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By Iheanyi Chukwudi The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Enugu State, Dr. Martins Chukwunweike, has described the return of Labour Party (LP), governorship candidate in the 2023 general election, Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, to the PDP, as the end of opposition in the state. This is even as Edeoga's Local Government, Isi-Uzo, at the weekend staged a grand reception to formally welcome him, with the Council Chairman, Obiora Obeagu, stressing that his return had presented Isi-Uzo LGA, and Enugu State a common front for development. The colourful homecoming, which was held at Ikem, Isi-Uzo Council headquarters, was also marked with a reception at the residence of the former PDP Chairman, Hon. Augustine Nnamani. The PDP State boss, Chukwunweike speaking at the occasion commended the former LP governorship candidate for accepting the hand of fellowship and partnership, assuring that Enugu PDP remained irrevocably committed to fairness, equity, and inclusive development. Chukwunweike said, “Let us work together. Rest assured that what is happening today is just the beginning of a better tomorrow for all of us. Our Governor is determined to ensure that things go well. He wants all of us to be part of the development he is bringing. The Governor is our leader, but he cannot lead alone. He needs our people to work with him to deliver. Enugu has remained a PDP state, and it will continue. In 2027, we will return to our normal PDP days." In his welcome address, the Council Chairman, Obeagu, ascribed Edeoga’s return to his (Edeoga's) democratic credentials and Governor Peter Mbah’s transformative leadership qualities. Obeagu appreciated the state and zonal party leaders for their efforts in “collapsing opposition and reuniting party members in the state,” noting a new PDP had emerged in Enugu under the chairmanship of the State Chairman, Dr. Chukwunweike. The Council boss also highlighted Governor Mbah’s numerous development projects and the efforts Isi-Uzo Council under his leadership had made to follow in the footsteps of the governor, and called on the people of Isi-Uzo to unite in moving the local government forward. He said, “We are welcoming you home with open hands and hearts. I make bold to say that the magnanimity of our governor and the bold step taken by our dear brother and his supporters is an open cheque for us to chart a great future for the people of Isi-Uzo Local Government. It presents a united and uncommon front for development. It is also a paradigm shift from the way politics is played in Enugu State. It shows that you are a true democrat, who understands that the end of governance is the public good. So, I commend you and your teeming supporters for this demonstration of sportsmanship by towing the line of peace, unity, and rapprochement. Your return is a massive addition to the political profile of Isi-Uzo Local Government and a great gain in our development drive. I, therefore, urge those who fan the embers of division and hatred for their own selfish interests to desist from such acts, as the train of Isi-Uzo is already moving." Edeoga in his remarks, thanked the party leadership for their efforts in unifying all political stakeholders, describing Governor Mbah as a sophisticated individual armed with the necessary wealth of experience and qualities to take Enugu State to enviable heights. He maintained that his decision to return to PDP was based on the principles of justice, fairness, and the dire need to move Isi-Uzo Local Government and the state forward. He said, “We have made a case for Isi-Uzo, and the consciousness is there; it has become a national and international issue. We must continue to make a case for Isi-Uzo. So, please, take this message home that Isi-Uzo is hungry for inclusion." The party Chairman in Isi-Uzo LGA, Hon. Jacob Abonyi, thereafter, formally received the returnees back in the party’s fold and expressed happiness over the development.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, has said that the Nigerian nation has by the death of the former Super Eagles skipper and coach, Christian Chukwu, lost a football icon, titan, and phenomenon. Mbah who on Saturday expressed deep grief over the demise of Chukwu, also described the accomplished footballer as patriotism personified. The Governor who was reacting to the development on his verified social media handles said, “I received with a deep sense of loss the passing away of Chairman Christian Chukwu. It is a personal loss to us as Ndi Enugu, his home state, and indeed to Nigeria as a nation and Africa as a continent. “Christian Chukwu was a national icon, a football titan, field marshal, and phenomenon. His exploits as a footballer united the country across ethnic divides and creed. He was patriotism personified, serving the nation and Africa unreservedly both as a player and coach of the highly successful Rangers International Football Club of Enugu and Super Eagles of Nigeria, which he captained to victory as Green Eagles at the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON. He also coached the Harambee Stars, Kenya’s senior male national team, among others." Noting that the late footballer was selfless in his service, Mbah said, “Chairman, as he was fondly called, gave his all not only to the nation but to the rest of Africa. He wrote his name in gold in the annals of the history of Nigerian and African football. "Our dear legend has gone the way of all mortals, but the fond memories and the pride he gave Ndi Igbo and Nigeria as a whole will be cherished forever. My heart goes out to his family, Ndi Enugu, the Nigerian sports community and the entire nation over this irreplaceable loss. May the good Lord grant his soul eternal repose."

