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By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi has stressed that votes must count in the 2027 presidential election. In a statement shared on social media, Obi warned election officials to be transparent regarding the election, “Unlike in the past, in 2027 our votes must count, and all those who are there not to count the votes will be counted among those destroying Nigeria. I encourage everyone to remain at the polling units after voting to count and witness the counting and transmission of results. Those who refuse to allow the votes count will be made to count the full weight of the law against rigging. Let me reiterate: if you do not count our votes, we will count you among those who destroy our democracy, thereby destroying our future, and you must answer to the law", he said. Obi stated the importance of vigilance at the emphasized the need for the integrity of the electoral process to be upheld. He also called on Nigerians to observe the counting of votes and warned that anyone attempting to subvert the people’s mandate will face legal consequences.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Government has suspended head teachers of nine state-owned schools for two weeks following low attendance of their pupils to school on Monday. Their suspension was announced by the Chairman of the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB, Dr Vera Nwadinobi, during an assessment visit to the affected schools to monitor attendance. Expressing dissatisfaction over low turnout of pupils and students despite the presence of teachers, she said the assessment exercise was part of monitoring activities in schools across the state to ascertain compliance with the state’s Executive Order abolishing the closure of schools on Mondays over sit-at-home. Many schools did not open on Monday, despite an earlier directive by the state government that teachers stood the risk of suspension of the fail to work on Mondays. Some of the schools where school activities failed to take place on Monday included Walter Eze Secondary School, Ukpo, Aguoji Primary School, Ifitedunu, Hilltop Primary School, Ifitedunu, all in Dunukofia local government area, as well as Chukwurah Primary School, Abatete, in Idemili North local government area. Other schools where school activities did not take place were Uzubi Primary School, Eziowelle, Union Primary School, Eziowelle, Umunebo Primary School, Nteje and Central School, Atani, in Ogbaru local government area. Speaking further, Nwadinobi said, “Following the findings, Mr Governor has approved the suspension of the headteachers of the affected schools for two weeks. “The head teachers have been directed to immediately hand over to the next most senior officers to ensure uninterrupted administration. The action underscores the state government’s zero tolerance for negligence and its firm commitment to restoring discipline, accountability, and full academic engagement in public schools.” The Anambra State Government Executive Order issued on January 24, 2026, had abolished the closure of schools on Mondays over sit-at-home. The Order warned that any teacher or non-tutorial staff who fails to comply would either receive 20 per cent of his or her salary or forfeit it entirely.

By Madu Obi Aggrieved stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Anambra State have sent an open letter to the national chairman of the party, demanding change in leadership to rescue the party in the state. They argued that as the congresses of the party draw near, there is need to conduct free and fair exercise that will reposition APC for future elections. Their spokesman and former deputy speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Mike Ugwa, lamented that those who had held APC down for years, are already positioning themselves to continue to drag APC down in Anambra State. According to him APC in Anambra State is moribund and requires urgent re-organization and reinvigoration. He said: "We the representatives of the overwhelming majority members of All Progressive Congress in the 21 Local Government Areas in Anambra State wish to appeal to the national Chairman to ensure that the upcoming congresses in Anambra State is all inclusive, open, free and fair and that every member of the party in the state is at liberty to contest for any position for his or her choice. The present party executives from ward to state, are not only inactive, but have totally lost steam. Their inactivity culminated in Mr. President garnering an embarrassing 5,111 votes in Anambra state in 2023 presidential election. For Mr. President to make an appreciable inroad in Anambra State in the forthcoming presidential election in 2027 and for APC to be alive again in Anambra State, it is very necessary that an entirely new executives at all levels of our great party in Anambra State are elected. It is on record that since the 2023 presidential election, there has been a tremendous inflow of new entrants from other parties into our great party who are higher in number than the substantive members of the party, hence there is every need to accommodate them in the new executives in order to give them a sense of belonging, less they feel unaccepted and be constrained to leave our great party which will further undermine our party's capabilities, knowing fully well that Mr. Peter Obi of ADC is from our state." He accused the party's deputy governorship in last year's election Senator Dr. Uche Ekwunife and a former member of House of Representatives, Hon. Nze Chidi Duru of perfecting plans to derail the forthcoming congresses, thereby further destroying the party in Anambra state. "Mr. Chairman, our appeal became necessary because against the decision of Anambra State caucus, the above named persons have issued a statement to the all levels of the party executive in the state that they were endorsed to remain in office for another four years and that there will be no all inclusive, free and fair congresses in Anambra State, where any member aspiring to any party office is at liberty to vie. We are not surprised of their resolve to undermine the decision of the state caucus because the duo are not interested in the growth of the party, but to further their self-seeking interest", Ugwa said.

