The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for the Anambra South by-election, Hon. Sir Azuka Okwuosa, cast his vote on Saturday at Polling Unit 5, Ward 3 in Orifite, Ekwusigo Local Government Area.

After voting, Okwuosa spoke to journalists and expressed satisfaction at having taken part in the democratic process.

“I have fulfilled my civic responsibility by voting myself,” he stated.

The APC flagbearer also commended the electoral process so far and called on residents across Anambra South to come out peacefully and exercise their right to vote.

Photos taken at Ofiyi Square, 002, Umueze in Isuofia and Isekke Ward in Ihiala.

Security agents working in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and other agencies have arrested the Ogun State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Abayomi Tella, along with other party officials and two INEC staff members.

The group was apprehended at a hotel in the Iperu-Remo area of Ikenne LGA, reportedly in possession of a substantial amount of cash suspected to be intended for vote-buying.

A video circulating on social media shows the detained INEC staff, a man and woman, and PDP officials being interrogated by security personnel.

An unidentified interrogator explained that intelligence suggested the INEC officers had been contacted by party members to collect money from them.

In response, the detained male INEC official claimed the money was handed to him by his supervisor.

The PDP chairman introducing himself only as “PDP official in Ogun State”, denied any wrongdoing.

“You are just showing money; I don’t know anything about it.” he said.

The PDP swiftly dismissed the arrests as politically motivated.

Asiwaju Akinloye Bankole, the party’s Director of Media and Communications, labeled the operation a “ploy to intimidate and disenfranchise” PDP supporters ahead of the by-election.

He claimed Tella was peacefully resting in his hotel with his driver and an aide when security operatives launched a “commando-style operation” around 3:30 am.

He insisted that “Tella had only ₦100,000 in his room, no electoral materials were discovered in his room or vehicle.”

Bankole also underscored that Tella does not know the arrested INEC staff and could not have been sharing the same hotel space with them.

He called for the chairman’s immediate release and condemned the arrests as an attempt to suppress the opposition.

When contacted, Commissioner of Police Lanre Ogunlowo confirmed that the matter was under investigation. He offered no additional details, saying, “We are investigating the matter. That’s how much I can say for now.”

The police have pledged to release more information later in the day.

The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji has vowed to resist any attempt to compromise the integrity of the Enugu South Urban Constituency House of Assembly rerun election.

Speaking to journalists at Uwani on Saturday, the Minister expressed deep concern over the delayed commencement of voting, warning that the setback could undermine public confidence in the process.

“Eligible voters have been here for hours waiting to cast their votes. INEC must act with urgency and responsibility. Any attempt to compromise this process must be resisted in its entirety,” Nnaji said.

He called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to rise to its constitutional duty of conducting a free, fair and transparent election, stressing that the people of Enugu South deserve nothing less.

Chief Nnaji reaffirmed the party’s commitment to a peaceful and transparent process, but warned that any manipulation or attempt to disenfranchise voters would be firmly resisted.

The rerun, which is the third attempt to conclude elections in eight polling units, follows previous cancellations due to irregularities.

At 1:04 pm, voting is yet to commence.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that about 4,000 registered voters are expected to participate in the process.

Results before the rerun showed Labour Party candidate, Hon. Bright Ngene, leading PDP’s Hon. Sam Ngene by over 3,000 votes.

The Kaduna State Police Command on Friday arrested a suspected vote buyer, Shehu Aliyu Patangi and recovered a total of ₦25,963,000 in cash.

The arrest was made around 3:30 am at a well-known hotel along Turunku Road in Kaduna metropolis, following a joint operation involving the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies.

According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that Patangi intended to use the cash to induce voters during the elections.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the alleged crime and pleaded for leniency.

In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, commended the inter-agency collaboration that led to the arrest.

He described the development as a major breakthrough in protecting the sanctity of the electoral process.

“The Command remains resolute in its duty to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election,” CP Muhammad stated.

“Anyone, regardless of status, found attempting to compromise the elections will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”

The rerun election for the Enugu South Urban Constituency is experiencing significant delays following the late arrival of INEC officials and sensitive election materials.

As of 11am, dozens of voters and polling unit agents had already gathered at Uwani, venue of the much-anticipated election.

However, hours later, there was still no sign of INEC personnel or materials.

The delay has sparked growing concerns that the slow start could discourage voters and negatively affect turnout.

Speaking to journalists at the scene, the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji alongside Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, who represents Enugu North and South Federal Constituency, urged INEC to act without further delay.

“Eligible voters are already on ground. INEC must act swiftly to ensure the people are not disenfranchised,” the Minister said.

Both APC chieftains who are observing the process also reiterated their call for a free, fair, and credible election, warning that any attempt to compromise the integrity of the process would be firmly resisted.

DAILY GAZETTE recalls that Saturday’s rerun is the third attempt at conducting elections in eight polling units within the constituency, where approximately 4,000 registered voters are expected to cast their ballots.

So far, Labour Party candidate, Barr. Bright Ngene is leading PDP’s Hon. Sam Ngene with a margin of over 3,000 votes, based on previous results before the rerun was ordered.

