Category: Politics and Governance

Nigeria @ 65: Ngwu urges Nigerians to support ongoing President Tinubu’s economic rejigging

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Hycienth Ngwu, has called on Nigerians to support ongoing economy rejigging through President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Ngwu, a former South-East Publicity Secretary of the APC, made the call in his 65th Years of Independence Congratulatory Message issued to newsmen in Enugu on Monday.

He said that Nigerians “have every reason to celebrate our 65th Independence anniversary as once adverse conditions are turning around for the better”.

According to him, as we prepare to celebrate 65th years of Independence as a Nation, Nigerians should support the ongoing rejigging of our economy that has positioned the economy to a sustainable growth trajectory.

“For the first time at 4.2 per cent, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is growing above the population growth.

“This growth, if supported and encouraged, will result in a significant drop in our poverty incidence.

:Also, recently, we are beginning to see significant improvements in the industrial production index, which stood at 196.13 as at 2024; and the purchasing manager’s index, which was 51.4 points as at last measure.

“These are indications of expansion in economic activities in the industrial sector,” he said.

The APC Chieftain hailed President Tinubu’s stride in the consecutive decline in food inflation rate in the country.

Ngwu said that the consecutive decline in food inflation rate remained a clear testament and an indication of improvements in family welfare in the country.

“The establishment of education loan funds for students is easing the financial burden on parents and guardians.

“The financial autonomy for the local governments and increase in Federal funds allocation to them and states have caused significant improvements in sub-national infrastructures and developments.

“The creation of additional zonal or regional development commissions has also deepened democracy and even development across regions,” he added.

Nigeria @ 65: President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is working – Dr Nwoye

The Leader of the Progressives Group, Dr Ben Nwoye, says President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is working and touching all sectors of the country.

Nwoye, who was the immediate past Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State, disclosed this to newsmen while speaking and reflecting on Nigeria at 65 in Enugu on Monday.

He noted that Tinubu had done well in stabilising the economy after about a decade; thus, ensured a progressive GDP growth within various quarters of years since he assumed office.

Nwoye noted that the President’s solid security and community relationship architecture had led to the decline in crude oil theft, crude oil production disruption and increased crude oil production.

He also applauded the current administration for continuous decline on food inflation, which was previously “a national headache”.

According to him, these evidence-based achievements are an indication that the reforms put in place by President Bola Tinubu are working.

He said, “Rome was not built in a day. So, Nigeria will not be built in a day.

“The positive impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda is touching all sectors.

“So, I am not surprised to see positive changes in oil production and other productive activities of Nigerians and collectively as a nation. President Tinubu is working.”

Nwoye noted that within Tinubu’s administration; sub-nationals (states within the federation) had received more funds to push their various states” developmental goals and capital projects.

He said, “So, the economic rebound is being witnessed within the states as state governors use additional resources to tackle under development and poverty within their states.

“In Enugu State, Gov. Peter Mbah achievements in barely two years and some months speak volume on infrastructural change, additional resources and strict management of internally generated resources can do for a state.”

On the 65^th anniversary, the leader of the progressives said that “Nigerians are celebrating one united and indivisible country.

“We are celebrating the freedom our forefathers bequeath to us,” he added.

Ngwu urges politicians to stop heating up political environment, distracting President Tinubu

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Hycienth Ngwu, has urged politicians to stop heating the political environment and distracting focused President Bola Tinubu.

Ngwu, a former South-East Publicity Secretary of the APC, gave the warning while speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Tuesday on the current sterling performance of Tinubu

According to him, recent events have proven that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu understands very well, not only Nigeria’s political landscape, but its economic terrain.

“His prompt stoppage of subsidy has resulted in much money being made available to all tiers of government.

“And the effects have been seen in numerous infrastructure development, human empowerment and many other transformations being witnessed throughout the nation in recent times.

“For the first time in decades, our economy is growing at more than 4 per cent in Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“The Naira has consistently been gaining value against Dollars and other foreign exchanges,” he said.

The APC chieftain noted that the troubling food inflation in the country is on a continuous decline in recent times.

“These are testaments that the economy is stabilising,” he added.

He noted that Tinubu in his wisdom and understanding of the political terrain had restored peaceful democracy and civilian rule in Rivers as well as carefully reuniting all political differences in the state.

“Gov. Simi Fubara of Rivers State resuming office after six months of suspension stated that the timely intervention by the President to declare a state of emergency in his state was a saving grace for democracy in the state.

“So, one wonders why the hue and cry over and above the bereaved by opposition politicians.

“Our political class, rather than condemn, should give kudos to the President for being proactive  and support him to achieve more for the overall interest of all Nigerians.

