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By Madu Obi The people of Umuogem and Umueji villages in Ufuma, Orumba North local government area of Anambra State, have cried out to the state government and security agencies for urgent intervention, alleging that they are under siege of armed criminal gangs, which have taken over the area. In a statement signed by Mr. Chukwuemeka Okeke for the Concerned Ufuma Professionals (CUP), the residents said the gangs have taken control of their forests and roads with a surprising boldness that can baffle any sane society. According to Okeke, the gangs have been dictating daily life of the people and operating without fear of law enforcement. "The criminals decide who may go to farms, impose levies before any celebrations can be held, seize mobile phones and remove SIM cards, and order when shops may open or close. Whether by day or night, they parade around with guns hanging dangerously on their shoulders while villagers cower in fear,” the statement read. They have seized the community’s palm plantations, appointed their own agents to harvest and sell the produce, and take the proceeds for themselves, to the great pain of the poor villagers”, he said. He also recounted recent incidents, including the broad daylight theft of a new motorcycle from a young man working as a gatekeeper, the forced removal of all security cameras in the villages, and even a forceful marriage proposal by one of the suspected criminals to a local family’s daughter. The statement further said: "On August 8, a quarrel between two villagers — Mr. Ikechukwu Ibe and Mr. Chimezie Ifesineke escalated when Ikechukwu allegedly invited the gang to attack his rival. When they did not find Chimezie at home, the gang threatened to kill all his children and burn his house unless he paid ₦100,000 within days. They claimed the money was to cover the cost of bullets fired at his home and to pay for Mr. Ikechukwu’s medical treatment. Mr. Chimezie has since been seeking help to raise the amount. The gang also extorted ₦40,000 from guests at a traditional marriage ceremony last week before allowing the groom’s party to enter the bride’s compound. They mount roadblocks along the Umuogem–Ogbunka road to enforce compulsory Monday sit-at-home order and fire gunshots indiscriminately. They recently shot a mentally challenged man in the leg for defying the order. The man is still receiving treatment. They sit in beer parlours and shops with their guns openly displayed like law enforcement officers and operate from forest hideouts known as Iyiakwukwo, Ishingele, Oduga, and Akpunamara, which border Ogbunka, Owerezukala, Awlaw, and Inyi. We appeal to the government and security agencies to come to our aid before the situation worsens beyond control."

By Iheanyi Chukwudi The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has warned police personnel in the state against unprofessionalism, urging them to be proactive in their duties. Giwa, who was on a tour of the Command’s five Area Commands—Agbani, Enugu, Nsukka, Oji-River, and Udenu, stated that he has zero tolerance for rights abuses, extortion, and all forms of corruption. In furtherance of his commitment to entrench an effective community policing approach the CP called for sustained stakeholder support. The CP who respectively addressed officers at the five Area Commands reaffirmed his resolve to ensure that policing in Enugu State remains proactive, professional, and devoid of rights abuses, extortion, and all forms of corruption. According to the State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe (SP), the CP charged police personnel to embrace emotional intelligence in the discharge of their duties and align with the Command’s vision, warning that deviations would attract strict disciplinary measures. The CP he said, stressed that community support was critical to crime prevention and appealed to stakeholders to sustain their cooperation through the community policing strategy. The tour he further said, provided an opportunity for the CP to formally familiarise and interact with police personnel, other security agencies, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) members, religious leaders, market and transport union heads, town union presidents-general, youth leaders, hoteliers, and other stakeholders. "As part of the tour, CP Giwa paid courtesy visits to several traditional rulers across the senatorial zones and local governments, where he received royal blessings. Notably, he visited the Palace of His Royal Majesty, Igwe Barr. Julius Nnaji of Nike Kingdom, Chairman of the Enugu East Senatorial District Traditional Rulers Council; His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chima Achiekwelu of Achi, Oji-River LGA; and His Royal Majesty, Igwe Greg Ugwu, Grand Patron of the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council and Igwe of Ataku Akegbe-Ugwu Kingdom, Nkanu West LGA. The CP also visited the Chairman and CEO of Wilson Group, Chief Williams Agbo, at the company’s industrial office in Nsukka, where discussions centred on strengthening public-private collaboration in security. Stakeholders across the board commended his proactive crime-fighting strategies and commitment to professionalism, pledging continued partnership with the police in achieving lasting peace and security in Enugu State," Ndukwe said. He also disclosed that Executive chairmen of Awgu, Enugu East, Enugu North, Enugu South, Igbo-Eze South, Nkanu East, Nkanu West, Oji-River, Udenu, and Uzo-Uwani Local Government Areas were in attendance, alongside Councillors from some Council areas.