By Madu Obi Governorship aspirant of Labour Party (LP), Mr John Nwosu has rejected the primary election conducted by the party in Awka on Thursday. In the primary election, Nwosu lost to his opponent, Hon Jude Umennajiego, who is the member representing Onitsha South 2 state constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. An earlier primary conducted on April 5 by a faction of the party loyal to ousted national chairman of the party, Barr Julius Abure, produced Dr George Moghalu as candidate. In a petition to the chairman of the Labour Party Primary Election Appeal Committee, Hon Afam Ogene, Nwosu described the election as a sham, insisting that if the process was right, he would have been fielded as a lone aspirant, and returned as the candidate of the party. He claimed that Umennajiego who the party gave its ticket was only a placeholder for another aspirant who did not want to openly show his face in the contest. His protest letter read: "That process, if due process was followed, ought to have returned me as the winner, being the sole aspirant qualified to stand for the primary election referent to the Supreme Court judgement of the 4th day of April, 2025. Having upon request submitted my credentials to the Election Committee, the decision to name and install a placeholder is injurious to my interest and therefore unacceptable to me as there is no clear and present danger or to Labour Party in naming me as the candidate of our great Labour Party and sending my name to INEC accordingly. I am therefore filling this appeal requesting the reversal of these decision and according me natural justice equity and good conscience as the sole aspirant and winner of the Labour Party primary election held in Awka, Anambra State on the 10th of April 2025."

By Madu Obi Ohaneze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio - cultural organization, has said that it will evaluate the candidates that have been nominated by their political parties based on their manifestos to enable them advise on the best to be voted for during the November 8 governorship election. Speaking during an enlightenment retreat for the elected officials of the Anambra State branch of Ohaneze, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Wing, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, explained that the measure is to ensure that the best candidate that will secure the best deal for the people, will be elected the next governor of the state. “This is an election year and we are urging our executive members of Ohaneze not to tilt to any political party. Rather, we should champion Igbo interests at all times. We also have a duty to ensure that there is no voter apathy and that the people come out in their numbers to participate in their civic responsibility. We will also work to ensure a stable environment that will enable the people to participate in the elections", he said. He said that Ohaneze will use the November 8 governorship election in the state to champion the political welfare, development and promotion of Ndigbo as a nation in Nigeria on a non-partisan basis. According to him, the enlightenment retreat was part of measures to galvanize its various organs for greater efficiency. He added that the retreat was also a mechanism to galvanize and uphold the core values of the Igbo nation with special reference to Anambra State. Okpalaezeukwu explained that under his leadership, Ohaneze will ensure that its functionaries were alive to their responsibilities, to be able to fulfill their mandate. He said the organization has activated its various organs for greater performance, especially at the community level, and expressed optimism that the retreat will make a positive impact in the workings of the organization in the state. In a keynote presentation, the former national Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene said Ohanaeze leaders must begin to carry themselves as leaders of the Igbo nation, urging them to lead by example. He also urged officials of Ohaneze to avoid controversial statements that could destabilize the organization, advising them to always follow its hierarchy to ensure unity of purpose. “Ohaneze operates as a family and any internal crisis must be settled amicably. The success of the present Ohaneze Anambra leadership is solely dependent on your support,” Okeke-Ogene said. Also speaking, the immediate past state president of the organization, Chief Chukwuemekalum Udodeme urged the organization to focus on strengthening Ohaneze Ndigbo at the local government level. He urged them to respect the government of the day, as it is the policy of the organization, saying they should shun programmes that will undermine the image of the group. The immediate past chairman of the state Association of Town Union, ASATU, Barr Titus Akpudo said the new Ohaneze leadership in Anambra State has a duty to rally support for the organization. He also warned against divisive tendencies that could destroy the growth and progress of the association.

