Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo has rallied support for Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for the Anambra South Senatorial by-election on Saturday.

Soludo, his Deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim; and other APGA chieftains rallied support for Nwachukwu at political rallies held in Nnewi and Aguata Local Government Headquarters respectively.

He also urged all eligible voters to come out in large numbers to participate in the exercise.

“Chief Emmanuel Nwachukwu of APGA, embodies the qualities we need in leadership. He is deeply rooted in community values and development.

“Nnewi South and Ihiala have not produced a Senator in the region before.

“Ukpor and Nnewi South supported the late Ifeanyi Ubah when he was contesting, it is now time to support Nnewi South.

“Show me support by voting massively for Chief Nwachukwu.

“The late Ifeanyi Ubah was elected on the platform of YPP- a faction of APGA in 2019. Today, APGA has come back as one united family to reclaim their place”, the governor said.

Soludo also said that the party stands for a transparent, open, and credible electoral process in the forthcoming election.

He described APGA as a people’s movement and called on the people to vote and ensure that their votes count.

Also speaking, Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, state Chairman of APGA, called for unity among the people of Nnewi North and Aguata to ensure a successful campaign and eventual victory.

Speaking on behalf of the community, Dr Chibueze Oforbuike, Chairman, Aguata LGA, reaffirmed commitment of the people to deliver 100 per cent support for APGA in the Aug. 16 senatorial by-election.

In his remarks, Nwachukwu expressed gratitude to the party chieftains and the people, pledging to prioritise their needs if elected.

A minute of silence was observed in honour of the late Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah at the rally.

By David Torough, Abuja

The people of Gwer-East and Gwer West Federal Constituency have expressed joy over the appointment of Professor Eugene Alyegba as the Federal Commissioner of the Federal Character Commission (FCC) representing Benue State.

In a congratulatory message, Professor Uji Wilfred Terlumun of the Department of History and International Studies, Federal University of Lafia, described the appointment as a monumental milestone in the political history of Benue State and the constituency.

He noted that the people are proud to celebrate and felicitate with Prof. Alyegba, acknowledging his achievements and potential to deliver quality service.

Professor Uji also extended profound gratitude to Senator George Akume, Leader of the All Progressives Congress in the North Central, Governor Hyacinth Alia, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding Prof. Alyegba worthy of the appointment.

He prayed for God’s blessings and protection upon Prof. Alyegba as he takes on the new responsibility, urging him to uphold the trust reposed in him for the benefit of Nigeria and Benue State in particular.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja

A former Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Jackson Lekan Ojo, has dispelled speculations that there is a peace deal between Rivers State Governor Simi Fubara and FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.Jackson Ojo declared on Sunday that instead of a peace accord, what is presently on ground is akin to a political surrender agreement that will render the governor totally impotent politically.

According to him, all items on the agreement are one sided in favour of Wike who was on the negotiation table with his team whereas Governor Fubara was there without any supporter. He declared that Governor Fubara was overwhelmed and tired of the whole issue and simply surrendered to Wike.”I wonder why some people say there was a peace accord between Governor Simi Fubara and Nyesom Wike. There was never a peace accord between Wike and Simi. What we saw was Simi surrendered. “When you are talking about peace accord, let me go this way. Two communities are fighting and people say we want to settle it. What do you expect. You expect the King and the Council of Chiefs from community A and the King and Council of Chiefs from community B, they will talk and arrive at conclusion. “They will now work on that conclusion when they must have struck a balance.”But what happened between these people (Wike and Fubara)? It was Wike and his people. Fubara went there alone without any of his supporters. At the end of the day what happened?”Part of the condition is that out of 23 local government Chairmen we are going to select all 23; the already had members of the State House of Assembly, the Chief of Staff to the Governor could no longer come closer to the government again, your Secretary to the State Government can no longer come to the government again, there are some selected local government Chairmen that must not come to the government again. At the end of the day somebody agreed that you not run for another election again. They say that is a peace accord.”When they finished it they went to Mr President in the Villa for Mr President to affirm it. Is that a peace accord? That was not a peace accord.”I think Simi was tired of it and he surrendered without the consent of the people.”He chided Governor Simi for succumbing to all the demands of Wike, including the unceremonious dissolution of his grassroot support team, the Simplified Movement.”At the end of the day when they returned what did Simi say? He gathered his Simplified Movement and discouraged them. Those that printed solidarity caps, and other materials for 2027 he warned them that he didn’t send anybody.”Again, he dissolved the Simplified Movement, his political movement whereas the Zikist Movement of the early 1960s is still alive. The Awoist is still alive; the Ahmadu Bello is still alive; the People’s Redemption Movement is still alive. What are we talking about?”Wike’s Grassroot Movement is still alive but you went and dissolved your own movement. Today Governor Simi does not have any alternative political platform. “Today if he comes back he may not have any commissioner nominated by him, he might not have a single councillor loyal to him, today if he comes back he won’t have a single member of the State House of Assembly loyal to him.”Is that what you call peace accord? No.”Somebody has submitted to superior political firepower. “If a sitting governor was conquered with all the paraphernalia of office, with all the economic power, with all the financial and political muscles, and other things; if somebody outside the power in the State is able to suppress the governor who is there to challenge that authority?”It will remain like that till thy kingdom comes. That is my prediction.”