By Madu Obi Sand miners in Onitsha, Anambra State, have protested alleged extortion by Anambra State government revenue agents, insisting that they are only answerable to the federal government through the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA). No fewer than 200 members of Onitsha Sand Miners Association, who marched within the premises of NIWA, on the banks of River Niger, displayed placards with various inscriptions, stressing that they have fulfilled the obligations of the federal government, which they believe to be their landlord. The miners, majority of whom are tipper drivers, said that despite obtaining relevant documents from NIWA, which is a federal government agency in charge of mining within River Niger, a state government agency, Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra, OCHA Brigade, has been harassing and extorting them. President of Onitsha Sand Miners Association, Mr Christopher Mbaegbu who, addressed journalists after the protest, said the state government agency has become a thorn in their flesh. "We are here today to complain about the incessant harassment we get from members of OCHA Brigade, who come to the mining site at will and disrupt our operations, and also arrest and impound our tippers. We decided to protest so that the Area Manager of NIWA, Mr Victor Nwokeocha will hear our cry. We have relevant documents from NIWA which support and empower our operations, but we have been constantly harassed and arrested by this state government agency, OCHA Brigade. Everyday, we are being hounded. Last week, they came and took about 20 tippers, pay loaders, trucks and other equipment. They arrested our workers and kept them for two days. So we decided to hold this protest to ask NIWA if the documents they gave us are fake so that we will know if we will withdraw from applying to NIWA and follow OCHA Brigade. We met all the requirements before NIWA and federal government gave us right of way to mine here, but everyday we are in trouble with OCHA Brigade. We are not happy over this. Our members who were arrested were bailed with over N1million and our equipment are still there." The Managing Director of OCHA Brigade, Mr Celestine Anere, in his reaction, said the matter was between the miners and the Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited (ASSMDCL), which insisted the miners must be registered. We have asked them to get registered, and the issue is between them and Prof Ofoegbu. They have held meeting with him and all that is needed is for them to register with the state government", Anere said.

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command has arrested a housewife, Mrs Edeh Osinachi, for using a hot iron on her house help for allegedly using her telephone to call someone. The victim, 17, who is a student, was brought to the police station by an official of the Ministry of Education, who narrated the incident to the police. Officials of her school had during a teaching session, noticed severe injuries on her body and during investigation, she disclosed that the injuries were inflicted on her by her guardian because she used her phone to make calls without her permission. According to the victim, Mrs. Osinachi, angered by the act, allegedly used a hot pressing iron on her as a form of punishment. Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to the act. "The suspect allegedly abused and inflicted serious injuries on a 17-year old girl said to be her house help in Awka. Anambra State Police Command while commending the vigilance of the school authorities, assures the public that a thorough investigation will be conducted and that justice will be served in accordance with the law", Ikenga said. Lamenting on the incident, the PPRO urged parents to give birth to the number of children that they can train, to avoid making them vulnerable to abuse whilst in the care of others. He added that the command's action was part of its continuous commitment to the welfare and safety of students and pupils in the state,

By Madu Obi Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the Senate’s rejection of mandatory electronic transmission of election results, describing it as a deliberate attempt to undermine Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a statement issued on Thursday, Obi described the Senate’s action as “outrageous and shameful,” arguing that the refusal to make electronic transmission compulsory removes a critical safeguard for credible elections. According to him, the controversies and disputes that characterized previous elections, particularly the 2023 general election, were largely due to the failure to fully implement electronic transmission of results. He dismissed claims of technical “glitches” during the last elections as fabricated excuses, noting that several African countries have successfully adopted electronic transmission to strengthen their democracies. He warned that resistance to electoral reform by political leaders and the elite is dragging Nigeria backwards, arguing that the rejection of transparency measures entrenches disorder and creates room for manipulation by a small group acting in its own interests, rather than for the good of the country. Obi also recalled past remarks by foreign leaders who described Nigeria as corrupt or disgraced, noting that continued opposition to reform only reinforces such perceptions. He cautioned that electoral malpractice like that witnessed in 2023, must not be repeated in 2027, stressing that Nigerians must be prepared to legitimately resist any attempt to undermine their democratic rights. He further urged the international community to pay attention to what he described as early signs of planned future electoral manipulation, warning that such actions pose serious risks to Nigeria’s democracy and development. Reaffirming his long-held message, Obi said that a new Nigeria remains possible, but only if citizens collectively stand up to defend transparency, justice, and credible governance. He said that his decision to comment on the electoral issue was delayed by the tragic killing of over 150 people in communities in Kwara State and called for prayers for the victims . Obi described the Kwara incident as another painful reminder of Nigeria’s deep governance crisis.

