Opposition leader, Mr Peter Obi has again expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria.

Obi, a member of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, accused the nation’s leaders of remaining silent while citizens and security personnel continue to lose their lives.

In a post on his X handle, the former Labour Party presidential candidate, said the ruling class was more interested in planning how to grab, and run away with the next election.

He cited a recent attack in Ngoshe community in Borno State where terrorists reportedly overpowered soldiers, killing security personnel and civilians while abducting more than 100 women and children.

Obi lamented that, “Our nation is clearly under siege, and the scale of insecurity is becoming unbearable, spreading widely all over the country.”

The former Anambra governor also decried what he described as the quiet manner in which the sacrifices of fallen soldiers are treated, noting that many who died defending the country are not properly honoured.

“The sacrifice of our brave and dedicated soldiers is passed in silence. I look forward to the day when our fallen soldiers are given the dignified burials they deserve, with their bodies received and honoured by the nation’s leaders and political authorities,” he stated.

Obi further highlighted security concerns across multiple states, including Nasarawa, Kogi and Benue, where he said residents are being forced to flee their homes as terrorists occupy farms and forests, crippling economic activities.

According to him, in Nasarawa State’s Kadarko area alone, more than 14,000 civilians have already been registered as internally displaced persons.

He also referenced attacks in Oyo, Ondo and Kebbi states, where travellers and residents were reportedly abducted or killed in separate incidents.

Obi warned that insecurity is no longer confined to remote areas, noting that even the Federal Capital Territory has recently experienced attacks.

“The wave of terror has now brazenly crept into our nation’s capital. The attack in Kubwa, Abuja, just this week, saw about 19 citizens abducted from their homes, including women and children,” he said.

The Labour Party chieftain criticised what he described as the government’s lack of response to the growing crisis.

“The primary responsibility of any government is to secure the lives and property of its citizens. Yet the response from the government in power to all the incidents has been dead silence, as if Nigerian lives no longer matter,” Obi stated.

He further accused the political class of focusing more on electoral politics than addressing the nation’s security challenges.

“The ruling class are instead devastatingly more preoccupied with how to snatch, grab, and run away with the next election,” he said.

Calling for urgent action, Obi stressed that Nigerians deserve leadership that prioritises safety and welfare.

He added that, “These are not just news items. Nigerians deserve commitment and leadership that puts their safety and welfare first. It is time to restore security, dignity, and hope to every corner of this nation.”

The immediate past Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Enugu state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC),i Dr. Ben Nwoye, has formally declared his intention to contest for the position of Deputy National Chairman (South) of the ruling party at its forthcoming national convention.

Nwoye announced his ambition during a telephone interview on Sunday, where he also unveiled key members of his campaign structure and outlined his plans for the party if elected.

According to him, Hon. Timothy Amah has been appointed as the Director-General of his campaign organisation, while directors have already been designated across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

“Hon. Timothy Amah will serve as the DG of the campaign team. I’ve also appointed directors for all the six geopolitical zones as well as Directors-General for youth and women mobilisation,” Nwoye said.

He added that his campaign office has already been established in Abuja and is fully operational as consultations continue ahead of the party’s national convention.

“Our campaign office is up and running in Abuja. We’re going to serve the good people of APC and ensure the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other APC candidates,” he stated.

The former state party chairman said his ambition is driven by a commitment to strengthen the APC’s political structure across Southern Nigeria and deliver electoral victories for the party.

“We’ll use our network to mobilise the entire Southern Nigeria,” he said.

Nwoye also called on party leaders and stakeholders across the country to support his candidacy and work together to strengthen the APC ahead of future elections.

“I’m calling for the support of all the governors, members of the National Assembly and every member of the party to come together so that we can form a formidable team that will rout the opposition in the South decisively,” he said.

He further revealed that he and his team would soon obtain the party’s nomination forms to formally begin the race.

“We’ll be picking up our forms soon. I’m confident that I have the support of my state, and I’m also calling for the support of all members of the APC nationwide,” Nwoye added.

Highlighting his experience within the party, the APC chieftain said his years of service at different levels of leadership had prepared him for the national role.

“We have the experience and exposure, having served as chairman of the party and as Secretary of the Forum of APC State Chairmen for eight years,” he said.

He also recalled his recent role as caretaker committee chairman in Enugu State, which he said helped stabilise the party and ensured peaceful internal processes.

“I came back to serve again as caretaker committee chairman where we united the party and conducted the most peaceful state congress. I believe it’s time to move to a higher stage to serve my party,” Nwoye said.

