With just three days left before the governorship election in Edo State, major political parties are intensifying their efforts to secure voter support.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC), and Labour Party (LP) are engaging in last-minute strategies to sway undecided voters.

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The PDP, led by Dr. Asue Ighodalo, has received spiritual backing from the City of Conqueror Ministries International, which held a special prayer service for peace and Ighodalo’s success.

Governor Godwin Obaseki of the APC has been meeting with teachers and civil servants, highlighting his administration’s achievements and urging them to campaign for his preferred successor, Ighodalo.

Meanwhile, Ighodalo’s wife, Ifeyinwa, organized a roadshow to rally support.

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The APC’s Amb. Terry Igiebor distributed N50,000 grants to 150 women and youths in Orhionmwon, urging them to vote for APC’s candidate, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and his running mate, Hon. Dennis Idahosa. APC Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Omorede Osifo praised Okpebholo’s potential to surpass the achievements of former governor Adams Oshiomhole.

LP candidate Olumide Akpata has been visiting riverine communities, demonstrating his commitment by reaching out to often-overlooked areas.

His efforts have been well-received, with local support growing as he promises a fresh approach compared to the PDP and APC.

Each party is working vigorously to secure votes and ensure their candidate’s victory in the upcoming election.

The Sokoto State Government has submitted a petition to the state commission of inquiry, accusing the previous administration led by Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of misappropriating N16.1 billion in shares.

These shares were reportedly sold through the Sokoto State Investment Company between 2018 and 2023, with the proceeds allegedly unaccounted for.

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Amanzi Amanzi, the commission’s counsel, revealed that the petition, filed by Permanent Secretary Abdullahi Yabo, requests an investigation into the transfer and sale of the state-owned shares and the missing funds.

According to Amanzi, the petition alleges that all government shares were sold during Tambuwal’s tenure, but the resulting funds were not properly recorded.

“The petition highlights that the state’s shares were transferred to the Sokoto State Investment Company Limited in 2018, and over the next five years, the shares were sold without clear documentation of the proceeds,” Amanzi explained.

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Additionally, the petition claims that N4 billion of the proceeds may have been distributed through private and corporate accounts.

The commission is also addressing other petitions related to land issues, encroachments, and similar concerns.

The Enugu State Government and Jelfah Nigeria Ltd have signed a N40 billion deal aimed at revitalizing the long-defunct Sunrise Flour Mills.

The agreement, finalized at the Government House in Enugu on Tuesday, grants Jelfah a 60% equity stake in the mills, while the state government retains a 40% stake based on existing assets.

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Jelfah is set to invest N24 billion into reviving the mills, which have been inactive since 1985, just two years after their commissioning in 1983.

Governor Peter Mbah, speaking at the signing ceremony, noted that this partnership follows a recent N100 billion deal to revive Enugu United Palm Products Limited (UPPL), reinforcing his administration’s goal to grow the state’s economy from $4.4 billion to $30 billion through private sector-driven investments.

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“This N40 billion investment by Jelfah Group will see N22 billion dedicated to revitalizing Sunrise Flour Mills and an additional N2 billion injected into the state as cash. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will also secure 10,000 hectares of farmland to cultivate inputs like cassava and grains for the mills,” Mbah explained.

He emphasized that Enugu State is committed to fostering a favorable business environment and urged other investors to seize opportunities in the state.

“We want to send a clear message that Enugu is open for business. We are creating a win-win situation for investors and the people of the state,” he added.

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Chairman of Jelfah Group, Moses Saromi, praised the governor’s leadership and vision, which he said had significantly improved the ease of doing business in the state.

He expressed Jelfah’s eagerness to transform Sunrise Mills into a hub of excellence and support the state’s economic development.

“Governor Mbah’s policies have unlocked new opportunities for private sector participation. We are proud to acquire 60% equity in Sunrise Flour Mills, which aligns with both Jelfah’s long-term vision and the governor’s goal of revitalizing moribund assets,” Saromi stated.

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He also highlighted that within 90 days, significant activity would commence at the mills, including recruitment of local staff and preparation for farming on the 10,000 hectares of land allocated for input cultivation.

Saromi concluded by affirming that the partnership will stimulate job creation, boost local production capacities, and contribute significantly to the socio-economic progress of Enugu State.

The Julius Abure-led Labour Party (LP) has rejected claims made by Sen. Nenadi Usman, the Interim National Chairperson appointed by party stakeholders, that her committee saved the party from deregistration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement issued by the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, on Tuesday, the Labour Party dismissed Usman’s claims as false and misleading.

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Ifoh emphasized that the party is in full compliance with legal requirements and is not facing any threat of deregistration by INEC.

He also criticized Usman’s group for exploiting INEC’s erroneous belief that the current leadership’s tenure had expired, accusing them of attempting to undermine the party’s leadership.

Ifoh reiterated that the Labour Party remains legally intact, supported by recent court rulings that affirmed Julius Abure as the rightful National Chairman.

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He further criticized the legitimacy of the September 4 Stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, which Usman’s leadership stemmed from, calling it unconstitutional and not recognized by the party’s rules.

The statement also highlighted that several court rulings, including those from the Appeal Courts in Edo and the FCT, had validated Abure’s leadership, while a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the legality of the party’s national convention held in March 2024.

Ifoh urged Usman and her supporters to stop shopping for court rulings outside their jurisdiction and instead focus on the unity and future of the Labour Party, as factionalism would benefit no one as the 2027 elections approach.

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Usman had earlier claimed that without her committee’s intervention, INEC would have taken action against the Labour Party amid its leadership crisis.

As the Anambra State local government elections approach, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Barr. Sylvester Ezeokenwa, has urged candidates to work diligently for victory rather than relying on rigging.

