In the wake of the just-concluded Anambra governorship election, Senator Uche Ekwunife, the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has extended her heartfelt congratulations to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo on his re-election for a second term.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Monday, Ekwunife expressed deep gratitude to her supporters, campaign team, and the people of Anambra for their steadfast commitment throughout the election period.

She praised their resilience, unity, and unwavering belief in the APC vision for a better Anambra.

“Though the election outcome may not have been what we desired, I am profoundly proud of the effort that Prince Dr. Nicholas Ukachukwu and I put into this race,” she said.

“I am humbled by the outpouring of love and support we received that has written a victory of faith, unity and hope, a victory that no ballot can erase.”

The former senator acknowledged the sacrifices of young people, women, and community members who supported her campaign, describing their efforts as a testament to the fact that “politics can indeed be about people and purpose.”

Ekwunife urged all Anambra citizens to put the collective interest of the state above partisan lines and to support every effort aimed at ensuring peace, unity, and progress.

“When Anambra succeeds, we all succeed,” she emphasized.

“I encourage all stakeholders to join hands to build a stronger, more prosperous state.”

She concluded her message with prayers for divine blessings upon the people of Anambra and Nigeria at large, expressing optimism about the future and confidence that the spirit of service and hope will continue to inspire the state.

“May God bless Anambra State, may God bless Nigeria,” she said.

Senator Ned Nwoko, representing the Delta North Senatorial District, has accused a group he described as a “pull-down-Ned syndicate” of exploiting his wife Regina Daniels’ current situation to damage his reputation.

The senator made the claim in a statement issued by the Communication/Technical Action Team from his office, which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

Nwoko alleged that some individuals who had long targeted him were now using his wife’s condition to “criminalise” him before the international community, calling it a coordinated campaign of blackmail.

“Beyond this, the talk about me grabbing land in my hometown is false and unfortunate,” Nwoko said.

“I was genuinely allocated land, for which I made a lawful offer of payment, to establish the University of Sports, a project that exists today and benefits the community. Unfortunately, those who seek progress are often attacked by their own people.”

He also alleged that certain persons were taking advantage of “a young woman who is unwell and has admitted to drug use.”

“Those exploiting her current condition to settle old scores will face justice,” he warned.

“They must also be careful with their defamatory claims, as they will be required to prove them.”

According to Nwoko, Regina’s substance use issues predated their marriage and are medically documented.

“It’s on record that she had a history of substance use, confirmed by her own admissions and supported by testimonies from her former schoolmates,” he said.

“Some people are now manipulating her to attack me, but she has no secrets to expose, there’s nothing illegal about me.”

The lawmaker insisted that stories being circulated online were fabricated and amounted to criminal defamation.

Nwoko also addressed rumours surrounding his marriage to the actress.

“For clarity, Regina Daniels was born on October 10, 2000. If she has been married for six years, that means she got married at 19, not 17,” he clarified.

“Her family and mother were present and consented to the marriage.”

He defended his decision to marry Regina according to tradition, stating that polygamy is accepted in their culture and that he had treated her with respect and affection.

“Our marriage has always been open and lawful. Beyond her social media image, Regina was my world. I loved and cared for her deeply, something everyone around me can attest to,” he added.

Nwoko described the current controversy as part of a broader political witch-hunt aimed at discrediting his achievements as a senator and community developer.

“Regina has become the weak spot through which my personal and political enemies are attacking me,” he said.

“This is another attempt to tarnish my name and slow down my work. But I remain focused on my duties and on serving my people with integrity.”

The Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), following allegations that he previously authored a divisive and anti-Muslim legal paper.

In a statement issued by its Secretary General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the Council said it was “deeply disturbed” by a recent Sahara Reporters publication claiming that Prof. Amupitan, in a 2020 legal essay, made “provocative and bigoted remarks” about religious conflicts in Northern Nigeria and the historic Jihad of Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio.

The SCSN described the alleged comments as “toxic, misleading, and unbecoming of a person now entrusted with protecting the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy.”

“If indeed Prof. Amupitan authored such a document, his views are dangerously hostile to the unity, peace, and stability of our country,”
the statement read.

The Council faulted the alleged paper for portraying violence in northern Nigeria as a “Christian genocide” while linking insecurity to the 19th-century jihad led by Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio.

According to the SCSN, such a depiction “grossly misrepresents history” and “maliciously distorts the legacy of one of West Africa’s most respected reform movements.”

“The jihad of Sheikh Uthman was not a campaign of hatred or extermination,”
the Council clarified.

“It was a spiritual and moral reform aimed at restoring justice, learning, and ethical governance.”

The statement added that Prof. Amupitan’s alleged arguments ignored the reality that both Muslims and Christians have been victims of violence in the North, driven largely by poverty, injustice, and government neglect, rather than religion.

“From Borno to Zamfara, Katsina, and Yobe, the majority of those killed in these conflicts have been Muslims,” the Council noted.

“Reducing these tragedies to a one-sided narrative of Christian persecution is both false and inflammatory.”

The SCSN expressed concern over how someone allegedly holding “deep-seated prejudice” could have passed Nigeria’s security vetting process to head a national institution as sensitive as INEC.

