The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Author: Editor

  • Ajaero Insists NLC Can Negotiate Labour Matters Without TUC

    Ajaero Insists NLC Can Negotiate Labour Matters Without TUC

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has maintained that his union has the authority to negotiate independently with the Federal Government on workers’ welfare, rejecting claims that it must always act jointly with the Trade Union Congress (TUC).

    Ajaero stated this on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’, following a disagreement with TUC President Festus Osifo over the participation of both labour centres in negotiations with the government.

    The dispute comes amid discussions surrounding the Federal Government’s approval of a N70,000 transport allowance for workers across all levels for six months.

    Ajaero argued that while the TUC could participate alongside the NLC, it could not independently negotiate on behalf of workers under what he described as the International Labour Organisation’s principle of recognising the organisation representing the majority of workers.

    “TUC can negotiate along with NLC but NLC can negotiate alone based on the principle of most workers representatives of the ILO,” he said.

    He further claimed that the TUC had previously submitted its proposals independently ahead of an ILO conference, but the submission was returned and had to be processed through the NLC.

    The NLC president also dismissed suggestions that the Ministry of Labour or other government labour authorities would negotiate separately with the TUC.

    Responding to Osifo’s claim that the TUC represents a significant number of federal civil servants, Ajaero cited the Trade Union Amendment Act 2005 and Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees workers the right to belong to organisations of their choice.

    He maintained that union membership was voluntary and that workers had the freedom to decide which labour organisation to join.

    Ajaero also questioned the TUC’s representation in the Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council, claiming that only one of the eight union bodies in the council was affiliated with the TUC, while the remaining seven belonged to the NLC.

    He added that the TUC-affiliated union had submitted its authority to the joint council.

    On the N70,000 transport allowance, Ajaero explained that the agreement followed an ultimatum issued to the Federal Government by the NLC.

    He said the government requested four days to meet with labour leaders before negotiations resumed, during which the transport allowance proposal was discussed and agreed upon.

    The NLC president also stated that demands for a minimum wage adjustment required the establishment of a government negotiation committee and consultations involving labour representatives, government officials and employers.

  • FG Unveils USSD Loan Service To Expand Credit Access For Nigerians

    FG Unveils USSD Loan Service To Expand Credit Access For Nigerians

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has introduced a mobile-based loan service that will allow Nigerians to apply for consumer credit using basic phones without internet access.

    The service, called SPARK, was launched by the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to extend access to loans, particularly for Nigerians who have little or no formal borrowing history.

    The USSD code for the service is *347*333#, although its nationwide rollout has not yet been confirmed. CREDICORP said wider access was expected before the end of 2026.

    According to the corporation, SPARK is designed to help first-time borrowers establish repayment records, which could improve their credit profiles and make it easier for them to access other financial services in the future.

    The service was unveiled during CREDICORP’s “CREDICORP for All” showcase in Aba, Abia State, where the corporation presented consumer credit opportunities to more than 1,000 residents.

    The event featured demonstrations of credit access for market women and traders, presentations on the YouthCred programme for young Nigerians, and the display of credit-backed tricycles for transport operators.

    Locally assembled tricycles were also showcased under the corporation’s Securing Consumer Access for Local Enterprises initiative, known as S.C.A.L.E.

    CREDICORP’s broader consumer credit programmes cover five major areas: mobility, digital devices, energy solutions, home improvement and essential needs. These include electric vehicles, CNG vehicles, laptops, smartphones, solar panels, household appliances, healthcare, food and clothing.

    However, the corporation has not confirmed that all these categories are currently available for financing through SPARK.

    Speaking at the event, CREDICORP Managing Director, Uzoma Nwagba, said the initiative was aimed at making consumer credit accessible to more Nigerians, including traders, young people and transport operators.

    He explained that the service would provide a simple entry point for Nigerians seeking to establish credit histories.

    Representing Governor Alex Otti, the Chief Principal to the Abia State Governor, Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, said the state was working to create an environment that supports businesses, investment and responsible lending.

    Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CREDICORP board member, Armstrong Ume Takang, said the initiative demonstrated how public investment could support local businesses, manufacturers and economic activities.

    CREDICORP disclosed that it had facilitated more than ₦53.5bn in consumer credit for over 351,000 Nigerians since commencing operations, with women accounting for about 59 per cent of beneficiaries.

    The corporation has yet to provide comprehensive details of SPARK’s loan limits, interest rates, repayment periods and eligibility requirements.