The APC is expected to hold its national convention later this year, where party leaders will elect new members of the National Working Committee.

…Lauds Tinubu’s economic policies, more FAAC inflows to states

…Chukwunweike: No Enugu governor has done one tenure since 1999

The Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has elected Dr. Martin Chukwunweike as Chairman and Hon. Chukwudi Nnadozie as Secretary of a 37-man new executive of the party in the state.

Chukwunweike, Nnadozie and 35 others emerged unanimously on Tuesday at a well-attended state congress of the party held at Okpara Square, Enugu, described by the APC national panel for the Enugu State Congress as free, fair, and credible.

Gov Peter Mbah waiving a broom, the APC symbol

In the same vein, 15 zonal executives, five for each of the three senatorial zones of the state, have equally merged.

This was even as Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who commended party leaders and faithful for their peaceful and transparent exercise, lauded President Bola Tinubu’s economic policies, which he said had allowed more revenue inflows to states, also listing the many benefits accruing to Enugu State since joining the ruling party.

“What we have done here together shows that we are all members of a big family. Enugu State is not just a model of governance. Enugu State is also a model for politics. We have shown that the marriage of parties we had was not a marriage of convenience. It is a real marriage,” he said.

He congratulated the new leadership in the state, enjoining them to uphold the great work done by the Dr. Ben Nwoye-led Caretaker Committee.

Mbah also tasked the new executive on effective communication of his administration’s many reforms and development projects to the grassroots, stressing that nothing should be taken for granted in the coming elections.

Commending President Tinubu’s policies, the governor said, “The bold and courageous policies that Mr. President initiated at the centre have allowed more funds to flow to the subnationals. This is part of the reason why the transformations and projects you are seeing across Enugu today are a reality.

“They are a reality because the President has, through his bold initiatives, been able to ease the macroeconomic pressure. We can see the exchange rate stabilising. We can also see the naira being strengthened. We can see our foreign reserves, for the first time in 13 years, hitting the 50 billion dollar mark. It did not happen by accident, but by courageous policies and initiatives,” he said.

On gains of joining the APC, Mbah said, “Bringing that back home, we can also see how connecting to the centre has benefited us all in Enugu. The international airport and the cargo terminal in Enugu have been concessioned to a private investor. It means that Enugu State will soon become a major aviation hub. Our sons and daughters can now fly from Enugu to anywhere in the world. Thanks to Mr. President.

“Through connecting to the centre, we have gotten approval from Mr. President for the construction and completion of the railway that stopped in Aba. Very soon, we will commute not only by road, but also by rail. So, our dream of a multimodal transport system has just become a reality.

“The President also gave approval for the South East Development Commission. There are also plans for the high-pressure gas pipeline that is here in Enugu. Within the next 18 months, we are to get it down to Enugu, which will unlock the energy potential in Enugu.”

Enugu Deputy Governor, Bar Ossai and Governor Mbah during the APC congress in Enugu

Meanwhile, in his acceptance speech, Chukwunweike pledged to work hard with his team to ensure the re-election of Mbah and the President.

“We assure you that we will deliver everything. No governor has done one tenure in Enugu State since 1999. Governor Mbah’s case will not be different, more so when convention and brilliant performance favour him,” he stated.

Earlier in his valedictory speech, Chairman of the defunct Enugu State APC Caretaker Committee, Dr. Ben Nwoye, commended Mbah for helping to unite the old members and former members of the Peoples Democratic Party into one big family.

“We have been united into one big, indivisible broom. We chose inclusion over exclusion, dialogue over division, and unity over personal ambition. Thanks to our hardworking, pragmatic, peace-loving, and purpose-driven governor, Dr. Peter,” he stressed.

The National Deputy Chairman (South), Chief Emma Enukwu, urged the new leadership of Enugu APC to brace up to prove themselves in the coming elections.

“After all is said and done, political party leadership, unlike other leaderships, lies in your ability to command votes and deliver your party’s candidates at the polls,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, the APC five-man panel led by Hon. Loveth Idisi as Chairman and Hon. Tobechukwu Okonkwo as secretary, commended the exercise as very transparent, successful and credible, hailing Mbah for the outstanding transformations and cleanliness of Enugu State.

“Enugu remains the cleanest state so far. The transformation is amazing,” Okonkwo said.

Others who addressed the mammoth crowd include the Speaker, Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu; Senator Osita Ngwu, Hon. Martins Oke, while the Deputy Governor, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai; Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof Chidiebere Onyia; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Victor Udeh; among a host of other serving and former political office holders were equally in attendance.