A suspended member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Bernard Udemezue, representing Ayamelum Constituency, was on Wednesday forced out of the legislative chambers after attempting to resume plenary despite being under sanction.

Udemezue, who was suspended four months ago for allegedly leaking details of lawmakers’ earnings on social media, arrived at the Assembly for Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.

He was placed on a three-month suspension for what the House leadership considered a breach of internal procedure.

Ahead of the governor’s arrival, security operatives, including the Police, DSS, and NSCDC, took positions around the complex.

Commissioners, special advisers, media aides, heads of MDAs, traditional rulers, party members, and civil society groups were already seated for the budget session.

Tension rose when Deputy Speaker Chukwuma Okoye and Oyi Constituency lawmaker Innocent Ojike, accompanied by security personnel, approached Udemezue and escorted him out of the chambers.

The House leadership also went to the public gallery to eject the lawmaker’s supporters who had accompanied him.

Sources within the Assembly told DAILY GAZETTE that Udemezue was removed because he did not follow the stipulated procedure for resumption after suspension, despite the expiration of the three-month ban.

Reacting to the incident, Udemezue insisted he complied with all requirements for his return, including submission of formal letters to the appropriate authorities before appearing in the chamber.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has raised concerns over the repeated assignment of its cases to Justices James Omotosho, Peter Lifu, and Mohammed Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.

In a petition dated November 19 and addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, FCT, Justice John Tsoho, the party, through its National Secretary Taofeek Arapaja, expressed unease over what it described as a pattern of assigning matters filed by or against the PDP to the three judges.

The petition cites recent rulings by the judges that affected the party’s national elective convention.

Justice Omotosho, in a suit brought by Austin Nwachukwu, Amah Nnanah, and Turnah George, PDP state chairmen and zonal secretary, restrained the party from holding the convention, citing non-compliance with party rules.

Justice Lifu similarly ordered the postponement of the convention until former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido obtained a nomination form to contest for the office of National Chairman.

Despite these rulings, the PDP went ahead with the convention, relying on the court order from Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court.

Conflicting judgments have contributed to the factionalisation of the party, with rival blocs claiming leadership, including factions aligned with the PDP Governors Forum and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The petition reads in part:

“It is of great concern to our party that, for the past few years, all matters filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, either for or against the PDP, have consistently been assigned to Justices Omotosho, Lifu, and Abdulmalik, despite there being nine other judges in the division. These three courts are now viewed by party members and the public as ‘courts of particular concern’ regarding matters affecting the PDP.”

The party urged the Chief Judge to ensure that future cases involving the PDP are not assigned to the three judges, stressing that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done to maintain trust and integrity.

“Our party reiterates that we have no doubt about the integrity of the judiciary, particularly the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, headed by Your Lordship, but we are concerned about this pattern of case assignments,” the petition added.

President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga as warned opposition figure Peter Obi that the government will not forgive him for comments interpreted as welcoming a potential U.S military intervention in Nigeria.

Onanuga referred to a video in which Obi reportedly said:

“If Donald Trump said he will invade Nigeria, I will welcome it with open arms because security is my priority.”

He accused Obi, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, of showing disregard for Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The footage resurfaced after a 1 November 2025 post by U.S President Donald Trump on Truth Social, in which he instructed the Pentagon to prepare for possible military action in Nigeria, citing attacks by Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and armed herder groups.

Trump claimed the U.S would not allow violence against Christians to continue.

Nigeria rejected Trump’s claims. Foreign Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa stated that attacks in Nigeria affect citizens of all faiths and are not condoned by the state.

President Tinubu also reassured Nigerians during a defence briefing in Abuja, highlighting the appointment of a Christian as Chief of Defence Staff and ongoing engagement with religious leaders to promote interfaith stability.

Presidential adviser Daniel Bwala emphasized that Nigeria would accept foreign assistance only if it respects the country’s territorial integrity.

Obi recorded the video on 23 November, clarifying that security would be his top priority if elected.

He said his remarks were meant to encourage cooperation against armed groups rather than endorse foreign intervention.

On 4 November, Obi had called for constructive diplomatic engagement between Abuja and Washington.

He also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity, citing international rights organisations reporting that over 10,000 people have been killed since May 2023.

Recent attacks in Kwara and school closures in northern states illustrate the ongoing security challenges.

Relations between Nigeria and the U.S remain tense, partly due to the U.S designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern for religious freedom violations.

Tinubu’s administration recently sent a delegation to Washington to ease diplomatic tensions.

Ahead of the national rollout of the Federal Government’s Ward Development Programme, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma as Director-General for Party Outreach, Engagement, and Mobilisation.

Under this new role, Uzodimma will also serve as the administration’s Renewed Hope Ambassador, tasked with raising awareness of government policies and strengthening nationwide support for the Renewed Hope agenda.

The appointment takes immediate effect.

Governor Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, will work closely with APC leadership and state governors to highlight the achievements of the Tinubu administration.

He will lead grassroots engagement initiatives to ensure citizens understand ongoing reforms and government priorities.

APC governors will assist him as Ambassadors of Hope in their states.

President Tinubu expressed confidence in Uzodimma’s ability to lead the mobilisation effort, pointing to the administration’s milestones since May 2023.

According to Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, recent government data shows inflation has eased for seven consecutive months, reaching 16.05% in October and the exchange rate has stabilised, and foreign reserves have risen to over $46 billion, up from $32 billion, compared to the $4 billion inherited in 2023.

It also show that foreign direct and portfolio investments are growing, particularly in oil and gas, while the stock market has seen strong gains while the administration’s economic diversification has prioritised solid minerals as a key growth sector.

Over 700,000 students have benefited from the liberalised student loan programme, and passport processing times have been reduced to under a week.

In his message to Uzodimma, President Tinubu urged him to ensure Nigerians fully understand the administration’s achievements and vision under the Renewed Hope agenda.

Separately, the Imo State Government has acquired 30.6 hectares of land in Umudibie, Nekede, Owerri West LGA, for the Iheoma Marginal Field Project, facilitating construction of a new modular refinery.

Prince Eze Ugochukwu, Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment, confirmed the acquisition and said it will create both direct and indirect jobs for residents once completed.

“The acquisition brings Imo closer to hosting another modular refinery in Nekede,” Ugochukwu said, noting that the Surveyor General of Imo State, Dr. Uzodinma Bob Odidika, completed the necessary notifications last week.