Please Forgive us, Vote APC Again –Ebonyi Gov Nwifuru Pleads
Ebonyi State’s Governor Francis Nwifuru has appealed to residents to forgive the shortcomings of his administration and those of elected lawmakers, urging them to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Nwifuru made the appeal on Sunday during a democracy thanksgiving service held at the Government House Chapel in Abakaliki to mark the third anniversary of his administration.
Addressing worshippers, government officials, political stakeholders and religious leaders, the Governor acknowledged that his administration, members of the National Assembly and the Ebonyi State House of Assembly may have made mistakes while serving the people.
He appealed to residents to overlook those shortcomings and continue to support their elected representatives.
“Please forgive us; forgive me and the National Assembly members and the House of Assembly members. Forgive our shortcomings and vote for us again,” Nwifuru said.
Reflecting on his three years in office, the Governor expressed gratitude to God for what he described as the achievements of his administration, noting that governance is a continuous learning process that requires humility, commitment and public understanding.
Nwifuru admitted that no administration can claim perfection but assured residents that his government remains committed to improving service delivery, expanding infrastructure and delivering more dividends of democracy across the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s determination to sustain ongoing development programmes and initiatives aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
The thanksgiving service was attended by several political leaders, including former Governors of the state such as David Umahi and Martin Elechi.
Serving senators, government officials and other stakeholders were also in attendance.
TRIBUNE
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Gunmen Kill 8 Residents And Soldiers, Burn Houses In Imo
No fewer than eight persons were killed on Saturday when gunmen attacked Abacheke community in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the assailants stormed a security checkpoint in the area and opened fire, resulting in multiple casualties.
According to the source, some security operatives were among those killed in the attack.
The gunmen were also said to have set about six houses ablaze during the raid, throwing the community into panic.
“They killed about eight people, including a security man. The attack was targeted at a checkpoint. It was like a war. They shot for some time and set about six houses ablaze,” the source said.
“There is serious tension and fear in the community. Some residents have fled the area for fear of another attack,” the source added.
As of the time of filing this report, it was unclear whether the attack was linked to the sit-at-home declared by pro-Biafra groups to mark Biafra Day or if the gunmen were carrying out a different mission.
VANGUARD
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Otti, Abaribe, others emerge consensus candidates in LP Primaries
History has repeated itself for Abia State’s Governor Alex Otti, who just as it happened in 2023, has emerged the Governorship Candidate for the Labour Party (LP) for the 2027 elections.
Otti won his mandate by consensus from the governorship primaries carried out throughout Abia State on Saturday.
Other notable victors from the primaries by consensus arrangement included Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, former Senate Minority Leader, who recently defected to the party and won the LP ticket for Abia South, as well Senator Darlington Nwokocha (Abia Central) and David Ogba (Abia North).
All candidates for the State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives emerged through the consensus arrangement.
In his acceptance speech, Gov. Otti commended the party’s electoral and primary election committees for conducting a peaceful and credible primary election across the state.
The Governor said that no adverse reports were received from any part of the state, describing the process as orderly and transparent.
He also lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election observers and members of the monitoring teams for overseeing the exercise.
The Governor congratulated all candidates who emerged from the primaries and formally accepted his nomination on behalf of the party.
According to him, the successful conduct of the primaries demonstrated the party’s capacity to manage internal processes without rancour or violence.
Otti attributed the peaceful outcome to the efforts of party leaders who worked in the weeks leading to the exercise to resolve disagreements and build consensus across constituencies.
He urged the candidates not to regard their emergence as the end of the political process but as the beginning of the task of engaging voters ahead of the general election.
Otti expressed confidence in the party’s prospects, noting that participation in the primaries reflected growing grassroots support and enthusiasm among members across the state.
The party conducted primary elections in which members in all the political wards of the state overwhelmingly endorsed the consensus candidates.
Announcing the results on Saturday in Umuahia, the Returning Officer for the LP primary elections in Abia, Mrs. Oluchi Opara, affirmed that the exercise was conducted through a direct primary across the state’s political wards.
Opara, who is also the party’s Electoral Committee Chairman, stated that the primary election was held in substantial compliance with the provisions of the Labour Party Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and the Labour Party Electoral Guidelines 2026.
According to her, upon the conclusion of voting and the collation of results from the various local government areas, the committee duly compiled and authenticated the outcome of the exercise in accordance with the party’s guidelines and applicable electoral laws.
