NIGERIAN NOTCH

From Mary Obi  Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has defended controversial burial reforms in southeastern Nigeria’s Anambra State and announced a crackdown on what he described as fraudulent religious leaders exploiting vulnerable residents. Speaking at the annual Knights Day celebration of the Catholic Diocese of Awka held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Soludo said leadership requires “the courage to implement change,” urging both public officials and Christian faithful to choose “the right path over the easy one.” The event featured a Pontifical Mass presided over by the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Paulinus Ezeokafor. Soludo praised the Catholic Church for promoting what he called the “common good” and commended the diocese for taking a firm stance against social vices. A key focus of the governor’s remarks was the implementation of Anambra’s Burial Law, a reform introduced to curb lavish funeral spending and reduce the economic burden on families. According to ...

Fresh reports that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 presidential election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party have triggered nationwide political reactions, as major stakeholders debate the implications of his possible return to active politics. The development is already reshaping conversations around the 2027 presidency, opposition unity, zoning, and the chances of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu securing re-election. Jonathan Reportedly Chooses PDP for 2027 Presidential Ambition Sources close to the former president disclosed that Jonathan is considering the PDP as the preferred political platform for his alleged 2027 presidential ambition after what insiders described as “extensive consultations and strategic calculations.” According to sources, the former president believes the PDP offers a more viable structure for a possible return to power amid worsening economic hardship, insecurity, and rising poverty across Nigeria. The reports h...

By Chigozie Igbo Jr As political realignments begin ahead of the 2027 general elections, stakeholders across Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo are increasingly engaging in conversations around equity, political balance, and strategic representation within the Nnewi Federal Constituency. At the center of this growing debate is a compelling argument that the 2027 House of Representatives seat should naturally return to Nnewi North, not merely as a matter of sentiment, but as a deliberate political calculation capable of preserving fairness, and improving electoral chances for any serious political platform seeking victory. The conversation has become more significant considering the current political realities within the constituency. The present Senator representing the zone under the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is from Nnewi South and is expected to complete the tenure of the late Ifeanyi Ubah through 2027. At the same time, strong political i...

From Mary Obi, Anambra  The wife of the Anambra State Governor, Dr. Nonye Soludo, has commended the courage, compassion, and selfless service of humanitarian workers and volunteers of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the global International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement for their continued support to vulnerable communities during crises. Dr. Soludo gave the commendation in a statement issued on Friday, to mark this year’s World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, where she praised the unwavering sacrifices of Red Cross personnel in disaster response, healthcare delivery, emergency interventions, and humanitarian support services across the world. “Today, we celebrate the courage, compassion, and selfless service of the men and women of the Nigerian Red Cross Society and the global International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, whose unwavering sacrifice continues to bring hope to humanity in times of crisis,” she said. She described compassion as a powerful too...

The people have spoken. Igbo Etiti East is tired of recycled promises and leaders who disappear after the votes are counted. The cry is for someone who understands the pain, hears the concerns, and has the capacity to turn hope into results. That voice is Dr. Clinton Ide Okwudili. Not just a candidate. A commitment .  Dr. Clinton isn’t in this for title or power. His journey has always been about service — lifting communities, creating opportunities, and standing with the people when it matters most. He brings compassion, a clear vision, and the intellectual strength to attract real development to Igbo Etiti East. Leadership that includes everyone . This is about representation without exclusion. A leader who sees responsibility as sacrifice, not privilege. Someone who will carry the burden of the many, not just the interests of the few. The hour is now. This is the moment for every son and daughter of Igbo Etiti East to look beyond sentiment and choose progress. To unite behind a ...

House of Representatives aspirant for the Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Amb. Ikebunwa Lotanna, has appealed to his supporters and party members to refrain from negative political attacks and divisive media engagements against fellow aspirants within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). In a statement issued on Friday, the aspirant said his attention had been drawn to online publications and reports concerning a co-aspirant and respected members of the party, stressing that his political philosophy remains rooted in party supremacy, internal democracy, mutual respect, and issue-based campaigns. Lotanna maintained that aspirants seeking elective positions should be assessed on the basis of competence, vision, character, and capacity to serve, rather than through campaigns capable of creating unnecessary tension within the party. He expressed appreciation to his supporters and well-wishers across the constituency for their continued loyalty and ...

From Echezona Okafor, Nnewi As 2027 general elections near, the bid by the House of Representatives member representing Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Uzokwe, to recontest for second tenure, has been rejected by youths of the area on the ground of non-performance. In a communique issued on Thursday after an emergency extra ordinary meeting held in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra state, youths of the federal constituency, under the aegis of "Concerned Anambra Youths," insisted that the incumbent lawmaker has nothing to show for his representation after almost three years in the House of Representatives. Part of the communique reads, "As the 2027 general elections near, we, the youths of Nnewi North, Nnewi South and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, under the aegis of Concerned Anambra Youths, after critically examining the performance of the incumbent lawmaker representing the federal constituency, Hon. P...

The Nigeria Democratic Congress is putting the final touches on security and logistics arrangements as delegates prepare to converge in Abuja City for this weekend’s National Convention. The move comes after the party’s leadership said it learned valuable lessons from the disruption at the Enugu State congress, where swift action by party officials prevented a breakdown of order. Enugu Incident Shapes Convention Strategy During the Enugu State congress, a group of hoodlums tried to derail the process. The State Chairman, Engr Ibuchukwu Obetta, and his executive team at both state and LGA levels refused to back down. They mounted a strong defense that allowed the congress to proceed without compromising party procedure. According to party insiders, Engr Obetta’s track record as a seasoned politician is now playing a key role in rebuilding the NDC’s structure in Enugu. His experience and political acumen are expected to drive the party’s push to capture power in the state in ...

By Echezona Okafor NNEWI, ANAMBRA A long-running inheritance dispute within the Ojukwu family of Mbanagu, Otolo in Nnewi has escalated into violence, following the killing of a key witness and rising allegations of intimidation, conflicting testimonies, and institutional lapses. Mr. Joseph Nnadozie Ojukwu, a Kano-based businessman, has raised alarm over threats to his life after the fatal shooting of Mr. Aaron Ojukwu on February 8, 2026. The deceased was reportedly killed shortly after testifying in an ongoing court case over disputed family land. Providing a deeply personal account, Joseph traced the roots of the crisis back to his youth. According to him, “My grandfather that gave Ani Obi the land on the 1st of September 2001 did so because I was assisting him with work at home, as I was in my 20s at the time.” He explained that tensions escalated shortly after he completed the German floor of his house, as family conflicts intensified, particularly involving his uncle an...

From Mary Obi  Governor Chukwuma Soludo has approved the reappointment of key agency heads in Anambra State, retaining Mr. Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata as Managing Director of the Anambra State Information and Communication Technology Agency. The decision was announced in a statement issued on Monday in Awka by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime. It confirmed that Mr. Emeka Okonkwo (Konti) will continue as Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Management Agency, while Mr. Osita Onuko remains at the helm of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority.  According to the statement, the reappointments are aimed at sustaining momentum and strengthening performance across the agencies following the governor’s first term. Agbata, a technology entrepreneur and ecosystem builder, has overseen efforts to expand digital infrastructure and promote innovation-led growth in the state. His tenure at ASICTA has focused on advancing the digital economy ...