On Thursday, October 13, 2022, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the 2023 general elections, as he then was, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, at the Law Auditorium of the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, unveiled his manifesto before thousands of supporters.

I recall that of the 4 major contenders in the governorship race under different political parties, Mbah was the first to present his manifesto.

He would later go on to have so many firsts to his credit. I also recall that the crowd was so thronged on the day that it was difficult for bigwigs to gain entrance into the auditorium at the time.

Back to the story – at the end of the manifesto unveiling, while he gave us metrics to gauge his tangibles, we did not know at the time that we would get more than we bargained for.

You see, Governor Peter Mbah, like all transcendental leaders, is a premium package that comes with more as you untie it.

When Mary Slessor, the Scottish missionary who arrived in Calabar, Nigeria, in 1876, came with the message of Christ’s gospel, she did not know that she was going to achieve more than soul winning – becoming the person most widely credited with significantly stopping the killing of twins.

When Peter set out to honour his charter with the citizens of Enugu State, little did he know that beyond paved rural and urban roads; Smart schools & Type 2 Healthcare centres in all the 260 political wards of the state; several modern bus interchange; revamped transport system, inclusive of Enugu air, with 2 planes already and more likely underway; the planned intra-rail system; deployed CNG Buses and electric taxis; he would go on to achieve what he did not promise us – his intangibles.

None, not even Peter himself, could have envisioned that after recently completing the abandoned International Conference Center, where both the Nigerian Institute of Surveyors and the Nigerian Bar Association will be hosting their conferences; after the concessioning of the Nike Lake Hotel to Landmark Africa Group; and rehabilitating most of the infrastructure by the former Premier, Dr. M.I Ọkpara, like the Hotel Presidential, Nigergas company, etc; we would gaze into the clouds to behold the beautiful rainbows of his intangibles.

For me, I reckon that the heaviest of Peter’s intangibles is that to hail from or reside in Enugu has become a thing to be coveted, a bragging right of some sort.

To come from Enugu means to be gazed upon with an admixture of envy and jealousy. To come from Enugu means to relive the nostalgia of the Enugu Rangers Football club of the 70s and yet bask in today’s euphoria of this team rebranded by Peter that tells the story of who we are.

To come from Enugu means to walk the streets and see people adorn Rangers’ jerseys as though they were jerseys of English clubs.

To come from Enugu means to go to the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium on a day that Rangers will play to behold a stadium filled to the brim. To come from Enugu means to normalize the sight of international athletes participating in the city’s marathon.

To come from Enugu means that while you can now go out on Mondays, walking or driving in a rebirthed capital city, fitted with day and night vision cameras, you have an Enugu State Security Trust Fund worth more than 3 billion naira, donated by private individuals and corporate bodies, giving your senses an aroma of heightened security.

To come from Enugu means that you are awed by the numerous projects of today – all going on at the same time – yet knowing deep down that more brilliant projects are in the governor’s pipeline.

To come from Enugu means that your state is Guinness Nigeria Plc’s first port of call in unveiling the English Premier League Trophy to the entire nation, among others.

Consider these. Peter is relocating slum dwellers in Agu-Owa and Ugbo-Lawrence slums, two out of the 25 slums in Enugu metropolis, with the development of relocation sites at Akpuoga Nike Estate to resettle the occupants of the slums, with each of the families getting a two-bedroom flat and a Certificate-of-Occupancy to the property, all at no cost to them.

Peter, together with the seventeen local government chairmen, has initiated the construction of a farm estate per ward, measuring 200 hectares.

The idea is this – the council chairmen will fence the estates per ward in their respective local governments, provide equipment for mechanized farming, ensure water, electricity, settlements, etc, are available in these farms, then give farmers in each of the farm estates high yield seeds to plant.

At the end of the planting season, Peter’s Enugu State government will handsomely purchase the produce from each of the farmers who are residents and indigenes of their wards, export the same and go on to share the profit from the export between the farmers in those farm estates and their local government.

