AWKA — Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has been declared winner of the Anambra State governorship election held on November 8, securing a second term with a commanding margin.
The announcement was made on Sunday by the State Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, Prof. Edogah Omoregie, at the INEC headquarters in Awka.
Soludo polled 422,664 votes, dwarfing his closest challenger, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 99,445 votes.
Other candidates trailed far behind:
Paul Chukwuma (YPP) – 37,753 votes
George Moghalu (Labour Party) – 10,576 votes
John Nwosu (ADC) – 8,208 votes
Election Statistics:
Total registered voters: 2,788,864
Total accredited voters: 598,229
Total valid votes: 584,054
Rejected votes: 11,244
INEC confirmed that results from 99.4% of polling units had been uploaded to the IReV portal prior to the final declaration, reinforcing transparency in the process.
Soludo’s victory solidifies APGA’s dominance in Anambra, a state the party has governed since 2006. The win also reflects strong voter endorsement of the governor’s infrastructure drive, urban renewal projects in Awka and Onitsha, and education reforms—despite criticisms over security and youth unemployment.
Political analysts say the fragmented opposition—split across APC, YPP, LP, and ADC—failed to mount a unified challenge, paving the way for Soludo’s landslide.
No major incidents of violence were reported during the election, with security agencies and INEC commended for a largely peaceful and credible exercise.
Soludo is expected to be sworn in for his second term in March 2026.
Urge National Unity Amid U.S. Warnings on Christian Persecution
KANO — Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), commonly known as the Shi’ite sect, staged a peaceful street protest in Kano on Saturday, denouncing U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent threats of military intervention over alleged failures to protect Christians from violence.
The demonstration, which unfolded without incident and in coordination with local police, drew hundreds marching through key thoroughfares with placards decrying the remarks as “propaganda aimed at igniting religious strife.” Protesters dragged effigies of Trump and symbolically trailed a U.S. flag along the ground, while chanting for interfaith solidarity.
IMN spokesperson Abdullahi Danladi branded Trump’s statements “baseless, incendiary, and perilously divisive,” accusing Western interests of exploiting Nigeria’s security woes to fracture communal bonds. “Our nation’s true afflictions stem from graft, inept leadership, and elite avarice—not faith-based animosities,” he asserted. Demonstrators echoed calls for Muslims and Christians to unite against these root causes.
Trump’s rhetoric escalated late last month when he designated Nigeria a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious freedom violations and directed the Pentagon—rechristened the “Department of War” under his administration—to prepare “fast and vicious” strikes against Islamist militants blamed for targeting Christians.
In a Truth Social post, he decried an “existential threat” to Christianity, vowing action if Abuja does not act swiftly, while threatening to halt all U.S. aid.
The threats have ignited a firestorm of backlash. Nigerian officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have rejected claims of a “Christian genocide” as oversimplifications, emphasizing that Boko Haram and bandit groups assail civilians indiscriminately—Muslims and Christians alike—in resource-scarce regions like the northeast and northwest.
Regional bodies such as ECOWAS and the African Union have cautioned Washington against meddling in sovereign affairs, while social media erupts with condemnations from across the spectrum.
Unlike prior IMN marches that devolved into confrontations with security forces, Saturday’s event proceeded harmoniously, signaling a maturing dynamic between the group and authorities. Political and religious figures, typically divided, have coalesced in repudiation, framing the U.S. posture as a sovereignty affront.
Yet the rally prompts uncomfortable queries: If Trump’s ire targets solely terror networks and safeguards for worship sites—irrespective of creed—why the visceral disquiet among protesters?
Ought Nigerians not embrace external bolstering against marauders who slaughter without prejudice? What stakes do opponents hold if impunity ends and bloodshed abates? And what precise grievances fuel their dissent—fears of neocolonial overreach, or something more parochial?