By Madu Obi An Anambra State security consultant, Chief Jeff Nweke,has won the nomination of Action Alliance, AA, as its candidate for the November 8 governorship election. Nweke, a renowned philanthropist, secured 58 votes in an open ballot system to defeat two other aspirants who garnered 8 and 6 votes respectively. Addressing the delegates after his emergence, Nweke said his priority would be to secure Anambra State, empower youths and create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. Nweke is recognized for his charitable endeavours, particularly in education and economic empowerment. His notable initiatives include the Ozo Jeff Scholarship Scheme, which has awarded over N100 million to deserving students since its inception. Additionally, he has been empowering rural women and combating insecurity in Awka and environs. In 2024, Nweke unveiled a N100 million empowerment fund for rural women, with an initial launch of N50 million. This initiative aims to support women-led projects and promote economic development in the region. He attributed insecurity to high youth unemployment and proposes massive employment initiatives to engage youths positively and reduce crime. Nweke's leadership and commitment to community development have earned him recognition. He has organized summits to address pressing issues like cultism and violence, advocating for collaboration between security agencies and the community to tackle these problems effectively. With his track record of philanthropy and community service, Nweke's governorship bid has garnered significant attention and support from Anambra residents.

By Madu Obi The Senator Nenadi Usman-led Labour Party (LP), has conducted another primary election in Awka and elected a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Jude Umejiego, as its candidate for the November 8 governorship election in the state. Umejiego, who represents Onitsha South 11 state constituency named another member of the House, Hon Henry Mbachu, who represents Awka South 1 state constituency, as his running mate. Recall that another primary election conducted by LP on April 5 nominated Dr George Moghalu as its candidate after an aspirant of the party, Mr John Nwosu withdrew from the exercise. Nwosu cited irregularities and that the Julius Abure-led leaders was not competent to organize any primary, having been sacked by the Supreme Court. In Thursday's primary, however, John Nwosu lost to Hon Umejiego who polled 180 votes, while he scored 69 votes. Acting chairman of the electoral committee, Amb. Sunday Okereke while declaring the results said: "With the powers conferred on me by the Electoral Act 2022, and the guidelines of our party, I hereby declare and return Hon Jude Umejiego as the duly elected candidate of Labour Party for the November 8, 2025." In his acceptance speech, Umejiego pledged to work hard for the victory of the party, adding that LP will use Anambra election to showcase the party's plan to turn Nigeria around from a consumption to a production nation.

By Madu Obi A former governorship aspirant of All Progressives Congress (APC) for the November 8 Anambra election, Sir Paul Chukwuma, has emerged as the candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP). The YPP primary election was conducted using the Option A4 by the chairman of the Election Committee and National Secretary of YPP, Mr. Video Bamayi. In the election, Chukwuma scored 366 'yes' votes, with eight delegates voting 'no'. YPP National Chairman, Comrade Emmanuel Amakiri, praised Chukwuma for his potential to expand the party's reach and enhance its political prospects, notiny that Chukwuma would bring substantial value to the YPP's political fortunes. In his acceptance speech, Chukwuma expressed gratitude to the party and its members, emphasizing YPP's foundation on discipline. He assured that more people would soon join the party to further strengthen its base. Chukwuma reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly in advancing his administration's Hope Agenda. Chukwuma's campaign focuses on elevating Anambra State and ensuring its central role in national politics. His target is the Government House in Awka, and he expressed confidence in achieving this goal with support and divine intervention. Chukwuma emphasized his commitment to connecting Anambra State to the national government to secure opportunities for the state's uplift.