Heavy security presence has taken over the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Anambra State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.

On Friday morning, hundreds of security personnel, including police officers and soldiers, were deployed around the commission’s office located near Ekwueme Square, Awka.

Several armoured personnel carriers and patrol trucks were stationed at key entry points, effectively sealing off access to the area.

The deployment caused a temporary halt to vehicular movement around Ekwueme Square, forcing motorists and pedestrians to park and walk across restricted routes to reach their destinations.

According to INEC officials, the security clampdown was part of precautionary measures to safeguard the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials and to ensure the safety of electoral staff.

An INEC official who spoke on condition of anonymity explained that the operation was a coordinated effort between the police, army, and other security agencies.

“Soldiers and policemen were drafted to the premises and surrounding areas to prevent any breakdown of law and order. Movement of materials and electoral personnel is still ongoing,” the source said.

The official added that the cordon was also meant to minimize interference from the public and guarantee strict adherence to security protocols outlined in the Electoral Act.

“The INEC office was sealed off to avoid unnecessary distractions and to ensure that only accredited persons have access,” the source added.

INEC has reiterated its readiness for Saturday’s governorship poll, which will hold in 5,718 polling units across the state.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, the Commission’s Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced that about 24,000 ad hoc staff and 540 accredited journalists would be deployed for the election.

Amupitan reaffirmed INEC’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, and credible election, saying all necessary logistics and security arrangements have been finalized.

A total of 16 candidates representing 16 political parties are contesting in the election, including the incumbent governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

The heightened security around INEC’s office comes amid widespread preparations across Anambra, with residents making last-minute purchases and movements before the restriction of movement expected on election day.

Comr. Ogbonna

Comrade Clinton Ogbonna, President of the Nsukka Youths General Assembly, was reportedly shot by members of the Neighborhood Watch at the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Headquarters.

The incident occurred during a protest tagged #EricMustGo, aimed at demanding the resignation of Hon. Eric, Chairman of Igbo-Etiti LGA.

Details shortly..

Former Senator representing Abia North, Mao Ohuabunwa, has been appointed as the factional Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

His emergence follows the dissolution of the Adolphus Wabara-led BoT by a faction aligned with the party’s new Acting National Chairman, Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad.

The announcement came via a communique issued on Friday after an emergency meeting of the newly reconstituted BoT in Abuja.

The board also elected Isah Dansidi as Secretary, replacing Senator Ahmed Makarfi.

The BoT stated that Wabara and Makarfi could no longer serve due to their public positions in the ongoing intra-party disputes, which, according to the board, undermined the neutrality and moral authority expected of the BoT.

“Accordingly, the board unanimously approved the election of Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi as the Chairman and Secretary of the newly constituted Board of Trustees, respectively,” the statement read.

The BoT reaffirmed the PDP’s unity as an “indivisible, united, and democratic family” committed to justice, equity, and progress.

It also recognized the authority of all legally constituted organs of the party and commended the judiciary for upholding the supremacy of the Constitution, the Electoral Act, INEC guidelines, and the PDP Constitution.

The board directed all PDP organs to comply fully with the Federal High Court judgment of 31 October, which nullified certain actions of the previous leadership.

Regarding the party’s planned national convention, the BoT recommended postponement until the Court of Appeal delivers a final ruling on the matter.

“The judgment of the Federal High Court remains superior and weightier in law than the interim order of the Oyo State High Court.”

“Prudence and respect for judicial processes demand that the proposed National Convention be postponed until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision,” the communique stated.

The BoT cautioned all party organs against acting outside the constitution or in contempt of court, warning that any such actions would be invalid.

The board pledged to serve as the “conscience and moral compass of the party,” mediating among stakeholders, promoting inclusivity, and preventing divisions that could threaten party cohesion.

Meanwhile, PDP elder statesman Jim Nwobodo called on the BoT to ensure the party remains a “beacon of democracy” in Nigeria.

He urged the board to engage aggrieved members willing to abide by the party constitution and bring them back into the PDP fold.

“As one of the founding fathers and the oldest member of this family, I know that the PDP is a party where every member belongs. My appeal is for the leadership to reach out to aggrieved members and ensure the PDP remains the party to beat,” Nwobodo said.

He also called on FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to assist the BoT, noting that the PDP could achieve significant progress if the minister devoted the same energy to party development as he did to infrastructure projects in Abuja.