The Kano action spotlights the north’s acute wariness toward external critiques of its internal frictions, where faith and identity intertwine with insurgency and poverty. As public ire mounts—mirrored in viral X posts questioning the protests’ optics—analysts eye whether this unified front will temper Trump’s belligerence or embolden further escalations.
No official response has emerged from Kano or federal authorities, leaving open the prospect of copycat rallies elsewhere. In a nation weary of violence that claimed thousands this year alone, the episode lays bare the tightrope between global advocacy and domestic resilience.
KANO — In a significant boost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, former Ungoggo Local Government Chairman Hon. Sule Musa Kadawa has defected from the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), bringing over 2,000 supporters in tow during a vibrant rally on Saturday.
The high-energy event in Ungoggo drew throngs of residents, community elders, and APC loyalists, transforming into a festive gathering under the watchful eye of Alhaji Abdussalam Abdulkarim Zaura—widely known as A.A. Zaura—whose influence was credited for the mass crossover.
Kadawa, a seasoned grassroots operator, cited Zaura’s “exemplary leadership, generosity, and unwavering community support” as the catalyst for the shift. “Zaura’s integrity and tangible aid to our people convinced me to join forces with him,” he told the crowd.
Pledging full commitment, Kadawa vowed to rally APC ranks in Ungoggo and beyond Kano State, aiming to solidify the party’s grip ahead of the 2027 polls. “We stand united with every APC member here and statewide,” he declared.
The influx underscores Zaura’s ascent as a kingmaker in Kano Central Senatorial District, where he ran as the APC’s candidate in 2023. His portfolio of empowerment programs—from skills training to health outreach—has cemented his status among the party’s heavyweights.
APC insiders hailed the defections as a tactical win, amplifying the party’s consolidation efforts in a district long contested by opposition forces. Analysts warn that the PDP and NNPP’s eroding flanks could intensify Kano’s electoral battles, with Zaura emerging as a pivotal APC strategist.
ABUJA — The House of Representatives on Thursday inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate all security intervention funds disbursed by the Federal Government from 2020 to date, citing persistent insecurity despite substantial allocations.
Hon. Zakaria Nyampa, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on Expenditure of All Intervention Funds in the Security Sector, said the probe is driven by the “glaring disconnect” between budgetary outlays and on-ground realities.
“This is not a witch-hunt,” Nyampa stressed during the committee’s launch at the National Assembly. “Our duty is to verify that every kobo released for security serves its sacred purpose: safeguarding Nigerian lives and property.”
The inquiry will scrutinise special intervention funds, procurement contracts, and expenditure patterns across the armed forces, police, Office of the National Security Adviser, and other agencies. Effectiveness in curbing banditry, insurgency, and other threats will also be assessed.
Nyampa pledged collaboration with the Ministry of Finance, Budget Office, EFCC, ICPC, and civil society groups including BudgIT, CISLAC, and SERAP to ensure transparency.
“Diverted security funds cost more than money—they cost lives,” he warned. “Our findings will drive reforms and restore public confidence.”
Speaker Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, represented by Deputy Chief Whip Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka, hailed the initiative as proof of the House’s “unwavering commitment to accountable governance.” He urged the committee to uphold fairness, diligence, and legislative integrity.
The probe comes amid renewed scrutiny of Nigeria’s security spending, with lawmakers under pressure to address escalating violence in the North-West, North-East, and other regions.
LAGOS — Festus Keyamo, SAN, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, on Saturday unveiled a dry-lease Boeing 737-NG aircraft for Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA1) apron in Lagos, marking the first such arrival in Nigeria in recent years.
The event also served as the platform for Keyamo to announce that the Federal Government is finalising arrangements to establish a Nigerian Aircraft Leasing Company (NALC), a long-stalled initiative intended to streamline aircraft acquisition for domestic carriers.
Accompanied by NCAA Director-General Capt. Chris Najomo, FAAN Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and other sector leaders, Keyamo praised Air Peace for its “patriotic commitment” to expanding Nigeria’s aviation footprint. The statement was issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood.
