In a remarkable demonstration of unity, thousands of residents from Ishielu Local Government Area in Ebonyi State staged a 1 Million-Man March on Monday, appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Francis Nwifuru to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.

The crowd, which included community leaders, youths, and women’s groups, marched from Eziulo Junction to the Ishielu Local Government Headquarters, describing the rally as a show of gratitude for the developmental strides of both leaders at the federal and state levels.

While receiving the demonstrators, Council Chairman Mrs. Peace Agwu was presented with the community’s collective appeal urging President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru to make themselves available for re-election, citing their achievements and people-oriented governance.

Speaking during the rally, Mr. Uchenna Agwu, Coordinator of the Peace Team Agwu Support Group, said the people of Ishielu were satisfied with the progress made under the current administration and desired continuity.

“We, the people of Ishielu, are pleading with the governor to return for a second term. We are at peace with his leadership. He has performed exceptionally in his first term and deserves to continue,” Agwu said.

“We also urge President Bola Tinubu to seek re-election and continue the good work he has started. And you, our amiable Chairman, must also stay to complete your projects.”

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman of Ishielu Local Government, Mr. Okechukwu Abbah, described the march as both an endorsement and a reflection of the APC government’s positive impact.

“This movement reaffirms our total support for President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru. The APC government has delivered for Nigerians, and the people of Ishielu stand firmly with them,” Abbah said.

Addressing journalists, Mrs. Agwu expressed delight at the spontaneous turnout and highlighted numerous developmental projects executed under Governor Nwifuru’s administration.

“Today, I witnessed overwhelming support from my people. This march was not organized by the council, yet thousands came out to endorse President Tinubu and Governor Nwifuru for a second term due to their outstanding performance,” she said.

She listed completed and ongoing projects by Governor Nwifuru, including the 23-kilometer Ezza–Eziulo–Iyonu–Ezzaegu Road, which has brought lasting peace to the area.

“In every ward, the governor has constructed at least a 2-kilometer road. Traditional rulers now have modern duplexes, and he has also built 144 bungalows in Ishielu, Amaeze, and Izzo communities,” Mrs. Agwu noted.

At the federal level, she commended President Tinubu for the dual carriageway construction that has revitalized the Ishielu Council Headquarters and boosted local economic activity.

“The President has not left us behind. The new double-lane road has given our town a facelift. The people are already feeling the positive impact of his administration,” she added.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has announced plans to deploy 45,000 officers across Anambra State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for 8 November 2025, as security agencies intensify measures to ensure a peaceful poll.

Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, made the disclosure during a meeting of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) at the INEC headquarters in Abuja.

The meeting, chaired by INEC Chairman Prof. Joash Amupitan, SAN, and co-chaired by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, included senior officials from security, intelligence, and law enforcement agencies. Ribadu was represented by Hassan Abdullahi, Director of Internal Security at the NSA’s office.

Egbetokun, represented by CP Abayomi Shogunle, head of the Elections Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation unit, said:

“The Nigeria Police Force is deploying 45,000 officers from across the federation to ensure a peaceful election in Anambra State. Only federal security agencies under ICCES will participate. State vigilante groups or other agencies will not be allowed to play any role.”

Shogunle also outlined pre-election security operations, including tactical deployments and restrictions on movement.

He said from 1 November, tactical units would begin clearance operations to disarm and arrest disruptive elements, while all entry and exit points into Anambra State will be closely monitored on election day.

Representing the government’s commitment, Abdullahi stated:

“Robust security measures, enhanced surveillance, and improved intelligence gathering have been put in place to prevent any attempts by disruptive elements or desperate politicians to undermine the electoral process.”

Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, DG of the National Youth Service Corps, assured the protection of corps members supporting the election, pledging to be personally on the ground before, during, and after the polls.

Earlier, INEC Chairman Prof. Amupitan emphasised that the commission is fully prepared for the election and remains committed to a smooth, credible electoral process.

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the arraignment of Senator Andy Uba and his co-defendants in the alleged N400 million fraud case to November 6.

The proceedings, initially scheduled for Uba and Benjamin Etu to enter their plea, could not hold due to the absence of Justice Mohammed Umar, who was reportedly attending to matters in another division.

Justice Umar has now rescheduled the arraignment for November 6.

The judge had previously warned on September 24 that a bench warrant could be issued if Uba failed to appear on October 28.

During the hearing, the prosecution, led by I-G’s counsel Aminu Abdullahi, expressed frustration over Uba’s repeated absences, noting that the ex-lawmaker has not appeared in court since the charge was filed in 2024.

Abdullahi argued that Uba’s absence amounted to disrespect for the court and had stalled the trial.

Uba’s lawyer, C.F. Odiniru, cited his client’s ill-health and requested additional time for him to appear in court.

The charges stem from allegations that Uba, Etu, and Hajiya Fatima (currently at large) conspired in 2022 to defraud Mr. George Uboh of N400 million.

The prosecution claims they misrepresented their ability to secure the appointment of the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The offences are cited under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The prosecution plans to call six witnesses in the case.