By Dr. Johnpaul Anih, Ph.D

Politics they say, is a game of numbers, but leadership is a test of impact. And in Enugu today, the conversation is gradually shifting from empty promises to visible progress. At the centre of that shift stands Barr. Peter Mbah, a man whose style of governance has stirred both conversation and more importantly, results.

There is something about momentum, it is hard to start, but once it builds, it becomes dangerous to interrupt. That is exactly where Enugu finds itself today.

As any seasoned traveler knows, you don’t jump off a moving vehicle simply because you’re curious about another ride.

For Governor Mbah, no noise, no grandstanding, no long speeches. He chose laying foundations quietly but deliberately.

Take a walk, or better still, a drive across parts of Enugu metropolis today, you will notice something different. Roads that once tested the patience of even the calmest drivers are being reworked. Public infrastructure is gradually shedding the tired look of neglect. There is a sense, subtle but undeniable, that governance is no longer asleep at the wheel.

But beyond the physical changes lies something deeper, “a shift in attitude”.

Leadership at its core is about setting a tone. When the man at the top treats governance like serious business, the ripple effect travels down the ladder.
Civil service begins to wake up. Institutions start to respond. The entire system, slowly but surely, begins to realign.

Of course, no administration is without its critics and rightly so. Democracy thrives on scrutiny. But even the harshest critic would agree that what Enugu needs at this stage is not abrupt disruption, but consolidation.

Development is not a sprint, it is a relay. And it makes little sense to change runners just when the baton is being carried steadily.

There’s a familiar saying “you don’t abandon a well you’ve just started drawing clean water from.”
Enugu under Governor Mbah has begun to yield signs of that clean water, progress that may not yet be perfect, but is clearly promising.

The real question is whether the state has the patience to see the process through.
A second term is often where intentions mature into legacy. The first term lays the groundwork, the second builds the structure.

If Mbah’s current trajectory is anything to go by, then continuity may be the missing ingredient needed to turn incremental gains into lasting transformation.

It is also worth noting that leadership is not just about what is done, but how it is done. There is a growing sense that Mbah understands the urgency of time, that governance is not eternal and that every day wasted is a disservice to the people.
That awareness reflects in the pace and direction of his policies.

Enugu stands at a crossroads, as it often does in moments like this. One path leads to continuity, staying the course, refining the process and deepening the gains already made.

The other leads back to uncertainty, to starting over, to rewriting plans that have only just begun to take shape.

In moments like this, history tends to favour patience over impulse.

No one is suggesting perfection.
No leader achieves that. But governance is not about perfection, it is about progress.
And by that measure, there is a case, a strong one, that Peter Mbah has earned the opportunity to finish what he started.

Because at the end of the day, Ndi Enugu are not just choosing a leader, they are choosing a direction. And most times, the wisest decision is not to change course, but to stay on it.

Factional chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Tanimu Turaki, has challenged a High Court bench warrant issued against him, describing the order as unjust and seeking its immediate reversal.

Turaki, through a statement released on Thursday by his Principal Private Secretary, Ibrahim Abdullahi, clarified that the case is a personal legal matter and not connected to the PDP or its internal affairs.

Earlier, a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Maitama, Abuja, had issued a bench warrant for Turaki’s arrest after he failed to appear in court over allegations of providing false information to the police in a petition he filed as a private citizen in 2022.

According to the statement, Turaki’s absence was due to an unexpected hospital visit. It also noted that his legal team had already filed an application to quash the charge—an application they argued did not require his physical presence in court.

In response to the court’s order, Turaki’s lawyers have swiftly filed an appeal, alongside an application seeking a stay of execution of the bench warrant.

While distancing the case from party politics, the statement hinted at possible external influence, noting that political interference could not be entirely ruled out.

“We urge all party members to remain calm as Turaki’s legal team is effectively handling the situation,” the statement added.