Air Peace Chairman Dr. Allen Onyema lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Keyamo for prioritising indigenous operators. “The Minister is not looking for personal gain but for Nigerian aviation to lead Africa,” Onyema said. “The Federal Government now guarantees the business of today.”
The aircraft was sourced from AerCap, the world’s largest lessor. Keyamo described the partnership as evidence of restored global confidence in Nigeria’s regulatory framework, citing the implementation of the Irrevocable De-registration and Export Request Authorisation (IDERA) protocol and related court guidelines.
“We went straight to AerCap because we aimed high,” Keyamo told attendees, which included Irish Ambassador H.E. Peter Ryan, Fidelity Bank Managing Director Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, AerCap Vice-President Dr. Kenneth Okpara, and Boeing Africa Sales Director Gad Wavomba.
In a significant policy update, the minister revealed that late-night talks the previous day with Finance Minister Wale Edun and investors from Dubai and Dublin had produced a viable roadmap for NALC.
“This has been on the aviation agenda for 15 years,” Keyamo said. “Under the model, government and airlines will co-capitalise the entity. Nigeria will negotiate directly with global lessors, backed by sovereign guarantees and private investment, so individual carriers no longer face isolated financing hurdles.”
The dry-lease arrangement with Air Peace—under which the airline handles crew, maintenance, and insurance—exemplifies the operational flexibility the planned leasing company seeks to institutionalise nationwide.
Industry observers note that easier access to modern fleets could help Nigerian carriers compete with foreign operators on lucrative international routes while curbing capital flight associated with overseas leasing deals.
The unveiling aligns with the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda for aviation, which emphasises legislative reform, infrastructure upgrade, and private-sector confidence to position Nigeria as West Africa’s aviation hub.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adejare Adeboye, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action against terrorists and their sponsors, giving the nation’s service chiefs a 90-day ultimatum to end insecurity or resign.
Speaking during the monthly Holy Ghost Service at the Redemption City on Saturday, Adeboye said Nigerians can no longer afford to live in fear while innocent people continue to die at the hands of terrorists.
“The President must ensure that the terrorists and their sponsors are completely cleared out,” Pastor Adeboye declared. “Innocent people are dying daily; this is not the time for delay.”
The cleric also urged President Tinubu to explore diplomatic engagement with U.S. President Donald Trump, seeking 100 days to completely eliminate terrorist organisations operating within Nigeria.
Pastor Adeboye warned that if the United States were ever to attack Nigeria, global powers like China, Russia, and Britain would likely issue statements without taking any tangible action. He therefore advised the President to act swiftly, wisely, and diplomatically to secure the country.
Expressing concern over what he described as misinformation reaching the President, Adeboye said, “I almost spoke last week when I heard my in-law’s speech claiming that displaced people had returned to their villages. I almost said that the person who wrote that speech does not like him. Somebody wrote it, but the President read it. There are people around him who are not telling him the truth.”
While acknowledging that President Tinubu inherited Nigeria’s security challenges, Adeboye insisted that his administration must provide lasting solutions rather than excuses.
“This is not the time for apportioning blame,” he said. “The government should diplomatically appeal to President Trump to give Nigeria 100 days to solve the problem, while directing the service chiefs to clear the terrorists within three months.”
Pastor Adeboye expressed optimism that peace would soon return to Nigeria, urging citizens to remain prayerful and hopeful. “Let no one be afraid,” he said. “Nigeria will rise again.”
ABUJA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to eradicate terrorism and deepen diplomatic engagements with international partners, even as Nigeria grapples with a recent U.S. designation labeling the country a “Country of Particular Concern.”
Addressing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) ahead of its closed-door session at the Aso Rock Villa — the council’s first meeting since July — Tinubu declared: “We are engaging the world diplomatically, and we assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism.”
The president’s remarks marked his first public response to the designation by U.S. President Donald Trump, which the Nigerian government has dismissed as a misrepresentation of its security efforts.