By Madu Obi The former governor of Anambra State and two- time Minister, Senator Chris Ngige, has told the candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and his running mate, Senator Uche Ekwunife not to drag him to their governorship ambition, saying that he is currently on sabbatical from partisan politics. A poster photograph of Ngige and the candidates of APC has been circulating in the social media, thus giving the impression that the former governor is supporting APC for the November 8 election. But reacting on the development, Senator Ngige, through his special assistant on media, Hyggi Obialo, warned APC to respect his wishes. The statement by Ngige media office and signed by Obialo read: "Our attention has been drawn to the online poster in circulation, with the photograph of our principal, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Chris Ngige, featuring together with the Anambra State APC governorship candidate, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu and his deputy, Senator Uche Ekwunife. We want to use this medium to inform the general public that neither the consent, nor approval of our principal was sought and/ or obtained respectively before the said publication was disseminated to the general public. We further wish to inform the general public that Senator Chris Ngige, a former governor of Anambra State (2003-2006), former Senator who represented Anambra Central senatorial district in the 7th Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2011-2015) and two term Hon Minister of Labour and Employment (2015-2023), is on sabbatical from active partisan politics for now.. He is taking his well-deserved rest after 25 years of active partisan politics and public service." The statement further advised those behind the circulating poster to "respect the wishes of our principal, who has indicated in many fora that he is out of partisan politics for now".

By Madu Obi Barely five days to the Anambra South senatorial bye-election to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the state has raised the alarm over alleged plot by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate and rig the election. Specifically, the CSOs alleged that the Anambra INEC, through the Resident Electoral Commissioner, REC, has prepared the results of the senatorial election in favour of a particular candidate and only waiting to announce it. Anambra State chairman of the of the CSOs, Mr Chukwumah Okeke and the Secretary, Mr Felix Okechukwu, in a terse statement made available to journalists in Awka, asked the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmood Yakubu, to remove the Anambra INEC REC immediately in order to protect the integrity of Saturday’s senatorial bye-election and save the electoral body from avoidable embarrassment. They also urged the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) to intervene on behalf of the political parties in the matter and save the situation in Anambra from taking a dangerous dimension. The statement read, “ We are stakeholders in Anambra State politics and we are familiar with the political situation in the state. We can also state with high sense of responsibility that we are in full support of credible and fair poll before, during and after the forthcoming Senatorial bye-election in the state on Saturday. But we are getting dangerous signal about the infamous action of the Anambra INEC REC, Queen Elizabeth Agwu, over her sinister bid to sabotage credible poll on Saturday and achieve predetermined results in favour of a candidate. That is why we are raising the alarm over the plot of Anambra INEC REC to rig the forthcoming election for a particular candidate as she has prepared the results in favour of the choice candidate, with a bid to announce the candidate as the winner of the poll, regardless of actual voting on Saturday. "We are therefore calling on the INEC chairman, Prof Mahmoud Yakubu, to remove the Anambra INEC REC before Saturday’s poll in order to restore confidence and integrity on the electoral body. “Anything short of Agwu’s removal by INEC chairman will lead to avoidable consequences and monumental failure on the part of INEC to conduct credible senatorial by-election on Saturday. "We need a new INEC REC to conduct the forthcoming senatorial by-election in Anambra State to ensure credible poll and avoid unnecessary and costly litigations arising from electoral fraud and manipulation". The CSOs further called on IPAC to rise to the occasion and intervene on behalf of other parties, saying that IPAC cannot sit on the fence and allow manipulation and rigging to take centre stage in Anambra during the forthcoming senatorial bye-election in the state . The time has come for IPAC to speak on this matter. IPAC must take up this issue with the INEC chairman and ensure the removal of Agwu because her agenda is to ensure victory for a particular candidate", the CSOs said.