The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has discharged former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, following the restitution of funds linked to an alleged ₦2.46 billion fraud case.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Hamza Muazu struck out the charges against Oduah and her co-defendant, Gloria Odita, after the prosecution confirmed that the Federal Government had recovered the value of the funds in question.

“The charge dated October 13, 2025, is hereby struck out, and the defendants are accordingly discharged,” the judge ruled.

The Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation, Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that he was acting on the directive of the Attorney-General of the Federation, confirming that the government had received full restitution of the disputed funds.

Following this development, the prosecution amended the charges to retain only two companies—Sobora International Limited and Global Offshore Marine Limited—effectively removing Oduah and Odita as defendants.

Counsel to Oduah, Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN, and counsel to Odita, Wale Balogun, SAN, urged the court to formally withdraw the charges against their clients.

Although the prosecution initially maintained that the former defendants could still represent the companies, both parties later agreed that only the companies would stand trial, with representatives appearing on their behalf.

The Federal Government subsequently arraigned the companies on two counts of fraud.

According to the charges, Sobora International Limited was linked to ₦838 million suspected to have been illegally obtained from the Ministry of Aviation through a security firm, while Global Offshore Marine Limited was accused of receiving ₦1.629 billion from the same source.

Oduah, appearing as a representative of the companies, pleaded guilty to the amended charges.

The court consequently convicted the companies and ordered the restitution of ₦1.2 billion to the Federal Government, alongside the forfeiture of ₦780 million recovered during investigations.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced that 8,453 delegates from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to attend its national convention in Abuja, scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

The disclosure was made by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Malagi, during a media briefing at the APC World Media Centre in Abuja on Thursday.

He said the convention, themed “Unity in Progress: Consolidating the Renewed Hope Agenda,” reflects the party’s vision, achievements, and plans for the next political cycle.

“The convention will bring together delegates from across the country for policy discussions, leadership elections, and a transition to a new set of party executives,” Malagi said.

“We are expecting a total of 8,453 delegates to converge in Abuja for this important exercise.”

Malagi added that preparations at Eagle Square have been finalized to ensure a smooth, transparent, and credible exercise.

He emphasized that the convention will showcase the achievements of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, highlighting the Renewed Hope Agenda as central to national development objectives.

Speaking on behalf of the National Convention Central Coordinating Committee, its chairman and former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari, confirmed that 25 sub-committees were set up to ensure proper planning and execution of the convention.

He reassured that the party is fully prepared for the event.

Addressing concerns over possible litigation related to zoning arrangements, Masari said the APC has not been served any legal notice. “APC is a responsible political party. Offices are zoned across regions in line with the federal character principle.

Anyone seeking to contest must comply with this arrangement,” he said.

Despite this, some aspirants have raised grievances. Fubara Dagogo has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja to challenge his exclusion from the South-South Zonal Congress in Asaba on March 25, while Paul Yovwe Oyiborume has expressed concerns but has yet to pursue legal action.

The APC national convention, a statutory gathering, will elect members of the National Working Committee and make critical decisions on party administration, policies, and strategies, shaping the party’s internal structure and strategic direction ahead of future elections.

The Federal Government has directed civil servants operating within the Federal Secretariat in Abuja to work from home on Friday, March 27, 2026, in preparation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) national convention.

The directive was issued in a circular signed by Abdul Garba, Permanent Secretary, Service Welfare Office, on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack.

According to the circular, all access roads leading to and around the Federal Secretariat Complex, Phases I, II, and III, will be closed from Friday, March 27, through Saturday, March 28, 2026.

“All Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments, Agencies, and Offices located within the Federal Secretariat, Phases I, II & III, are hereby informed of the closure of all access roads leading to and around the said Federal Secretariat Complex from 27th to 28th March 2026,” the statement read.

The government explained that the measure was necessary due to the use of Eagle Square for the APC national convention, which is expected to host party leaders, delegates, and supporters from across the country.

Personnel in affected offices, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are required to stay off-site on Friday, March 27, while heads of ministries, departments, and agencies have been tasked to ensure strict compliance with the directive.