Tinubu emphasized ongoing dialogue with the international community to advance security, stability, and economic growth. “Despite political headwinds and fears, we will continue to engage with our partners,” he said.
He cited the oversubscription of Nigeria’s $2.3 billion Eurobond as evidence of global confidence in the country’s economy, adding: “The task ahead is immense, but we are resolved to move forward with unity and purpose.”
Reassuring citizens of national cohesion, Tinubu commended his cabinet for their commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda and urged sustained focus on delivering reforms.
One of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chief Jim Nwobodo, has called on the party’s leadership and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to set aside their differences and spearhead the rebuilding of the once-dominant political organization.
Addressing an emergency party meeting in Abuja on Friday, the elder statesman described the PDP as “the mother party” of Nigerian democracy and urged its current custodians to act decisively to prevent the labors of its founders from being in vain.
“The PDP is a family, and a party where every member has a sense of belonging,” Nwobodo stated. “My appeal, therefore, to all of you, and in particular the leadership of our party, is to ensure that the PDP remains the beacon of democracy in Nigeria.”
Drawing a historical parallel, he likened the PDP’s potential role to that of the African National Congress (ANC) in South Africa and issued a direct plea for reconciliation, emphasizing that most politicians in rival parties were once PDP members.
A Call for a “Strong Reconciliation Committee”
Nwobodo revealed that he has been approached by numerous former members eager to return to the party fold. He urged the acting national chairman, the national secretary, and the Board of Trustees (BoT) to be magnanimous and proactively welcome them back.
“Reach out to aggrieved members who are willing to abide by the party’s constitution and ideology to come back to the family, where they belong,” he said. “I once again appeal to you to constitute a strong reconciliation committee to reach out to members.”
Direct Appeal to Wike to Lend His “Energy”
In a notable segment of his address, Nwobodo turned his attention directly to Minister Wike, who has been at the center of a protracted feud within the party. He praised the Minister’s transformative impact on the nation’s capital, which he witnessed upon a recent visit.
“I entered Abuja after two years of being in Enugu and I could not recognise Abuja. Abuja had changed,” Nwobodo remarked. “If you put that same effort into this party, PDP will be the party to beat.”
His comments underscore the high-stakes political calculus within the PDP, as it seeks to harness the influence of powerful but aggrieved figures like Wike.
Striking a note of sober realism, the founding father acknowledged that the path to revival would be challenging. “It will not be easy, but no good thing comes easy. Don’t be deterred and don’t be discouraged,” he advised the leadership.
He concluded with a call to preserve the party’s legacy, urging current leaders to ensure “that the labours of the founding fathers, most of whom are no longer with us, will not be in vain.”
PDP’s New Board of Trustees Elects Leaders, Calls for Convention Postponement
By Toyin Adebayo, Abuja
The newly reconstituted Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in an attempt to stabilize the party has called for an immediate postponement of its proposed National Convention, citing the need for judicial prudence amidst ongoing legal battles.
The resolution was part of several critical decisions reached during the board’s inaugural emergency meeting held in Abuja on Friday, where Senator Mao Ohuabunwa and Hon. Isah Dansidi were elected as the new Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the BoT asserted that proceeding with the convention would be premature while an appeal against the October 31 Federal High Court judgment—which paved the way for the board’s own reconstitution—remains pending.
“In view of the fact that the Federal High Court judgment has been appealed, prudence and respect for judicial processes demand that the proposed National Convention be postponed until the Court of Appeal delivers its decision,” the communiqué stated.
The board’s first major action signals its intent to position itself as the party’s moral and legal compass, directly intervening in a major calendar event to enforce constitutional order.
New Leadership Takes the Helm
The meeting also formalized a new leadership structure for the BoT. The communiqué clarified that the immediate past Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and Secretary, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, were succeeded to preserve the board’s “neutrality, integrity, and moral authority,” having “publicly taken positions in the party’s internal crisis.”