LP National Secretary, Chief Acho Obioma, said that the party’s primary election was successfully conducted across the wards in the state, with widespread participation by members.
Obioma described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, noting that no incidents were recorded during the conduct of the election.
He commended party members for their conduct and praised electoral officials for effectively discharging their responsibilities at the ward level.
According to him, the successful completion of the primary marked the beginning of the party’s next phase of political engagement and expansion.
The Candidates for State House of Assembly for Ikwuano State Constituency- Boniface Isienyi, Bende South State Constituency- Chinedu Okorie, Arochukwu State Constituency- Uchenna Okoro,Bende North State Constituency-Nnamdi Ibekwe, Isiala Ngwa North State Constituency- Ugochukwu Iheonunekwu.
In Isiala Ngwa South State Constituency, Roland Chinwendu, Isiukwato State Constituency-Lucky Nweke, Obingwa West State Constituency- Mrs Victoria Onwubiko, Ohafia South State constituency- Kalu Nwoke, Obingwa East State Constituency-Kelechi Ebere, and Ohafia North State Constituency-Mkpa Uka.
In Osisioma North State Constituency,Iheanacho Nwogu, Osisioma South State Constituency- Fyne Ahuama, Ugwunagbo State Constituency- Chijioke Uruakpa, Ukwa East State Constituency Louis Obiani, Ukwa West State Constituency- Chiemeka Akukanna.
In Umahia Central State Constituency- Chinasa Anthony ,Umuahia East State Constituency-Augustine Mmerigini, Umuahia North State Constituency- Kelechi Akaliro, Umuahia South State Constituency-Emeka Obioma, and Umunneochi State constituency- Marthias Ume.
In Aba Central State constituency-Stephen Ucheonye, Aba North State Constituency- Ms Ijeoma Ehuchie, and Aba South State constituency, Emmanuel Emeruwa.
The House of Representatives include Aba North and South- Alex Ikwecheghe, Ikwuano/ Umuahia Federal Constituency- Aguocha Obinna, Arochukwu Ohafia- Chief Okwara Osonwa, Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency- Chief Ginger Onwusibe.
Others are: Isiukwuato/ Umunneochi Federal Constituency -Amaobi Ogah, Obingwa /Osisioma/ Ugwunagbo Federal Constituency – Wambu Chiemela, Bende Federal Constituency-Choma Anyaso, and Ukwa East/ Ukwa West-Adinigwe Ugochukwu.
The event featured the presentation of certificates of return to the Governor and other candidates of the party.
NAN
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What Gov Alex Otti Said On Winning Labour Party Ticket
Yesterday, the Labour Party in Abia State successfully conducted its primary elections for the 2027 Governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly positions. I am humbled to have emerged as the Governorship candidate with 368,230 votes.
I sincerely thank the Labour Party Election Primary Committee, INEC officials led by the Abia State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sylvia Agu, and our party leaders for ensuring a peaceful, transparent and rancour-free process. I also congratulate all our candidates who emerged across the State.
This marks the beginning of the real work ahead. Being chosen as candidates means we must now contend, campaign and convince the people. Election is about service and responsibility, and at the end of the day only the best will win.
I urge all our candidates and supporters to reach out to Abians everywhere, both within and outside the party, so that together we can build a stronger Labour Party and deliver greater progress for our State and Nigeria.
On a solemn note, I regret to announce the passing of the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, AIG Kanayo Uzuegbu. He was a good man and his loss is deeply felt. May his soul rest in peace.
With unity, discipline and commitment, we will consolidate on our achievements and continue to serve Ndị Abia with integrity.
Alex Chioma Otti
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Don’t Cry, Trust Us, Makinde Tells Citizens As National Security Adviser Ribadu Lead Igp Disu, Gbajabiamila, Defence Minister To Oyo Over School Abductions
The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu; the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa; and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday visited Ogbomoso, Oyo State, to meet with community leaders and families of teachers, students and pupils abducted from schools in the area.
The visit followed the abduction of teachers and pupils from Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School in Oriire Local Government Area on May 15, 2026.
During the visit, the Federal Government delegation met with community leaders and relatives of the victims as efforts continue to secure the release of those still being held captive.
The high-level visit comes amid growing public concern over the incident, which has sparked protests and renewed calls for stronger security measures to protect schools and rural communities across Oyo State.