“Politicians should shun selfish interest and put first the interest of the masses, which the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is truly committed to achieving,” he added.

APC Founders  urge members to join hands in welcoming Gov. Mbah

The Founders of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State have urged party faithful and members to join hands in welcoming Gov. Peter Mbah into the ruling national party – APC.

This is contained in a statement issued on behalf of the foundation members of the party by the Spokesman of the APC Founders in Enugu State, Chief Hycienth Ngwu, on Saturday in Enugu.

Ngwu said that Enugu State, being the capital of the South-East and by extension South-South, should be connected to the centre as well as the mainstream national ruling party.

According to him, Enugu State APC stakeholders are encouraged to support the Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to join APC in the state.

Ngwu, a former South-East Publicity Secretary of the APC, said, “We, the founders of the party in the state, are tired of being in opposition.

“Today, every state in Nigeria is making moves to link up with the Federal Government.

“This is because, as politicians, we understand the importance of connecting with the center.

“We are interested in the larger cake, which can only be obtained from the national.”

The spokesman noted that Gov. Mbah’s coming into the party would galvanise APC and strengthen it to win elections.

He said that the founders had resolved that the party cannot afford to give President Bola Tinubu a paltry 4,772 votes again in the Presidential Election in the state.

“This can only be achieved when we have the state governor in our party.

“The entire membership of the party in the state should join hands to welcome Gov. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah to the party as a sure way to exit opposition in the state.

“We have journeyed for too long in the tunnel, and we can only see the light when the governor joins us.

“Let no member of the party in the state wish to keep us further in the tunnel,” he added.

Flowerbud News/ The political landscape of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency has taken a new turn with the formal defection of Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known as OmoBarca, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

The event, which drew a large crowd of party faithful, community leaders, and supporters, was held in Ajeromi-Ifelodun on Saturday, September 13, 2025.

The ceremony was graced by prominent national figures, including the National Secretary of the ADC, Hon. Rauf Aregbesola, and Hon. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the 2023 Lagos State governorship candidate.

Their presence underscored the significance of OmoBarca’s entry into the party and the party’s broader ambition to expand its influence in Lagos State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Speaking at the event, OmoBarca declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency.

He emphasized that his political aspiration is driven by a deep commitment to empowering the people of his constituency, improving grassroots development, and ensuring that federal representation translates into tangible benefits for 8his constituents.

“I am stepping into this race with the sole aim of empowering my people in Ajeromi-Ifelodun,” he stated.

“I want to see a constituency where youths have access to jobs and skills, women are supported in business, and children have better access to education. That is the kind of representation I intend to bring to Abuja.” he said.

In a candid remark, OmoBarca also appealed to political opponents to allow the will of the people to prevail at the polls, rather than resorting to post-election litigations. He stressed that his ambition is rooted in service and urged for fair competition.

“I want to win this election on the strength of the people’s support. I don’t want any contestant to drag me to court if I emerge victorious. Let us respect the mandate of the electorate and focus on building our communities together,” he said.

Hon. Rauf Aregbesola, while welcoming OmoBarca into the ADC family, described him as a grassroots politician with proven philanthropy and a track record of community service.

Aregbesola assured party members that OmoBarca’s entry would strengthen the ADC’s chances in Lagos State, particularly in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, which has long been a political stronghold of other major parties.

On his part, Hon. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour praised OmoBarca’s courage and consistency in advocating for community empowerment.

Rhodes-Vivour urged residents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun to rally behind the ADC candidate, adding that credible representation at the National Assembly is crucial for grassroots development.

The event also witnessed the formal inauguration of OmoBarca’s campaign team, with hundreds of supporters pledging loyalty to his candidacy.

The Party members described his move as a “game-changer” that could redefine electoral outcomes in the constituency.

As the 2027 general elections draw closer, political analysts suggest that OmoBarca’s entry into the ADC could introduce a fresh dimension to the political dynamics of Ajeromi-Ifelodun, where competition for the House of Representatives seat has traditionally been fierce.

With his popularity at the grassroots, combined with the backing of national party leaders, OmoBarca’s declaration sets the stage for an intriguing contest in one of Lagos State’s most politically vibrant constituencies.

Tinubu Upped Stakes On Good Governance, To Get 12-Million Votes From North – Okechukwu

 

The former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Mr Osita Okechukwu, says President Bola Tinubu has upped his stakes on provision of infrastructure meant for good governance guaranteeing his re-election.

 

Okechukwu said this on Monday while briefing members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) at Eke community in Enugu State on the meeting of the group with Tinubu recently.

