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By Madu Obi The Labour Party (LP) has constituted an interim executive committee to oversee and reposition the party in Anambra State ahead of the November 8 governorship election. In a statement jointly signed by the Interim National Chairman, Senator Nenadi Esther Usman, and the Interim National Secretary, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, the party announced that the new leadership has been mandated to strengthen its structures and prepare for upcoming political activities in the state. The committee is headed by Okoye Peter as Chairman, while Jerry Nnubia is the Secretary. Other members of the team include John Odili (Vice Chairman 1), Donatus Odaba (Vice Chairman 2), Pius Okeke (Vice Chairman 3), Frank Ejike Chidebelu (Vice Chairman 4), Chidalu Ike (Vice Chairman 5) and Lactricia Njideka Uju, Esq. (Vice Chairman 6). Also appointed are Ngozi Jane Cele-Okafor (Assistant Secretary), Joseph Udeh (Treasurer), Obinna Onwuemena (Assistant Secretary 2), Obinna Obiechina (Financial Secretary), Tony Okafor (Publicity Secretary), Ifeanyi Nweke (Organising Secretary) and Chika Azike (Auditor). The rest include Emma Uduaka, Esq. (Legal Adviser), Onochie Theresa (Woman Leader), Raph Chukwuzubelu, Esq. (Youth Leader), Iloabachi Martins (Deputy Youth Leader 1), Nwude Tina (Deputy Woman Leader 1), Ifeyinwa A. Ezenwa (Deputy Woman Leader 2), Flora Ibe (Deputy Youth Leader 2), Nzeli Joseph Ifeanyi (Deputy Youth Leader 3) and Loreta Chukwuka (Deputy Woman Leader 3). According to the statement, members of the interim state executive committee were enjoined to see this as an important assignment and a sacrifice in the process of rebuilding the party. During the inauguration of the new executive in Awka, the state chairman, Peter Okoye, expressed gratitude to God for guiding the process of restoring authentic leadership to the party in Anambra State. Present at the event was the Acting Chairman of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State, Igiri Innocent, who formally handed over letter of appointment to the newly constituted executive, headed by Peter Okoye. Igiri declared that the question of legitimacy in the leadership of the Labour Party in Anambra was now settled and praised Senator Nenadi Usman for her steadfastness and refusal to compromise. He urged the newly inaugurated executive members to justify the confidence reposed in them and make the national leadership proud.

By Madu Obi Fresh crisis is looming in Nawfia Community, Njikoka local government area of Anambra State, following alleged refusal by the relevant government officials to issue certificate to Ozo Ifeanyichukwu Nkemka, the President General of the town elected by popular votes. Despite the emergence of Nkemka as the President General of Nawfia Progressive Union, NPU, in an election in which all the villages in the area participated, a faction of the union, allegedly supported by a top government official, organized another one, thereby heightening tension in the community. The state High Court sitting in Ogidi had in a judgement delivered on 30th January, 2024, paved the way for the election of Nkemka after ordering the dissolution of the existing caretaker committee. Speaking on the issue at a press briefing in Nawfia, Nkemka said: "I went to the Deputy Chief of Staff to the governor officially as the PG and my reason for going to him was to notify government of our election and to seek for the certificate as required by law. Unfortunately, he said he was waiting for the Attorney General of the state to advise him. I went to the Attorney General and she told me that because another party had filed an appeal against an earlier judgment on the matter, she would not advise the Governor or the Commissioner in charge of Chieftaincy Affairs to recognize me. I made the Attorney General to understand that mere filing of an appeal does not mean stay of execution. I had to write her officially again and in the letter, I reminded her of authorities supporting our case which states that if a judgement is entered, the appellant must obey the original judgement." He said that because of the development, his community is denied attendance to the meeting of Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU. Calling on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to intervene in the matter to save the community from impending breakdown of law and order, the PG said that following the illegal attempt to conduct another election on July 19, 2025, the community approached the court and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction to restrain the action, was obtained. He said: " The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was served with the motion to restrain the election from holding. It is highly regrettable, disappointing and embarrassing that in spite of the lawful actions, a non existent and illegal body was purported to have conducted an election into the offices of NPU. A parallel executive committee of NPU cannot be allowed to exist along with my own executive which was fully constituted with legal authority of a court of competent jurisdiction. As law abiding citizens, we find it critical at this juncture to call on the governor's attention and members of the public to these acts of illegality, criminality and irresponsibility that have the potential to threaten the peace of Nawfia Community. Our dear governor please kindly cause an investigation into the unseen hands of your aides who are causing this confusion and threatening our peace. Governance in Anambra State should be government of laws, not of men."

