In a surprise emergency session, the Benue State House of Assembly on Friday approved Governor Hyacinth Alia’s request to obtain a ₦100 billion term loan, a move that has drawn fierce criticism from the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The loan approval came after Speaker Alfred Emberga read a letter from the Secretary to the State Government, outlining plans to use the funds for major infrastructure projects.

Among the stated purposes are; renovation and equipping of 23 general hospitals, Construction of science-specialist schools across the state, Completion of ongoing roads, bridges, and electrification works as well as establishment of skills acquisition centres and smart schools.

Others are; Upgrades for tertiary institutions and the Benue State University of Agriculture, Ihugh (IHUGH), Additional works across arterial corridors in Makurdi, Gboko and Otukpo.

The borrowing is structured as a 48‑month loan, with repayment expected from federal promissory notes and allocations via FAAC/IGR.

The PDP, through its Benue State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, publicly denounced the approval as “reckless and insensitive” given the fragile economic conditions faced by citizens.

The party called for a reversal, urging the assembly to act as a check on the executive rather than a rubber stamp.

They questioned the timing, transparency, and implied fiscal risk of adding such a heavy debt burden to the state’s books without clear accountability mechanisms.

In response to mounting scrutiny, a spokesman for Governor Alia had earlier affirmed that his administration has not taken any new loans since assuming office in May 2023.

The government points out that spending on external loan servicing, reported at ₦4.53 billion between June 2023 and June 2024, was for obligations inherited from previous administrations, not fresh borrowings.

The Leader of the Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council in Abia State, Victor Ngwakwe, has resigned his position, citing frustration over what he described as the complete takeover of local government funds by the Abia State Government.

Ngwakwe, who represents Osokwa Ward, said councillors have been rendered ineffective due to the denial of access to local government allocations, which he claims are centrally controlled from Umuahia, the state capital.

“Our people are not asking for too much, just the basic services that government is supposed to provide,” Ngwakwe said.

“But unfortunately, councillors have no resources to meet these expectations. The state government has taken over everything, and the grassroots are suffering for it.”

He accused the state government of violating the 1999 Constitution and the Local Government Act, which prescribe financial autonomy for local councils.

Ngwakwe alleged that all financial decisions are made at the Government House in Umuahia, sidelining elected local representatives.

Ngwakwe’s resignation has spotlighted long-standing concerns about the lack of financial independence at the local government level in Abia.

A fellow councillor, speaking on condition of anonymity, corroborated the allegations.

“We receive N240,000 monthly as councillors, and that’s all. We don’t see budgets, we’re not involved in project planning or execution, and we have no idea how funds are spent,” the councillor said.

“It’s like we’re just figureheads. We don’t approve budgets, we don’t monitor spending, yet the councils reportedly receive over ₦400 million to ₦500 million monthly.”

The councillor claimed that the pressure on Ngwakwe to resign intensified after he publicly questioned how such large sums are managed without transparency or councillor input.

“He posted online asking why we get only N240,000 when the councils receive hundreds of millions. That post made the powers that be uncomfortable, and shortly after, he was forced to resign.”

The source also described a climate of fear and sycophancy within the local government system, saying many councillors avoid speaking out to protect their political futures.

“Too many councillors are afraid to challenge the status quo. Sycophancy has become the norm in Abia. Anyone who speaks out is seen as a troublemaker.”

Ngwakwe’s resignation has renewed public debate about local government autonomy and financial transparency in Abia State.

Analysts say the incident could spark broader demands for reform and legislative accountability at the grassroots level.

As of press time, the Abia State Government has not issued an official response to the allegations or the resignation.

The Deputy Leader of the Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council has reportedly assumed the role of Acting Leader, pending further decisions.

The Councillors’ Association of Abia State has also not commented on the matter.

Professor Amupitan

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has cautioned the Nigerian Senate against rubber-stamping President Bola Tinubu’s nominee for the position of INEC Chairman, warning that the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy is at stake.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, called for a thorough and non-partisan screening of the nominee, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), whose name was recently endorsed by the National Council of State to succeed outgoing INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

“This is not a mere appointment. It’s a defining moment for our democracy,” Ologunagba said.

“The Senate must rise to its constitutional duty and ensure this is not a rubber-stamp process.”

While acknowledging the president’s constitutional right to nominate a candidate, the PDP emphasized the Senate’s role as a democratic safeguard.

“The Senate is the last line of defense for democracy,” Ologunagba said.

“They must put the nation above party interests and confirm only candidates who can rebuild public confidence in the electoral system.”

He noted that INEC’s credibility had been severely questioned in recent elections and insisted that only a truly independent electoral body can restore faith in Nigeria’s democracy.

Ologunagba also dismissed recent defections from the PDP as “politically induced” and “tactless distractions” orchestrated by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He accused the APC of using intimidation and financial incentives to lure opposition lawmakers, claiming these efforts are part of a broader plan to undermine the PDP ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“These defections are not based on ideology or principle, they are bought and paid for,” he said. “But they won’t stop Nigerians from demanding better.”

According to the PDP spokesperson, the real issues that will shape 2027 are not political defections but the rising insecurity, economic hardship, and poor governance under the APC-led federal government.

“Nigerians are not decamping from hunger. They are enduring hardship and are ready for change,” Ologunagba said.

“When the time comes, they’ll vote for a party that has a track record of delivery, and that party is the PDP.”

He further claimed the APC is increasingly uneasy about the PDP’s internal unity and its preparations for its upcoming National Convention, calling the ruling party’s tactics “desperate and outdated.”