The APC convention, set to take place at Eagle Square, Abuja, is a major political event where party officials will discuss internal affairs and outline preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, on Wednesday led leaders and delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the North Central region to unanimously endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 general election.

The endorsement took place at the North Central APC Congress in Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa State, and was ratified by governors, ministers, party leaders, and grassroots mobilizers from across the zone.

Governor Abdullahi Sule formally seconded the motion, which was moved by Akume, culminating in a voice vote that confirmed Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the region.

Akume, a former governor of Benue State and the recognized APC leader in North Central, described the endorsement as both a strategic necessity and a responsibility, citing the zone’s historic role in sustaining Nigeria’s unity and political stability.

Addressing attendees, the SGF called North Central the “glue” that binds Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities, praising governors, ministers, and party officials for their performance under Tinubu’s administration.

He emphasized that the zone is critical to the party’s success in the upcoming elections.

“Nigeria is moving towards another election cycle; with the calibre of politicians and grassroots leaders I have seen here, I have no doubt that when votes are counted in 2027, the North Central will deliver the highest number of votes,” Akume said.

He urged party members to intensify mobilization efforts, warning against complacency.

Governor Sule highlighted that fiscal reforms under the Tinubu administration have strengthened states’ financial capacity, allowing some to execute projects without borrowing.

“As a result of these reforms, some of us are carrying out projects without borrowing a penny; for that reason, I second the motion to adopt President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as our sole candidate for 2027,” he said.

The motion was unanimously endorsed by all delegates, positioning North Central as one of the first major zones to officially back Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Some members of the Advocate for Women in Governance staged a protest on Thursday at the national secretariat of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Abuja, demanding clarification over claims that the party disbursed ₦100 million in connection with the recent Federal Capital Territory (FCT) election.

Addressing journalists, the group’s convener, Amaka Christian, said the demonstration was intended to compel the ADC leadership to respond to allegations made on national television about three weeks ago.

“We are here this afternoon for a simple mission: to ask the national leadership of ADC if it’s true they disbursed ₦100 million to cover costs for the just-concluded election in FCT,” Christian said. She added that the protest was not an accusation but a call for transparency and accountability.

“The allegation has been made publicly, and it is important for the ADC to either confirm or deny it. We just want the truth,” she emphasised. She also noted that the group’s next steps would depend on the party’s response.

In response, ADC Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Queen Okiyi, urged calm, describing the allegation as a rumour.

“We urge everyone to remain calm regarding the allegations about Senator Ireti. This is currently a rumour, and the party will address it,” Okiyi said.

She defended the senator’s record and called for unity among party members, stressing that the ADC remains committed to promoting women’s interests.

“The party has the interests of women at heart, and we’d like everyone to avoid divisive rhetoric. We will provide the necessary responses, so let’s stay united and focus on making ADC victorious in 2027,” she added.

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for its national convention scheduled for Friday and Saturday, momentum continues to build behind the candidacy of Ben Nwoye for the position of national chairman South.

The latest endorsement comes from Hon. John Ogbodo, executive Chairman of Nkanu West Local Government Area in Enugu State.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Ogbodo described Nwoye as a capable and experienced leader with the political strength to reposition the party for future electoral success.

He noted that Nwoye’s track record in party administration and grassroots mobilization makes him a strong contender for the top position, adding that his emergence would promote unity and stability within the APC.

Ogbodo further called on party delegates to rally behind Nwoye, stressing that the forthcoming convention presents an opportunity to consolidate the party’s internal structures and strengthen its national outlook.

He expressed confidence that Nwoye possesses the vision and leadership qualities required to move the party forward and ensure its competitiveness ahead of future elections.

The APC national convention is expected to bring together key stakeholders and delegates from across the country to elect new party leaders and chart a course for the party’s future.

Dr. Nwoye is the former Chairman of the APC in Enugu State and the immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in the state.