An Enugu State High Court has granted a motion for substituted service to allow court documents to be served via WhatsApp and physical posting, in a libel suit involving Professor Victor Nnam, a former Enugu State Commissioner and Managing Director of Geo. Squaremete Innovative Ltd.

Presiding judge, Justice N.R. Oji, issued the directive following claims that Nnam had repeatedly evaded personal service of court processes filed by Dr. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, a former leader of the Enugu State House of Assembly.

Ezeugwu is seeking ₦1 billion in damages, accusing Nnam of publishing defamatory and damaging statements that allegedly tarnished his reputation and disrupted a pending international business deal.

Invoking Order 7 Rule 5 of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2020, Ezeugwu filed a motion ex parte seeking permission for substituted service.

The court granted the request, directing that:

“The originating processes and all other court documents be served on the defendant either by affixing them to the gate of his office at Geo. Squaremete Innovative Ltd., WTC Estate, Ogui New Layout, Enugu, or by sending them to the WhatsApp account linked to his phone number.”

The judge ruled that such service, once carried out, would be deemed proper and valid. The case was subsequently adjourned to October 13, 2025.

Ezeugwu, also a businessman and philanthropist, claims that Nnam maliciously published false and damaging content on May 19, 2025, shortly after his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The statements were allegedly circulated via online platforms and WhatsApp groups, casting Ezeugwu as a “sycophant,” “unserious,” and a “fake personality.”

The suit further accuses Nnam of questioning Ezeugwu’s legislative performance, labeling him as arrogant and disloyal, and alleging that he unfairly benefited from the administration of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, including through alleged land allocations.

Ezeugwu insists that the remarks are baseless and calculated to harm, especially given Nnam’s lack of any official capacity within the PDP.

He claims the publication caused major reputational and financial damage, including the suspension of a scheduled visit by German investors interested in his multi-million-naira raw cashew nut processing factory in Udenu LGA.

He added that the fallout from the article caused friction within his new political party, with members beginning to question his credibility.

Ezeugwu is asking the court to:

• Declare the publication libelous and defamatory.
• Restrain Nnam from making further defamatory statements.
• Compel a public apology in national print media.
• Award ₦1 billion in punitive damages for lost business opportunities.
• Award ₦5 million in special damages for legal expenses.
• Impose 10% monthly interest on any awarded judgment sum until full payment is made.

Despite attempts by mutual contacts to resolve the matter privately, Ezeugwu claims Nnam has refused to retract the statements or issue an apology.

The case continues on October 13.

Former Enugu State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Prof. Victor Nnam, has responded to reports of a substituted court service granted in a ₦1 billion libel case filed by former lawmaker, Hon. Ikechukwu Ezeugwu.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE in an exclusive interview on Saturday, Prof. Nnam described the lawsuit as “politically motivated” and expressed confidence in the judicial process to resolve the matter.

The legal case follows Ezeugwu’s resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), during which he reportedly made remarks critical of former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

Prof. Nnam had publicly responded in defence of the former governor, a move which is believed to have led to the current suit.

Prof. Nnam confirmed that he has been served with the court documents and has instructed his legal team, led by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), to handle the matter.

“This is now before the court, and I trust the judiciary to deal with it accordingly,” he said.

While declining to comment on specific details of the case due to ongoing legal proceedings, Nnam dismissed the public attention around the lawsuit as “unnecessary” and called for a more issue-based approach to public discourse.

Ezeugwu is reportedly seeking ₦1 billion in damages, along with a public apology and a media retraction.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has dismissed speculations of looming defections by some of its governors and stakeholders, affirming that the party remains strong, united, and grounded in democratic ideals.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, downplayed recent political defections as distractions allegedly orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of PDP’s national convention.

“These stories about defections are engineered distractions. The PDP remains the only truly democratic party in Nigeria, one built on solid foundations, people-oriented policies, and convictions,” Ologunagba said.

He emphasized that the strength of the party lies in its institutional resilience and its enduring connection with the Nigerian people.

“Let me remind Nigerians: even presidents and vice presidents have left this party in the past, yet PDP stood firm. That’s because it is not built around individuals, but on values and systems,” he added.

Ologunagba’s comments come amid a series of high-profile defections from the PDP to the APC in recent months.

In April, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his predecessor Ifeanyi Okowa, and several PDP leaders in the state defected to the APC.

Similar defections were also recorded in Jigawa State, where blocs of PDP and NNPP supporters recently switched allegiance to the ruling party.

Despite these movements, Ologunagba insisted that the PDP’s core remains intact and resilient.

“The PDP has survived far more serious political shake-ups in the past. What we’re seeing now is part of the ongoing realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, and we’re confident that Nigerians know which party truly represents their interests,” he said.

The PDP is currently preparing for its national convention and laying groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

According to Ologunagba, the party is focused on consolidating its base, reconnecting with the electorate, and presenting a credible alternative to the APC government.

“We are not distracted. Our party is people-driven, not personality-driven. We’re here to offer Nigerians a real choice in 2027, a choice rooted in vision, leadership, and accountability,” he concluded.

The Senator Nenadi Usman faction of the Labour Party (LP) has ruled out the possibility of its 2027 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, stepping down for any coalition or rival aspirant, calling such speculation a betrayal of the hopes of millions of Nigerians yearning for genuine change.

Speaking to DAILY GAZETTE, Tony Akeni, the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, made it clear that the Labour Party has no intention of withdrawing Obi from the race.

“Forcing Peter Obi to withdraw from the race is to take away 90 per cent of the hope of Nigerians for redemption and a new beginning,” Akeni said.