By Madu Obi The wife of the Anambra State governor ,Dr.Nonye Soludo, has flagged off the two - week measles-rubbela vaccination in the state. The flag-off ceremony, which took place at Iruzu Primary Health Centre, Ukpo, Dunukofia local government area, officially marked the state-wide administration of the vaccines to children between the ages of mine months and 14 years across the state. The measles-rubbela vaccine introduction campaign in Anambra State is being carried out in partnership with national and global partners, including the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children's Fund, UNICEF, and other key counterparts. Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Mrs Soludo, who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Lady Oluchi Ibezim, stated that vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to protect Anambra children, quietly, safely, and, most importantly, early in their lives . She noted that some children may have mild reactions after vaccination; a little fever, slight swelling, assuring, however, that while those signs would pass quickly, what should concern parents more is allowing the preventable disease to take hold. She also reassured parents and caregivers that health workers who would be taking part in the exercise were properly trained and prepared for the task, adding that support systems and referral sites have been effectively put in place to deal with any concern. The governor's wife also appealed to stakeholders, including parents, local government mayors, schools, and religious leaders, to assist in making the programme a success by ensuring that over 98% of children in Anambra State are vaccinated. In his remarks, the Zonal Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Samuel Obasi, noted that measles and rubbela remain one of the major threats to child health in Nigeria, but with the state's government strong commitment to health, there is assurance that the vaccination programme will achieve massive success. On his part, the Zonal Coordinator of the World Health Organization, Dr. Chimuanya Igboekwu explained that measles and rubella share almost the same symptoms, making individual vaccinations for the sicknesses incomplete without covering both. He assured that the WHO and other partners are solidly behind the state government to ensure full coverage in all the 326 wards in Anambra State, targeting about 2.7 million children across markets, churches, schools, worship places and even hard-to-reach communities in the state. In their remarks, the Commissioner for Health, Anambra State, Dr Afam Obidike and the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Pharmacist Chisom Uchem, explained that adequate monitoring and supervision have already been put in place to ensure that all stakeholders are effectively mobilized to achieve maximum coverage of the programme.

By Madu Obi There are fears that the high profile Hill View Housing Estate, Nkwele Ezunaka in Oyi local government area of Anambra State, might be flooded during the coming rainy season if the host community continues with the ongoing channelization of Ezu and Oja rivers in the area. The estate, which was acquired in 2005, was developed by a private property developer, Master Holdings, and it is 95%completed. The host community was paid compensation and parcels of land allocated to it, but surprisingly, the people are currently re- channeling the rivers to create more plots of land around people's houses. In the process, some fences have been pulled down, such that the residents can no longer access their homes. Although the community had earlier applied for boundary adjustment through its lawyer, the state government, through the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation, urged it to wait for the private developer to complete its work, but the people went ahead to continue the exercise. Managing Director of the state Housing Development Corporation, Chief Chike Anyaonu, wondered why the community should embark on such illegal exercise after government directive. Conducting reporters round the estate, Anyaonu ordered that no further work should take place there. "We've asked for development partner to sign off so that the management of the estate will be taken over by the state government through the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation. But so many ugly things have been happening here and we have been trying to manage them as much as we could. Some people from the host community have embarked on activities capable of damaging the ecosystem of the estate by re -channeling the drainage system along the Ezu and Okay river. We have ordered them stop until we resolve all issues relating to this estate. We intend to establish a play ground , build hospitals and schools and what the host community is doing may disrupt these projects. Governor Soludo is providing free education up to senior secondary and the children of those living in this estate have to send them to school." A member of the Eziubulu fanily , who are the original owners of the said what the community is doing is outside the area acquired by government. He, however, assured that further action will be suspended until issues were sorted out with the Housing Corporation.