 

According to him, President Tinubu is not former President Goodluck Jonathan; he has upped his ante (stake) aimed at addressing infrastructural deficit and provision of vital programmes.

 

“These programmes included commercial agricultural mechanisation, additional 2,000 megawatts of electricity supply, and construction of 4,000 houses in the next one year.

 

“There is additional vocational training education across the nooks and crannies of the country, which will on or before 2027 definitely come to fruition,” he said.

 

 

Okechukwu, a Foundation Member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), said that the CPC group resolved to support Tinubu and oblige him a huge chunk of Buhari’s 12 Million Vote-Bank in the forthcoming 2027 presidential election.

 

He said that the subsisting national consensus is the rotation of the President from North to South and vice versa, adding that politicians should remain in their political parties and fixed it to be progressive in nature.

 

“The truism is that the majority of Nigerians both partisan and non-partisan adopted the national consensus that the Presidency should rotate from the south to north and vice versa.

 

“This is the subsisting convention instituted in 1999 by patriots, a golden milestone of the 4th Republic for equity, justice and fairness,” he said.

 

Okechukwu noted that instead of adopting rotation convention consensus as a pragmatic model; some political parties are in an endless blame game, with intent to bury the immutable rotation convention, “glue which unites our polarised country”.

 

 

He said that the hypothesis of those political parties is dead on arrival, while reminding them that “it failed in 2023 and that it will fail again, because President Tinubu is not President Jonathan”.

 

“Tinubu will have a huge chunk of Buhari’s 12 Million Vote-Bank and similarly, the northern electorate they hinge their permutation on are one of the most sophisticated electorate in our dear country.

 

“Some political parties that bank on the northern electorates as if they are quartered in a dormitory for picks are mistaken.

 

“It is a mirage, because northern electorates are one of the most sophisticated electorates in our dear country,” he said.

ENSIEC releases timetable for election, fixes Sept. 26, 2026

 

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) has released the timetable for Local Government Election into 17 chairmanship and 260 councillorship positions in the state.

 

The Executive Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof. Christian Ngwu, while releasing the timetable on Thursday in Enugu, said that the local government election had been scheduled to hold on Sept. 26, 2026.

 

Ngwu noted that the timetable, which would be restrictly followed as it had been officially gazetted by the state government on Wednesday, had commenced with Publication of Notice of Election by ENSIEC on Aug. 20, 2025.

 

 

“The commission also set from Nov. 27, 2025 to Dec. 12, 2025, for political parties to submit information on the conduct of party primaries, specifying the time, venue and date.

 

“The timetable noted that from Jan. 23, 2026 to Feb. 19, 2026, party primaries will be held, including the resolution of disputes arising from the primaries and the observation of the process by ENSIEC.

 

“ENSIEC further disclosed that from March 25 to March 27, 2026, there will be screening of chairmanship candidates’ credentials at the ENSIEC Headquarters.

 

“The screening of chairmanship candidates’ credentials will follow an order, which will be Enugu North Zone – March 25; Enugu East Zone – March 26, and Enugu West Zone – March 27,” he said.

 

It said that the last day for submission of nomination forms ENSIEC-7 and ENSIEC-7A for Chairmanship and Councillorship Elections respectively, by political parties in accordance with Electoral Act 2022, would not be later than 180 days before the election.

Enugu South LG Chairman urges residents to participate actively in ongoing CVR

 

The Chairman of Enugu South Local Government Area, Dr Caleb Ani, has urged residents of the council area to participate actively in ongoing Continuous Voters Registration (CVR).

 

Ani made the appeal in a statement issued on his behalf by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Chief Sammie Agbo, in Enugu.

 

Ani said that the Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC) issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) remained “the most powerful instrument for influencing governance and safeguarding the people’s future”.

 

According to him, democracy begins with the CVR registration and collection of the PVC as both the people’s voice and their pathway to shaping a collective destiny.

 

“Your PVC is your power. The road to a better tomorrow begins with CVR registration,” he said.

 

Ani encouraged all eligible residents — especially first-time voters of 18 years, transfer, replacement of lost ones, and those yet-to-be captured in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) database — to seize this opportunity without delay.

 

“INEC registration is ongoing here in Enugu South Local Government secretariat from Mondays to Fridays, between 9a.m. and 3p.m. daily. The process remains free of charge,” he said.

 

He called on community leaders, youth groups, women’s organizations and civil society groups to intensify grassroots sensitisation campaigns to encourage massive participation.

 

“Democracy thrives when people participate, and your vote is the key to transformative change,” he said.

 

With this mobilization drive, the council leadership is reinforcing its commitment to inclusive governance that ensures that every citizen contributes to the deepening of democracy in Nigeria.