    Prospective borrowers have been advised to understand the repayment conditions before taking loans and avoid unofficial agents demanding upfront payments in exchange for guaranteed approval.

  • Otti Targets US Investors As Abia Hosts AFRICANDO 2026

    Otti Targets US Investors As Abia Hosts AFRICANDO 2026

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, is seeking to attract American and other international investors to the state through the 2026 African Diaspora Conference and Expo, AFRICANDO, scheduled to hold this month.

    The initiative is expected to bring together investors, business executives, policymakers, development partners, diplomats and entrepreneurs to explore business opportunities and strengthen commercial ties between Africa and the United States.

    The governor’s Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, disclosed the plan in a statement issued to journalists on Sunday, describing AFRICANDO as an opportunity to convert international engagements into concrete investments and business partnerships.

    According to him, the conference, themed “Deepening U.S.–Africa Commercial Ties in the Era of AfCFTA,” will connect investment opportunities across Abia and other African markets with American capital, technology, expertise and distribution networks.

    Ajagba said the state’s manufacturing and entrepreneurial base, particularly in Aba, places it in a strong position to benefit from expanded trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.

    He noted that the Otti administration was investing in infrastructure, strengthening public institutions and improving the business environment to attract private-sector investment.

    The state government also plans to take international delegates on visits to manufacturing clusters, businesses, strategic economic locations and government-backed projects to enable them to assess investment opportunities directly.

    Ajagba said the conference would focus on sectors including agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, financial services, healthcare, transportation and logistics, science and technology, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

    A major component of the event will be a Deal Room and Investment Marketplace, where prospective investors will be presented with investment-ready projects from Abia and participating businesses.

    He stressed that AFRICANDO was an international economic platform hosted by Abia, rather than an event limited to the state, adding that the government was working with organisers to ensure it produces business agreements and sustainable partnerships beyond conference discussions.

  • NCDC To Complete Monitoring of 62 Ebola Contacts by November 13

    Kenya Red Cross personnel don their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) during a simulation of evacuating the remains of an Ebola victim in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on October 22, 2026. Photo by TONY KARUMBA / AFP

    The 62 contacts identified following the confirmation of an imported Ebola case in the country are expected to complete monitoring by November 13, 2026, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has said.

    The agency disclosed this in its latest Ebola Disease Situation Report obtained by Channels Television on Monday.

    Nigeria confirmed its first case of Ebola disease in the current outbreak on October 20, 2026, after laboratory tests detected the Bundibugyo virus in a woman who had travelled to the country from Uganda.

    Although the NCDC did not provide a breakdown of the contacts according to their individual monitoring completion dates, it noted that the contacts were scheduled to complete follow-up at different times between October 31 and November 13.

    According to the report, “Sixty-Two (62) contacts” had been identified, adding that “Contacts are expected to complete follow-up by November. Expected completion dates range from 31 Oct to 13 Nov 2026.”

    The development indicates that November 13 is the latest projected date for completing the monitoring of all contacts currently identified in connection with the confirmed case, although surveillance and contact-tracing activities remain ongoing.

    It said contact tracing and monitoring were continuing, while additional contact tracers had been mapped and trained to strengthen surveillance.

    The agency also disclosed plans to “engage and assess additional contacts for possible evacuation to the quarantine facility” and “continue follow-up of contacts in quarantine.”

    It added that a high-level stakeholder meeting had been held with partner agencies to strengthen coordination, resource mobilisation and accountability in the response.

    Among its next steps, the NCDC listed the continuation of coordination across One Health sectors and partners, implementation of the Incident Action Plan and strengthened preparedness in states considered at high risk.

    On laboratory investigations, the agency disclosed that 18 samples had been tested since the outbreak was confirmed, with one positive result and 17 negative results.

    It stated that the positive sample was from the index case, while the 17 negative samples comprised 15 collected from contacts of the confirmed patient and two from suspected cases.

    The report said, “Laboratory confirmation reported on 20th October 2026,” adding that “Phylogenetic sequencing concluded by NCDC NRL & The African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID).”

    It said the scope and strategy for identifying contacts had been reviewed and expanded, while the case definitions for Ebola disease had also been reviewed to improve the identification and management of suspected infections.

    The report further listed plans to review guidelines on contact tracing, self-quarantine, self-care kits and the Ebola call protocol, as well as develop an Ebola disease dashboard on the Surveillance Outbreak Response Management and Analysis System, SORMAS, to improve contact management.