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Enugu State Government has received 100 out of the 1,000 tractors it ordered to boost agriculture in the state. Underway is another batch of 100, while the remaining 800 will be assembled at the new Nortra Tractor Assembly Plant and Service Centre established recently in the state by a Danish firm, ODK Group. The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialization, Mr. Patrick Ubru, who confirmed this when he conducted newsmen on an inspection of the tractors in Enugu on Monday, said it was in fulfilment of Governor Peter Mbah’s earlier promise to mechanise agriculture in the state, boost food production, create jobs, and drive the state’s GDP to $30 billion by 2031. The Commissioner said, “What you're seeing here is a fulfillment of Governor Mbha's manifesto on mechanising agriculture and ensuring that the agriculture sector in Enugu State takes a different shape and also ensuring that we increase our productivity up to 200 folds by ensuring that Enugu becomes the food basket of Nigeria. This can only be done through mechanisation. We have received 100 heads of tractors imported from Denmark through the Notra Tractors Company. Apart from the 100 we just received, they have assured us that in the next 60 to 90 days, another 100 will be delivered to the state, while the balance of 800 tractors will be assembled here in Enugu. We have also seen the implements that will accompany those tractors to the farm. The tractors have been tested at the farm estate in Akpawfu, Nkanu East Local Government Area. This model has an engine capacity of 75 horsepower and we have assurance that if we encounter difficult terrains, the company can increase the capacity to 90 horsepower." Ubru explained that the Assembly Plant would have two production lines capable of assembling 10 tractors per day, with another section dedicated to practical training of tractor operators, adding that to ensure sustainability, the plant would also have a service centre for tractor repair and maintenance. According to him, the Assembly Plant alone will create 3,600 jobs. The tractors he observed would be made accessible to farmers, stressing that government’s aim was to empower farmers and make agriculture attractive and profitable. He said, “A lot of job opportunities for our young people and a lot of value will be created. Prior to this time, our small holder farmers as well as commercial farmers found it difficult to apply mechanization process in their farm and that also hindered productivity. Going forward, tractors will be made accessible to farmers, farming will be easier and an attractive profitable business and no longer merely to satisfy subsistence needs. Reiterating that the government was in the process of establishing 260 farm estates across the state, the Commissioner said that the estates would provide services for the small holder farmers and serve as centres where tractors could be easily accessed. The farm estate is going to be a one-stop-shop that will provide a lot of services for our small holder farmers. Each farm estate will have 200 farmers where we will provide mechanised services. This translates to 52,000 direct jobs. The farm estate will have a tractor shade housing the tractors so that the farmers can get the services of a tractor when they need it. We will have improved seedlings extended to the farmers, and the extension workers in each of the farm estate will provide extension services to the farmers,” the Commissioner further explained. He disclosed that the Ministry of Agriculture was working out the modalities to enable the farmers to access the tractors in time before the next farming season commences in the state in the next two weeks. In his remarks, the Chairman of All-Farmers Association in the state, Chief Romanus Anayo Eze expressed delight at the new tractors, saying the state had never seen such a large number of tractors. He said, “I thank Governor Peter Mbah for fulfilling his campaign promises, unlike others in the past, who would tell us they would do this and that, but they won't fulfil it. When the governor said he would make provision for 1,000 tractors in the state, myself in particular and others doubted it. But what we are seeing today is different. For the first time, Enugu is procuring 100 tractors. We are so excited and farmers of Enugu State are happy. Since this year, farmers have been calling to ask for tractors, but today, with this, everyone is smiling and happy over this big development. This farming season, we are going to be farming with brand new tractors. So, I am happy because these are new ones that won't break down. Before now, we did not have up to four tractors in the Ministry of Agriculture. Before now, some of those tractors could not leave the Ministry to the farm without breaking down on the way. That was what was obtainable before. Our promise is that with these tractors, there will be food sufficiency in Enugu State. There will be employment. Most of our youths will be gainfully employed through the farm estates he is establishing in the 260 wards."