By Madu Obi The Anambra State Police command says it has recovered suspected human parts at the shrine of a native doctor linked with the murder and mutilation of the body of a pregnant nurse dumped inside a soak away at Ogbunike, Oyi local government area of the state. The command said in a statement that while manhunt for the prime suspect and other accomplices in the murder has intensified, it has arrested a 24 -year old Somtochukwu Nwafor, a female, with the assistance of the Umueri village vigilante in Ogbunike Community. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that during interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the girlfriend of the prime suspect, Chiemerie Obika Elobisi now on the run. According to Ikenga, the lady stated that she was called by the suspect to clean the blood stains after the victim was murdered, which she did. "She further revealed how they sell the body parts to different native doctors in the area. Also, preliminary information shows that the victim, a trained nurse, was lured by the murderer to his house under the guise of seeking medication", the Police spokesman said. He added that with the information from the suspect, operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), on 29th July 2025, burst a shrine of an identified native doctor, Nwafor Chibunna from Itima Amawa Village, Ogbunike and recovered suspected human body parts, concealed in cellophane bags. The command has launched a manhunt for the prime suspect and the suspected receivers and collaborators", Ikenga stated. Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu has condemned the heinous act, describing it as "inhuman, criminal, and an affront to public morality and the sanctity of life." The CP encouraged anyone with useful information that would assist the Police in the ongoing investigation to come forward, assuring that the identity of such informants would be adequately protected.

By Madu Obi The Igbo Community in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, has backed Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the Middle-Belt Forum in their total opposition to the Senate bill seeking the elevation of the Sultan of Sokoto and the Ooni of Ife as the permanent co-chairmen of the National Traditional Rulers Council. President General of Igbo community in Abuja, Ikenna Ellis-Ezenekwe emphasized that the Igbo Community Association (ICA) in the Federal Capital Territory sees no merit or logic in such bill, which has passed second reading in the Senate. Stating that ICA represents more than one million members of the igbo community in Abuja, Ezenekwe emphasized that people of Igbo extraction in Nigeria and the Diaspora feel concerned that there seems to be a deliberate ploy to foist the two traditional rulers over others in Igboland and other parts of the country, adding that it has potentials to create ethnic and social unrest. "It smacks of insensitivity towards the ethnic diversity of Nigeria; we, the leadership of Igbos in Abuja call for the National Assembly to retrace its steps and do a rethink so as to avoid returning Nigeria to the days of institutionalized bigotry and federally-funded marginalization. “We the Igbos, will resist it; we will join all willing and good minded ethic groups to resist this boldfaced disrespect to other ethnic groups in Nigeria. “The Sultan of Sokoto is not a traditional ruler, he is a religious figure. The Kanuris are not under the traditional umbrella of the Ooni of Ife or the Sultan of Sokoto and neither are the Igbos; the ethnic groups that populate the North Central region and the South South geo-political regions are not under the traditional rulership of either the Ooni of Ife or Sultan of Sokoto. “Nigeria as a country is still recovering from the mistakes of the past and the National Assembly must not take the country back to those days. This beautiful country comprises of three major tribes - the Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo; so, the national Assembly must respect and appreciate this reality. “Our demand is for the three major tribes of Nigeria be represented as co-chairmen of the National Traditional Rulers Council. We demand for members of the National Assembly to raise up their voices against this unfolding injustice,” he said.

Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo By Madu Obi Anambra First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has emerged as the winner of the First Lady of the Year (Health-Care & Child Support) for 2025. The award follows an open nationwide nomination and public voting process that drew thousands of responses from citizens and humanitarian observers across the country. Organized by the 'Humanitarian Achievement and Outreach Foundation', the award recognizes Dr Soludo’s remarkable leadership and humanitarian contributions through her “Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo” initiative — a campaign focused on community health awareness, maternal and child care, nutritional education, and support for underprivileged families in rural and urban areas of Anambra State. Founder and Convener of the Nigerian Humanitarian Awards, Emmanuel Anabueze, praised Dr Soludo, for leading with humility and action. Anabueze also revealed that Soludo received an overwhelming number of public votes during the process, highlighting the commitment of her humanitarian footprint. He said her commitment to creating healthier homes and empowering women with practical tools for sustainable family well-being earned her widespread national admiration and ultimately secured her victory in a highly competitive category. "She is set to be officially honoured on Friday, August 22, 2025, at the Nicon Luxury Hotel in Abuja, where she will join other trailblazing leaders, advocates, and innovators shaping Nigeria’s humanitarian landscape. The 2025 edition of the Nigerian Humanitarian Awards marks another chapter in celebrating excellence in service, compassion, and nation-building—and Mrs. Nonye Soludo stands tall among this year’s most impactful voices," the statement added.