This is no brainchild of a simple mind.

Peter’s mind works in a way that is esoteric. His programs defy logical reasoning so much that it makes sense to doubt them. Yet, for every ounce of doubt you share today, he makes mincemeat of it tomorrow.

Reflecting, it only made sense that we did not see these coming – yet with Peter on the saddle, these seem like just a mere glimpse of the whole picture.

On the occasion of his second anniversary, take it or leave it – Peter stands twice as tall, and months from now, when we will head to the polls to re-elect Peter in 2027, the nay-sayers will, on Enugu’s scenic hills, hear the choruses and chants of “victory at last” while the yea-sayers will sing Nathaniel Bassey’s “See what the Lord has done”.

And so, even if in years to come, we cannot remember anything else, we will remember the gusto with which, from 2023 to 2031, we said “I am from Enugu State”.

We will remember that Peter reminded us of what Democracy ought to be – a treasure trove for the people.

Onochie Jon-Igwesi, an indigene of Enugu, writes from Omuoha-Obuoffia, Awkunanaw.

The Julius Abure-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has expressed enthusiasm over the potential candidacy of Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.

Obi, who was the LP’s standard bearer in 2023, recently announced that he would once again seek the presidency on the party’s platform.

Reacting to Obi’s declaration, the LP National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, told DAILY GAZETTE that the party welcomed the development.

“We are excited about the news. If we have waited all these while for two years with all the things that happened, we can still wait for tomorrow and the next, for the whole thing to crystallise.”

“Then we can now begin to talk about the way forward,” he said.

Acknowledging the political realities, Ifoh added, “Let me start by saying politics is all about interest.”

“The interest of every Nigerian, including the Labour Party, is to have a government that can help Nigerians come out of the doldrums and not enter into more crises, whether political, social or economic.”

Despite the internal rift within the party, where Obi and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, are reported to support a rival leadership effort, the Abure faction maintains that Obi’s 2023 performance was commendable.

“I believe there are so many Nigerians who have that capacity and who can also help Nigeria come out. In 2023, we gave Peter Obi the ticket and he didn’t disappoint. Rather, the system disappointed them,” Ifoh said.

The LP is currently dealing with unresolved leadership disputes. A recent Supreme Court judgment failed to provide clarity on the legitimate leadership of the party.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has so far recognized the Abure faction’s candidate for the upcoming Anambra State governorship election.

Asked whether Obi had directly contacted Abure, Ifoh confirmed ongoing informal engagement.

“Well, as I said elsewhere, the line of communication is not completely blocked. There are talks, though not formal. But before the 2027 poll, don’t forget that we have Anambra elections a few months from now.”

He emphasized Obi’s role in the forthcoming state election, stating, “Obi is from Anambra and we expect him to play a key role in making sure that the Labour Party wins the state”.

“So, there has been rapprochement here and there. I think at the right time, the parties will meet and thrash all the differences. From there, we’ll move on.”

“If he so wishes, as he said, that he will run the next election under the Labour Party, I think it’s a good thing for us in the party. It’s a win-win situation for everyone and we wait to see how we act the talk,” Ifoh concluded.

Meanwhile, Obi’s declaration has stirred conversations among opposition figures.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, a known ally in the Atiku Abubakar-led coalition, expressed surprise.

“I don’t know what is in his mind. You need to ask Obi himself when you see him. I just read it today too that he will be contesting in LP,” Lawal said.

In a viral video, Obi confirmed his decision to remain with the Labour Party.

When asked about his political platform for 2027, he said, “I will still continue to run in the Labour Party. I’m a member of the Labour Party.”

He also attributed the internal crises within the LP and other parties to the Nigerian government.

“What is happening in the Labour Party and the PDP is caused by the government, quote me anywhere,” Obi asserted.