By Madu Obi Anambra State governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has called on the South East Development Commission, SEDC to produce a simple, measurable, impactful plan for the region, which could be known and referred to as Nigeria's Marshall Plan for the South East Speaking at the South East Vision 2050 Stakeholder Forum, Governor Soludo—a renowned economist and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, delivered a hopeful assessment of the region’s trajectory. He emphasized that with South East gradually coming out of an insecurity situation with the best Christmas ever for the first time in recent memory, the political will of the region's leadership is aligned. He tasked the commission to focus on three deliverables, including regional security and funding, super interstate infrastructure; with highways and runways connecting major cities, gas pipelines, seaports, as well as institutional framework for coordination. According to the governor, the South East Vision 2050 strategy should be rightly regarded as a "post-war reconstruction" effort, calling for unprecedented regional unity to improve the zone's economic significance. He noted that the gathering represented a departure from the fragmented efforts of the past, adding that the era of "going it alone" is over. "Today is history in the making. What we have yearned for decades is finally taking shape. I can say with confidence that the governors in the region are now more united than ever." Addressing the skepticism surrounding long-term developmental blueprints, Governor Soludo challenged technocrats to bridge the gap between academic theory and political reality. While every state has its internal roadmap—including Anambra’s Vision 2070 which he chaired—Soludo argued that execution has often been the Achilles' heel. "There have been many plans; is this going to be another plan? Technocrats must understand that politics and policy work hand in hand. If you don't navigate the political landscape, the best policies will sit on a shelf." Governor Soludo did not mince words regarding the current economic standing of the South East. Despite the entrepreneurial spirit of its people, he noted that the region’s domestic economy remains punchless because its primary capital resides elsewhere. "Economically speaking, the South East is insignificant. Our wealth is largely outside the South East," Soludo remarked. He urged the commission to "Keep it simple" and focus 70 percent of its energy on what can actually be delivered, describing the current initiative as being in a "post-war reconstruction mode," aimed at building a sustainable homeland for over 35 million Ndigbo. On funding, the Governor made it clear that while the states will drive the vision, the financial heavy lifting must come from the center and the business community. "The plan will largely be funded by the Federal Government and the private sector, pleading with President Bola Tinubu to give the full funding required for this transformation." Soludo reminded stakeholders that time is a luxury which the region does not have and called on the Commission to act as a cohesive unit to ensure measurable and achievable goals. "As governors, we are beneficiaries of this collective effort. We need to come together. This is an agenda with a deadline, and speed is of the essence." Declaring the summit open earlier, the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima said the South East region is known for ingenuity and enterprise and it remains central to Nigeria's economic growth. He commended the SEDC, adding that the forum should be the foundation for collaboration. Governors of Enugu, Imo, Abia and Ebonyi, all spoke at the event. They expressed optimism that as a result of this initiative, opportunities would be created for the States to integrate and build the South East economy collectively The Chairman of SEDC, Chief Emeka Nwogu and it's Managing Director, Mark Okoye, described the event as a visionary moment for the region and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for establishing the Commission which, he says, is poised to transform ideas into bankable projects.

By Madu Obi The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said a total of 4,423 new voters have so far been registered in Anambra State within four weeks in the ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR), exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections. The registration started on January 5th, 2026 and it is expected to end April 17th, 2026. The State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Queen Elizabeth Agwu, who spoke in Awka, said the exercise is ongoing across the 21 local government areas of the state. Expressing satisfaction with the number registered within the period under review, Agwu said the success was as a result of the collaborative support the Commission is getting from other relevant stakeholders, particularly, political parties and the media. “The Commission under my watch in Anambra State is highly impressed and we believe that at the end of the ongoing nationwide registration, we are expected to be among states with high number of voters. Dr Agwu urged the residents from age 18 to come out and register as soon as possible to avoid last minute rush.