    On coordination, the NCDC said the National Incident Management System had been activated under the leadership of the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate.

    It said the implementation of prioritised response activities had continued across thematic areas, while the Incident Action Plan had been finalised.

    It also disclosed that standard operating procedures and job aids had been validated for sample reception, molecular detection and genomic sequencing.

    The Agency said it would maintain uninterrupted Ebola testing and confirmation at the National Reference Laboratory, with plans to expand testing capacity to Lagos.

    It also listed the need to maintain diagnostic testing and laboratory records, share reports of genomic sequencing conducted on the confirmed case sample, and pre-position additional laboratory reagents and commodities across the national network of laboratories.

    The Agency also noted that an inspection and assessment of the isolation centre had been conducted and that the medical evacuation of the index case had been supervised, with measures taken to protect healthcare workers.

    Among its next steps, the NCDC said it would review and disseminate approved procedures and guidelines covering triage, isolation, supportive care, psychosocial support and discharge.

    It also planned to establish referral mechanisms for suspected cases, from the point of detection to designated treatment centres, while identifying and optimising treatment facilities in states with designated points of entry.

    On case management, the NCDC said it had further engaged the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital on its readiness to serve as an isolation and treatment centre.

    It disclosed that a needs assessment and optimisation of the hospital had been concluded, while the FCT team had been engaged on clinical care and psychosocial support for contacts in quarantine facilities.

    The agency added that it had secured a dedicated ambulance and placed it on standby for safe patient referral.

    On infection prevention and control, the report disclosed that needs assessments had been conducted across states and health facilities, while healthcare workers were being sensitised on appropriate infection prevention measures.

    It said engagement had also been held with the facility managing the index case on compliance with infection prevention and control guidelines, including standard and transmission-based precautions.

    The agency listed refresher training for environmental health officers and terminal cleaning at the residence of the index case as part of its response activities.

    It further planned to implement an infection prevention and control ring strategy across concentric perimeters to strengthen screening and isolation measures, as well as assess surge capacity for isolation at Karu General Hospital in the FCT.

    According to the World Health Organisation, the patient developed symptoms on October 7, four days after arriving in Nigeria, and sought medical attention at a private health facility in Abuja on October 11.

    The laboratory confirmation on October 20 made Nigeria the fifth country to detect the virus since the outbreak was declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on May 15, 2026.

    The index patient was subsequently evacuated to Switzerland on October 26 for further medical care, alongside her husband, who was identified as a close contact. Channels

  • Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Nigeria’s Development After Umrah Pilgrimage

    Tinubu Reaffirms Commitment To Nigeria’s Development After Umrah Pilgrimage

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    President Bola Tinubu has declared that his commitment to Nigeria’s development remains stronger than ever, following his recent spiritual visit to Saudi Arabia, where he performed the lesser Hajj, known as Umrah.

    The President made the declaration while reflecting on his pilgrimage and the rare opportunity to enter the Holy Kaaba in Makkah to offer prayers. His spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

    Tinubu expressed appreciation to Saudi Arabia’s King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for granting him and members of his delegation access to the sacred site.

    Describing the experience as a historic spiritual privilege, he said his prayers focused on seeking wisdom and resilience to continue serving Nigerians.

    “I asked for wisdom and resilience to continue to serve the people. I know that prayer has been granted,” he said.

    The President recalled that he had also performed Umrah before the 2023 presidential election, when he prayed for Allah’s blessings and promised to return in gratitude.

    Reflecting on the Qur’anic teaching in Surah Aal-Imran, Verse 26, Tinubu said political power belongs ultimately to Almighty Allah and should be treated as a responsibility that demands humility and service to the people.

    He described his emergence as Nigeria’s President and Commander-in-Chief as a special blessing, adding that the position carries a duty to work for the country’s progress.

    Reaffirming his administration’s development agenda, Tinubu said he remained determined to strengthen the economy, promote prosperity and create opportunities for Nigerians.

    “My commitment to Project Nigeria is higher. I am determined to usher in prosperity and fully develop the country, consistent with the wish of Allah and the support of the people,” he said.

    The President also expressed optimism about the economy, describing the foundation laid by his administration as solid and the progress recorded as encouraging.

    He, however, emphasised the need to invest in young Nigerians, warning that the decisions taken by present leaders would determine how future generations judge their leadership.