Citing past experiences, Obi recalled, “We had a problem in our party before, in the past. Yar’Adua was the President. I went to him then; he called the INEC chairman (Prof. Maurice Iwu) and told him I don’t want any problem in any party. We were forced to fix it.”

He added, “But today, in all the parties, there are problems; these are deliberate problems caused by the system.”

“These are some of the things I want to clean up if I have the opportunity. Parties will function very well because you can’t have a system working without a strong opposition.”

Addressing the electorate, Obi urged them not to be disheartened by setbacks, saying, “the ultimate decision about whether the people’s votes count rests with voters.”

He also appealed to Nigerian youths to remain hopeful, noting that resistance to reform is inevitable.

“Positive change will also be resisted by those who are beneficiaries of the old order,” he said.

Obi called for a re-evaluation of leadership age limits.

“There should be a retirement age for politicians seeking public office,” he stated, adding that by 2027, he would be 65 years old and would prefer not to be running for office in his 70s.

In a bold move to stem the tide of Nigeria’s offshore health tourism, Abia State has unveiled plans to develop a world-class quaternary medical city, a first-of-its-kind in the country.

This ambitious $1.3 billion project, in partnership with global engineering and construction consortium MKP International Holdings, is set to position Abia as a major hub for advanced healthcare services in West Africa.

Speaking during a media tour of the 200-hectare site at Mbasaa, near Owerrinta in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, detailed the scope of the project and the roles of each party involved.

“The Medical City is the first quaternary hospital in this country that would take care of all levels of complicated healthcare issues,” Uche stated, describing the initiative as “one of the landmark projects” of Governor Alex Otti.

Under the agreement, MKP International will fully fund, construct, develop, and operate the facility, eventually transferring ownership to the state.

The state government’s responsibility includes providing the land, securing the area, and extending goodwill to facilitate development.

“This Medical City… would not only reverse medical tourism in Nigeria but also position Abia as a medical destination,” the Commissioner emphasized.

Uche explained that the land, which spans across seven communities in both Isiala Ngwa South and Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Areas, had already been acquired and cleared.

He highlighted the significance of the project in curbing the country’s massive capital flight due to health-related travel abroad.

“It is estimated that about 1.6 billion Dollars, which many of us think is too conservative, is the amount of money that is lost from this country every year owing to medical tourism,” he noted.

“So to reverse that and also to help curb the ‘jakpa’ syndrome, he (Gov. Otti) envisioned the development and establishment of the first quaternary healthcare ecosystem in this country, and that is the Abia Medical City.”

The medical city, according to Uche, will feature a 1,000-bed hospital equipped to handle complex medical procedures and health conditions.

The project will also include an extensive array of medical and hospitality infrastructure.

“Apart from the ultra-modern medical facility, there also going to have a tourist city. The medical step-down hotel there will be a five-star hotel, and there will be another five-star tourist hotel,” Uche said.

He outlined additional facilities, including “an ultra-modern oncology centre,” which would be fully equipped for cancer treatments such as radiotherapy, radiosurgery, and emerging therapies.

“All those are going to be available here with the best-in-class medical experts that can come in from all parts of the globe to be part of the workforce in this place,” he added.

Furthermore, the medical complex will host a high-tech surgical center offering services such as robotic and laparoscopic surgeries, brain and spinal operations, cardiac surgeries, and organ transplants.

“There will also be a place for cosmetic surgery,” Uche confirmed.

Among other specialized units, the complex will house a children’s hospital, fertility and ophthalmology centers, an organ transplantation facility, and a digital health technology hub.

It will also serve as a center for medical research.

“The Medical City would also have research institutes that would be affiliated with the best hospitals and universities around the world,” the Commissioner said.

“Expressions of interests for partnerships were already coming from top-class universities from the U.S.”

Summing up the vision, Uche described the Abia Medical City as “a comprehensive ecosystem that is going to address all aspects of healthcare and promote wellness and good standards of care and living.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its highly anticipated 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting originally scheduled for May 27, 2025, following the abrupt withdrawal of Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, from a peace agreement brokered within the party.

