The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has escalated his dispute with businesswoman Tracy Ohiri, challenging her to provide concrete evidence of an alleged ₦280 million debt in exchange for a ₦1 billion payout from his associates.

Umahi also confirmed that he has directed his legal team to commence court proceedings to resolve the matter, following a fresh wave of allegations by Ohiri.

The controversy began after Ohiri accused the minister on social media of owing her for campaign materials supplied during his time as a party chairman.

The claims, which went viral, were later withdrawn after her lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, intervened, leading to a public apology.

However, the situation took a dramatic turn when Ohiri re-emerged with new claims, alleging she was pressured into retracting her earlier statements and promised payment that never materialised.

In response, Umahi, through a statement by his media aide, insisted that any resolution must be based on verifiable proof.

He maintained that while some well-meaning associates had offered financial support, it was strictly conditional on Ohiri presenting credible evidence, including communication records related to the transaction.

The minister also defended the role of Abubakar, describing his involvement as a sincere attempt to mediate the dispute without any financial inducement.

Reaffirming his position, Umahi stated that the matter would now be left for the courts to determine, stressing that his focus remains on delivering infrastructure projects and national development.

The dispute continues to generate public interest, with both parties holding firmly to their claims as the case appears set for legal resolution.

A new bilateral agreement between United Kingdom and Nigeria has ignited fresh discussions over the possible return of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who is currently serving a prison sentence in the UK.

The pact, signed during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit, provides a structured framework for the repatriation of failed asylum seekers, visa overstayers, and convicted offenders.

Ekweremadu was sentenced in 2023 by a UK court after being convicted of organ trafficking, alongside his wife and a medical doctor.

While his wife has since completed her sentence and returned to Nigeria, the former lawmaker remains incarcerated.

Although Nigerian authorities had previously explored the possibility of transferring him home, those efforts were unsuccessful due to concerns from UK officials over whether his sentence would be fully enforced if he returned.

The new agreement, however, has reopened speculation that such a move could now be reconsidered under a more formal legal arrangement.

Government insiders say that while the deal creates a pathway for potential transfers, there is currently no concrete plan to return Ekweremadu.

Any such process, they noted, would require strict legal coordination and mutual consent between both countries.

Legal experts have also cautioned that a transfer does not equate to freedom, stressing that Ekweremadu would still be required to serve his sentence unless altered through lawful means such as a pardon.

Reactions to the development have been mixed.

While some stakeholders argue that his return would be justified after the ordeal he has faced, others insist the agreement should not be reduced to a single case, pointing out that thousands of Nigerians could be affected by the broader policy.

Officials say over 2,000 Nigerians currently facing deportation or repatriation may fall within the scope of the agreement, which also includes provisions for identity verification, secure travel documentation, and reintegration support.

Despite the growing speculation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that there is no confirmed link between the agreement and any immediate plan to repatriate Ekweremadu.

For now, his possible return remains uncertain, but the new UK-Nigeria migration deal has undoubtedly brought the conversation back into focus.

By Dr. Malachy Chuma Ochie

In the evolving political economy of Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah is pursuing a model of governance that treats infrastructure, security, and investment not as parallel priorities but as mutually reinforcing levers of long-term growth.

At the center of this approach is an aggressive push on link roads. Beyond easing traffic, these corridors are economic arteries; connecting agricultural belts to urban markets, reducing logistics costs, and unlocking peri-urban land for industrial and residential development.

In political economy terms, this is what we call spatial integration, which emphasizes shrinking distances between production and consumption, and thereby raising productivity. Roads here are not just public goods; they are signals, credible commitments that the state is open for business.

Security reform forms the second pillar. By investing in surveillance architecture, coordinated response systems, and intelligence-led policing, the administration is attempting to reduce uncertainty, the silent inhibitor that deters investors. Capital is risk-averse; it flows where predictability is high.

A safer Enugu State lowers transaction costs, encourages longer planning horizons, and makes local enterprises more scalable. Security, in this sense, is not merely a social good but an economic input.

The third leg, which is investment climate, ties the strategy together. Streamlined approvals, digitization of government services, and a pro-enterprise posture aim to reduce bureaucratic friction.

When combined with better roads and improved security, these reforms create what economists call “complementarities”: each policy amplifies the impact of the others.

A factory is more likely to be built where goods can move efficiently and where operations are secure; investors are more willing to commit where governance is predictable and responsive.

Critically, this model reflects intentional governance, where policy choices are sequenced and aligned toward a defined growth vision. The risk, however, lies in execution discipline and inclusivity.