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has described the forthcoming August 16th Anambra South senatorial bye-election as consequential to the November 8 gubernatorial election, urging the people of the zone to take it seriously. Soludo, who made the remark when he led a campaign team of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, for the party's candidate, Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu, to Umunze in Orumba South and Ufuma, Orumba North local government areas, expressed strong backing for Nwachukwu because he can deliver. He said that APGA is well-positioned for victory, even as he highlighted the importance of power rotation within the state. He called on party members to mobilize a significant turnout for the election as Nwachukwu is very capable to be a strong voice of the South East in the Senate. During a rally at Ufuma, Governor Soludo called on the nineteen wards in Orumba North to ensure that everyone is encouraged to head to the polling units for the APGA candidate. He also expressed satisfaction with the unity in Orumba and asserted that APGA wants the votes to be counted fairly and without manipulation. Soludo emphasized that the party's primary strategy is to ensure that the collective will of the people shall prevail. The APGA candidate, Chief Nwachukwu, said Governor Soludo has done well since he assumed office and promised to complement his good work at the federal level of he is elected the senator.

By Madu Obi The governorship candidate of Action Alliance, AA, for the November 8 Anambra election, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has urged Christian leaders to sensitize their members to truly understand what politics is all about. Speaking as a guest preacher at Hear the Word of God by Fire Ministries, Awka on Sunday, Nweke said the church should know that politics is a natural phenomenon that is recurring and therefore, needs effective participation by all. "Christians should know that politics is what drives democracy and dividends of democracy can only come when people participate in electing those who drive it. If Christians do not participate in the election, they should not have the moral right to criticize the leaders of democracy", he said. He urged the Anambra electorate to come out in their numbers to vote for candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections, even as he advised those to be elected to serve the people diligently. "I prayed God to direct me on this election and I am hopeful that he will get me there. I reiterate my earlier call on the politicians to refrain from heating up the policy. They should allow the electorate to vote according to their conscience", Nweke advised. Describing vote buying as one of the greatest obstacles to good governance in Nigeria, he warned voters about the long-term consequences of selling their votes for cash. “The money you collect during voting means you have taken your share of basic infrastructure in advance and with that, you lose the moral right to challenge bad governance", he noted. Nweke also reminded the people that without Permanent Voter Card (PVC), they cannot perform the civic duty of being part of the electoral process and urged eligible voters to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, during the next exercise. “You cannot claim to support someone if you fail to register and vote", he added.

By Madu Obi Former governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, has called on the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to adopt a more transparent and humane approach in handling its services, especially those affecting Nigerian students. Obi made this appeal after he stopped the JAMB office at Amawbia, Awka South local government area of Anambra State, where he encountered a large number of students struggling to access basic services at the office. According to him, many of the students were there to process changes to their course and institution choices, which are services that are typically handled at JAMB-designated CBT centres. He was disheartened that most of the CBT centres had stopped offering the service, such that out of 28 accredited CBT centres in Anambra State, 17 had been blacklisted, with the people reportedly not informed of the specific reasons, except that they were “under investigation.” “The consequences are far-reaching. Students are now forced to travel long distances from remote parts of the state, with some making up to five unsuccessful trips to the JAMB office. This is a time of economic hardship, growing insecurity, and massive youth unemployment. We should not compound the challenges our young people already face,” he said. Obi also decried the sharp increase in service costs, stating that a process that normally costs ₦1,500 now attracts up to ₦15,000 at the state office, adding that some of services are unofficial. He warned that many students are at risk of missing admission opportunities, as several universities have already begun their post- UTME screenings. While acknowledging that JAMB may have legitimate reasons for blacklisting certain centres, Obi urged the board to adopt a more compassionate and transparent process. He suggested allowing affected centres to resume operations under strict supervision while investigations continue. “Education remains the hope of our nation and bureaucratic bottlenecks must not derail the aspirations of our youths,” he stated.