This latest development further exposes the internal cracks threatening the unity of Nigeria’s main opposition party.

Announcing the postponement, PDP National Secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu stated the delay would allow the Senator Bukola Saraki-led “Way Forward Committee” to conclude its reconciliation efforts.

“This postponement is necessary to ensure a peaceful and effective NEC meeting,” Anyanwu said, reaffirming his commitment to party unity.

However, controversy erupted shortly after the announcement, with an unnamed official from the party’s publicity directorate urging stakeholders to disregard Anyanwu’s statement.

The tension underscored growing distrust within PDP leadership ranks.

Meanwhile, Wike issued a personal statement on Sunday, explaining the reasons behind his decision to pull out of the peace pact.

“Since after the 2023 general election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another, owing fundamentally to dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders,” Wike wrote.

He accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of exacerbating tensions and betraying agreements.

“At the end of the meeting, we resolved to bury the hatchet and make progress,” Wike said, referring to an earlier reconciliation meeting involving himself, Makinde, Bala Mohammed, Umaru Fintiri, and Bukola Saraki.

Describing the meeting at Saraki’s guest house in Abuja, Wike recounted, “I made it clear that I had no personal problems with HE. Bala Mohammed, except that he hides under the facade of Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum to serially renege on agreements.”

Wike highlighted the key resolutions from that meeting, including that “Senator Samuel Anyanwu remains the National Secretary of the PDP in tandem with the Supreme Court judgement.”

“All legal matters relating to Rivers State must be withdrawn by the National Legal Adviser. The suit on the state of emergency be withdrawn forthwith.”

According to Wike, despite efforts to reconcile, “even before the Bukola Saraki Reconciliation Committee began its work, the gentleman’s agreement we reached at Saraki’s Guest House was already being crudely violated.”

He specifically accused Makinde and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah of undermining the agreement.

“To my chagrin, Seyi Makinde had connived with Peter Mbah of Enugu State to orchestrate the summoning of the meeting of so-called South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude-Okoye was not adopted as Secretary, they would pull out of the PDP.”

Wike also criticized the party’s handling of communication and leadership roles.

“Again, Seyi Makinde organised some people in the National Secretariat to insist that the Deputy National Secretary should act as National Secretary, in violation of the agreement earlier reached.”

Expressing dismay, he wrote, “On the 24th of May 2025, in Jos, for instance, a well publicised and properly attended zonal elective congress of the PDP was aborted because the letter inviting INEC to the congress was signed by the Deputy National Secretary of the party… This is undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying, to say the least.”

Reaffirming his dedication to the party despite his frustrations, Wike stated, “I have been in this party since 1998 and have worked tirelessly for the survival of this party with all my strength… I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained.”

Amidst the escalating crisis, PDP’s acting National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, responded to allegations against him, particularly suggestions of incompetence and collusion with the ruling APC.”

In a BBC Hausa interview, he rejected the claims.

“May God be judge between me and whoever slandered me, and may God judge us, if I am working for the APC,” he declared.

Damagum defended his long history with PDP.

“Since I joined the PDP in 1999, I have never defected. Those who dislike me will have to find ways to either praise or criticise me to get what they want.”

Acknowledging his connection to Wike, he said, “For all those who accuse me of having links with the Minister of FCT, I know him or have had links with him, and many of them have had links with him. My only fault here is that I did not allow them to do what they wanted with him.”

He expressed sadness over the defection of some party members but dismissed claims of mistreatment.

“We must be sad. Whenever you lose someone, you don’t feel happy, even if it’s just one person you’re grieving for.”

Addressing the internal strife, Damagum noted, “PDP is one. It is true that there are internal problems… everyone has their own interests.”

He insisted his leadership style was principled and firm, stating, “I have adhered to principles and refused to yield to individual whims.”