By Madu Obi In a significant move to promote unity and preserve history, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has restored Abakaliki Street in Awka, which was previously renamed "Club Road" in 2018 under the administration of former Governor Willie Obiano. The renaming of Abakaliki Street to Club Road sparked controversy, with some urging Governor Soludo to reverse the decision, citing the need for unity and reciprocity between Anambra and Ebonyi states. Senior Special Assistant to Governor Soludo's, Dr Ejimofor Opara said the decision to restore Abakaliki Street demonstrates his commitment to preserving historical legacies and promoting peaceful coexistence. "This move is seen as a gesture of goodwill, acknowledging the long-standing relationship between the two states. The restoration of Abakaliki Street has been welcomed by many, who view it as a step towards strengthening ties between Anambra and Ebonyi states. .Abakaliki street is more than a name. Governor Soludo's action underscores his dedication to honoring the history and cultural heritage of Anambra State", Opara said.

By Madu Obi Former governor of Anambra State and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised alarm over Nigeria’s rising debt profile, following the recent approval by the Senate of additional foreign and domestic borrowing. In a statement, Obi expressed deep concern after the Nigerian Senate, on July 22, 2025, approved $21 billion, €2.2 billion, and ¥15 billion in external loans, alongside a N750.98 billion domestic bond issuance and a €65 million grant, as part of the 2025–2026 fiscal borrowing plan. He noted that with an existing public debt of about N149.39 trillion in Q1 2025, the newly approved loans, totalling approximately N37.2 trillion, would push Nigeria’s public debt to around N187 trillion—and potentially over N200 trillion by year-end. Obi pointed out that even after the recent GDP re-basing which raised Nigeria’s GDP to about N372.8 trillion (approximately $243.7 billion), the nation’s debt-to-GDP ratio now stands at an unprecedented 50.16%—the highest in its history. “Before re-basing the government had borrowed nearly 70% of our previous GDP", Obi said. He observed that Nigeria’s escalating debt was not yielding tangible results in critical areas such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security. “We are accumulating exponential and unsustainable levels of debt with little or nothing to show for it,” Obi lamented. Highlighting the stark realities of governance failure, Obi cited grim figures, noting that over 10,217 people were killed and 672 villages sacked between May 2023 and May 2025; 135,000km of roads remaining unpaved and largely un-motorable; and electricity generation persistently under 5,000MW for a population exceeding 200 million. Obi further referenced the alarming malnutrition crisis in Northern Nigeria, where Medicines Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) recently reported 652 child deaths, particularly in Katsina State, amid worsening poverty levels. With 133 million Nigerians—about 63% of the population—classified as multi-dimensionally poor, he described the situation as both tragic and avoidable in a country endowed with vast natural and human resources. While acknowledging that borrowing is not inherently bad, Obi emphasized that it must be tied to productive, transparent, and measurable investments. “This current pattern of borrowing without accountability is simply mortgaging the future of our children. Leadership must consider the inter-generational consequences of unsustainable borrowing", he stated. He called for a return to disciplined, prudent economic management through reduced cost of governance, plugging of financial leakages, and massive investment in human capital. “Nigeria cannot continue to borrow recklessly while poverty deepens and public trust erodes. “It is time to stop this fiscal indiscipline and build a New Nigeria where leadership is responsible, development is people-centred, and every kobo borrowed delivers measurable impact", Obi added.

By Madu Obi The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State ICT Agency, Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata has described Governor Chukwuma Soludo, as a visionary leader who is turning bold ideas into real impact for Anambra people through technology and innovation. In a statement in Awka to mark the governor’s 65th birthday, Agbata said Soludo’s mantra of “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” has redefined governance in the state and is fast positioning Anambra as a hub for talent, investment, and innovation. “As someone privileged to lead the Anambra State ICT Agency, driving e-governance initiatives, and now the Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS)—a coalition of tech professionals, founders and enthusiasts advancing technology and championing the re-election of Governor Soludo—I see first-hand how Mr. Governor’s vision keeps challenging us to push boundaries,” he said. Agbata listed some of the administration’s strides in the technology sector to include the digitization of government operations, expansion of free Solution WiFi, deployment of smart solutions, and public-private partnerships aimed at job creation. According to him, "these initiatives, combined with ongoing investment in physical infrastructure and urban renewal, are making Anambra a destination and not a departure lounge." He added: “Leadership is not about lofty speeches but clear action, and Governor Soludo has shown us that bold decisions, like removing Right of Way charges to drive connectivity, can transform an entire ecosystem". Agbata pledged renewed commitment to advancing a smarter, more connected, and prosperous Anambra State.