By Iheanyi Chukwudi Managing Director of Nigeria’s 12th electricity distribution company (DisCo), Aba Power, Ugo Opiegbe, has said that the company is serious and meant business with it's Mass Meter Rollout Project. Consequently, the company he said has set up a 10-person high-powered team to ensure speedy implementation of the project starting next week. Opiegbe disclosed that the Mass Metering Rollout Project would provide 20,000 prepaid meters in April and another 20,000 meters in May in the Aba Ring-fenced Area, comprising nine of the 17 local government areas in Abia State. The Team, according to the MD is headed by the Head of the Metering Team of the company which is Nigeria’s newest DisCo, Alfred Ategie. Other members of the project team include, the chief financial officer at Geometric Power, Aba Power’s parent company, Anthony Ike Alozie; the Head, Customer Care team, Ini Uyo; the Deputy Head of Geometric Power Finance, Sam Inengite; the Senior Manager in-charge of Branding and Communication at Aba Power, Edise Ekong, and Simeon Akpata who leads the utility’s maintenance team. Announcing the setting up of the team in a statement on Wednesday, the Aba Power boss, expressed confidence in the team's leader, Ategie. He said, “Alfred is the best man to lead this project which has to work round the clock to make the prepaid meters available. He is not just an electrical and electronics engineer but one who has a rich experience in the meter installation business. Ever cheerful, very hardworking, and a team player, Alfred joined Aba Power from Eko DisCo in Lagos where he excelled in metering." The Aba Power boss described the project team as cross-sectional because it compromises individuals from various departments of the company who according to him “will not only bring their various insights into the implementation of the project but also help address existing and new challenges. Host community issues are of great interest to us, hence the membership of Barrister Mike Nwogu, an indigene of our host community who is also our Community Relations, Regulatory, and Compliance Manager." Customers in all the nine Local Governments Aba Power services, the Managing Director revealed, would not start to receive meters the same day. He said, “We are providing meters feeder by feeder, meaning that we provide a meter to every house on a given meter and once we conclude on that feeder we move to the next." Opiegbe, who said, “As you can see, we mean business," explained that the objective was to meter all the utility’s over 200,000 customers in the next year, adding that Kayz Consortium alone was providing 90,000 meters. He disclosed that the 90,000 units “will be assembled in the Geometric Power premises in the Osisioma Industrial Layout of Aba," just as he gave the names of other meter vendors working with Aba Power as Eves Metering, Chint Metering, and DECSN Metering Limited.

By Madu Obi Anambra State government's commitment to transparency, citizen participation, and technology-driven governance has received a major boost, as the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, in collaboration with UNICEF, launched the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan 2.0. A major highlight of the event was the sneak preview of the Solution Lens platform — an innovative digital tool developed by the Anambra State ICT Agency and championed by the Ministry to operationalize open governance and enhance citizen engagement. Though yet to be officially launched, the platform was presented to stakeholders as a powerful demonstration of how technology is being leveraged under Governor Soludo’s administration to bridge the gap between government and the people. It drew high praise from stakeholders, including UNICEF, civil society organizations, private sector players, and the National OGP Coordinator. Described as “open governance made easy” by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, Solution Lens is a citizen engagement platform designed to empower the people. It provides a centralized space for citizens to track government projects, voice their concerns, and engage directly with policymakers. “The goal is to make a real, tangible impact on the lives of citizens,” she emphasized. In his remarks, the MD/CEO of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata, highlighted that the platform reflects Governor Soludo's vision of building a smart, livable, and prosperous megacity. He noted that Solution Lens is a user-generated content platform that grows more dynamic and impactful through active citizen participation. “This platform is the result of many months of dedicated research, strategy sessions, and high-level approvals,” he stated. “Anambra is among the first states to consolidate all its digital resources into a single unified platform — anambrastate.gov.ng,” Agbata added. “Solution Lens, with its dedicated URL lens.anambrastate.gov.ng, serves as an extension of this central domain. Its true strength lies in the interaction it fosters — the more Ndi Anambra engage, the more powerful and impactful it becomes.” He reaffirmed the Anambra State ICT Agency’s commitment to the state’s ongoing digital transformation. “Our push for OGP 2.0 is powered by technology. We understand that without technology, bridging any governance gap in today’s world would be challenging.” Stakeholders at the event praised the platform’s transparency and interactive features — including real-time access to state projects mapped using GPS, with project details and timelines. These features offer an unprecedented level of visibility and enable citizens to monitor the progress of projects in their communities. Dr. Victor Chima, Social Policy Officer at the UNICEF Enugu Office, commended the Anambra State Government for developing such a laudable platform. He noted that, if properly implemented, Solution Lens could serve as a one-stop hub showcasing all of the state’s achievements. “People can easily see how Anambra is performing — locally, nationally, and globally — all with just a click, without the need for long explanations,” he said. The Google Map on Solution Lens shows each individual project, its location, and status. One of the projects a traditional ruler recommended some time ago is already being implemented on the platform,” said Mr. Ezeodili Francis, a private sector representative. The Executive Director of the Social and Integral Development Centre (SIDEC), Ugochi Ehiahurike, who spoke on behalf of civil society organizations, described the platform as a “charter of demand made easy,” urging citizens to take advantage of it to ensure their needs are captured and to follow up on government interventions.