By Madu Obi The national chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark has urged members of the party's policy and manifesto committee to be prepared, not just to win power, but to justify power through service. Senator Mark spoke during the inauguration of 50-member Policy and Manifesto committee of the party in Abuja. He explained that the exercise signals a major step in the party’s policy development and future electoral preparation. He said: "The ADC must be known not for noise, but for seriousness; not for empty promises, but for performance; not for propaganda, but for reality. Across the country, families are working harder and earning lesser and lesser, food prices rise faster than wages, salaries and incomes can't cope. Power supply remains epileptic even as tariffs increase astronomically. Strangely, the APC government continues to aggravate the citizen’s tax burdens. Insecurity continues to disrupt the people's social and economic life. Nigerians are suffering today perhaps more than any other time in our history. Poverty stares us in the face. Poverty and hardship have always existed but the hardship and poverty that Nigerians are experiencing under the APC administration has gotten worse. This situation has been brought about and compounded by government needlessly vicious policies. What Nigerians are therefore desperately looking for are credible alternative ideas, actions and policies. They want policies that would improve their lives today and lay a solid foundation on which they can improve their future. They want policies that show compassion." He added: "Nigerians are not looking for clever arguments. They want policies and actions that show that government understands what they are going through and is prepared to act with clarity, courage and most importantly with compassion. This is what the African Democratic Congress represents, a party that puts the people first. Nigerians are not looking for who to blame for their suffering, they already know who is responsible for that. They are looking for who will ease the pains. They want real, practical solutions that address the challenges of today, not policies that expect them to continue to give and give and give." According to Senator Mark, Nigeria does not suffer from shortage of ideas, adding that what the country is suffering from is a failure to connect ideas to reality. "Too often, policy in this country has been an academic exercise detached from the very people it is meant to serve. Documents are produced, committees are set up, reports are written, white papers are produced, yet nothing changes in the lives of the people which is what matters most. Policy is not about sounding intelligent. It is not about volume or complexity. You must resist the temptation to treat symptoms while ignoring causes. You must go beneath the surface. You must think outside of the box. You must ask hard questions about why things are not working in this country. This is the burden before you", he charged the committee members. He emphasized that the committee will engage stakeholders, review national policies, and provide practical governance solutions that address Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges. Among those inaugurated were Oseloka Obaze, former Secretary to the Government of Anambra State and Chief Ndubuisi Nwobu, the ADC deputy governorship candidate in the last Anambra election.

By Madu Obi Fear of the unknown made many traders and their customers not to near the various markets in Anambra State on Monday, despite the presence of security across the state. The big traders in Onitsha sent their boys ( the apprentices) to go open the shops early as directed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo, but the were no buyers. In Nnewi, there was an announcement on Saturday directing that all markets must open and although the shops were open, the traders just say and discussed. In Ihiala, the popular Nkwo Ogbe remained shut, although the surroundings were lively with transporters and commercial motorcycle operators doing their business unmolested. Some soldiers were also seen patrolling the roads in Ihiala. A businessman in Onitsha, Chief Paulinus Nweyi said the governor's action was the first stage towards return to normalcy on Mondays. "We are happy that Governor Soludo took this bold decision. We cannot continue to waste the first working day of the week for ever "Those who refused to open their shops should be prepared to lose them. We cannot continue to listen to these people who go into the toilets and send threatening messages to the social media from there. We don't know who they are; they have no address and they can't identify themselves. We'll be doing ourselves serious harm if we continue to listen to them. If they want Nnamdi Kanu to be released, they should go to Sokoto where he is and not to be causing trouble for us in Onitsha.." The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Association, Mr. Chijioke Okparaugo, who was seen monitoring compliance, told reporters that the era of Monday sit-at-home was over. “You can visit any line or any part of the market to confirm that we are fully back to business every Monday,” he said. The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, described the level of compliance as over 80 percent, noting that the command was proactive in securing lives and property. “The situation speaks for itself. Monday sit-at-home has been laid to rest, and compliance is above eighty percent,” he said. He reassured residents that incidents of attacks and arson associated with the sit-at-home order were over, adding that security operatives would continue to protect lives and property daily, not just on Mondays. Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Prince Kenneth Emeakayi, also described the reopening as a significant achievement, assuring traders that the Agunechemba Security Squad would remain fully deployed across markets in the state. “We thank our traders for this courageous turnout and all security operatives for reclaiming our Mondays from miscreants, most of whom are not traders,” “We will sustain internal security in all markets. Traders should go about their lawful duties without fear. Agunechemba is fully prepared and on top of the situation.”he said.