In a bold move to reset internal party dynamics, Dr. Ben Nwoye, newly appointed Caretaker Chairman of the APC in Enugu State, has declared all suspensions carried out by the dissolved Ugochukwu Agballa‑led executive null and void.

Addressing party faithful at the APC Secretariat in Enugu, Nwoye condemned the previous leadership’s disciplinary actions as a political caricature designed to weaken the party. He asked pointedly:

“How can you suspend the very building blocks you need to win elections?”

He pledged a fresh start, calling for reconciliation and urging sidelined members to return to the fold. He revealed that the APC national leadership has mandated his return and a push for unity ahead of key upcoming elections.

Nwoye also hinted at a transformed political era in Enugu under Governor Peter Mbah’s influence, stating the party can no longer tolerate internal disunity or silence. He declared:

“With strategy and purpose, APC will not sit on the sidelines, we will lead the agenda in Enugu State.”

His announcement resonated with party leaders and grassroots members, many of whom described it as a decisive step toward healing and repositioning the APC in Enugu.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has warned that the National Assembly will not allow any member to hold the chamber “hostage” through disruptive conduct.

His remarks came in a statement issued by his media aide, Eseme Eyiboh, titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate”.

Akpabio emphasized that upholding Senate rules is not about muzzling dissent, but preserving order and the dignity of democratic institutions.

He said the upper chamber must demand discipline and respect for its standing orders, insisting that deviation by any member should not derail the collective will of the institution.

The comments directly follow tension with Senator Natasha Akpoti‑Uduaghan (Kogi Central), who has challenged her six‑month suspension and continued to contest the grounds of the Senate’s disciplinary action.

Akpabio stated:

“The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any of its members. Democracy thrives only when its institutions are respected and its rules upheld.”

He drew comparisons with democratic parliaments abroad, citing the UK House of Commons, where the authority of the Speaker is absolute and no member is permitted to openly defy rulings without consequence.

“The Nigerian Senate’s Standing Orders are not ceremonial relics. They are the living constitution of the institution,” he added, arguing that they are designed to protect fairness, consistency, and the sanctity of legislative process.

Akpabio defended the Senate’s right to discipline its members when they violate rules, pointing out that in many mature parliaments, members who defy order face suspension or expulsion.

He insisted that enforcement of rules strengthens, rather than weakens, democratic governance.

Describing the 10th Senate as “a chamber of resilience and balance,” he said its leadership is committed to showing that “freedom within order is the truest form of democracy.”

He concluded by reaffirming that dissent is welcome in the Senate, so long as it respects procedural limits.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, clarified on Channels TV’s Politics Today that the Senate’s role is confirmation, not screening, in the wake of the Uche Nnaji certificate forgery scandal.

The uproar erupted after Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, resigned following serious doubts about his academic credentials.

A Premium Times investigation revealed that UNN disowned his bachelor’s degree after uncovering he never completed his studies.

In his defence, Senator Ndume insisted that security agencies, particularly the DSS/SSS, are responsible for background checks before nominees reach the Senate.

“We are not screening, get this clear. Screening and confirmation are two different things,” he stated.

“The DSS must clear a candidate first; we rely on their reports.”

Ndume also noted that the Senate has previously rejected nominees flagged by security agencies, emphasizing that senators do act when valid red flags are raised.

He lamented that certificate forgery is a systemic issue afflicting more than just political figures, warning of a broader national integrity crisis.

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.