“It is troubling that an individual with such apparent bias could be approved for such a critical position,” the Council said.

“This points to either a serious failure in due diligence or a reckless disregard for public confidence in the electoral process.”

The group urged President Tinubu to review the appointment, stressing that the leadership of INEC requires “the highest levels of neutrality, fairness, and inclusivity.”

It warned that any perception of bias at the helm of the electoral body could undermine public trust and cast doubt on the credibility of future elections.

The Council, however, cautioned Nigerians against allowing the controversy to fuel religious tension.

“Our real enemies are injustice, corruption, poverty, and insecurity,” the SCSN said.

“We must not let divisive narratives derail our collective pursuit of peace, unity, and truth founded on fairness and mutual respect.”

Hon. Abdulmumin Jibrin Kofa, the lawmaker representing Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), ending months of speculation about his political future.

His defection comes two months after his expulsion from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) over allegations of anti-party activities and failure to pay membership dues.

Announcing the move on his verified social media handles on Monday, Jibrin said he and his supporters had unanimously resolved to leave both the NNPP and the Kwankwasiyya movement, pledging their full support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

“Today, in a show of solidarity, I was warmly received by thousands of my constituents in my hometown of Kofa, Bebeji, Kano. The gathering resolved to leave the NNPP/Kwankwasiyya, join the APC, and endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in office,”
Jibrin posted.

He also revealed that about 2,000 Islamic clerics from his constituency offered special prayers for President Tinubu and for continued peace and development in Kiru/Bebeji, Kano State, and Nigeria at large.

In a video shared from the event, the fourth-term lawmaker addressed the large crowd, explaining that he chose to return to the APC with his supporters to avoid repeating what he called a past “mistake” of defecting alone.

“I decided to bring this crowd to correct my earlier mistake. I don’t want anyone to say I don’t have supporters,” he said to cheers from the audience.

Jibrin, a long-time political ally of President Tinubu, had previously served in several key campaign and legislative positions before his fallout with the NNPP leadership.

The federal government has yet to respond to growing controversy surrounding a 2020 legal brief reportedly authored by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, which described violent attacks by Boko Haram and armed herdsmen as part of a coordinated anti-Christian campaign amounting to genocide.

Multiple calls and messages to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, for official reaction were unanswered as of press time.

Prof. Amupitan himself has not commented publicly on the matter since it was first reported by Sahara Reporters on Friday.

Efforts to reach him and his Chief Press Secretary, Dayo Oketola, were unsuccessful.

Sources close to the INEC chairman told DAILY GAZETTE that he was occupied with preparations for the Anambra governorship election held over the weekend.

Prof. Amupitan, who was sworn in on October 23 following Senate confirmation, was listed among contributors to a 2020 publication titled “Nigeria’s Silent Slaughter: Genocide in Nigeria and the Implications for the International Community,” jointly released by the International Committee on Nigeria (ICON) and the International Organisation on Peace-building & Social Justice (PSJ).

His 80-page chapter, “Legal Brief: Genocide in Nigeria,” argued that widespread killings and displacement in the country met the threshold for genocide under international law, and accused the federal government of complicity through failure to protect victims or prosecute perpetrators.

The brief urged the United Nations, United States, and other global bodies to consider intervention, including possible legal action at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) or even military involvement under Article 42 of the UN Charter.

When contacted for comment on whether the Senate was aware of the controversial paper during Amupitan’s confirmation, the Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, denied any knowledge of it.

“We are not privy to it. The Senate has never seen such a document,”
he said.

The controversy erupted days after the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria (SCSN) called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review Amupitan’s appointment, describing the alleged document as “toxic and divisive.”

In a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Nafiu Baba-Ahmad, the SCSN accused the INEC chairman of making “provocative and bigoted assertions” about Northern Nigeria and misrepresenting Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio’s jihad as part of a historical plot to Islamise the country.

“If indeed Prof. Amupitan authored the said document, his submissions are dangerously inimical to the unity, peace, and stability of our country,” the Council said.

The SCSN maintained that violence in Northern Nigeria affects both Muslims and Christians, dismissing any claims of targeted genocide against Christians as misleading.

It argued that Muslims have been the majority of victims in many conflict zones, including Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and Yobe States.

The Council said Amupitan’s alleged stance was inconsistent with the neutrality and inclusivity required of an INEC chairman and questioned how such a person could have passed security screening for the sensitive role.

Legal experts have expressed differing opinions on whether Amupitan’s past writings undermine his position.

Nwoko Uwemedimo (SAN), a Uyo-based lawyer, told DAILY GAZETTE that the paper did not warrant resignation or dismissal, arguing that Amupitan’s views were personal and unrelated to his official duties.

“His position as INEC chairman has nothing to do with that legal opinion. If he were in a national security role, that would be a different matter,” Uwemedimo said.

He criticised society’s “numbing indifference” to violence, adding that it would be hypocritical for the government to punish him for “speaking the truth” about killings in Nigeria.

Similarly, Josiah Adebayo, Head of Chambers at Akin Akinsanya (SAN) in Ilorin, said the controversy should not affect Amupitan’s job performance.

