Politics

S’East PDP elects new Zonal Exco, re-elects Odefa

Published

12 months ago

February 27, 2025

• SOUTH EAST PDP ZONAL CONGRESS* L-R: Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah; newly reelected South East Zonal Chairman of PDP, Chief Ali Odefa; National Secretary of the PDP, Hon. Sunday Udeh-Okoye, and the BOT Chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, during the SE PDP Zonal Congress in Enugu, Wednesday.

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… As Mbah charges party faithful on good governance

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, South East has elected a new zonal executive to man the affairs of the party in the region, with Chief Ali Odefa remerging as the Zonal Chairman.

The election, which took place during the zonal congress of the party at the Michael Okpara Square in Enugu on Wednesday also saw the emergence of Hon. James Ugwu as the Zonal Secretary, Mrs. Regina Uchebo as Zonal Treasurer, Hon. Cornelius Okey Ugwu as Zonal Zonal Organising Secretary, while Madubuike Okoro, Engr. Chigozie Igwe, Barr. Dominic Nwankwo, and Mrs. Ifeyinwa Arodiogbo were elected to the positions of Financial Secretary, Publicity Secretary, Legal Adviser, and Woman Leader, respectively, for the zone.

Likewise, Godswill Nwanoruo and Ezeanya Augustine were elected to the positions Zonal Youth Leader and Auditor.

Also elected were six National Ex-officio members and five Zonal Ex-Officio members.

Speaking earlier, the Governor of Enugu State and Leader of the party in the South East zone, Dr. Peter Mbah, reminded party faithful that “election is never an end in itself and neither should the victory arising from it be construed as personal triumphs.”

The governor tasked party faithful on setting the PDP as a template for good governance, insisting that “democracy abhors excuses – no matter how plausible they sound.”

“We fully understand the demands and expectations of the people in a democratic setting. The bottom line is good governance. This is the ideal to which the PDP has committed to from its inception.

“That is why, for us here in Enugu State, the people remain the centerpiece of government policies. The improvement of their welfare is not a task we regard with levity.

“It reflects in our determination to ensure that the provision of basic services can indeed be taken for granted by the people.

“Democracy is beyond the squabble for office and power. It is about the people. We cannot emphasise that enough,” Mbah stated.

He further tasked party faithful on unity and reinventing the party to restore its past glory in the South East region.

“The party’s greatness derives from its capacity to reinvent itself, and retain its national appeal in the face of challenges. The South East has always been a bastion of the PDP. We must ensure that it remains so.”

In his acceptance speech, on behalf of the 21-member Zonal Executive, the Zonal Chairman, Chief Odefa, called for unity, saying it is the only guarantee of PDP’s victory over the ruling All Progressive’s Congress, APC, which it accused of bad policies and misgovernance that have caused sufferings in the land.

Also in attendance at the congress observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr Ifeanyi Ossai; the Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara; National Secretary, Hon. SKE Ude-Okoye, Senators Sam Egwu, Osita Ngwu and Augustine Akobundu, the party’s National Auditor, Chief Dan Obi; Federal and State lawmakers, council chairman, State party executives and other delegates from the zone.

Politics

Eneukwu hails Gov. Mbah for enabling APC reach 2 million e-registration benchmark

Published

7 days ago

February 5, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Chief Emma Eneukwu

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LThe National Deputy Chairman (South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Emma Eneukwu, says the excellent governance and infrastructure performance of Gov. Peter Mbah is propelling attainment of the two million registration benchmark.

Eneukwu said this on Thursday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the progress of the ongoing APC E-Registration in Enugu State.

According to him, the excellent performance of His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in Enugu State has mandated and propelled the good people of the state to reciprocate by registering en masse.

The APC leader noted that the two million registration target was an ambitious but highly achievable goal.

“Enuga State has large population of youths and professionals looking for a credible political platform, which only APC has provided.

“With sustained mobilisation and effective leadership engagement, the numbers are realistic.

“Beyond figures, the enthusiasm and momentum on the ground suggest a party on the move,” he said.

Eneukwu further explained that the e-registration remained a clear signal that the party is repositioning and expanding its grassroots base in Enugu State.