More details shortly…

The internal leadership tussle within the Labour Party reached a turning point on Friday as the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out a suit filed by Julius Abure, effectively ending his claim to the position of National Chairman.

In Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1523/2025, the court ruled that it lacked jurisdiction to hear Abure’s case against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), aligning with the Supreme Court’s earlier decision on April 4, 2025 (Appeal No. SC/CV/56/2025), which had already invalidated his leadership.

The ruling reaffirmed INEC’s position and the apex court’s stance, sealing Abure’s removal from the party’s top leadership role.

Responding to the court’s decision, the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman, PhD, described the ruling as a conclusive legal and political moment for the party.

“This is another unambiguous affirmation of the rule of law and the Supreme Court’s binding pronouncements,” Usman said in a statement.

“The chapter is closed, we must put distractions behind us and rebuild the Labour Party into the disciplined, people-centred movement Nigerians deserve.”

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, has refuted claims circulating on social media and some mainstream platforms that he criticized Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, during a recent interview.

The controversy arose from a televised interview on Signature TV, which marked Ngige’s birthday on August 8, 2025.

In the interview, Ngige was quoted as saying he is “not like Soludo who is always criticizing Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi.” The quote quickly went viral.

However, in a statement issued by Ngige’s Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Hggy Obialor, the former governor categorically denied making such remarks, insisting that the video had been “mischievously edited.”

“Our attention has been drawn to a news item circulating in the social media and some mainstream media purporting that our principal, His Excellency Chris Nwabueze Ngige MD, OON, CON, had critiqued Mr Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, alleging that he is not like him who is always criticising the presidential candidate of Labour Party in 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi,” the statement read.

“This slant news is possibly taken out of the video of an interview granted to Signature TV marking his birthday on 8th August 2025.”

Ngige clarified that the clip was misleading and poorly edited.

“Firstly, a critical look at the video will show that this area has been badly edited. Dr. Ngige has been long in public office, both as a civil servant and as a public servant, to be careful with his choice of words. What Dr. Ngige said was: ‘But constitutionally, he is entitled to his opinion and views on any matter.’”

According to Obialor, Signature TV has since acknowledged the error.

“We have called the attention of Signature TV to this anomaly, and they have apologised and have started making amends as that was the only area that was not affected,” he stated.

Addressing claims that Ngige was attacking Peter Obi, the statement noted:

“Whilst Gov. Ngige has nothing against Gov. Peter Obi, he was pointing out in that area of the interview that the gory aspect of inheriting a ‘failed state, with unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions, no security, a place with unbridled corruption’ when he came in as Governor, which he paints, is not really so.”

The statement also reaffirmed Ngige’s respect for Governor Soludo.

“His Excellency, Chris Ngige, Onwa, holds the incumbent Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, (Odenigbo) in very high esteem as one of the best from our state who had served and represented us meritoriously at the national level — first as Chief Economic Adviser to the President and later as Central Bank Governor (2004–2009), all without blemish.”

“Sen. Dr. Ngige had also, as an elder statesman and former Governor of our state, eulogised him at both the 2nd and 3rd year anniversaries of his government for managing the resources [money and human] of the state with a lot of dexterity, excellence, and care. He has done very well,” the statement concluded

Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Godwin Eze, has assumed full command of security operations in the Anambra South Senatorial District ahead of Saturday’s by-election.

In a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, local security outfits including the Agunechemba Security Squad and other vigilante groups, have been barred from participation in the electoral exercise.

“In line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police, AIG Godwin Eze, who has been deployed as the Supervisory Officer for the forthcoming Anambra Bye-elections slated for tomorrow 16th August 2025. Consequently, he has today, 15th August 2025 assumed full charge of the deployment of officers and men for the exercise,” the statement read.

Eze emphasized that only accredited security personnel will be authorized to operate during the elections.

“The AIG in his address emphasised that only duly accredited security personnel will be permitted to participate in election duties,” Ikenga explained.

To ensure voter safety and uphold order, vehicular movement will also be restricted in key areas from 6 am to 6 pm on election day.

The areas affected include Nnewi North and South, Orumba North and South, Ekwusigo, Aguata, Ihiala, Onitsha North Constituency 1, and Awka South, home to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters.

“Furthermore, to ensure a safe and hitch-free election, there shall be restrictions on vehicular movement from 6 am to 6 pm in the affected areas throughout the election period,” Ikenga stated.

These proactive measures aim to deter criminal activity and reduce the risk of electoral violence.

“The restriction is a proactive measure to deter criminal activities, reduce the risk of electoral violence, and guarantee the safety of voters, electoral officials, and security personnel,” the statement noted.

The police command reassured residents of its readiness to protect the electoral process and urged citizens to cooperate with officers on duty.

“The Command assures residents of its readiness to safeguard the electoral process, while urging citizens to remain law-abiding and to cooperate with security personnel deployed for the exercise,” Ikenga added.

For emergencies or complaints, voters were given the following contact numbers:

– AIG’s direct line: 08023407772

– Command’s Control Room: 07039194332

– Police PRO: 08039334002