“The Senate duly confirmed his appointment after due process. Unless new evidence of misconduct emerges, there is no basis for removal,”
he said.

However, others believe the brief raises questions about integrity.

Mumini Jimoh (SAN), former Kwara State Director of Public Prosecution, said Amupitan’s claims of genocide were “factually incorrect and parochial.”

“Thousands of Muslims have also been slaughtered. It is unfortunate that he held such views. If he had integrity, he would have declined an appointment under the same government he once accused of genocide,”
he said.

Former Kwara State Attorney General, Salman Jawondo (SAN), took a similar stance, suggesting that Amupitan should resign voluntarily if the allegations are true.

“His 2020 report stands against the government he now serves. It would be more honourable for him to step down,”
he told Daily Trust.

Jawondo said the incident underscores the need for stricter vetting of government appointees, warning that inadequate background checks could continue to embarrass future administrations.

“Presidents must ensure that appointees for sensitive positions are properly screened. This is about integrity and public confidence,”
he added.

Prof. Joash Amupitan, a former Dean of Law at the University of Jos, is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with a long academic and legal career.

His appointment as INEC chairman followed the expiration of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure in October 2025.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Anambra gubernatorial election, describing it as a heavily monetized process that weakened the foundations of democracy.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC accused the incumbent governor and his party of widespread cash-for-votes schemes.

The party also expressed concern over the silence of security agencies and the inaction of electoral officials, suggesting a level of complicity.

“Observing the Anambra election left us deeply concerned about Nigeria’s electoral process,” the party said.

“What occurred was, unfortunately, more of a cash-laden spectacle than a genuine election, undermining the essence of democracy. Reports and evidence clearly indicate that this election was highly monetized, with the incumbent and his party engaging in multiple forms of vote-buying.”

The ADC noted that at polling stations across the state, bundles of naira notes were openly exchanged, a blatant violation of the Electoral Act—legislation originally introduced by the governor himself prior to the election.

The party further criticized the seeming apathy of institutions tasked with ensuring electoral integrity.

“Security forces remained passive as voters faced harassment and coercion, while electoral officials appeared overwhelmed or indifferent, failing to uphold even basic standards,” ADC said.

Expressing concern about future elections, the coalition added: “If the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) intends to conduct the 2027 general election in the same manner, Nigerians have every reason to worry about the trajectory of our democracy, especially under the scrutiny of the international community.”

ADC reaffirmed its commitment to a Nigeria where leadership is achieved through integrity, inclusiveness, and service, rather than the crude exchange of money for votes.

The push for the creation of Anioma State has gathered unprecedented momentum, with 97 senators reportedly endorsing the proposal as it advances through legislative and consultative stages, according to Senator Ned Nwoko.

Speaking on Saturday at the Izu Anioma Towns Union event in Abuja, where the maiden Anioma Cultural Festival (Anioma Day) was unveiled, Nwoko described the growing support as “a defining moment in Nigeria’s constitutional history.”

Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, revealed that the statehood bill he introduced two years ago has now secured signatures from 97 members of the upper chamber.

He said the proposed Anioma State would comprise nine local government areas of Delta North: four from Aniocha and Oshimili, two from Ika, and three from Ndokwa, while some adjoining communities like Igbanke have expressed willingness to join.

“Only one new state will be created in Nigeria, and that one state will be Anioma,” he declared, noting that the proposal reflects the need to balance the geopolitical structure of the country.

According to the lawmaker, both the Senate and House Committees on Constitutional Amendment have agreed that the South-East deserves an additional state to achieve parity with other zones.

Nwoko disclosed that the initiative enjoys the support of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who, he said, has promised to give his assent once all constitutional processes are completed.

“We have done our homework. Consultations and lobbying have been extensive. Nothing is being left undone,” he assured.

He announced that a high-level meeting will hold next weekend in Awka, Anambra State, bringing together South-East governors, National Assembly members, traditional rulers, and Anioma representatives to adopt Anioma as the region’s unified demand.

Nwoko outlined the next procedural steps as including documentation for the Presidency, concurrence by state assemblies, governors’ approval, and a national referendum to allow residents to affirm their choice.

If successful, Anioma would become the sixth state in the South-East and one of two states in the new Delta region, with Asaba as its capital.

“I did not start this struggle, but I will finish it. Anioma State will mark the beginning of a new era,” Nwoko said to applause.

Earlier, Chief (Barr.) Luke Enelichi, President of the Izu Anioma Towns Union, described the movement as a quest for equity and recognition, not mere politics.

He argued that despite Anioma’s immense contributions to Delta State and Nigeria’s development, the people have long been denied a state that embodies their cultural and historical identity.

“The creation of Anioma will bring governance closer to the people, guarantee fair representation, equitable resource allocation, and balanced development,” Enelichi said.

He urged Anioma citizens across Aniocha, Ndokwa, Ika, and Oshimili to remain united and focused.

“We are one Anioma,” he declared.

The event also featured awards of honour to distinguished Anioma indigenes, including Senator Nwoko, who was recognised for his leadership and advocacy for the region’s development.