Anambra State’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, has emphasized that Bianca Ojukwu’s appointment as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs will not negatively impact the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or its political influence in the state.

Speaking in an interview with Rudolf Okonkwo on 90MinutesAfrica, Mefor explained that President Bola Tinubu’s decision to appoint Ojukwu, a prominent member of APGA, was a strategic move aimed at strengthening the South-East’s representation in the federal government.

Ojukwu, who was appointed to the ministerial position on October 23, 2024, is a well-known figure in the APGA party and her appointment sparked discussions both within Nigeria and internationally.

Mefor, however, assured that her new role would not disrupt the political dynamics of APGA in Anambra.

“President Tinubu’s selection of Bianca Ojukwu is part of his efforts to build a stronger relationship with the South-East region. It’s a strategic choice that reflects his desire to engage the region more effectively.”

He also pointed out that the political landscape in Anambra State remains firmly rooted in local dynamics.

“Election is local, and Anambra voters are sophisticated. They can differentiate between the various levels of elections — Senate, House of Representatives, Governor, and President. So, when the time comes, voters will make their decisions based on the issues and candidates, without confusion,” Mefor added.

He reassured party supporters that APGA’s influence in the state would remain intact, as local elections are distinct from national appointments.

Cross River State High Court sitting in Calabar has struck out a suit filed by Comrade John O. Ushie against the Labour Party State Working Committee, led by Patriarch Ogar Osim.

The suit, numbered HC/226/2024, was initially filed in early October 2024, with Ushie claiming to be the interim leader of the Labour Party in Cross River State and seeking a court order to restrain Patriarch Ogar Osim and his team from performing their duties.

However, following the filing of a Counter Affidavit by Osim’s legal team, the applicant, John Ushie, decided to withdraw the suit.

In a formal application submitted to the court on November 7, 2024, Ushie sought to discontinue the case, which was subsequently struck out by the court.

Patriarch Ogar Osim, the leader of the Labour Party’s State Working Committee, responded to the court’s ruling with a message of forgiveness.

He expressed his willingness to move beyond the legal dispute and focus on reconciliation.

“I have forgiven them and look forward to a reconciliation process that will strengthen our party and ensure we build a formidable political platform capable of delivering the true dividends of democracy to the people,” Osim said.

An Ondo State High Court in Akure has affirmed Mr. Olugbenga Edema as the valid candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) for the upcoming November 16 governorship election in the state.

The court dismissed a suit challenging his candidacy.

The plaintiffs, Mr. Michael Akintan and Mrs. Kemi Fasua, had filed the suit seeking to disqualify Edema, arguing that he was not eligible to contest as the NNPP candidate.

Represented by their counsel, Mr. Monday Mawah, they sought both injunctive and declaratory reliefs, including a permanent injunction to prevent Edema from presenting himself as the party’s candidate.

However, Edema, along with his running mate Mr. Rotimi Adeyemi, opposed the suit through their lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Olorunfemi.

Olorunfemi argued that the case was an abuse of the court process and should be dismissed.

He contended that the issue at hand was a pre-election matter, which should have been brought before the Federal High Court, not the Ondo State High Court.

In his submission, Olorunfemi emphasized that the court lacked jurisdiction over the matter, as jurisdiction is a critical factor in determining whether a court can hear a case.

The court ruled in favor of Edema, rejecting the claims made by the plaintiffs and upholding his candidacy for the November 16 governorship election.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki have called on the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to prioritize unity within the party, urging them not to let personal presidential ambitions create further division.

The two leaders made the call on Thursday during the inauguration of the Board of Governors and the unveiling of the roadmap for the Peoples Democratic Institute (PDI) at the party’s national headquarters in Abuja.

Their remarks come amid growing concerns about the impact of 2027 presidential ambitions within the PDP, particularly those of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, and Makinde himself.

The competing aspirations have the potential to deepen existing rifts within the party, which is already divided into factions supporting Atiku and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Tensions flared further when Mohammed, who also leads the PDP Governors’ Forum, confirmed his intent to run for president in 2027.

Saraki, speaking at the event, emphasized that the PDP’s success and relevance should not be undermined by individual ambitions.

He reminded party members that the PDP was built on a foundation of policies, ideologies, and shared values, not on personal interests.

“We cannot have an ambition if we don’t have a party, and we cannot have a party if we don’t have ideas. This is where it starts. This is the foundation,” Saraki said.

