Governor Soludo,

Chief Joseph Ezeokafor, the renowned businessman and CEO of Jezco Oil Nigeria Limited and Jezco Plastic, has thrown his weight behind Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, endorsing him for a second term ahead of the November 8 governorship election.

Ezeokafor, along with other notable chiefs and residents, expressed confidence in Soludo’s leadership during a facility tour of key projects in Awka and Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.

The tour was led by Chinedu Obigwe, National Coordinator of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Media Warriors’ Forum.

The team visited significant landmarks including the Anambra State New Government House and Solution Fun City in Awka.

They also inspected the newly completed Amawbia/Nise/Agulu/Nanka/Ekwulobia/Uga dualised road, which features a flyover at Ekwulobia, and the Umuchiani Erosion site where a bridge construction is underway.

The erosion site had resisted several past attempts at remediation, including interventions by the federal government.

While speaking at the Ekwulobia flyover, Ezeokafor called on voters across Anambra to rally behind Soludo’s re-election bid.

“The era of mediocre leadership aspirants is over,” he declared.

He further emphasized that he harbored no ambition for any political office, stating that his sole interest lies in promoting good governance.

An Awka-based real estate developer, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) for the upcoming Anambra 2025 election.

Nweke secured the party’s ticket by polling 58 votes, defeating two other aspirants — Amalachukwu Ekwunife and Mr. Michael Ekwunife — who garnered 8 and 6 votes respectively, out of 72 accredited delegates who participated in the primary.

The Action Alliance had earlier elected 105 delegates from the 21 local government areas of Anambra State to take part in the primary election.

The primary was conducted through the Option A4 method, where delegates physically queued behind their preferred candidates.

This process was overseen by a national committee headed by the party’s national secretary, Mr. James Vernimbe, who led the exercise at Awka.

Speaking on the process, Vernimbe said, “the choice of Option A-4 was to ensure transparency and openness in the selection of its governorship candidate,” emphasizing that “the party is for the masses of the country.“

After the votes were counted, Vernimbe, who served as the returning officer, declared Nweke the winner.

The primary election was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Mr. Franklin Osime.

In his acceptance speech, Nweke expressed appreciation to party members for entrusting him with the mandate.

“I am joyful over the confidence reposed in me to fly the party’s governorship flag,” he said.

He further pledged to deliver victory for the party at the election, urging members to intensify grassroots mobilization efforts.

Highlighting his agenda, Nweke stated that his priorities, if elected, would include security, job creation, fighting hunger, provision of social amenities, and boosting industrial and agricultural development.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, held a meeting on Friday with the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, fueling speculation about Kwankwaso’s possible move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The two influential politicians were seen together after attending Jumaat prayers at a mosque in Abuja.

El-Rufai, accompanied by his eldest son, Bello El-Rufai, exchanged pleasantries with Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State.

DAILY GAZETTE reports that the meeting comes at a time when there is growing speculation that Kwankwaso and his political allies in the NNPP may soon align with the APC.

Sources familiar with the discussions told DAILY GAZETTE that Kwankwaso and the NNPP are unlikely to contest the 2027 general elections independently, as they did in 2023.

One insider stated, “What I can confirm is that Kwankwaso and the NNPP will not contest independently as they did in the 2023 elections. Considering the current political landscape, they are weighing the possibility of either joining President Tinubu’s APC or aligning with the coalition led by Atiku, el-Rufai, and others.”

Meanwhile, the NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in an interview, confirmed that conversations about political realignments are indeed ongoing.

He explained, “Well, so far, what I’ll say is this: in the NNPP, we tend to, at least from our own history as the Kwankwasiyya movement, wait till midterm. May 29th will be the midterm for this administration. It will be two years down, and two years to go. That is when we believe that proper politicking will commence.

“So, yes, we are talking, and we’ve been talking. But you’ll recall that at that time, I told you I didn’t want to mention specifically the groups or persons or movements that are in conversation with us. That is still the position now.

“You’ll recall that there have been many publications in newspapers and online, insinuating that Senator Kwankwaso is moving to the APC, that it is imminent and all that. That is just the nature of the game. Some people are pressing or pushing that narrative for their selfish reasons.

“But the bottom line is that very soon, they will begin to hear from us. We will tell our supporters what we are doing. There are basically three cards on the table: either we remain in the NNPP and continue with those who joined us all the way or we form some sort of coalition with Atiku, others; or we form an alliance with the ruling party. I am not saying any of these is the case now. But these are the three basic options that could happen.”

The recent wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy Sir Monday Onyeme, and former governor Ifeanyi Okowa, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has heightened fears that Nigeria may soon become a one-party state.

Senator Chris Ekpenyong, a founding father of the PDP and former Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, shared his concerns in an interview, warning that the party’s survival is now in serious doubt.

Reflecting on the situation, Ekpenyong said, “It means Tinubu has killed the PDP. I’m sure Akwa Ibom may follow soon. Everybody wanted former VP Atiku to clearly state that he wasn’t going to contest, but his persistence has forced people to make their own decisions.”

“This is dividing the North and the South. What do we do now? The party has been destroyed. I honestly don’t know how they can rebuild it to challenge the APC in the future.”

Responding to this, he lamented, “Who do I talk to? The people we could talk to are no longer interested. The first mistake PDP made was handing over the party to the governors. That was the mistake founding fathers like Obasanjo made. Obasanjo seized the party.”

“The only ones who stood up to him were the late Chief Sunday Awoniyi and former Vice President Alex Ekwueme, who actually founded the PDP. We joined Ekwueme when the party evolved from G34 to PDP.”