By Madu Obi The governorship candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, for the November 8 election, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, boasted on Saturday in Awka that his party will floor other parties in the August 16, 2025 bye-election in Anambra State, stressing that the election will determine who is in charge of the political structure of the state The bye-election will take place in Anambra South senatorial zone to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died last year in London and in Onitsha North 1 state constituency, to replace the late Hon Justice Azuka, who was abducted and later murdered and his body dumped at the Second Niger Bridge last year. Addressing leaders of the various markets in the state, Ukachukwu told them that nothing will stop APC from winning the November 8 governorship election, adding that Saturday's bye election will give an insight to what will happen in the state in November. "We will govern Anambra State and nothing will stop us. We will start with Saturday's Anambra South Senate election and after that, we will know who is in charge of Anambra. We will use that senatorial election to test our popularity", he said. Describing himself as a child of destiny, Ukachukwu alleged that traders in the state are facing so much difficulty due to what he called 'over taxation' and harassment by government revenue agents. "If we want to increase tax, we will discuss with the tax payers first. If I become governor, I will deal decisively with the "Akodo" people who are harassing and maiming people", Ukachukwu stated. According to him, if the state is to develop, the best area of emphasis should be the development of the markets because most residents in the state are involved in it, noting that if he was the governor, there was no way he would have allowed the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, to lock up the Head Bridge drug market. He commended the traders for supporting him to become governor, saying, "I am happy that all the traders in Anambra are united and working together to ensure that an APC government is elected in the state". Ukachukwu added that if he becomes the governor, his administration will put in place a mechanism for granting single digit interest loans to the traders to boost their businesses. "I will govern with dignity and this is a time for action. Providing what the people need is not a favour. If I become governor, one of you will become Commissioners for trade and industry. It doesn't matter if the person speaks English or not. In my first three months, there'll be elections in all the markets for you to choose your leaders and I won't mind where such leaders come from," he added. He reiterated his desire to take Anambra State to the center for what he described as the obvious advantages, adding that Imo and Ebonyi are already benefiting because they are controlled by APC, which is the government at the center. "There's ongoing power project in Imo and once I become governor, we'll use the same company to extend power to anambra because both states will belong to the APC", he promised. Also addressing the traders, his Chief of Staff, Dr. Kingsley Ezekwelu said that it is only Ukachukwu that can facilitate the execution of some projects already earmarked by the federal government in Anambra State. "There's need to connect the state to the center. The over N200b second Niger Bridge project won't take off unless we're connected to the center. The railway system that will take up to $10b dollars won't take off unless we're connected to the center. If APC doesn't win Anambra, most federal appointments won't get to us. Even recruitment into the civil service is not favouring us because we're not connected to the center. Our youths are into kidnapping because there's no job. If Ikukuoma wins, Anambra will become the hub of business in Nigeria because as a trader, he will revive the neglected Onitsha business environment, which used to attract traders from other parts of Africa," Ezekwelu said. He described Ukachukwu as being more activist than the detained Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, recalling that he was instrumental to Igbo people dominating everywhere in Abuja, having been the first House of Representatives member for Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC, at the age of 31.