    “We need to build a future for our youth. If we don’t invest in their future, how do we want to be remembered as leaders 50 years from now?” he asked.

    Members of the Nigerian delegation who also expressed gratitude for the opportunity included Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi; Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate; and governors of Borno, Sokoto, Jigawa, Kaduna, Yobe and Kwara states.

    Business leaders Abdulsamad Rabiu, Chairman of BUA Group, and Wale Tinubu, Chief Executive Officer of Oando, were also part of the delegation.

  • FG Threatens Sanctions Over Inflated Contracts, Procurement Violations

    FG Threatens Sanctions Over Inflated Contracts, Procurement Violations

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Federal Government has warned heads of government-owned agencies and other public institutions against inflating contract costs or violating procurement regulations, threatening sanctions for officials who fail to comply with the law.

    The warning was contained in a circular issued by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, and addressed to ministers, permanent secretaries, heads of agencies and other senior government officials.

    Akume expressed concern that several federal government-owned enterprises and corporations continued to award contracts without complying with the Public Procurement Act, 2007, despite its amendment through the Finance Act, 2020.

    He said the violations had contributed to inflated contract prices, restricted competition, exclusive arrangements for selected contractors and inadequate regulatory supervision.

    The SGF declared that the government would no longer tolerate such practices, directing all government-owned enterprises, corporations, councils, authorities and commissions that utilise public funds to conduct their procurement activities in line with the law.

    He also instructed the heads of the affected institutions, who serve as accounting officers, to consult the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) for guidance on compliance.

    Akume warned that accounting officers who continued to award contracts outside the provisions of the Act would face appropriate sanctions.

    The circular further directed that its contents be communicated to all accounting officers for immediate implementation.

    The Public Procurement Act established the BPP as the regulatory body responsible for overseeing public procurement, promoting transparency and ensuring competition and value for money in government spending.

    Section 15, as amended by the Finance Act 2020, extends the law’s application to federal government-owned enterprises, corporations, councils, authorities and commissions that utilise public funds.

    The latest directive comes amid ongoing government efforts to tighten procurement controls and prevent the manipulation of contract costs.

    In May 2026, the BPP introduced stricter rules requiring Ministries, Departments and Agencies to obtain its certification before processing contract variations, changes in project scope and additional cost claims.

    Under the revised guidelines, all requests for contract variations and modifications must undergo BPP review, regardless of their financial value. The bureau warned that violations could attract sanctions, including the suspension of responsible officers and the possible debarment of contractors.

    BPP Director-General, Dr Adebowale Adedokun, had said the reforms were intended to prevent contract variations from becoming a means of increasing project costs beyond approved amounts.

    In August 2026, Adedokun also disclosed that the Federal Government had saved about N1.4tn in 18 months through the bureau’s price intelligence and benchmarking initiatives.

    He explained that the system enabled the bureau to assess proposed project costs against established pricing standards before approving procurement requests.

    The bureau had separately reported savings exceeding N303bn, $304.9m and €1.74m from procurement reviews between January and September 2025.

    The latest warning reinforces the government’s position that officials responsible for public procurement must ensure that contracts are awarded transparently, competitively and in accordance with established regulations.

  • Small Plane Crash Near Trump’s Florida Residence Claims Nine Lives

    A Learjet plummeted into a neighbourhood in southern Florida miles from United States President Donald Trump’s resort home on Sunday, killing all nine people on board, officials said.

    Several unverified clips posted to social media depicting the deadly crash showed an aircraft nearly vertical slamming at high speed into the ground, creating a large fireball and leaving a flaming crater near a busy roadside.

    “Today’s plane crash in Palm Beach County, Florida, is a horrific tragedy,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement, confirming that all nine people on the aircraft were killed.

    Duffy said the plane, a Learjet 60, had departed from Austin, Texas and was headed for the Bahamas.

    The crash occurred near Cresthaven, a neighbourhood in Palm Beach County that is less than seven miles (11 kilometres) from Trump’s resort home Mar-a-Lago.

    “Obviously this is a cataclysmic plane crash,” Florida Governor Ron DeSantis told reporters near the scene.

    “It looked like a missile going down,” he said, adding there were no reports of anyone on the ground being injured.

    Trump had been at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday but departed from the nearby and newly renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport shortly after he boarded Air Force One at 11:55 am (1655 GMT), about an hour before the crash of the Learjet aircraft.