By Madu Obi The candidate of Action Alliance (AA) for the November 8 Anambra election, Ozo Jeff Nweke, has vowed to end suffering in the state, urging the people to brace up for a new kind of leadership to be provided by him. Addressing reporters in Awka, Nweke said it is time to replace ego-driven leadership with a people-first government, promising to open doors for youths, communities and neglected families across the state. He said: " Our people have suffered for too long under leaders who only cared about themselves. I am not a stranger to you. I am one of you and the change is now. I want to be your governor, not because of power. I want to be your governor because I am tired of seeing people suffer in silence; tired of seeing our youth give up even when they should not. Our youths are brilliant, but nobody believes in their dreams." According to the AA flag bearer, “For too long we have been ruled by people who only care about their ego," adding that "whatever they do is designed to favour them and their families only". Nweke promised to open opportunities for young people, back local businesses and ensure that government resources reach every household and not just the powerful few.” “Stop complaining; make a choice. I have chosen to step in and fix it. Come with me; believe in me. We will get it done. I am not here to deceive you,” he told Anambra voters.

By Madu Obi The leadership of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, has said that the decision to adopt a consensus approach for the 2025 National/State Assembly bye-elections taking place on August 16, 2025, was necessitated by the short time frame given by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for the conduct of the elections and the need to prevent unnecessary waste of resources by aspirants. The bye-elections will be for Anambra South senatorial zone to replace the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah and Onitsha North 1 constituency to replace the member of the state House of Assembly who was murdered by gunmen and his body dumped at the second Niger Bridge. The party's clarification followed media reports that APGA's decision to ask other aspirants to step down for one candidate, was undemocratic. National publicity secretary of APGA, Dr. Ejimofor Opara said in a statement in Awka, that the clarification became necessary because of undue controversy some members of the opposition were generating over the matter. Opara said: "Weeks before the primaries, interested aspirants for both the National and State Assembly positions across the 16 constituencies in the federation where the bye-election will take place, were encouraged to meet and agree on consensus candidates. This process took place accordingly, with aspirants selecting from amongst themselves, a consensus candidate. The party encouraged the aspirants to reach a consensus by approving a full refund of nomination and expression of interest fees for all aspirants where a consensus candidate emerged. "⁠In line with the decision, efforts are underway to refund other aspirants the full payment for their expression of interest and nomination forms. This is the very first time this is happening in the history of APGA." According to Opara, the consensus-driven approach has received wide support from party members, except for a few individuals seeking to exploit the aspirants and create unnecessary rancor. He added: "The process leading to the emergence of a consensus candidate was strictly the affair of the aspirants, with the delegates merely affirming the outcome at a well monitored primary election in line with the party's constitution and the Electoral Act, 2022. No aspirant was coerced or compelled to withdraw, as the party was prepared for a fair contest if a consensus did not emerge." Opara urged members of the opposition to stop peddling false narratives, but to focus on mitigating their impending defeat on August 16, adding that APGA remains committed to entrenching the democratic process at all times.

By Madu Obi The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has described Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State as its biggest export. In a statement by the party's National Publicity Secretary, Dr Ejimofor Opara to celebrate the governor on his 65th, the party said Soludo had been a driving force behind the party's progressive agenda. According to the party, Soludo who is its only governor and national leader, has performed so well as governor that he is now seen as the face of good governance in Nigeria. The statement said: "As we mark this milestone birthday of our leader, we celebrate not just a leader, but a visionary who has shown us that with courage, conviction, and determination, we can build a brighter future for all Nigerians. Prof. Soludo is undoubtedly APGA's biggest export to Nigeria and indeed the world, leaving an indelible mark on the nation's economic, academic, and political landscapes. Under his astute leadership, APGA has continued to thrive, inspiring a new generation of leaders and citizens alike. His commitment to good governance, economic development, and social justice has set a new standard for our party and the nation at large. Today, we celebrate a remarkable individual who has dedicated his life to public service and transformative leadership."

By Madu Obi Wife of the Anambra State governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, is to gift every interested person in the state 5,000 packs of organic seedlings for planting as part of her 55th birthday celebration coming up soon. Mrs Soludo said the distribution will be carried out by her NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, which has assisted many families in the state in the past. The governor's wife described the seedlings as the best breeds for planting to boost agriculture in the state. She said: "As the main plan to celebrate my 55th birthday which comes up in a few days, my NGO, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative, shall be giving out 5000 packs of free organic, non-GMO seedlings to all interested persons in Anambra State. To benefit from this opportunity, please indicate interest, stating your preferred location (local government area) in Anambra State, where you can easily pick up the seedlings. The seedlings that we are giving out are the best breeds, and I urge everyone who will benefit from this gesture to use them for not just present needs, but also for subsequent agricultural engagements. We want you to plant, tend to, harvest, and store some for another farming season. That way, you retain the breed's value." She urged those residing in or around Awka, the state capital, to pick up the product at Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo's office, Udoka Housing Estate, explaining that the seedlings are only for those with a clear desire to own a garden. She added that those who have benefitted from past free organic seeds programme could still apply for this one, provided they provide visible proof that they used the earlier prize productively. "Thank you and may the soil favour you greatly", Mrs Soludo said.