By Madu Obi The wife of the governor of Anambra State and founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, Dr Nonye Soludo has been selected as one of the key speakers at this year's Teens Career Conference organized by the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The annual event will be held on August 16th, 2025, at RCCG, the Everlasting Arms Parish, Abuja. Mrs Soludo will be speaking to students from across the country, alongside seasoned speakers and notable professionals on "Cultivating Healthy Relationships; Setting The Right Boundaries." She will be speaking alongside leadership expert and motivational expert, Fela Durotoye, innovation leader, Adebowale Olujimi, among others. The RCCG Teens Career Conference, which began in November 2004, has featured so many respected personalities in Nigeria as speakers, including the late Professor Dora Akunyili, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Folorunsho Alakija, Richard Mofe Damijo; former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, among others. The governor's wife is expected to use her experience as a mother and seasoned gender advocate to guide the young audience on the routine of healthy relationships and better future.

By Madu Obi The governorship candidate of African Democratic Congress, ADC, for the November 8 election, Mr. John Nwosu has urged the people of Anambra State to get involved in his determined effort to secure the state when he becomes the governor. Speaking after receiving the governorship flag at a rally in Onitsha, Nwosu lamented that the state has lost it values due to insecurity, adding that having disappointed the people, the present administration in the state should go. He said: "We are here to say to Ndi Anambra that you have a credible alternative to Soludo’s administration that has been tested and has failed. If Soludo did not succeed in the first four years, he won’t succeed in another four years. We are in a marathon race to produce that New Nigeria, but we must start from here in Anambra. We need to create a secure and enabling environment that will attract investors. My seven pillars of good governance namely; Security, Health, Education, Economy, Enterprise, Market, and Social Welfare (SHEEEMS), will prioritizes and provide the framework for addressing Anambra's needs. Every sector will get the deserved attention from government. Services will be seamless. Prioritization and efficiency are the hallmark of good governance. Rest assured that is what we intend to bring about. We are asking Ndi Anambra to give us their hands, their support and their votes. We promise four years of seamless, transformative and adaptive governance along these lines." Noting that no state can prosper in fear, Nwosu said that under his leadership, the best of hi-tech security infrastructure will be deployed, including finger print and AI-powered facial recognition cameras. "Within six months, we will restore peace across our communities. Safety will return to our streets; and traditional marriage ceremonies and festivals will return back to our villages", Nwosu stated. He also promised that the era of exploitation will be over once he mounts the saddle. "We will abolish Ndi Aka-Odo and review the tax system. Our traders, shop owners, and small businesses are bleeding. We will restructure the tax system to be fair, growth-friendly, and humane. You will no longer pay to suffer! Form my first day I office, we will cut y 30% tariffs and charges paid by shuttle bus and keke drivers, arrow pushers and artisans. We will introduce e- government to fight corruption, improve transparency, and enhance efficiency. With your phones, you will be able to access services, track government income, monitor ongoing projects, and even file complaints—all in real time. A government that works at the speed of technology—not the speed of paperwork. What I say is not just a promise; it is a commitment. Together, we will build a government that serves—not exploit; one that listens—not intimidate; and a government you can trust—not fear. Anambra arise, let’s join our hands", he added. Former national chairman of ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, who represented the national chairman of the party, Senator David Mark, said the party has been able to unite Nigerians. "Since the end of the war, there had been efforts to have handshake across Nigeria and this is what ADC has been able to achieve. Our party is grateful that Nigerians have finally agreed to to unite under ADC. The coalition is happening strong in the north and south and the first test will come with the August 16 bye election. What we're doing is not just a flag off. Having brought peace to Nigeria, we urge Anambra' people to embrace the peace fully by identifying with ADC and I assure you that nobody can stop our course."

Sir Paul Chukwuma signing the condolence register By Madu Obi The governorship candidate of the Young Progressive Party, YPP, for the November 8, Anambra election, Sir Paul Chukwuma has paid a condolence visit to the Woman Leader of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Mrs. Esther Onyekesi, who lost her only son, Martins Onyekesi to kidnappers. Martin Onyekesi, a vibrant fish farmer in Awka, was abducted in his family compound in Okpuno area of the state capital and murdered by his kidnappers. The sad incident, which sparked outrage in the state, with youths taking to the streets in mourning, has brought to the fore the disturbing level of insecurity in Anambra State. Chukwuma, who visited the APGA woman leader with the YPP deputy governorship candidate, Uzu Okagbue, expressed profound sadness that criminals could be so audacious to trail the young man to his home and despite the difficult terrain, kidnapped him and escaped through such an uneasy access road to their house. “This young man’s death is particularly painful; an only son, for that matter. This is so sad. How did the kidnappers escape this route? Was there no way they could have been stopped? The boy was a very hard-working young man; so tell me, who did he offend? Those who did this will not escape the severest wrath of God,” Paul Chukwuma said, after he signed the condolence register.