Despite the turbulence, the PDP North-central zone successfully conducted its congress in Jos over the weekend, where Mohammed Abdulrahman was elected National Vice Chairman (North-central).

The peaceful and transparent election, held at Langfield Leisure Park, saw most officials returned unopposed.

Other officials elected included Orogu Francis (Zonal Secretary) and Ndagana Alhasan (Zonal Youth Leader).

In his acceptance speech, Abdulrahman pledged to reposition the party in the region, describing it as a PDP stronghold.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang praised the conduct of the congress and the spirit of unity.

“Today’s congress was peaceful and successful. It clearly shows that the PDP in the North-central is alive and vibrant… I urge the newly elected executive to hit the ground running, reconcile differences, and build a strong, united front ahead of the 2027 elections.”

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced his withdrawal from all previously agreed reconciliation arrangements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing key party leaders of betrayal, dishonesty, and repeated breaches of agreed terms.

In a statement released on Sunday, Wike traced the root causes of the PDP’s internal conflicts back to the aftermath of the 2023 general elections.

He lamented the party’s continuous decline into “dishonesty and lack of trust amongst its key stakeholders.”

“Since after the 2023 General Election, the PDP has been wantonly swinging from one part of a slippery precipice to another,” Wike stated, emphasizing that numerous attempts were made to “arrest this pernicious virus of dishonesty and treachery.”

The former Rivers State governor and influential G5 group member blamed Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State for undermining the reconciliation efforts, accusing him of being “the architect of our problems.”

“I made it clear to the Governor of Oyo State, HE, Seyi Makinde, that he was the architect of our problems, pointing out to him that non-adherence to agreements reached was the bane of the party, and that he was the chief culprit of this anomaly,” Wike revealed.

He disclosed that during a G5 meeting in Lagos, party governors resolved to put aside their differences and move forward.

This was followed by a broader gathering in Abuja at Senator Bukola Saraki’s guest house, attended by Governors Bala Mohammed, Umaru Fintiri, Makinde, Saraki, and other top PDP officials.

According to Wike, the Abuja meeting resulted in clear resolutions such as recognizing Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary in line with a Supreme Court judgment, withdrawing all court cases related to Rivers State by the party’s National Legal Adviser, and ending disputes about the state of emergency in Rivers.

However, Wike lamented that these agreements were “quickly and brazenly violated,” even before the Saraki-led reconciliation committee could commence its work.

“To my chagrin, Seyi Makinde had connived with Peter Mba of Enugu State to orchestrate the summoning of the meeting of so-called South-East leaders to recommend that if Ude Okoye was not adopted as Secretary, they would pull out of the PDP,” he alleged.

Wike further accused party officials of sidelining Anyanwu by presenting the Deputy National Secretary as acting National Secretary and using a letter from him to call for a National Executive Committee meeting, moves he said were “in complete violation of the agreements reached.”

He cited an incident on May 24, 2025, in Jos, where a PDP zonal elective congress was aborted because INEC refused to attend.

The refusal was because the invitation letter was signed by the Deputy National Secretary, not the duly recognized National Secretary.

“This is undeniably distasteful, provocative and annoying, to say the least,” Wike declared.

Reflecting on his long tenure with the PDP since 1998, Wike expressed disappointment that those he helped elevate politically had turned against him.

“It is on record that none of these persons have done anything close to what I have done to sustain this party.”

“What is more painful is that I contributed substantially to most of these governors winning their elections, yet I have not made any personal demands on any of them and I would never do so,” he added.

Declaring a turning point, Wike announced he has lost faith in the trust and unity that once existed among party members and would no longer take part in reconciliation efforts.

“I have now firmly decided to pull out of all agreements hitherto reached. I have decided to fight on until justice is attained,” he concluded.

As at the time of this report, the PDP had not issued an official response to Wike’s latest stance.

Neither Makinde nor Mba has responded to Wike’s accusations.

