Ahead of party primaries for the forthcoming Enugu State local government elections, no fewer than 15 aspirants have indicated interest in contesting the chairmanship position of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.

The aspirants are drawn mainly from the two dominant blocs in the council area – Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre and Eha-Amufu West Development Centre – as arguments over fairness and political inclusion continue to shape the contest.

From the Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre, those reportedly in the race include Hon. Barr. Azubuike Odo, Hon. Uche Ugwueze, Chief Victor Ngwu, Hon. James Nnaji, Prof. Ifeanyi Odoziobodo, Hon. Emmanuel Ugwu, Dr. Collins Ogbu, Esq., Dr. Onyeka Nnamani and Paul Ugwuagbo Jnr.

On the other hand, aspirants from Eha-Amufu West Development Centre include Hon. Francis Ede, Darlington Nnaji, Chief Brendan Ani, Hon. Simon Ede, Chief Raymond Ugwu and Hon. Shepherd Chijioke Iyioku.

DAILY GAZETTE observe that the chairmanship race is unfolding against the backdrop of concerns over the concentration of key political positions within Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre.

Currently, the State House of Assembly seat is occupied by Hon. Gabriel Eze, while the Commissioner for Environment, Prof. Sam Ugwu, also hails from the same bloc.

In addition, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Strategic Communication, Dr. Collins Ogbu, Esq., and the Secretary of the Enugu State Security Trust Fund, Engr. Chinedu Ani, are all from Isi-Uzo Central.

In contrast, Eha-Amufu West Development Centre is not currently occupying any major elective or appointive position at either the state or local government level, a situation that has strengthened calls for the zone to be considered for the council chairmanship.

The agitation has been further heightened by the interest shown by aspirants from Umualor Ward in Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre, a ward that already produces the sitting lawmaker and a senior aide to the governor.

Critics argue that this development undermines the principles of equity and fair political participation.

As consultations continue, stakeholders warn that ignoring zoning sensitivities, capacity, acceptability and broad-based support in selecting the party’s candidate could weaken the party’s chances and open the door for opposition parties in the local government election.

Many believe that a balanced approach that reflects inclusivity, mutual respect and unity of purpose will be crucial to producing leadership capable of driving all-round development in Isi-Uzo.

With party primaries approaching, attention is now firmly on how political leaders will navigate the competing interests to deliver a candidate that commands widespread acceptance across the local government area.

A former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election as a principal candidate, ruling out any possibility of accepting a secondary role.

Obi made the declaration while campaigning for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate ahead of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) election in the Federal Capital Territory.

The former Anambra State governor, who recently defected from the Labour Party to the ADC, said his political ambition for 2027 was clear and non-negotiable, stressing that he was fully involved in the race as the leading contender.

Since his move to the ADC, Obi has intensified consultations under the coalition platform, with supporters, including members of the Obidient Movement, urging the party to adopt him as its presidential flag bearer.

Many of his supporters have insisted on an “Obi or nothing” stance.

However, the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, has cautioned against divisive rhetoric, calling on supporters to place party unity above individual interests.

Speculations have also emerged around a possible Obi–Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso presidential ticket on the ADC platform, with reports suggesting that an alternative party may be considered should such an alliance fail to edge out former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is widely regarded as a strong contender for the ADC ticket.

Kwankwaso’s continued refusal to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) has further fueled speculation about a potential alliance with Obi.

Meanwhile, supporters of Atiku have renewed calls on Obi to consider a vice-presidential slot, similar to the political arrangement in 2019.

Obi, however, appeared to dismiss such suggestions in a viral video circulating on social media.

Addressing supporters, Obi said his participation in the coming elections was as the leading candidate, urging them to support the ADC in the AMAC poll as part of his broader political journey.

“You see this coming election, support us in AMAC; it will help me. Your support in AMAC is critical to our journey. I am involved and contesting the coming election as number one. When I come back, you will see. I assure you,” he said.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has held a high-level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) at his Abuja residence, fuelling fresh conversations around opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which took place at the weekend, was confirmed on Sunday by the ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who described it as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with key democratic stakeholders across the country.

“The national leadership of the ADP, led by the National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders,” Sani said in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to him, discussions centred on the protection of democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 polls.

He stressed the need to preserve democratic competition, ensure constitutionally compliant political platforms and promote responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

Sani dismissed speculation that the meeting was aimed at a party merger or recruitment drive, insisting that it formed part of broader consultations with senior political actors.

“ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally,” he said.

Despite the clarification, political observers note that the meeting comes amid growing speculation about possible opposition realignments, including rumours of a potential Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance to contest the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket, raising questions about strategic manoeuvres ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of forcing civil servants and government workers in several states to participate in its ongoing electronic registration exercise.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged practice as economic coercion and forced membership, warning that compelling public servants to join a political party violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and undermines the neutrality of the civil service.

The party said it had received consistent reports indicating that workers were being pressured to register with the APC as a condition for job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood, a situation it described as unacceptable in a democratic society.

In a related development, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party remains a formidable political force despite the exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Otti spoke on Saturday night at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja, acknowledging recent defections but insisting that the party remains resilient.

