, Falana stressed the importance of dignity and respect in public office.

“No minister has the right to call any Nigerian a fool,” he said.

“The officer also violated the law by obstructing the minister from carrying out his legal duties. Both sides erred, but the situation could have been far more dangerous.”

Falana made these remarks during the opening of the Legal Year at the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, organized by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter.

The son of the late Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jr, has firmly dismissed viral rumours alleging the death of former Anambra State governor, H.E. Dr. Willie Obiano.

In a message sent to DAILY GAZETTE, Ojukwu Jr stated that he personally contacted Obiano and his wife, and confirmed that the former governor is alive, healthy, and in high spirits.

“I just spoke to him (H.E. Obiano) and his wife! He is perfectly fine!!! 🙏🏽 To God be the glory,” Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jr

The son of the late Biafran leader, Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jr, has firmly dismissed viral rumours alleging the death of former Anambra State governor, H.E. Dr. Willie Obiano.

In a message sent to DAILY GAZETTE, Ojukwu Jr stated that he personally contacted Obiano and his wife, and confirmed that the former governor is alive, healthy, and in high spirits.

“I just spoke to him (H.E. Obiano) and his wife! He is perfectly fine!!! 🙏🏽 To God be the glory,” Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu Jr

The Director of Mobilisation for the Obidient Movement, Morris Monye, has announced his resignation, citing frustration, inadequate support, and persistent harassment as major reasons for his decision.

In a statement on Thursday, Monye said the circumstances under which he had operated since taking up the role had become “impossible to continue with,” adding that the Labour Party’s disappointing showing in the recent Anambra governorship election further solidified his decision to quit.

According to him, nearly a year after assuming the office, none of the movement’s short-, medium-, or long-term targets had been achieved. “I will not be part of optics without work,” he declared.

Monye alleged that he and his businesses had come under continuous harassment from individuals he described as sympathisers and operatives of the current government, claiming his role in the movement made him a target.

He revealed that he had personally spent about N40 million on mobilisation efforts, travel, media activities, and grassroots coordination, yet the Mobilisation Directorate received no funding or structural backing from the movement’s leadership.

“There is no bank account for the Directorate of Mobilisation, and no money was ever provided. In fact, Mr. Peter Obi has never asked about our mobilisation efforts — no communication, nothing,” he said.

He accused Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, of failing to engage the movement’s internal structures, saying the lack of communication greatly hindered coordination.

Monye also disclosed that during the Anambra governorship race, he had personally raised funds to support the party’s candidate.

He noted that his planned initiative to equip polling unit agents with body cameras for transparency was derailed due to inadequate funding, urging whoever succeeds him to continue the project.

“The next director must take this up; it’s not closed yet,” he stated.

He further advised that going forward, the movement must employ professional political strategists and operational experts to manage polling units and campaign media, stressing the need for structured financing, clear performance metrics, and accountability.

“You can’t run a campaign purely on goodwill anymore. This isn’t 2023 — the element of surprise has vanished,” he said. “General goodwill cannot deliver accountability; people will simply work at their own pace. This has to be treated as serious business.”

An election monitoring organisation, Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), has reported widespread vote buying during the 2025 Anambra off-cycle governorship election, revealing that political actors used snacks, beverages, and cash to influence voter choices across the state.

In its final post-election assessment presented in Abuja, KDI’s Executive Director, Bukola Idowu, described the scale of inducement as “pervasive and alarming,” noting that transactional voting is gradually becoming embedded in Anambra’s political environment.

According to the report, vote trading was observed in all 326 wards, where party agents brazenly solicited votes, verified voters’ marked ballots, and then compensated them with food items or money.

KDI said its 370 trained observers witnessed voters openly showing their ballot papers to party agents before being escorted to designated spots to receive rewards.

“Vote trading ranged from the exchange of small items such as snacks and drinks to outright cash payments. Reports from all 326 wards highlight the depth of the problem and its potential to distort election outcomes,” the report stated.

The organisation warned that the erosion of ballot secrecy threatens electoral credibility, encourages coercion, and undermines public trust in democratic processes.

Although security personnel were present in over 88% of polling units, KDI observed that vote buying continued with little interference.

The group attributed this to restrictions in the Electoral Act, which require security officers to obtain authorization from presiding officers before making arrests.

This legal barrier, KDI said, created an environment where officers could only watch as electoral offenses occurred.

The group urged the National Assembly to amend the law to give security operatives immediate authority to intervene in cases of vote buying, intimidation, and obstruction.

Beyond vote trading, KDI documented 35 incidents of election-related violence, including 18 cases of voter intimidation and harassment, 14 clashes at various locations, 1 case of ballot box snatching (quickly contained by security) and 1 accidental discharge by a security officer, which disrupted voting.

The report also confirmed the killing of a councillor in Orumba South by gunmen on election day.

KDI reported that voting started later than scheduled.

Although officials arrived around 8:00 am, accreditation and voting typically began around 9:13 am, due to logistical delays, confusion over polling unit locations, and late arrival of some security personnel.

The group praised the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for its efficiency, noting that it worked properly in over 96% of the polling units, with accreditation often completed in under two minutes.

KDI also commended INEC for uploading 98% of polling unit results to the IReV portal by midnight, a notable improvement in transparency.

However, its Ballot Integrity Project observed minor inconsistencies in registered voter numbers, discrepancies in accredited voter totals, and a few isolated cases of overvoting.