“The process has been largely peaceful, technology-driven and reflective of growing political interest among the people, especially at the community level.

The APC leader also debunked unsubstantiated claims of opposition political parties that civil servants are being forced to register, adding that “there is no official policy or directive supporting such allegation.”

He said, “The exercise is voluntary and individuals are free to make their political choices.

“In a competitive political climate, such claims are not unusual; but facts on the ground indicate participation driven solely by interest and never coercion.”

Politics

2027: Senate blocking real-time results to protect incumbents — Atiku

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

Former VP, Atiku Abubakar

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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the Nigerian Senate’s rejection of real-time electronic transmission of election results, describing the move as a deliberate assault on electoral transparency and a strategy that favours incumbents ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement signed by Atiku’s Media Office on Wednesday night, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain said the decision represents a serious setback for electoral reform and undermines public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“This ill-advised action represents a grave setback for electoral reform and a calculated blow against transparency, credibility, and public trust in Nigeria’s democratic process.

“At a time when democracies across the world are strengthening their electoral systems through technology, the Nigerian Senate has chosen to cling to opacity, protect loopholes, and preserve a system that has historically enabled manipulation, tampering, and post-election disputes.

“Real-time electronic transmission of results is not a partisan demand; it is a democratic safeguard. It reduces human interference, limits result manipulation, and ensures that the will of the voter—expressed at the polling unit—is faithfully reflected in the final outcome.

“To reject it, and adopt the 2022 provision on so-called electronic transmission of results is to signal an unwillingness to submit elections to public scrutiny,” the statement said.

According to him, the decision raises concerns about the intentions of the political establishment as the country moves closer to another general election cycle.

“This decision raises troubling questions about the commitment of the ruling political establishment to free, fair, and credible elections in 2027.

“Nigerians cannot ignore the pattern: every reform that strengthens transparency is resisted, while every ambiguity that benefits incumbency is preserved,” Atiku said.

Reiterating his position on democratic reform, the former Vice President said Nigeria’s electoral process must reflect modern realities and the expectations of citizens.

“Democracy must evolve with time, technology, and the legitimate expectations of the people. Elections must be decided by voters; not by manual delays, backroom alterations, or procedural excuses,” he said.

He called on Nigerians, civil society organisations, the media and the international community to remain vigilant and continue pushing for reforms that align Nigeria’s elections with global democratic standards.

“Nigeria deserves elections that are transparent, verifiable, and beyond manipulation. Anything less is an injustice to the electorate and a betrayal of democracy,” the statement read.

Politics

Electoral Act: Rejection of e-transmission shows FG not ready for credible polls — Obidients

Published

1 week ago

February 4, 2026

Advocate News Nigeria

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The political camp of former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, popularly known as the Obidient Movement, has criticised the Senate for passing the Electoral Act amendment bill without approving electronic transmission of results, describing the move as a clear indication of the government’s lack of commitment to credible, free and fair elections despite the expectations of many Nigerians.

In a chat with Vanguard on Wednesday, Dr. Yunusa Tanko, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, said the failure to include electronic transmission of results casts doubt on the sincerity of the electoral reform process and leaves room for practices Nigerians have repeatedly rejected.

Although the Senate passed the Electoral Act amendment bill, it declined to approve the electronic transmission of results, a key reform widely seen as central to improving transparency and public trust in elections.

“That shows you that they are not yet ready for credible, free and fair elections,” Tanko said.

He said the decision means Nigerians must be prepared to resist what he described as flawed electoral processes across the country.

“So Nigerians should be ready to challenge these elections, headlong in all other preparation for any region,” he said.

Tanko stressed that electronic transmission of results remains critical to curbing manipulation associated with manual processes.

“Because the major thing about the electronic transmission of results is to eliminate human interference in the result collation process, unlike what is obtainable in the manual collation centres, where it can take place,” he said.

He maintained that the Senate’s action reflects the broader attitude of the government towards electoral credibility.

“So that means they are not ready. This is a pointer to show that this government is not ready for credible, free and fair elections.

“And Nigerians should be ready for a very strong fight, I mean a strong contestation to redeem our democracy,” he said.