Infrastructure without maintenance, security without accountability, and investment without broad-based participation can erode early gains.

Yet, if sustained, Enugu’s trajectory offers a compelling subnational blueprint: build connective infrastructure, secure the environment, and clear the path for private capital. Done right, these are not isolated interventions but a flywheel that is capable of transforming a city into a durable engine of regional prosperity. That is Gov Peter Mbah’s intentional governance at its best.

A former governor of Jigawa State and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Sule Lamido, has called for urgent reconciliation within the party, warning that its chances in the 2027 general elections may be bleak without mending fences with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Lamido, who was once a strong critic of Wike, admitted that political realities have forced a rethink.

According to him, the PDP’s internal crisis, compounded by high-profile defections to the All Progressives Congress, has left the opposition party weakened and struggling to remain competitive.

He stressed that reconciliation is no longer optional but a survival strategy, noting that the party must move beyond personal grievances to rebuild its structure and prepare effectively for upcoming elections.

“The PDP today is in a fragile state,” Lamido said, pointing out the absence of a fully functional national leadership and the legal uncertainties surrounding its structure. He warned that without urgent action, the party may find it difficult to organise primaries or field credible candidates.

While clarifying that his position does not amount to endorsing Wike’s past actions, Lamido argued that engaging all factions, including Wike’s camp, is the only realistic path forward.

He noted that many of those who once opposed Wike have already defected, further complicating the party’s internal dynamics.

Lamido proposed the expansion of the current caretaker committee to accommodate all interests within the party, insisting that inclusiveness is key to restoring unity.

He added that such a move would pave the way for a credible national convention capable of producing a legitimate leadership.

On the broader political landscape, Lamido maintained that despite its challenges, the PDP remains the only opposition party with a national spread capable of challenging the ruling party.

However, he cautioned that time is running out, especially with the electoral timetable drawing closer.

He also dismissed speculations about adopting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a consensus candidate, describing such suggestions as irrelevant distractions from the party’s internal issues.

Regarding calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to return as a unifying figure, Lamido expressed doubt, saying the current state of disunity within the party makes such a move unlikely.

He reaffirmed that the PDP presidential ticket has already been zoned to the South but emphasized that no serious contender would emerge unless the party first rebuilds trust, unity, and organisational strength.

Despite mounting concerns and defections, Lamido rejected claims that the PDP is finished, insisting that the party remains a major force in Nigerian politics.

“The PDP is not dead,” he said. “But if we fail to reconcile now, we risk making that prediction a reality.”

Two sons of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have declared their intentions to contest for National Assembly positions in Adamawa State ahead of the 2027 general elections, signaling a growing political footprint for the family within the African Democratic Congress.

Adamu Atiku, the eldest son and former Commissioner for Works and Energy Development under Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, is eyeing the Adamawa South senatorial seat.

Meanwhile, his younger brother, Mohammed Atiku Abubakar, a businessman, is positioning to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Jada/Mayo-Belwa/Ganye/Toungo federal constituency.

Confirming the development, ADC State Chairman, Shehu Yohanna, said the party has warmly received both aspirants and assured them of full support, in line with the party’s commitment to fairness and inclusiveness.

Yohanna disclosed that Adamu Atiku recently resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party and has since formally registered with the ADC in his ward in Jada Local Government Area, where he will pursue his senatorial ambition.

He added that Mohammed Atiku Abubakar had earlier joined the party and is equally set to contest in the 2027 elections.

The ADC leadership emphasized that both aspirants, like all Nigerians, have the constitutional right to seek elective office, assuring that the party will provide the necessary platform and support for their political aspirations.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has admitted that he is uncertain about clinching the presidential ticket of the African Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in a video circulating on social media, Obi told his supporters that while he remains committed to the political movement, he cannot guarantee securing the party’s ticket.

“I cannot be certain that I will get the ticket,” he said, stressing that his focus goes beyond personal ambition. According to him, the struggle is about a broader national cause rather than individual political gain.

The former Anambra State governor also reflected on the current political climate, questioning how things have evolved and warning against abandoning ongoing reform efforts.

Despite reported threats and uncertainties within the opposition space, Obi reaffirmed his resolve to continue pushing for change. He commended his supporters for their loyalty, acknowledging the difficulties of operating outside the ruling establishment.

Obi, however, raised concerns about trust and stability within political alliances, noting that shifting loyalties remain a major challenge.

“We cannot always be sure that those we are working with today will remain committed tomorrow,” he said, highlighting the fragile nature of coalition politics in Nigeria.