The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the Enugu State Executive Committee led by Chief Ugochukwu Agballa, following months of internal crisis and legal disputes.

The decision, confirmed by reliable party sources, comes amid heightened speculation that Governor Peter Mbah is set to defect to the APCAPC, a move expected to significantly alter Enugu’s political landscape.

The Enugu APC has been deeply divided under Agballa’s leadership, with multiple petitions, court orders, and factional clashes paralyzing the party’s activities.

Notably, a 2024 High Court ruling restrained Agballa from parading himself as chairman, but party leadership under former chairman Abdullahi Ganduje reportedly ignored the ruling and internal complaints.

This latest move by the NWC is widely seen as an effort to pave the way for a political reset in Enugu, as the APC prepares for what sources describe as a “major realignment” in the state.

A formal announcement of the dissolution and Governor Mbah’s possible defection is expected on Thursday this week.

The National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dissolved the party’s Enugu State Executive Council ahead of Governor Peter Mbah’s expected defection from the PDP.

Sources within the party confirmed to DAILY GAZETTE that the official announcement will be made on Thursday, the same day Mbah is scheduled to formally join the APC in what insiders describe as a major political realignment in the Southeast.

Detail shortly…

May Agbamuche-Mbu, a National Commissioner at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has officially assumed the role of Acting Chairman of the Commission.

Her appointment follows the handover by outgoing Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, who is proceeding on terminal leave.

The development was announced on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ meeting held at INEC’s headquarters in Abuja with Resident Electoral Commissioners in attendance.

Agbamuche-Mbu, the most senior National Commissioner at the Commission, will oversee INEC’s operations in an acting capacity pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to May Agbamuche, who will now serve as the Acting National Chairman.

The announcement was made on Tuesday during a meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

Agbamuche, the most senior National Commissioner at the electoral body, will oversee the commission’s affairs pending the appointment of a substantive chairman.

In his remarks, Professor Yakubu called on commissioners and directors within INEC to extend their full support to Agbamuche during her tenure in acting capacity.

A serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency, has come under fire after a video surfaced online showing him making controversial and threatening remarks regarding the 2027 general elections.

In the viral footage, Hon. Aguocha is heard warning potential challengers that anyone who dares to contest against him in the next election would be struck by thunder, suffer convulsions, and die.

“Anyone daring to contest against me will be visited by thunder; the person will have convulsion and die thereof,” the lawmaker declared.

He further boasted of his political dominance, claiming he would remain unopposed come 2027 and that no individual from his constituency could pose a credible threat to his seat.

The comments have triggered widespread condemnation across social media and political circles.

Many citizens and commentators have described the remarks as irresponsible, undemocratic, and unbecoming of a public official.

Observers warn that such inflammatory statements, especially from a sitting lawmaker, could inflame political tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections and undermine democratic values.

“Threats like these have no place in a democracy,” one commentator wrote.

“Political offices should be contested fairly, not enforced through fear or intimidation.”

As of the time of this report, Hon. Aguocha has not issued any statement, clarification, or apology regarding his comments, despite mounting calls for him to do so.

Robert Ngwu, spokesperson for Nigeria’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, has alleged that the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) is manipulating and tampering with the minister’s academic records amid a pending certificate forgery case.

Ngwu made the claims during an interview on The Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he accused the institution of politicising the situation and withholding Nnaji’s transcript despite a formal request.

“The minister never asked the university to conceal his records. He asked that they not be tampered with or manipulated,” Ngwu explained.

“We have it on good authority that there were attempts to alter certain documents, and personal files were even leaked online.”

According to Ngwu, the minister had applied for his academic transcript in May 2025, paid the necessary fees, but UNN has refused to release the document.

He alleged that the refusal, along with the leak of sensitive student file contents, suggests a coordinated political effort to discredit Nnaji.

Ngwu further claimed that politics within the university system may be influencing the situation.

He pointed fingers at the institution’s leadership, alleging that the Acting Vice-Chancellor is a known member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“In Enugu, PDP has held power for over two decades by suppressing competition,” he claimed.

“This situation with the minister is no different, an attempt to damage his credibility ahead of any future political contest.”

He added that the minister was left with no option but to seek the intervention of the Federal High Court to protect his records and compel the university to release his transcript.

Minister Nnaji is currently battling certificate forgery allegations dating back to 2023, shortly after his political appointment.

The controversy centres on claims that his academic credentials may not be genuine.

Appearing before Justice Hauwa Yilwa at the Federal High Court on Monday, Nnaji insisted he earned a B.Sc. in Microbiology/Biochemistry (Second Class Lower) from UNN in 1985 and that the university has no justification for withholding his transcript and academic proof.

Ngwu reiterated that the minister’s legal action is solely to protect his integrity and access the academic records rightfully his.

After a 10-week legislative break, the Nigerian Senate resumed plenary on Tuesday, with Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin presiding over the session in the absence of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

Among the most notable events of the day was the return of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, who made her first appearance at plenary since serving a six-month suspension.

Her presence drew attention, marking a key moment in the resumption of full legislative activities.

Despite Senator Akpabio’s absence, the session saw a strong turnout of lawmakers, signaling a complete return to business at the upper chamber.

Adding to the day’s significance, some senators arrived at the chamber wearing clothing and colours symbolising support for Palestine, a bold expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people.

The Senate, along with the House of Representatives, adjourned for its annual recess on July 24.

Lawmakers were initially scheduled to reconvene on September 23, 2025.

However, the resumption was postponed by two weeks, shifting the return date to October 7.

During the break, both ad hoc and standing committees were expected to continue with pending assignments.

The Senate President had also urged members to use the time to finalise reports and carry out oversight functions.

The recess is a customary part of the National Assembly’s calendar, allowing lawmakers time for constituency work and personal matters.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s return follows a controversial suspension earlier this year.

She was suspended in March for allegedly violating Senate standing rules, a move that sparked widespread criticism from civil society organisations and opposition voices.

Though she attempted to return earlier, the Senate refused her re-entry, citing an ongoing court case she filed in July to challenge the suspension.

Despite the pending court proceedings, her six-month suspension officially ended in September.

On completing her suspension, she wrote to the Senate expressing her readiness to return. However, the Senate had previously indicated it would not act on her letter until the legal matter was resolved.

On September 23, after six months of being sealed, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s office, Suite 2.05 in the Senate Wing, was finally reopened by Deputy Director of the Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.

Speaking upon her return, the senator expressed her relief and resolve:

“For me, I am glad to be here,” she said.
“Even though we were suspended unjustly, I have never relented in serving the people of Kogi Central to the best of my ability.”