The organisation said these issues warrant internal review but do not affect the overall outcome of the election.

KDI highlighted a worrying pattern of interference by agents of multiple political parties, including APGA, APC, YPP, among others.

Observers recorded repeated disruptions and organized vote-buying schemes, including the setup of informal checkpoints where voters were paid after casting their ballots.

The report warned that these coordinated breaches of electoral standards pose a serious threat to the credibility of Nigeria’s elections.

To strengthen future elections, KDI recommended Improved logistical planning, Better polling unit setup standards, Enhanced security training, Stronger penalties for vote buying and other electoral offenses and Immediate empowerment of security officers to respond to violations at polling units.

Despite improvements in technology deployment, the organisation emphasized that the persistence of vote buying, weak enforcement, compromised ballot secrecy, and inconsistent security presence remain major obstacles to electoral integrity in Nigeria.

The Nsukka Youth General Assembly (NYGA) has formally impeached its President, Comrade Clinton Ogbonna, after passing a Vote of No Confidence over alleged misconduct, constitutional violations, and the unauthorized use of the group’s name during a protest targeting the Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government.

In a resolution dated 12 November 2025 and endorsed by key executive members, the Assembly stated that it neither approved nor participated in the protest reportedly organized by Ogbonna.

According to the communique, the decision to remove him was reached during an emergency meeting chaired by the group’s Vice President, Comrade Eze Juliet Adaeze.

The executives emphasized that Ogbonna acted solely on his own and that his actions did not reflect the ideals, mission, or values of the NYGA.

“The Nsukka Youth General Assembly was not notified, consulted, or represented in any protest activities,” the statement declared.

The impeachment was based on three major offences:

1. Persistent failure to convene mandatory meetings, including monthly general assembly and executive sessions, as required by the group’s constitution.

2. Opening an unauthorized bank account in the organization’s name without the consent or knowledge of the executive council.

3. Politically motivated misuse of NYGA’s identity, which the executives say caused unnecessary tension and attempted to drag the apolitical group into partisan activities.

Ogbonna has been instructed to stop presenting himself as President and must return all NYGA documents and property within 72 hours to the Secretary General.

The Assembly reiterated that it remains a peaceful, development-oriented, and non-political organization dedicated to unity and youth advancement.

It also expressed appreciation to Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah for what it described as significant developmental efforts in the Enugu North zone, while urging greater youth inclusion in state initiatives, job creation, and governance opportunities.

The NYGA encouraged all Nsukka youths to remain law-abiding, cooperative, and focused on community progress.

The resolution was signed by the following executive members:

Comrade Eze Juliet Adaeze – Vice President

Comrade Uchenna Ernest – Secretary General

Comrade Onyeji Kingsley – Treasurer

Amb. Ugwu Samuel – Organizing Secretary

Comrade Asogwa Thomas – Auditor

Comrade Ugwu Kingsley A.

With the National Assembly’s recent approval for the establishment of a sixth state in the South-East, the Aba State Movement has intensified its campaign for the proposed new state to be officially recognised as Aba State.

Speaking to journalists in Aba on Wednesday, the group’s spokesperson, Chief Theo Nkire, reiterated the position of the movement’s leadership, headed by Eze Love Nwogu.

Nkire insisted that Aba is the natural and rightful choice for the new state, describing it as “the pride of Eastern Nigeria.”

He recalled that the Joint Committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives met two weeks earlier in Lagos and recommended the creation of an additional state for the South-East, which currently consists of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

According to him, the proposal for Aba State stands out because of its long history and clearly defined structure.

The envisioned state would include nine local government areas: Aba North, Aba South, Isiala Ngwa North, Isiala Ngwa South, Obingwa, Osisioma Ngwa, Ugwunagbo, Ukwa East and Ukwa West.

Nkire argued that the size of the proposed state should not be an obstacle, noting that states like Kebbi, Bayelsa and Ebonyi were created with even fewer local governments.

He stressed that the movement’s request dates back over seven decades, beginning with a demand made in 1952 and later presented to the Willink Commission in 1957.

He maintained that Aba has met all constitutional criteria under Section 8 of the Nigerian Constitution for state creation.

Nkire further reminded the press that both chambers of the National Assembly approved a referendum for Aba State in June 1983, though it was never implemented, even as many states approved at the time have since been created.

He also referenced the 2014 National Conference, which recommended the creation of 19 new states nationwide, including Aba as one of four proposed for the South-East.

Nkire pointed out that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has twice thrown its weight behind the Aba State project, first in 2015 under a committee chaired by Chief Emmanuel Iwanyanwu, and again in 2018 under a panel led by Professor Chigozie.

Highlighting its economic potential, Nkire described Aba as a hub of commerce, manufacturing, agriculture, energy resources and skilled labour.

“Aba is known as the Japan of Africa because of its indigenous technology,” he said, adding that the region historically served as the palm oil belt of Eastern Nigeria.

He emphasised that communities in the proposed state, largely the Ukwa and Ngwa groups, have remained united for more than 70 years, with no boundary disputes or withdrawals from any village.

“The area demanding Aba State has remained one cohesive bloc. No village has opted out, and the cultural ties between the Ukwa and Ngwa people remain strong,” he noted.

The movement urged the National Assembly to formally designate Aba as the sixth South-East state, insisting that no other proposal matches its historical consistency, economic strength, and cultural unity.