“My boss, former Governor Victor Attah, benefited from that transformation. Chief Don Etiebet, who brought PDP to Akwa Ibom, left as far back as 2001 because of how he was treated after Attah took power.”

“PDP ruled Nigeria for 16 years. Some people once said PDP would rule for 60 years. But where are they now? The party was left in the hands of governors, who now control everything. They know why they’re defecting, it’s mostly to protect themselves from the EFCC. We’ll wait and see what happens when Tinubu finishes his two terms.”

“Will the North use APC for their own turn? We are heading for a one-party state. It’s left to them. I no longer have the locus standi to fight back. Those who looted the nation’s wealth have done their worst.”

According to him, the signs were obvious long ago. “Of course, yes. The moment the party was handed over to governors, it was clear. During the Second Republic, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) wasn’t controlled by governors.”

“If it had been, I wouldn’t have become a member of the House of Assembly at such a young age, even while serving as a Youth Corps member. I had no money.”

“I considered joining the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), where things might have been easier, but I chose NPN because my people were conservatives—and I even defeated an incumbent. Back then, the party was run by the people, who contributed to its funding. Now, the governors run everything,” he explained.

Ekpenyong didn’t mince words about future developments. “My state governor, Eno, has already declared support for Tinubu. He’s also backing the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. What next? I called Fubara (suspended Rivers governor), he didn’t answer. But I sent him a message.”

“I told him that since Tinubu was in France, he should visit him because this whole battle is about delivering Rivers State votes to Tinubu. The young man is being humiliated by Wike, and the President has done nothing.”

“Instead, he installed an administrator in the state. This is clearly about votes. Fubara has to survive politically, if not, he’ll be rubbished.”

In his view, the current governors lack courage. “They are weak. All they care about is power and their own survival. A few governors from the North might jump ship too. ”

“Atiku is the problem. He should have focused on rebuilding the party instead of always aiming for the presidency. What can he do now? My governor wasn’t even nominated to attend the NEC meeting in Kano in August. I don’t see any hope for the opposition. Tinubu has already neutralized them.”

“As things stand, only a movement from the people can bring real opposition. What’s happening now is the requiem for the PDP. I spoke to Okwesilieze Nwodo, a former governor and party National Chairman. We had a long discussion.”

“He said he was hopeful the issues would be addressed at the Convention—but what’s likely to come out of it now? Many people who benefited from PDP don’t even care anymore. Those who could have helped revive the party in the North are dormant. It’s over. Tinubu already controls the South, and the North has no choice but to give him votes.”

“PDP made a huge mistake after late President Yar’Adua’s death. They should have let someone from the North continue. But they insisted it was the South’s turn. That disrupted the balance. I don’t see PDP coming back. Maybe after Tinubu’s tenure, people will decide to create a new party.”

Ekpenyong ended on a grim note, saying, “If you choose to contest as an independent and they eliminate you at the last minute, what can you do?”

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has unveiled an online registration portal alongside identity cards for members of the Obidient Movement, both within Nigeria and across the diaspora.

This development was announced through a joint statement in Abuja by the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Yunusa Tanko, and the Director of Strategic Communications and Media, Nana Kazaure.

According to the statement, each identity card features a QR code at the bottom right-hand corner for authentication purposes and displays the flag of the holder’s country of residence.

It partly read, “Obidient registration portal supports Nigerians and fellow Obidients living in the diaspora. You will observe that the ID has a flag on it. For example, if you’re not resident in Nigeria, the top right-hand corner will carry the flag of your country of residence.”

The statement further explained, “That way, we can all witness first-hand the embodying of our spirit of diversity, comradery, and unity and how far-reaching the messaging Obidient Movement is. The OBX is constant on the ID card. The Diasporan and Nigerian cards, all start with the same prefix which is the OBX.”

Highlighting the security feature of the ID, the statement added, “The QR code on the bottom right-hand corner is there to authenticate your card, which can be scanned with any QR scanner such as a smartphone, to give Obidients a secure and confident way of interacting with one another.”

It also emphasized the advantage for members seeking collaboration or transactions within the movement: “So if you choose to support or do business with an Obidient, you can scan the QR code or verify the OBX ID online to confirm that the person is who and what they truly say they are and are who they truly claim to be.”

Governor Alex Otti of Abia State has dismissed claims circulating that he intends to leave the Labour Party (LP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), labeling the reports as “false, baseless, and unfounded.”

In a statement released on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, Otti clarified that he had neither held any meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State nor discussed any plans to defect.

“The report that His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti, OFR, held a meeting with Governor Hope Uzodinma over his alleged planned defection to the APC is completely devoid of substance and should be disregarded,” Ekeoma stated.

He explained that after attending the National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, April 24, Governor Otti and a few other colleagues participated in a purely social event — the birthday celebration of Governor Uzodinma’s twin daughters — which had no political undertone.

“It is natural for Governor Otti’s impressive performance, popularity and towering credentials as the Governor of Abia State to attract admiration and permutations from interested parties.”

“However, Governor Otti’s political decisions, especially those that would have huge impact and far-reaching consequences on Abians, would always be taken in conjunction with the majority of Abians and his allies,” the statement read.

Ekeoma emphasized that any significant political decision by Governor Otti must be in the best interest of Abia citizens.

He also noted that although political movements towards 2027 are gathering steam, the governor remains focused on delivering good governance.

“Governor Otti strongly holds the view that less than two years into his administration, it is governance — not politics — that should dominate discussions in Abia State,” he said.

Reiterating Otti’s commitment to his party, Ekeoma concluded, “We wish to emphatically state that Governor Otti remains a member of the Labour Party and is not planning or discussing with anyone to defect to the APC or any other party, as falsely alleged.”