As the race for the Labour Party (LP) governorship ticket in Anambra State intensifies ahead of the 2025 elections, two prominent aspirants from Nnewi; George Moghalu and John Nwosu are set to meet and harmonize their interests.

The meeting is aimed at ensuring a united front in protecting the political interests of Nnewi town ahead of the party’s primary election.

Moghalu, who served as the Managing Director of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), confirmed this possibility during a press conference at his residence on New Year’s Day.

He referred to Nwosu as both a brother and an in-law, noting that a meeting between the two was likely to avoid wasting resources and ensure the collective protection of Nnewi’s political stake.

“We have a good personal relationship, and it is not impossible for us to meet and harmonize our interests. Politics is about human dynamics, and we must work together to achieve the Nnewi dream. What matters most is that we want the Labour Party to form the government, and we are both committed to that goal,” Moghalu stated.

Although Moghalu emphasized his candidacy and readiness to replace Governor Chukwuma Soludo, he stressed that he remained open to discussions with Nwosu to ensure a smooth path forward for both of them and for Nnewi’s representation in the state’s governance.

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party (LP) governorship candidate in Lagos during the 2023 elections, has criticized the ongoing reforms by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, claiming that only the president’s close associates are reaping the benefits.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Rhodes-Vivour alleged that ordinary Nigerians are bearing the brunt of the reforms, which include the removal of the petrol subsidy and the devaluation of the naira.

“The people are experiencing unprecedented hardship,” Rhodes-Vivour stated. “Over 70 percent of their income is spent on food and transportation, and they haven’t even begun to think about how to afford housing.”

He emphasized that the primary beneficiaries of these reforms are bankers, government officials, and those close to the president, while the majority of Nigerians struggle with the impact.

Rhodes-Vivour further criticized what he called a “culture of wastefulness” in the government, which he believes does not align with the country’s dire economic conditions.

Addressing his future political plans, Rhodes-Vivour confirmed his intention to run for the Lagos governorship post again in 2027.

He also stressed the need for a united opposition to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), warning that if opposition parties remain divided, the effort would be futile.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State strengthened its foothold on Friday as two local government chairmen and 13 councillors defected to the party, signaling their support for Governor Monday Okpebholo’s leadership and the ongoing development efforts in the state.

Hon. Edosa Enowoghomenma, Chairman of Ovia South West Local Government Area, joined the APC alongside eight councillors, including the Leader of the House, Hon. Nosakhare Edobor.

Similarly, Hon. Dickson Ahonsi, Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area, defected with five councillors, bringing the total number of defectors to 13.

Ahonsi explained that their decision was influenced by the Governor’s initiatives to improve the state, particularly his impressive early actions in office, including key appointments and the launch of significant projects.

“The projects that he has embarked upon show clearly that Edo is in safe hands,” Ahonsi said.

The defectors were welcomed by APC leaders, including State Secretary Engr. Lawrence Okah, who assured them that the party’s doors are open for more members to join.

Okah emphasized that APC now has five councillors in Ovia South West, with the expectation of more defectors in the future.

Enowoghomenma, addressing supporters before officially joining the APC, expressed his commitment to supporting both Governor Okpebholo and Deputy Governor Hon. Dennis Idahosa in the development of the state.

“We have decided to join the APC in Ovia South West to work harmoniously with our governor and our very own son, Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa, to ensure that our local government progresses,” he said.

Hon. Edobor reinforced that their decision to defect was made in the best interest of the people of Ovia South West, noting that their goal in politics is to bring development to the region.

“We are not under duress; we are here to join the ruling party to bring about renewed hope for our people,” he affirmed.

President Bola Tinubu will embark on a state visit to Enugu State on Saturday, January 4, 2025, to commission several significant projects executed by the administration of Governor Peter Mbah.

A statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, announced the visit, stating, “The Enugu State Government is happy to announce the first state visit to the state by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on Saturday, January 4, 2025.”

During the visit, President Tinubu will commission a variety of completed projects, including the 30 Enugu Smart Green Schools out of 260 under construction across the state’s 260 wards, and 60 Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres out of a total of 260 in progress.

Other key projects include the completed multi-auditorium and multi-functional Enugu International Conference Centre, 90 urban roads in Enugu City, and a state-of-the-art Command and Control Centre, along with 150 patrol vehicles equipped with AI-embedded surveillance cameras.

The statement further added that President Tinubu would also commission completed rural roads as part of his one-day visit.

Opposition political figures, including disgruntled members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), are reportedly in talks to establish a new political party aimed at defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.

This revelation came in a New Year message titled “Political Competition Should Define New Nigeria,” by Dr. Salihu Lukman, the former APC National Vice Chairman (North-West), who resigned from the party in 2024.

Lukman urged Nigerians to join forces in creating a viable political platform that could rival the dominance of the APC and other established parties, such as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

He stressed the importance of electing true democratic leaders over authoritarian figures and warned that continued political monopoly risks undermining effective leadership and perpetuating the country’s challenges.

Although Lukman did not reveal the names of the opposition leaders involved in these discussions, he emphasized that the success of this new platform hinged on Nigerians’ commitment to forming a party that would adhere to democratic principles and operate distinctively from the existing parties.

Meanwhile, the NNPP expressed concerns over what it perceives as the APC’s attempt to create a one-party state, accusing the administration of anti-people policies.

The party’s leader in Kano, Hashimu Suleiman Dungurawa, warned that such actions could lead to a loss of support for the ruling party in the 2027 elections.

In another development, former Lagos governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (GRV), who contested under the LP in 2023, declared his intention to run again in 2027.

He did not disclose whether he would remain with the Labour Party or shift to another platform, but emphasized the importance of opposition unity in the upcoming race.

The PDP in Kebbi State also reassured its members that the party remains unified, despite speculations of defections to the APC.

The state chairman, Alhaji Usman Bello-Suru, dismissed reports of an impending mass exodus, stressing that the PDP would continue its role as a strong opposition force in the state.

In another statement, former Anambra Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, called for urgent reforms from President Tinubu, criticizing his foreign trips and the worsening economic conditions in Nigeria.

Obi cited alarming statistics, including over 100 million Nigerians living in extreme poverty, and proposed sweeping reforms aimed at addressing Nigeria’s crises.

The ruling APC, however, dismissed Obi’s remarks as misleading, claiming that significant progress had been made under Tinubu’s administration, including improvements in economic indicators, national security, and anti-corruption efforts.

The APC maintained that the nation is on a path to sustainable growth and urged Nigerians to remain confident in the government’s plans for a prosperous future.