The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State has elected 17 candidates to fly the party’s flag in the forthcoming Local Government elections across the state.

It is recalled that the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commission (ENSIEC) scheduled the council elections for Sept. 26, 2026.

12 serving Local Government Chairmen secured return tickets during the party primaries.

They are Jude Asogwa, Nsukka; Caleb Ani, Enugu South; Ugo Ukwueze, Igboeze South; Ibenaku Onoh, Enugu North; Ugochukwu Nwanjoku, Aninri; and Greg Anyaegbudike, Oji-River.

Others are Chijioke Ezugwu, Uzo Uwani; Hyginus Agu, Udi; Uche Okoro, Awgu; Belove Dan Anike, Enugu East; John Ogbodo, Nkanu West; Vitals Ndu, Ezeagu.

Mr Obiora Obeagu of Isi-Uzo and Sydney Edeh of Nkanu East, who had completed their two-term tenure did not stabd for the primary election.

They were replaced with Brendan Ani and Mike Ogbuekwe, respectively.

Three Chairmen did not return after the primary election. They were replaced with Martin Ugwu for Igbo Eititi, Ikechukwu Ezeoha, Udenu and Dr Chris Onyekachi for Igboeze North.

Presenting Certificates of Return to the successful aspirants on Wednesday at the APC State Secretariat in Enugu, the State Chairman of the party, Dr Martin Chukwunweike, described the primaries as peaceful and successful.

“We are happy that it went seamlessly. Everything happened smoothly in all the local governments. We never had any serious issues and all the results have been returned,” he said.

Chukwunweike said
that the candidates emerged through direct primaries conducted at the various council headquarters.

“What we are doing here today is to present a Certificate of Return to you, having been elected as the candidate for APC in the upcoming local government election,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the party would perform strongly during the September 26 polls.

“I believe that we will still do as usual and sweep the people come September this year. I say congratulations to all those who have emerged and who are now to carry our flag,” he added.

The chairman urged both returning and first-time candidates to uphold good leadership qualities and build on the achievements of those before them.

Chukwunweike also urged the candidates to replicate the developmental strides of the state governor at the grassroots level.

“What you need to do is to go and replicate what our governor is doing in the state. His Excellency, Peter Mbah, has actually done most of the campaign for us,” he said.

Responding on behalf of the aspirants, the Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state, Hon. Uchenna Okolo, thanked the governor and party leadership for the transparent conduct of the exercise.

“We tender our unreserved gratitude to our performing governor, Dr Peter Mbah, for his resilience and for finding us worthy to continue to render service to our dear state,” Okolo said.

Okolo, who is also the Chairman of Awgu Local Government Area, commended party members and supporters across the 17 council areas for their peaceful conduct during the primaries.

He assured that the candidates would continue to align with the governor’s vision for the development of the state.

Also, the incumbent Council Chairman of Nsukka LGA and APC’s candidate in forthcoming Council election, Engr. Jude Asogwa, thanked the governor for not only ensuring that all the 17 LGAs of the state enjoyed financial autonomy, but for equally undertaking massive projects at the grassroots.

“So, we will not only campaign with promises, but the proofs of good governance in Enugu State under Governor Peter Mbah’s leadership and the efforts we have made at our own level,” he stated.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has disclosed that President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to prioritize the protection of Nigerian Christians allegedly targeted by ISIS-linked extremists.

Hegseth said the move culminated in the elimination of a top Islamic State commander in Nigeria.

Hegseth made the revelation during an interview aired by Fox News, where he defended the administration’s counterterrorism operations in West Africa.

He praised Trump’s leadership on national security issues during the interview.

According to him, intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the deaths of “hundreds” of ISIS fighters accused of attacks on Christians and threats against the United States homeland.

“There’s a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the president empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people, that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth said during the interview.

The comments come days after President Trump announced that a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces led to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki.

Al-Minuki was described by American officials as ISIS’ global second-in-command.

The operation reportedly took place in northeastern Nigeria’s Lake Chad Basin, an area long troubled by insurgent violence linked to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram.

Reuters reported that the operation was coordinated with Nigerian authorities and executed through a precision air-and-ground assault without reported U.S. casualties.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu also acknowledged the operation, describing it as a significant milestone in counterterrorism cooperation between both countries.

While the Trump administration has framed the military actions as part of efforts to stop the killing of Christians in Nigeria, analysts and Nigerian officials have continued to stress that extremist violence in the country affects both Muslims and Christians alike.

Nigeria’s Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar previously stated that joint operations with the United States were aimed at combating terrorism generally and protecting all Nigerians irrespective of religion.

The extremist group most commonly associated with ISIS activities in Nigeria is the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which operates mainly in the northeast and around the Lake Chad region.

Security experts note that counterterrorism missions involving high-profile targets are usually conducted through multinational cooperation and are often publicly acknowledged after completion.

Hegseth also hinted that additional military operations could follow if extremist attacks continue in the region.

A teacher at Federal Government College, Anka, Mustapha Yahaya Maru, has reportedly been k!lled by armed band!ts despite the payment of ransom for his release.

Sahara Reporters reports that Maru was abducted early May while travelling to Anka in Zamfara State alongside several other passengers after their vehicle was intercepted by the attackers.

Following the abduction, the k!dnappers contacted his family and demanded a ransom far beyond their financial capacity.The report states that after intense efforts and negotiations, the family eventually raised and paid the agreed amount in hopes of securing his freedom.

Tragically, the bandits k!lled Maru on Tuesday instead of releasing him.

His de@th has thrown his family and the Maru community into mourning and has further heightened concerns over the worsening insecurity in the region.