In a move reflecting the party’s zoning tradition, Senator Ohuabunwa, from the South, and Hon. Dansidi, from the North, were unanimously elected to fill the vacant positions. The board expressed gratitude to the outgoing officers for their service.
A Firm Stance on Legal Supremacy
Reiterating its commitment to the rule of law, the BoT issued a stern warning to all party organs against acting in contempt of court. It emphatically declared that the Federal High Court judgment “remained superior and weightier in law” than any conflicting interim orders, a clear reference to a recent order from an Oyo State High Court.
“Any such action [in contempt of court] would render subsequent outcomes null and void,” the communiqué warned, directing full compliance with the Federal High Court’s ruling.
While supporting the goal of a “credible, transparent, and inclusive national convention,” the board conditioned it on strict adherence to the party’s constitution, electoral laws, and existing court pronouncements.
Pledging to Be the Party’s ‘Conscience’
Echoing the themes set forth by the Acting National Chairman last week, the newly inaugurated BoT pledged to act as the “conscience and stabilizing moral compass” of the PDP. It committed to actively mediating among stakeholders, promoting inclusivity, and preventing divisive tendencies.
“Genuine reconciliation and cooperation remain the bedrock of sustainable peace and collective advancement within the PDP,” the statement read, calling on all members to close ranks and uphold constitutionalism.
The communiqué was jointly signed by the new Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, and Secretary, Hon. Isah Dansidi, formally marking the beginning of their tenure tasked with steering the party through its current crisis.
The Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Abdulrahman Muhammad in an address marking a significant leadership overhaul, squarely blamed the party’s recent decline on the “compromised” moral authority and “unconstitutional” practices of its immediate past leadership.
Speaking on Friday at the inauguration of a newly reconstituted Board of Trustees (BoT) in Abuja, Muhammad described the event as the definitive start of “a new era of moral renewal and institutional discipline” for the opposition party.
The acting chairman detailed a period of deep internal crisis, citing the leadership of the former BoT led by Senator Adolphus Wabara, whose suspension by the Abia State chapter over alleged anti-party activities had, according to Muhammad, rendered the board “divided and ineffective.”
“The Board that was meant to be the moral compass of our party became divided and ineffective,” Muhammad stated, describing its loss of credibility as a “painful but necessary step” that forced the party to rebuild.
He extended his criticism to the then-suspended National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, accusing his leadership of choosing “convenience over the constitution and personal loyalty over the rule of law.” This approach, he alleged, involved ignoring court judgments and shielding members who violated party rules, which pushed the PDP to a “point of deep internal disillusionment.”
Muhammad framed a recent Federal High Court judgment—which facilitated the BoT’s reconstitution—not as an attack on the party, but as a judicial intervention to save it.
“The court judgment was not an assault on the PDP; it was a reminder that no institution is greater than the law,” he said. “It was a call to return to our roots.”
He praised party members who sought legal redress, characterizing their actions as driven by “conscience” and a desire to “redeem” and “heal” the party.
The newly inaugurated BoT was presented as the cornerstone of the PDP’s revival. Muhammad charged its members with a “sacred trust,” urging them to “speak truth to power” and act as the “conscience and compass of the party.”
Reflecting on the party’s historical missteps, the acting chairman traced the root of its current problems to the abandonment of its zoning principle ahead of the 2015 elections. “It began when we allowed ambition to override equity,” he stated, acknowledging that the “consequences of those decisions still haunt us today.”
Looking forward, Muhammad vowed that the new leadership is committed to transparency, discipline, and strict adherence to the party’s constitution.
“Under this new leadership, the PDP will never again be held hostage by impunity, manipulation, or disregard for its own constitution,” he declared. “We must reform or risk irrelevance.”
In closing Muhammad appealed for unity, he called on members to rise above personal ambitions, framing the moment as a critical juncture to pull the party back from the brink and restore its foundational values.