By Madu Obi Awka- Mr. Valentine Obienyem, Media Adviser to the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reacted to the statement made by Dr. Josef Onoh, the brother in-law to the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, where he attacked Obi’s political integrity and one-term vow, describing the comments as morally hollow and politically opportunistic. Onoh had accused Obi of reneging on a promise to Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, and said that despite Peter Obi’s claim that “his word is his bond,” his political record suggests otherwise. He also alleged that Obi did not keep his promise to Ojukwu, highlighting this as an example of Obi’s political expediency. Dismissing the position of Onoh as both distasteful and desperate, Obienyem challenged him to name those promises Obi reneged on. In a statement made available to Vanguard, Obienyem said: “It is unbefitting for Dr. Onoh to drag Ojukwu’s name into cheap political commentary. “Mr. Obi treated Ojukwu with deep affection, visiting him over ten times in a UK hospital. Upon Ojukwu’s death, Obi, who had just returned from visiting him and was at the Abuja airport, immediately switched on his phone. "Looking pale and sullen, he showed me a message from Ojukwu’s wife, Bianca, which read: ‘Thank you very much. You have tried your best. He is gone. I am in pains.’ Obi had to take the next available flight to Lagos and returned to London that same morning on Virgin Atlantic, where he managed to secure an economy ticket. He did this out of profound respect for Ojukwu. To the best of my knowledge, Onoh did not even make a phone call, let alone visit once to see his brother-in-law or his sister, who tended to him with deep affection. Even in death, Mr. Obi’s reverence for Ojukwu was unmistakable. The burial accorded Ojukwu, organized under Obi’s leadership, remains one of the best in history. While funerals should not ordinarily be used as political yardsticks, the scale, solemnity, and dignity of that ceremony reflected the depth of respect Obi had for him." He also condemned what he called, ‘the reckless invocation of revered Igbo names like Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu by those he described as political opportunists desperate for visibility and favour. “I sincerely doubt if others from other parts of the country would take in vain the name of their dead prominent people in such a disrespectful manner. Why then do some Igbo politicians degrade their own icons this way?” Obienyem asked. He also criticized Onoh’s political inconsistency, describing it as rooted in “stomach infrastructure, rather than principle.” “Here is someone who vigorously defended Tinubu in 2023, only to turn against the same administration after failing to secure an appointment. Now, with elections approaching, he is once again signalling his readiness to be used - even against his own people", he stated. He further described Onoh’s public utterances as “abrasive, self-serving, immature, and driven more by ambition than reason.” Reaffirming Mr. Peter Obi’s one-term vow, Obienyem stated: “Obi’s commitment reflects a deep sense of responsible leadership and moral clarity. For someone like Josef Onoh, dogged by controversy and demonstrably lacking a moral compass, to question that vow, is both ironic and offensive. “Let him name one promise Obi made and failed to keep. Obi’s record speaks for itself.” Obienyem also dismissed arguments against single-term leadership, asserting that the framers of Nigeria’s Constitution were not naive in prescribing a renewable four-year term. “Their intent was clear - and within that constitutional framework, a leader still has every moral right to voluntarily commit to serving only one term, especially to achieve noble end such as respect for equity as represented by zoning. “In a sane society, character matters. Before one throws stones, they must ensure the platform beneath them is not riddled with rot. Dr. Josef Onoh lacks the moral standing to speak on Mr. Obi - or on any matter requiring sober reflection", Obienyem concluded.