By Iheanyi Chukwudi A leading Igbo think tank, Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF) has demanded for a national consensus that the next President of Nigeria would be of Igbo extraction. Basing it's demand on the premise of the exoneration of Ndigbo from the January 1966 coup by former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, in his recent widely publicised book “A Journey in Service,” ADF also requested for the immediate and unconditional release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu from prolonged detention. ADF in a statement by it's President and former President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, titled, “Nigeria, her Canceric and Malignant Igbophobic Problem and Babangida’s A Journey in Service,” further requested the Federal Government to appropriate N1 trillion to the South East Development Commission (SEDC). The fund, which is for the period of five years, the Foundation said was for "infrastructure development of the zone in form of reparation for Igbo properties abandoned in Port Harcourt and Lagos during the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, and for the resettlement of their kith and kin excised from the South East into other regions after the war." Awuzie said, “It is very unfortunate that some Nigerians and their rulers pay lip service to the Nigerian question. It is worse when it comes to the Igbo question in Nigeria, before, during and after the Nigeria-Biafra war. We note with despair the trifling with the national anthems-both the old-new and the new. We are determined to use this auspicious opportunity to demand the appropriate restitution on the part of Ndigbo as follows. One of the unwritten codes of limitations operating against ndi Igbo today in Nigeria is as a result of the lies concerning the January 1966 Coup that has excluded ndi Igbo from certain positions in Nigeria. We demand that a consensus be made that the next president of Nigeria emerges from ndi Igbo. It happened in Nigeria before. Recall that it was the annulment of June 12 election that gave the Yoruba nation the privilege of the 1999 presidency. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, an eminently qualified Igbo man, on this note gave way for Chief Olu Falae and Chief Olusegun Obasanjo to be the sole contestants for the 1999 presidential election, thus willy-nilly producing a President of Nigeria of Yoruba extraction. Ndi Igbo demand such honour if they are still wanted in Nigeria. Given what has been revealed by Babangida, it is therefore not wrong for any Igbo man to seek for self-determination-an inalienable right that is enshrined in the Nigerian constitution, African Charter of Human Rights and the United Nations Human Rights Charter on the rights of the indigenous peoples of the world. Based on the above, we boldly demand the unconditional and speedy release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from prison. This is because other Nigerians like Sunday Igboho have engaged even more in what he engaged himself in. Why is his own different? It is even worse off when terrorists, such as members of Boko Haram, ISWAP, among others have been pardoned and integrated into Nigerian security agencies.” Awuzie, who is also the former Vice Chancellor of Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri, appreciated Babangida for confirming that "the January 15, 1966 Coup was not an Igbo affair." He noted that previous efforts to make the wartime Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, to say the truth about the coup de ‘tat, yielded no results. He said, "In 2016, ADF wrote a widely advertised open letter to Gowon, pleading with him to tell the world whether the coup led by Major Chukwuma Kaduna Nzeogwu was an Igbo coup or Nigerian coup as others were dubbed. As expected, Gowon failed to respond to the letter published as advertorials in three national dailies and posted to his Ray Field residence in Jos, which he acknowledged, prompting ADF to respond in a book titled, The Nigeria’s January 1966 Coup and Biafra: Myths and Realities.” The ADF boss however, welcomed the fact that one of those he described as protagonists in the destruction of Ndigbo during the war, General Babangida, swallowed his pride to confirm the obvious that Nzeogwu who led the January 15, 1966 coup was more Hausa-Fulani than Igbo and that the coup was not an Igbo affair, but aimed at installing Chief Obafemi Awolowo as the Prime Minister of Nigeria. Awuzie said: “It was disingenuous the fact that the counter coup of July 1966 was overtly geared to northern (far-northern) domination and negatively midwifed a horrid bloodlust and a total collapse of compatriot spirit against the Igbo-a situation that still pervades