A crucial political meeting aimed at forming a united opposition front, featuring former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party leader Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, was thrown into disarray when delegates from Jigawa State caused a major disruption.

The high-stakes gathering, which brought together top political figures, ended in confusion as tensions flared among the attendees.

The video🎥

A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Hycienth Ngwu, has commended President Bola Tinubu for implementing impactful policies and programmes that are producing tangible results nationwide.

Ngwu, who previously served as the South-East Publicity Secretary of the APC, made this known in a statement released on Sunday in Enugu.

The statement, titled “Laying Solid Foundation for a Prosperous Nation: the President Bola Tinubu’s Strides,” assessed President Tinubu’s two years in office.

He noted that from the moment President Tinubu assumed office, he signaled a departure from the status quo and set out to transform the economy in a way that would benefit not just the current generation but future ones as well.

“From Tinubu’s first day in office, he made it clear that it would not be ‘business as usual’ and he would transform the economy to sustainably cater for all citizens, and those yet unborn,” Ngwu said.

According to him, Nigeria now has a leader with the determination to back his words with action, implementing policies aimed at benefiting all Nigerians, not just a privileged few.

“Nigerians now have a President with strong will-power and who is walking his talk as well as pushing agendas meant to benefit every Nigerian and not a few,” he added.

Ngwu outlined some of what he called “game-changing policies,” which include the removal of fuel subsidy, revitalisation of refineries, floating of the naira, the Nigeria First Policy, tax reform legislation, and inclusive governance across political divides.

“By his removal of the fuel subsidy, he has been able to save trillions of naira which has been put to use for the massive developments in roads, educational, health, power infrastructures among others at both Federal, state and local government levels,” he said.

Ngwu further explained that the country is now refining its crude oil domestically, which is gradually reducing the need for importation and lowering fuel prices, thereby easing pressure on the naira in the foreign exchange market.

“Nigeria as at today is refining its crude oil to petroleum products; thus, minimising importation, gradually reducing petroleum product prices and this has been able to stabilise and ease the pressure on the naira in terms of foreign exchange,” he said.

He emphasized the economic benefits of such stability, saying, “With this stability, businesses can plan and make reasonable projections. Moreover, the exportation of the finished refined products from the country will further strengthen the value of Naira to external currencies.”

Ngwu also highlighted the floating of the naira as another vital policy step, noting its potential to rejuvenate the economy through increased exports and foreign investment.

“This will enhance the real sector’s capacity, create massive employment opportunities and sustainably grow our Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” he said.

He said the “Nigeria First” policy complements this by promoting domestic production and strengthening job security, noting, “The implementation of the ‘Nigeria First’ policy will be the catalyst that will work with the flexible naira policy for a robust increase in manufacturing capacity, employment opportunities, and job security.”

Ngwu drew parallels with global examples to support the policy’s credibility.

“Most advanced countries of today, engaged in this policy one time or the other before their economies stabilised.”

“There was a time we used to degrade made in China products, but today Chinese products are top brands selling in every country. We will achieve this feat, if we maintain the ‘Nigeria First Policy’,” he said.

He further praised the introduction of the Tax Reform Bills, aimed at streamlining tax processes and boosting compliance while addressing the problem of over-taxation.

“The Tax Administration Reform Bills are intended among other things to provide clearer procedures and responsibilities for taxpayers, enhance compliance, and reduce inefficiencies and multiple taxation. Multiple taxation remains the bane of small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria,” Ngwu stated.

He concluded by asserting that the policies of the current administration are not accidental but strategic and focused on long-term national development.

“All these policies are deliberate and strategic. Things are getting better. The economy is stabilising for sustainable growth. Naira and inflationary pressure are moderating.

“Policy summersault has no place in this administration. What they say, they meant, and they do.

“Inclusivity in governance regardless of party affiliation has been the driving force for the administration in the past two years.

“This explains why the President is at home with almost every person, party, local and foreign institutions,” Ngwu added.