He added that while opposition parties may eventually unite, any decision on alliances or coalitions will come closer to the party primaries. Still, Akeni emphasized that the LP remains committed to its own path, stating:

“Our motto is: forward ever, backward never.”

Akeni urged former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to put national interest above personal ambition, appealing to him to support Obi’s presidential bid in 2027.

“Let Atiku consider how he wants to be remembered as the man who sacrificed Nigeria for ambition and still lost, or as the man who gave up ambition for Nigeria and helped redirect the nation toward progress,” he said.

He also referenced the emergence of a group called “AGOBI’27” (Atiku Give us Obi 2027), a coalition of political actors urging Atiku to back Obi as the unified candidate for the opposition.

Also weighing in, Dr Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, stressed the need to respect Nigeria’s informal North-South power rotation, insisting the presidency in 2027 should remain in the South.

“It is still the South’s turn. If you’re replacing one southern candidate, it must be with another southerner,” Tanko said.

He cautioned that attempts to shift power back to the North in 2027 could threaten national unity and stability.

Tanko reaffirmed the movement’s unwavering support for Peter Obi, describing him as the best candidate with the competence, character, and compassion to lead Nigeria.

“Wherever Peter Obi goes, we will go,” he declared.

The Labour Party’s remarks follow recent speculation that Atiku Abubakar might step down in favour of Obi in 2027.

However, Atiku has denied such claims, clarifying that he merely expressed openness to supporting a younger candidate, but only if such a candidate emerges through a fair party primary.

In a statement from his media adviser, Paul Ibe, Atiku said:

“Young people and other aspirants are free to contest. If I run and a younger person defeats me, I’ll accept the outcome.”

The statement followed a BBC Hausa interview in which Atiku’s comments were widely interpreted as suggesting a willingness to back Obi or another younger aspirant.

Despite the denials, talks about a possible unified opposition front for the 2027 general elections continue to gain traction.

Some believe the fragmentation of opposition votes in 2023 played a key role in the victory of President Bola Tinubu.

So far, however, no formal agreement or joint ticket has emerged between the Atiku and Obi camps.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could require as much as N870 billion (about $600 million) to successfully conduct Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, according to a projection by Professor Bolade Eyinla, former Chief Technical Adviser to INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

Eyinla shared the estimate during his keynote speech at the Yiaga Africa 2027 Elections Scenarios and Election Manipulation Risk Index (EMRI) Retreat held in Abuja.

His address came shortly after Prof. Yakubu completed his tenure as INEC chairman on October 7, 2025.

He emphasized that Nigerian elections are among the largest peacetime civil operations globally, requiring massive financial, technical, and logistical resources.

The projected N870 billion cost considers inflation, currency exchange fluctuations, and expanded electoral operations.

“This is a country with over 93 million registered voters, 176,846 polling units, and 1,558 constituencies,” he said.

“At about $6.72 per voter, the projected cost is in line with global standards for transitional democracies.”

Eyinla provided a historical comparison of previous election budgets;

2015: N109 billion (US$662 million)

2019: N189 billion (US$619 million)

2023: N355 billion (US$628 million)

He argued that despite perceptions, Nigeria’s per-voter cost remains low compared to other African democracies:

Kenya: $25.9 (2017), $14.9 (2022)

Ghana: $13.1 (2016), $7.7 (2020)

South Africa: $5.1 (2019), $7.1 (2024)

DR Congo: $22 and $14.37 (2023)

Liberia: $22 (2023)

India: $8.5 (2019)

Eyinla stressed that, under the Electoral Act 2022 (Section 3(3)), election funding must be made available at least one year before the polls.

For 2027, this means budget allocations should be spread across the 2025, 2026, and 2027 fiscal years.

He also pointed out that in 2023, around 35% of the election budget went to technology, particularly the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), AFIS and ABIS devices, and similar or increased costs are expected in 2027.

Logistical challenges include delivering election materials to over 200,000 locations, some in hard-to-reach or conflict-prone areas.

This requires partnerships with private service providers for transport (boats, aircraft, vehicles) and armed security escorts.

Eyinla concluded that while the projected cost is high, prudent financial management is key to ensuring credible, secure, and cost-effective elections.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State is scheduled to officially defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

The announcement was made by Enugu State APC Caretaker Chairman, Dr. Ben Nwoye, following his swearing-in at the APC National Secretariat on Friday. According to Nwoye, the governor will be joined by a broad delegation of political leaders and officeholders in the state.

“After a decade of opposition, Enugu State is turning a new page. Governor Mbah will formally declare for the APC, along with the entire executive council, 260 ward councillors, 24 members of the House of Assembly, and members of the National Assembly,” Nwoye said.

The mass defection comes on the heels of the APC’s decision to dissolve the Enugu State Executive Committee on Wednesday, a move party leaders said was necessary to accommodate the incoming leadership.

APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside Deputy National Chairman (South), Emma Eneukwu, inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee party affairs in the state.

Yilwatda said the party is committed to rebuilding and expanding its base in the South-East ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We recognise the need to rebuild the APC in Enugu. Our goal is growth, inclusivity, and unity,” Yilwatda said.

“New members will have equal rights, but we must also honour and retain those who have sustained the party through the years.”

He also cautioned the newly inaugurated committee against factionalism and urged them to uphold fairness and the party’s constitutional values.

“As leaders, your duty is to serve all, friends and critics alike. Office bearers must rise above personal interests to deliver on the party’s broader vision,” he added.