“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” he said.

He announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee, organise congresses from the ward to national levels beginning in March, and validate the party’s membership register.

Also speaking on the evolving political landscape, the Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Ogidi, said the PDP was intensifying efforts to restore internal cohesion and build broad alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ogidi said the party remained committed to defending democracy and repositioning itself as a credible opposition, warning that continued erosion of democratic institutions could plunge the country into instability.

He accused the APC of prioritising electoral calculations over governance and assured Nigerians that the PDP would do everything within its capacity to protect democratic governance and national unity.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has held a high-level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) at his Abuja residence, fuelling fresh conversations around opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which took place at the weekend, was confirmed on Sunday by the ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who described it as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with key democratic stakeholders across the country.

“The national leadership of the ADP, led by the National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders,” Sani said in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to him, discussions centred on the protection of democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 polls.

He stressed the need to preserve democratic competition, ensure constitutionally compliant political platforms and promote responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

Sani dismissed speculation that the meeting was aimed at a party merger or recruitment drive, insisting that it formed part of broader consultations with senior political actors.

“ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally,” he said.

Despite the clarification, political observers note that the meeting comes amid growing speculation about possible opposition realignments, including rumours of a potential Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance to contest the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket, raising questions about strategic manoeuvres ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of forcing civil servants and government workers in several states to participate in its ongoing electronic registration exercise.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged practice as economic coercion and forced membership, warning that compelling public servants to join a political party violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and undermines the neutrality of the civil service.

The party said it had received consistent reports indicating that workers were being pressured to register with the APC as a condition for job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood, a situation it described as unacceptable in a democratic society.

In a related development, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party remains a formidable political force despite the exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Otti spoke on Saturday night at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja, acknowledging recent defections but insisting that the party remains resilient.

“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” he said.

He announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee, organise congresses from the ward to national levels beginning in March, and validate the party’s membership register.

Also speaking on the evolving political landscape, the Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Ogidi, said the PDP was intensifying efforts to restore internal cohesion and build broad alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ogidi said the party remained committed to defending democracy and repositioning itself as a credible opposition, warning that continued erosion of democratic institutions could plunge the country into instability.

He accused the APC of prioritising electoral calculations over governance and assured Nigerians that the PDP would do everything within its capacity to protect democratic governance and national unity.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has held a high-level consultative meeting with the leadership of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) at his Abuja residence, fuelling fresh conversations around opposition strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The meeting, which took place at the weekend, was confirmed on Sunday by the ADP National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, who described it as part of the party’s ongoing engagement with key democratic stakeholders across the country.

“The national leadership of the ADP, led by the National Chairman, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, held a high-level consultative meeting with Atiku Abubakar, Wazirin Adamawa, as part of its ongoing engagements with key democratic stakeholders,” Sani said in a statement issued in Abuja.

According to him, discussions centred on the protection of democratic pluralism, strengthening opposition stability and safeguarding credible electoral choices ahead of the 2027 polls.

He stressed the need to preserve democratic competition, ensure constitutionally compliant political platforms and promote responsible preparedness to protect voter choice and institutional integrity.

Sani dismissed speculation that the meeting was aimed at a party merger or recruitment drive, insisting that it formed part of broader consultations with senior political actors.

“ADP remains focused on institutional stability, constitutionalism, and keeping credible options open for Nigerians. Any future decisions, if and when they arise, will be taken transparently and communicated formally,” he said.

Despite the clarification, political observers note that the meeting comes amid growing speculation about possible opposition realignments, including rumours of a potential Peter Obi–Rabiu Kwankwaso alliance to contest the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket, raising questions about strategic manoeuvres ahead of the elections.

Meanwhile, the African Democratic Congress has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress of forcing civil servants and government workers in several states to participate in its ongoing electronic registration exercise.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC described the alleged practice as economic coercion and forced membership, warning that compelling public servants to join a political party violates their constitutional right to freedom of association and undermines the neutrality of the civil service.

The party said it had received consistent reports indicating that workers were being pressured to register with the APC as a condition for job security, career progression or continued access to livelihood, a situation it described as unacceptable in a democratic society.

In a related development, Abia State Governor Alex Otti said the Labour Party remains a formidable political force despite the exit of its former presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Otti spoke on Saturday night at a meeting of the party’s National Working Committee in Abuja, acknowledging recent defections but insisting that the party remains resilient.

“We regret the exit of our former leader and presidential candidate. While we regret it, we are working to resolve the problems in the party so that everyone can come together and make the party stronger,” he said.

He announced plans to set up a reconciliation committee, organise congresses from the ward to national levels beginning in March, and validate the party’s membership register.

Also speaking on the evolving political landscape, the Caretaker National Vice-Chairman (South-South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, Emmanuel Ogidi, said the PDP was intensifying efforts to restore internal cohesion and build broad alliances ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ogidi said the party remained committed to defending democracy and repositioning itself as a credible opposition, warning that continued erosion of democratic institutions could plunge the country into instability.

He accused the APC of prioritising electoral calculations over governance and assured Nigerians that the PDP would do everything within its capacity to protect democratic governance and national unity.