the Nigerian polity, up till today, thus questioning the basis of a united one Nigeria. “Thirdly, General Babangida clarified that those who purveyed the destructive and malicious lie that it was an Igbo coup were the ones motivated by the desire of ethnic dominance to trigger an anti-Igbo tension on a national scale of Igbophobia. One can infer that there was a deliberate ploy or plot hatched ahead of time to deploy the coup as a subterfuge for a genocide against ndi Igbo. Further: that an Igbo officer, Major General Anuforo assassinated another Igbo brother officer, Colonel Unegbe who opposed the coup. Another Igbo officer, major Obienu played a key role in halting the coup. Unfortunately, when Major Obienu was later to be hounded and murdered by Northen soldiers during the counter coup, it didn’t matter to them that he put his life on the line to foil the ‘Igbo coup’. To them, what matters was that he was Igbo, and therefore must die.” The former ASUU leader, maintained that "until Nigerians start having a genuine conversation about our national unity, the aggrieved would continue to ask vital questions whenever the opportunities present themselves, and demand for freedom from their oppressors." The issue of June 12, 1993 election, he said should not be of utmost importance and interest to any wise Nigerian, of the several revelations made by IBB in his book, as he did not write anything unknown before now about the annulled election. Awuziue said ADF also demands the return of Igbo communities excised from Igbo states after the Nigeria-Biafra Civil War, such as the Igbo Akiri or Igbanke from Edo State and Igbos in Awka-Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Benue and Kogi. He said since it is difficult to restore all the ‘abandoned properties’ of ndi Igbo, especially in Port Harcourt, they were equally demanding hundred trillion Naira to be appropriated to the South East Development Commission (SEDC) over the period of five years, as reparation for the restoration of all properties abandoned in Port Harcourt, Lagos, among others, as a result of the lies of the Civil War. He explained that the money from the reparation would be used for infrastructure development of the zone and for resettlement of our isolated kith and kin excised from the zone, to show the nation’s willingness to let off some grievances in the interest of national peace. ADF, he said, demands for a public apology from Nigeria, the kind that culminated in the reintegration of the South Africans after apartheid, as well as the naming of a national monument after Professor Humphrey Nwosu, the hero of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections, which Babangida admitted in his book that Bashorun MKO Abiola won.

By Madu Obi No fewer than 10 support groups of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who were members of All Progressives Congress, APC, and Young Progressives Party, YPP, on Tuesday collapsed their structures to All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA in Anambra State. Their defection came barely three days after the controversial primary of APC, which was won by Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu. While one of the APC governorship aspirants resigned his membership of APC few hours to the primaries, two others withdrew from the exercise before the commencement of voting, citing gross irregularities and undue manipulation. The magnificent International Convention Center in Awka was packed full with members of the Ifeanyi Ubah support groups from the 21 local government areas of the state whose entry into Awka caused traffic gridlock in parts of the capital city. Leaders of the support groups, who took turns to address the mammoth crowd that included Governor Chukwuma Soludo and APGA leaders, said that following the death of Senator Ubah, they looked around and found that only Soludo matched the plans Ubah had for Anambra. "We are all happy at what is happening in Anambra State under Governor Soludo' and that is why we decided to join APGA," they said. Addressing the defectors, Soludo, announced that the state government will immortalize Ubah in view of his contributions to the development of the state. The governor, who called for a minute silence for the repose of the soul of Senator Ubah, went down memory lane on his encounter with the late Senator concerning Anambra politics before his death. "In 2019, Ubah was poised to win APGA ticket, but was disqualified and he joined the YPP. Most people who went to YPP with him were members of APGA", the governor said. He rendered a posthumous apology to the late Senator for the unfair treatment he received in the hands of APGA leaders when he wanted to contest election on the platform of the party