“Honourable Minister Wike, they need your help. If you put that same effort into this party, the PDP will be the party to beat. Don’t be deterred or discouraged,” Nwobodo added.

Former Minister of Power, Engr. Saleh Mamman, has told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he plans to file a no-case submission in the ₦31.7 billion fraud case instituted against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Counsel to the former minister, S.T. Abba, revealed this intention shortly after the EFCC closed its case on Thursday, following the testimony of its 17th prosecution witness, Abubakar Gabdo.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that Mamman conspired with others to divert funds from the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing using multiple private companies and Bureau de Change operators.

The EFCC claimed that large sums were traced to accounts belonging to Breathable Investment, Fullest Utility Concepts, and Golden Bond Nigeria Limited, among others.

However, during cross-examination, Gabdo told the court that Mamman was neither the owner nor a signatory to any of the companies allegedly used for the diversion.

He also confirmed that the former minister had denied any connection to the firms.

Gabdo further disclosed that seven officials, Mustapha Abubakar Bida, Joseph Omotayo Adewunmi, Ben Nsikak, Stephen Ojo, Oladipo Adebowale, Micheal Achua, and Ogunjobi Olusola, were the authorised managers of the Mambila Zungeru Special Project Account domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

He added that Bida, the Chief Account Officer, held final approval powers on transactions, noting that neither the Minister nor the Permanent Secretary could authorise withdrawals from the account.

The witness also admitted that some payments recorded in the case file were made before Mamman’s appointment in 2019, while others continued after he left office in 2021.

Gabdo testified that companies such as Fullest Utility Concepts Limited and Platinum Touch Enterprise received substantial payments, with one firm reportedly processing 18 transactions in a single day in 2021.

Other beneficiaries mentioned include Silverline Ocean, Gurubce Limited, and Royal Perimeter Ventures.

Following the testimony, EFCC counsel A.O. Mohammed announced the closure of the prosecution’s case.

In response, Mamman’s lawyer informed the court of the defence’s intention to file a no-case submission, arguing that the EFCC failed to establish any link between the former minister and the alleged offences.

Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter until November 27 for the adoption of written addresses.

APC Chieftain Backs Trump, Says Christian Genocide In Nigeria Is Real

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adamu Garba, has voiced support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement describing the ongoing violence in Nigeria as a “genocide.”

Speaking in an interview with Trust TV shared on Facebook on Wednesday, Garba said the scale of killings across the country aligns with what can be defined as genocide.

His comments followed the United States’ decision to list Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over religious freedom and human rights violations.

Garba recalled that in 2014, while the APC was still the opposition party, its leaders had visited the White House to appeal for help over what they described as the systematic killing of Christians after the Chibok girls’ abduction.

“In fact, in 2014, the then-opposition APC was in the White House seeking help regarding what was termed the Christian genocide following the Chibok girls’ incident. This is already on record,” he said.

He noted that Nigeria recently purchased $346 million worth of military equipment from the U.S, with plans to send Nigerian soldiers for training as part of the growing defense cooperation between both countries.

Garba emphasized that under the United Nations Convention on Counterterrorism, the U.S is recognized as a global leader in the fight against terrorism and, through the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) doctrine, has the authority to intervene where acts of terrorism or genocide are identified.

“Wherever terrorism is established, the U.S. has the right to act under the R2P principle. They can step in to eliminate the threat,” he explained.

Rather than rejecting Washington’s concern, Garba urged the Nigerian government to show openness and a willingness to collaborate with the U.S. to end terrorism.

“What Nigeria should do is demonstrate readiness to partner with the U.S. in tackling terrorism, not reject the helping hand being offered. We can negotiate responsibly and seek assistance on our own terms,” he added.

He suggested that Nigeria should diplomatically acknowledge the extent of the killings and work out a cooperative framework.

“We can tell them, yes, these killings are real, but they affect not only Christians; Muslims are also victims. Let’s discuss and receive support responsibly,” he said.

The APC chieftain lamented that thousands of innocent Nigerians, both Muslims and Christians, continue to lose their lives in attacks across communities, often without any form of protection from security agencies.

“When you look at the numbers, people killed in their homes, defenceless in villages across Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, what else can you call it? It’s pure genocide,” Garba stated.

He stressed that the pattern of mass killings in several northern states leaves entire communities devastated, describing the situation as one that demands urgent global attention.