Addressing APGA supporters in Onitsha South during a campaign event for the party’s chairmanship candidate, Chief Emeka Orji, Ezeokenwa emphasized that the era of election rigging is over. Advertorial

Ezeokenwa reiterated that APGA would not manipulate the election results in favor of any candidate and would ensure a free and fair process, even in the face of opposition.

He called on APGA members to unite and secure all 17 wards and the chairmanship in Onitsha South, a council area historically dominated by the party.

Handing over the party’s flag to Orji, Ezeokenwa expressed confidence in his leadership and commitment to APGA.

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Other prominent party members, including Anthonia Tabansi-Okoye and Beverly Ikpeazu-Nkemdiche, pledged their support for the campaign, emphasizing their dedication to APGA’s success.

Several market leaders and influential figures in Onitsha South also voiced their support for Emeka Orji, praising his leadership as the current chairman of the council’s Transition Committee.

They expressed optimism that his track record would lead to victory in the upcoming election.

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has responded to recent remarks made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who threatened to “put fire” in the states of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors supporting Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

Mohammed assured that Bauchi has “enough water to quench any fire” Wike might ignite, emphasizing that no one could destabilize the state.

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Wike and Fubara have been at odds for months, and during a PDP congress in Rivers State, Wike cautioned fellow PDP governors against meddling in Rivers’ political affairs, issuing the controversial threat.

However, while hosting members of the PDP’s National Working Committee (NWC) in Bauchi, Governor Mohammed dismissed Wike’s comments as frustration, stating, “Nobody can put fire in Bauchi.

Even my friend, Wike, who said so, is only speaking out of annoyance. It’s not personal.”

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He further expressed the unity and strength within the PDP, underscoring the importance of leadership in resolving internal crises and maintaining peace.

Mohammed also highlighted the need to adhere to the party’s constitution, respect diversity, and set personal interests aside for the greater good of the party.

Governor Mohammed praised the NWC’s visit, seeing it as a sign of hope and commitment to stability within the PDP and the nation.

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He reiterated that the PDP has a proven track record of development in Nigeria, lamenting the lack of progress since the party left power.

Kamaldeen Adeyemi, the PDP’s National Legal Adviser, also spoke during the visit, expressing the NWC’s solidarity with the Bauchi governor.

Dr. Law Mefor has officially been sworn in as Anambra State’s new Commissioner for Information by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR.

The swearing-in ceremony took place at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Awka.

Dr. Mefor steps into the role at a crucial time, with the governor emphasizing the importance of timely and accurate information dissemination.

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Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefor’s extensive experience, noting that his expertise will be key in revitalizing the state’s information infrastructure.

In his remarks, Dr. Mefor highlighted his commitment to working closely with media organizations to enhance media literacy among the public.

He stressed the importance of equipping citizens with the tools to critically assess information and combat misinformation.

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Additionally, the new Commissioner outlined his vision to leverage technology to modernize the Ministry of Information.

He aims to enhance the ministry’s efficiency and accessibility by incorporating data-driven strategies to inform policy decisions and make the government more responsive to citizens’ needs.

With over 25 years of experience as a writer, public speaker, and media expert, Dr. Mefor has built a career dedicated to fostering informed public discourse.

He has previously served in various research and advisory roles, supporting organizations across multiple sectors.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has reportedly dismissed his Commissioner for Information, Mr. Paul Nwosu, due to alleged underperformance.

According to sources within the Government House, the governor had grown dissatisfied with Nwosu’s management of the state’s information machinery, especially as public perception of the administration has reportedly declined with the 2025 governorship election approaching.

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The decision, said to have been in the works for some time, reflects growing concerns within Soludo’s circle regarding the need for stronger public relations.

Insiders claim Nwosu’s failure to effectively communicate government activities and policies to the public led to this outcome.

Some journalists and officials in Anambra remarked that during Nwosu’s tenure, there was a noticeable lack of engagement with the media, and he had failed to adequately address public inquiries.

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Governor Soludo is said to have already identified a new nominee for the position, who is expected to be screened by the state House of Assembly shortly.

For many in the state, Nwosu’s removal was seen as inevitable and long overdue, with several pointing to a steady decline in the administration’s public image over the past three years.

Senior legal figures, including Femi Falana (SAN) and Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan, Legal Adviser at Amnesty International Secretariat, have called on the Federal Government to adhere to two significant court rulings obtained by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP).

The first ruling, issued by the Federal High Court in Abuja on July 18, mandated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to hold governors and their deputies accountable for electoral violence, bribery, vote-buying, and other offences during the 2023 general elections.

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The court directed INEC to appoint independent counsel to investigate these cases and ensure thorough and effective prosecution of the offenders.

The second ruling, delivered on June 27 by the Federal High Court in Lagos, compelled former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Sadiya Umar-Farouk, to disclose details about the N729 billion distributed to 24.3 million Nigerians.

The court required Umar-Farouk to provide a list of beneficiaries, details of payments, and information on the states covered.

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In response, SERAP has urged INEC Chairman Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to implement the court’s orders and work with law enforcement agencies to prosecute electoral offenders.

They also called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure transparency and compliance regarding the N729 billion spending, stressing that adherence to these judgments is crucial for reinforcing democratic processes and combating corruption.

Falana and Olaniyan praised the court rulings as pivotal for promoting transparency and accountability.

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They urged the Tinubu administration to use these judgments as a foundation for addressing corruption and ensuring justice for victims of electoral offences.

Falana described SERAP’s actions as patriotic and essential for addressing systemic corruption, while Olaniyan emphasized the need for consistent enforcement of anti-corruption laws.