From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) said the commission is over 90 per cent set for the forthcoming Sept. 26 Local Government Council Elections in Enugu State.

ENSIEC had scheduled elections into 17 Chairmanship and 260 Councillorship positions in the state.

The Executive Chairman of ENSIEC, Prof.

Christian Ngwu, disclosed this on Monday in Enugu.

Ngwu noted that the commission was already putting finishing touches on every other arrangement and training ahead of the polls.

 “It is only a few things remaining and we are finalising and putting finishing touches on them,” he said.

The chairman said that the commission had trained the trainers of the ad hoc staff, already advertised for the ad hoc staff, while their training would be coming in a few days.

He said that “almost all materials for the elections are ready”.

Ngwu noted that the “non-sensitive materials will be leaving ENSIEC headquarters in Enugu last Thursday, Sept. 17, to council headquarters”.

According to him, the sensitive materials will be received and kept in a safe place for now.

 “We will soon conclude arrangements with transport unions/companies to ensure adequate logistics facilities.

 “The commission is already having a fruitful conclusion of security arrangements with security agencies in the state with the Nigeria Police as lead agency,” he said.

Ngwu said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would soon avail ENSIEC the authentic voters register of the state to work it.

 “I am calling on residents of Enugu State to troop out en masse to cast their votes for their preferred candidates without fear or fear.

 “ENSIEC will continue to provide a level playing field for all candidates in the elections.

 “The commission will provide a conducive and secure environment as well as ensure a peaceful, hitch-free, transparent and credible elections come Sept. 26 in the state,” he said.

He said that the commission had pasted notice of election in local government areas, which contained awareness on how to vote correctly and positive behavioural conduct expected during and after casting one’s vote.

It would be recalled that candidates from 11 political parties would be participating in the polls.

ENSIEC had two weeks ago concluded a train-the-trainer workshop for its officials, which included: 17 Electoral Officers (EOs) for each of the 17 council areas, 17 Assistant Electoral Officers, seven directors, five commissioners and an administrative secretary.

By Tambaya Julius, Abuja

The Association of South-East Igbo Winds has thrown its weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC), promising aggressive grassroots mobilisation across the 11 electoral wards of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group made its position known during an engagement with the APC candidate for Karu/Gitata Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, Dr.

Abraham Habu Ekpo, on Saturday in Mararaba, where members described him as a credible, dependable and people-oriented politician capable of providing effective representation.

The association said Ekpo’s character, credibility and direct engagement with residents had strengthened its confidence in his candidacy, declaring its readiness to mobilise support for him and other APC candidates across the council.

Speaking during the engagement, Ekpo thanked the group for its support and commitment to the APC, saying his decision to contest on the party’s platform was informed by his belief in its progressive ideals and development-oriented agenda.

“Progress is about propelling growth, bringing development, advancing the cause of humanity and giving it dignity. That is why we are part of the progressives,” he said.

Ekpo said his ambition was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Karu and promote policies that would place the people at the centre of governance.

“My ambition was driven by a desire to contribute to the development of Karu and promote a government that places people at the centre of its policies,” he said.

The candidate also promised to pursue greater inclusion for residents who have lived, worked and contributed to the economic growth of Karu, irrespective of their states of origin.

According to him, people who make meaningful contributions to the development of a community deserve a sense of belonging and should not be treated as outsiders.

He said inclusion would form a key part of his legislative agenda if elected into the Nasarawa State House of Assembly in 2027.

Ekpo further canvassed support for the APC, arguing that the Nasarawa State Government under the party had recorded achievements in infrastructure, road construction and peace-building across the state.

He cited the ongoing flyover project in Mararaba among projects he said the APC could showcase to voters as evidence of its development agenda.

The APC candidate also stressed the importance of sustaining relative peace in the state, saying a peaceful environment was necessary for economic growth, investment and meaningful development.

He urged residents of Karu to support the APC and its candidates in the 2027 elections.

Members of the Igbo association expressed confidence in Ekpo, describing him as a politician whose character, credibility and dependability had earned their trust.

They commended him for engaging directly with the members, saying the interaction had further strengthened their resolve to support his political ambition.

The group declared that its commitment would extend beyond verbal support, promising coordinated mobilisation across the 11 electoral wards of Karu.

“In all these 11 wards, we are prepared and ready to follow the APC. We are ready to support you and all other candidates going forward,” the members declared.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has listed 33 candidates to contest the three senatorial seats in Kaduna State in the January 2027 National Assembly elections.

The list includes former Kaduna State Governor, Mukhtar Yero; former Senator Shehu Sani; incumbent Senator Lawal Usman and serving Senator Sunday Katung.

The final list signed by the Secretary to the Commission, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, showed that 12 candidates would contest the Kaduna North Senatorial District, 13 for Kaduna Central and eight for Kaduna South.

The candidates are drawn from various political parties.

In Kaduna North, Yero of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is listed to contest against incumbent Senator Khalid of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Yero, who served as governor of the state, is seeking a return to elective office through the Senate.

In Kaduna Central, former Senator Shehu Sani of the APC is challenging incumbent Senator Lawal Usman of the ADC.

Sani previously represented the district in the Senate, while Usman is seeking re-election.

Other candidates listed for Kaduna Central are Badamasi Hafsat of the Action Democratic Party (ADP), Usman Lawal of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Jatau  Suleiman of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), and Ibrahim Sani of the National Democratic Party (NDP).

Others are Bala Joji of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Adamu Haruna of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Ibrahim Usman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Suleiman Babangida of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) and Salisu Suleiman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

In Kaduna South, incumbent Senator Katung of the APC is seeking re-election against candidates including Godfrey Gaiya of the ADC, Abel Solomon of the ADP and Sa’ad Abubakar of the APM.

Others are Dauda Philibus of the NNPP, Gumbari Mataimaki of the PDP, Laura Lucas of the SDP and Adeyemi Adebowale Abdulzeez of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

The final list contains the names of candidates, their political parties, ages, genders and listed qualifications.

The publication of the list formally identifies the candidates cleared by INEC to contest the Kaduna North, Kaduna Central and Kaduna South senatorial elections scheduled for January 2027.(NAN)