The Njiko Igbo Forum (NIF), an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has launched a mobilisation campaign to rally support for Peter Obi in the upcoming 2027 presidential election.

Speaking in Enugu, the forum’s National President, Rev. Okechukwu Obioha, said the drive stems from their belief that Obi is “the most credible Igbo” candidate deserving of national trust. While Obi has not officially declared which party he intends to contest under, Obioha emphasised the need to reassure Nigerians that “he will be on the ballot in 2027.”

The campaign will roll out in the Southwest in the coming days and will run through to the 2027 elections.

Obioha reiterated NIF’s long-standing position that presidential power should rotate to the Southeast, arguing it would be unjust for that region to miss its turn after the Southwest has occupied the “turn of the South.”

“In 2023, we rallied behind Obi and regarded him as the most credible candidate. Though Nigeria voted, we believe the result didn’t reflect the will of the people. With zoning, 2027 belongs to the Southeast, a call for fairness,” he said.

He also urged Igbos, especially below 18 years old, to register as voters, affirming that voters have become more vigilant since 2023 and will resist any attempt to manipulate results.

As Anambra State celebrates its 34th anniversary, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze, has lauded Governor Chukwuma Soludo for sustaining and accelerating development across the state.

In a goodwill message delivered through his media aide, Mr. Emma Madu, Udeze paid tribute to Anambra’s founding fathers and past leaders for their contributions to the state’s progress, while describing Soludo as “exceptional” in delivering results within a short period.

“Previous administrations laid important foundations, but Governor Soludo has raised the bar with transformational achievements in just three years,” the Speaker noted.

He pointed to the state’s improved ranking in economic and industrial performance as proof of the governor’s impact, citing progress in road construction, healthcare, education, employment, security, agriculture, and urban renewal.

Udeze also praised the governor for delivering a long-awaited, modern Government House and Lodge, a project that had been stalled since Anambra’s creation in 1991.

According to him, strong collaboration between the executive and the 8th Anambra State House of Assembly has been instrumental in advancing people-centered policies and legislative reforms.

He urged affluent indigenes and business leaders to embrace Soludo’s “Think Home” agenda by investing in the state’s industrial growth and supporting security initiatives.

The Speaker also called on residents to pray for continued peace and prosperity, pledging full legislative support for Soludo’s re-election bid in the November 8, 2025 governorship election.

High Chief Engr. Johnbosco Onunkwo, Chairman of the APC National Reconciliation Committee in Anambra State, has called on youths within the party to lead the charge in ending the 19-year rule of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state.

Onunkwo made the call on Monday during the inauguration of the newly elected executive members of the APC Youth League at the party’s state secretariat in Awka, where he was also honoured as Grand Patron of the group.

Represented by his media aide, Comrade Emmanuel Ifediata, Onunkwo described the unification of Anambra’s youth under the APC Youth League as a strategic move toward establishing a youth-driven administration in the state.

“Our youths are ready, determined, and coordinated. This is the beginning of a new era. The goal is clear, to reclaim Anambra through unity and grassroots mobilisation,” he said.

He urged the youth leaders to take their campaign beyond urban centres, reaching deep into villages, towns, and political wards to build broad-based support ahead of the 2025 governorship election.

Onunkwo, who has long been regarded as a major supporter of youth empowerment in the state, also provided logistical support and grassroots mobilisation funds to the Youth League as part of his contribution to the APC’s electoral success.

According to Ifediata, Onunkwo expressed strong confidence in the leadership of the new APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, adding that the party was well-positioned to win the 2025 governorship poll and build momentum for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

He also offered condolences to the National Chairman over the recent passing of his mother, praying for strength and comfort for the bereaved family.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that despite widespread endorsements of President Bola Tinubu for a second term, its 2027 presidential ticket remains open to all interested aspirants.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, the APC’s National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Sulaiman Argungu, dismissed rumours that the party plans to automatically hand its 2027 ticket to Tinubu without a contest.

“It is the wish of the party and indeed the National Working Committee (NWC) that President Tinubu continues in office. Our endorsement reflects appreciation for his performance. But that does not mean we are shutting out others,” Argungu said.

He confirmed that the president had been endorsed not just by the NWC, but by state chapters and zonal structures across the country.

Nonetheless, he emphasised that the internal democratic process would not be compromised.

“When the time comes, we will release our timetable, and any party member interested in contesting will be free to purchase nomination and expression of interest forms,” he added. “Democracy does not accommodate dictatorship.”

Argungu also reaffirmed that the APC would adhere strictly to the guidelines of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the provisions of the Electoral Act during its primaries.

He described recent APC victories in bye-elections across traditionally opposition-dominated states as proof of growing public confidence in the party and in President Tinubu’s leadership.

“That we are winning elections in PDP strongholds is a testament to the faith Nigerians have in our progressive agenda,” Argungu said.

Addressing concerns over the upcoming Ekiti governorship primaries, Argungu assured that the process would be open and transparent.

“So far, four aspirants have obtained forms, two men and two women. The women are benefitting from our policy that grants free nomination forms to female aspirants. No one has been denied access,” he said.

He also pushed back on allegations that the party’s Organising Department was being sidelined in primary election planning, stating that since assuming office in 2022, his team has driven reforms to promote fairness and teamwork within the APC.