He urged party leaders to shift the focus from the 2027 elections and instead concentrate on the core issues and policies that the PDP represents.

“Let’s stop talking about who is running for president or governor in 2027. Let us concentrate on what the PDP stands for and what issues we need to address for the good of the country,” Saraki added.

Saraki also highlighted the importance of the PDP’s new institute, the PDI, noting that it would help reinforce the party’s intellectual foundation and improve its image.

“I’ve traveled to many places, even in Europe, and people have asked where our institute is. It is a mark of shame that, until now, we didn’t have one. But today, we are putting that chapter behind us,” he said.

Governor Makinde echoed Saraki’s sentiments, stressing the importance of unity in ensuring the PDP’s success. Reflecting on his own political journey, he expressed gratitude for the opportunities the party has provided him.

“I want to be remembered for helping to revive the fortunes of the PDP. Since 1998, I have benefited from this party, and since 2019, I have had the privilege of securing two mandates under its banner,” Makinde said.

The governor reassured party members that he would continue to support the PDP and its candidates, especially in the upcoming Ondo State governorship election.

“We must be united as we approach Ondo State. We have a strong chance of winning, but it will require unity within the party to ensure that the APC is defeated,” Makinde stated.

He further emphasized the importance of reconciliation within the party, saying that the PDP’s success in Ondo would hinge on working together and resisting any attempt by the ruling party to undermine the electoral process.

“We must ensure that no form of rigging or manipulation by the APC will succeed in Ondo,” he urged.

Makinde concluded by reiterating that the PDP must become a beacon of hope for Nigeria, stating, “The PDP must offer real hope for Nigeria and provide the ideological foundation the country desperately needs. We will fix the PDP, and through that, the PDP will fix Nigeria.”

He also pledged to continue championing youth participation in the political process, assuring the gathering that the PDI would help further open up opportunities for young Nigerians in politics.

“The PDP is the only party in Nigeria that has allowed youth to be part of the political process, and the PDI will only expand this space,” Makinde affirmed.

The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has stated that Nigeria is undergoing a crucial and transformative reset with the removal of subsidies by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Soludo made this statement during the 13th Convocation Lecture at Veritas University in Abuja on Thursday, where he delivered a lecture titled “Let Us Make a New Deal for Nigeria.”

The lecture focused on addressing the country’s deep-rooted challenges and charting a new path forward.

According to Soludo, the removal of subsidies marks a significant shift away from policies that mainly benefited the urban elite, towards a more equitable and productive social contract that can provide opportunities for all Nigerians.

“We have entered a ‘muddling-through’ phase that requires careful navigation,” Soludo said, referencing the removal of harmful subsidies on fuel, foreign exchange, and electricity.

He shared his personal experience, recalling how he benefited from free and quality education at the primary, secondary, and university levels, along with subsidized meals in public universities.

However, he noted that such benefits became unsustainable as government funding dwindled over time. Despite the country’s challenges, Soludo acknowledged that previous military governments made significant investments in education during the early oil boom years.

Soludo emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt a pragmatic, forward-thinking approach, proposing the creation of a “new deal” for the country.

He suggested implementing an emergency national infrastructure plan akin to the U.S. Marshall Plan, which was instrumental in rebuilding Europe after World War II.

Drawing inspiration from the Marshall Plan, Soludo urged Nigerian leaders to focus on public works, financial reforms, and regulatory changes to transform the nation’s economy and infrastructure.

He also pointed to positive developments such as the recent minimum wage legislation, the draft tax reform bill, and planned cash transfer programs as encouraging steps.

However, he stressed the importance of historic coordination between the federal and state governments to ensure the swift and effective implementation of these reforms.

Addressing the graduating students, Soludo encouraged them to take an active role in shaping Nigeria’s future.

“The future you seek is in your hands. Only those who plan can control the future. While Nigeria may not have given you much, you are expected to give more than you have received,” he said.

In his welcome speech, the Vice Chancellor of Veritas University, Prof. Hyacinth Ichoku, praised Soludo for his ongoing commitment to youth education.

He reaffirmed the university’s dedication to providing high-quality education and fostering strong moral values in students.

Dr. Matthew Kukah, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, highlighted the alarming rise of banditry and insecurity in the country, which he attributed to the lack of education.

He stressed the urgent need to address this issue to secure a safer future for generations to come.