Also on Saturday, Governor Seyi Makinde visited Ogbomoso and reassured residents that his administration would continue to deploy every available effort to secure the safe return of the abducted teachers and pupils.
Addressing members of the community, the Governor appealed for patience, understanding and cooperation, urging residents not to apportion blame to either the federal or state government but to unite behind efforts to rescue the victims.
Makinde sympathised with the affected families and the wider community, describing the incident as unprecedented, particularly because it involved the abduction of underage children.
He said he shared in the pain and grief of the victims’ families, adding that regardless of any grievances the abductors might claim to have, their actions remained cruel, unacceptable and inhumane.
The Governor also recalled the sacrifices made by operatives of the Western Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, some of whom have lost their lives while tackling security challenges across the state.
He disclosed that since the abduction occurred, he had been holding security meetings twice daily and working closely with relevant security agencies to facilitate the safe return of the victims.
Makinde further commended security commanders for their dedication and commitment to protecting lives and property in the state and called on residents to continue praying for the success of ongoing rescue efforts.
The Governor said: “Don’t cry. I have come here today because of you. You installed this government. I want to let you know that this government is responsible to you. By the grace of God and your cooperation, we will bring back our children and the teachers.
“Please, I want you to cooperate with us because we are doing everything humanly possible to get our children and teachers back.
“This is not the time to start trading blame on who should be responsible for the release of these children between the state and federal government. This is just the time to come together to rescue our children and their teachers.
“I feel your pain but have trust in us.”
The abduction occurred on May 15 when gunmen stormed Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota Community Grammar School and L.A. Primary School in Esiele, Oriire Local Government Area, and kidnapped 45 pupils and teachers.
Days later, one of the abducted teachers, reportedly a Mathematics teacher, was said to have been killed by the attackers.
The incident drew widespread condemnation, with both Governor Makinde and President Bola Tinubu promising swift action to rescue the victims and bring the perpetrators to justice.
However, with many of the abductees still in captivity more than two weeks after the attack, anxiety has continued to grow across Oyo State and beyond.
The mounting frustration culminated in a peaceful protest last Monday in Ogbomoso, where teachers suspended classroom activities and marched to the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) office to demand urgent government intervention.
Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on authorities at all levels to intensify efforts to secure the release of the abducted pupils and teachers.
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ZLP Presidential Candidate Dan Nwanyanwu Vows: I’ll Show No Mercy To Agents Of Corruption, Insecurity
Former National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) and also the Zenith Labour Party, Dr. Dan Nwanyanwu, emerged the consensus Presidential Candidate of ZLP, pledging to prioritise national unity, address insecurity and tackle corruption if elected President in the 2027 general elections.
Nwanyanwu emerged the consensus candidate at the party’s National Convention on Saturday in Abuja, and in his acceptance speech vowed to show no leniency to agents behind terrorism and insecurity.
“I will eliminate them without mercy; those arrested will be prosecuted swiftly; their collaborators, enablers and facilitators will be equally prosecuted and punished,” he promised.
Accepting his election, the former National President of bank workers union (NUBIFIE) said: “I want to thank you for this opportunity and I want to assure you that I will make use of this mandate.
“There are few things I will give immortal priority when I emerge president of Nigeria; the first is national unity; Nigerian’s unity has suffered setbacks over the years and our diversity which should be a source of strength has been mismanaged.
“Ethnicity and religious consciousness has deepened to the point of threatening the corporate existence of our country.
“My government will take it as a matter of national emergency to take steps to unite Nigerians by promoting inclusive government, restoration of citizens’ rights and setting up building block across the regions.
“Insecurity has deteriorated. If I am given the mandate by the Nigerian people to become president, I will immediately equip and direct all security agencies to smoke out all insurgents across Nigeria.
“I will eliminate them without mercy; those arrested will be prosecuted swiftly; their collaborators, enablers and facilitators will be equally prosecuted and punished,” he said.
He said that every existing modern technology required to address insecurity in the country would be acquired and fully developed.
Nwanyanwu said that he would send an executive bill to the National Assembly to establish state and community policing to further ensure security of the people.
The Presidential Candidate said that corruption under any guise would not be tolerated or shielded under his administration, as perpetrators would be decisively dealt with.
According to him, individuals and groups with unexplainable affluence would be thoroughly investigated and sanctioned.