Ologunagba concluded by urging the Senate to set a precedent for electoral accountability by properly vetting the INEC nominee.

“This is about institutions, not individuals. If we get INEC right, we give Nigerians hope. If we get it wrong, we deepen distrust and jeopardise 2027.”

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum, has declared that neither defections nor external pressures will derail the party’s National Convention, slated for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Speaking at the inauguration of the PDP National Convention Publicity & Communication Sub‑Committee in Abuja, Mohammed reaffirmed the party’s unity and resilience.

He said the PDP is resolute in its plan to go ahead with the convention as scheduled, pledging that it will emerge stronger ahead of the 2027 elections.

The PDP has faced internal strains, particularly from supporters of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who have raised objections over zonal leadership arrangements in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States.

Tensions also surround the micro‑zoning strategy for the convention.

Some governors, including Peter Mbah (Enugu) and Douye Diri (Bayelsa), have been rumored to be considering defection ahead of the event.

Mohammed urged party leaders to change the narrative and remain steadfast, saying the PDP has weathered many storms.

“This convention is here to stay, we are going to Ibadan by the grace of God,” he affirmed.

He added: “No Jupiter will stop us. No dark force will prevail over us. We don’t have to despair under APC misrule — this is our moment to chart a new course. Resist the distractions, stay the course.”

The governor also appealed to members of the Convention Committee to actively sensitise the public and restore confidence in the party’s democratic credentials.

Hon. Ugochukwu Agballah, once Chairman of the APC in Enugu State, has fired back at the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) after they dissolved the state executive. In a strong communique, he called the decision “strange, unconstitutional, and reminiscent of military-style impunity.”

The ousted executive, through Agballah and State Publicity Secretary Hon. Titus Ezeagu, condemned the NWC’s 179th meeting held on October 9, 2025, which nullified their duly elected leadership and installed a seven-member caretaker committee led by Ben Nwoye and Eugene Odo.

Agballah argued that their state executive was legitimately elected under APC’s constitution, and therefore could not be arbitrarily removed.

He accused the national leadership of trampling on the party’s internal laws by not affording them a fair hearing before taking such drastic action.

“Every organization is governed by rules. Our great party cannot descend into arbitrary orders reminiscent of the past,” Agballah stated.

He invoked Article 21B(VI)(D) of the APC constitution, which mandates that the Southeast Zonal Executive must first act in state-level disciplinary matters before the national body intervenes, a step he says, was ignored.

He also challenged the credibility of the caretaker team, claiming many of its members were previously expelled or suspended for anti-party conduct.

Despite the dissolution, Agballah insisted that all elected officials in Enugu State should remain in office and resist any directive from the caretaker committee.

He urged members at all levels, wards, local government, zones to refuse participation in any activity not recognized by the original state executive.

“We reject the NWC’s resolution in its entirety and call on members to ignore any directive not issued by the duly elected state executive committee,” he declared.

A political crisis is unfolding in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State as 11 out of the 12 councillors in the legislative arm have moved against the Council Chairman, Hon. Ikechukwu Ogboffia, accusing him of high-handedness, abuse of power, and political marginalization.

The councillors, in a strongly worded petition addressed to Governor Francis Nwifuru, alleged that the chairman has sidelined elected councillors and key stakeholders, thereby stalling effective governance and grassroots development in the LGA.

The petition, obtained by journalists, lists a long series of grievances, including:

• Exclusion of councillors from governance
• Neglect of constituency projects
• Diversion of palliatives
• Favoritism and political bias
• Unexecuted budget items
• Poor welfare and unpaid entitlements
• Breakdown in communication and disrespect by aides
• Selective implementation of government programs

“It is unfortunate that the chairman has sidelined us completely. Ward mobilization duties have been assigned to his special assistants, rendering councillors irrelevant in their constituencies,” the petition stated.

They also claimed that the chairman ignored Governor Nwifuru’s directives on Christmas palliatives, with most wards receiving less than half of the approved materials.

Furthermore, the councillors accused the chairman of concentrating government projects and youth empowerment programs solely in his ward, Abaomege, to the detriment of others.

“In the entire LGA, only Abaomege ward has benefited from projects in over a year, despite a ₦12 billion budget,” they alleged, raising questions about the ₦100 million allocated for the renovation of the legislative chambers, which they say remains unaccounted for.

Other complaints include:

• No provision of a legislative bus
• Five months of unpaid legislative stipends
• Lack of infrastructure projects unlike previous administrations
• Humiliation by the chairman’s aides and exclusion from official committees

Reacting to the development, Hon. Ikechukwu Ogboffia denied all allegations, describing them as baseless, politically motivated, and a ploy to tarnish his image ahead of the next local government elections.

Speaking through his Public Relations Officer, Mr. Omekannaya Orogwu, the chairman said:

“The allegations are unfounded. I doubt the petition even came from the councillors, as the House Leader is already denying involvement. Every single point raised is false.”

Addressing claims that only Abaomege ward benefits from projects, Ogboffia clarified that:

“The only projects in Abaomege are a shopping mall and an attempted bridge construction, which has stalled due to funding challenges. No major council projects have been cited there in the past 20 years.”

On the ₦100 million legislative chamber renovation, the chairman’s spokesman said the project is ongoing and questioned the claim that the funds were intended for a new building.

He also denied diverting palliatives or undermining councillors in their roles.

“The chairman never denied them any entitlements. The claim that they’ve been replaced in their functions is false. These are political tactics aimed at weakening his chances for re-election,” Orogwu said.