    The plane came down near the entrance to a mobile home park, Palm Beach County Commissioner Joel Flores said, noting about 600 residents were evacuated and relocated to shelters.

    “The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash, the Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement.

    Storms had been reported in the area. Trump carried an umbrella as he boarded Air Force One.

    In an audio recording posted to air traffic website liveatc.net, someone in the cockpit can be heard reporting “moderate turbulence” and saying the crew was “managing the ice.”

    The person said the plane was “picking up precipitation” and needed “to climb” shortly before saying: “Mayday, mayday, we’re descending 10,000 feet per minute.”

    Seconds later, the person said they were “declaring an emergency” as the plane descended 20,000 feet per minute.

    “We’re going to crash into the ground,” the person said, shortly before communications stopped.

    AFP

  • 2027: Enugu APC Campaign Council Urges Guard Against Political Disinformation

    2027: Enugu APC Campaign Council Urges Guard Against Political Disinformation

    As political activities heighten, the Enugu State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has urged residents to remain vigilant against political disinformation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    The campaign council issued the caution following what it described as the misleading allegations levelled by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) against the Dr. Peter Mbah led state government over the controversy surrounding the use of the Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu for the NDC presidential candidate’s town hall.

    Recall that there was a viral video concerning the event centre and allegations linking the Enugu State Government to an alleged attempt to prevent a political gathering at the facility.

    In a statement issued by its Spokesperson and Director of Public Communications, Steve Oruruo, titled ‘Unmasking the Alarmism of NDC: A Clarion Call for Enugu’s Extra Vigilance’, the council described the allegations as misleading and politically motivated, insisting that the controversy arose from a private commercial agreement between the event centre’s management and a prospective client.

    According to the council, the controversy originated from an agreement between the management of Amadeo Event Centre and one Dr Sabastine Chuks Eze, who allegedly presented himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners.

    The statement alleged that Eze breached Clause 17 of the agreement, which reportedly empowered the management to discontinue any activity, meeting or event that failed to comply with the stipulated terms and conditions.

    Continuing, the APC Campaign Council accused the NDC, particularly its Enugu East Senatorial candidate, Ada Ogbu, of attempting to link the state government to the controversy without providing verifiable evidence.

    It described the allegations as part of what it called a pattern of political attacks intended to undermine the image of the Enugu State Government and create public distrust ahead of the 2027 elections.

    Defending the administration of Governor Peter Mbah, the campaign council urged the people of Enugu that it described as “highly elitist and intellectually persuaded”, to prepare to rise above such disinformation, arguing that the 2027 elections should be determined by issues, policy ideas and the capacity of political parties and candidates to deliver on their promises.

    The full statement is reproduced below:

    UNMASKING THE ALARMISM OF NDC: A CLARION CALL FOR ENUGU’S EXTRA VIGILANCE

    The attention of the Enugu APC Campaign Council has been drawn to contrived layers of spurious allegations blatantly spewed against the credibility of the management of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu and, by extension, the integrity of the APC-led Enugu State Government through a viral video.

    Silence could have been golden, save for the brazen frivolity that characterised the chronicled and dramatized falsehood intentionally deployed to embarrass and impugn the image of the entire state, and invariably validate their next lie in the sequence of street-level mendacities, while an unsuspecting section of the populace may remain confused. Ndi-Enugu must therefore prepare to rise above such barefaced antics, gimmicks and shenanigans from the pit of hell.

    We admit that the Social media is a platform that has unwittingly provided countless opportunities for the audience to be mesmerised with scintillating and breathtaking performances while advertising cognitive brilliance and prolific imagination. Yet, it paradoxically affords some of its users the unmistakable luxury of exciting mediocrity and licensed idiocy.

    What we understand as a breach or violation of Clause 17 of the terms and conditions of a personal agreement reached with the management of Amadeo Event Centre by one Dr Sabastine Chuks Eze, a disguised client who paraded himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners, in which he assented to the right of the aforesaid management to halt any activity, meeting, or event not conducted strictly in accordance with the stipulated rules of engagement, eventually metamorphosed into an NDC contract to host a town hall meeting at the behest of former Governor Peter Obi.

    Instructively, the Amadeo management had since divested and deconstructed the dubious, speedy and strange garb with which the latest in this series of lies were cloaked, lest the public be deceived with the baseless, misleading and ill-motivated circus of freshly conjured lies, or outrageous spectacle of fabricated stories, blatant falsehoods, and disinformation.

    However, in a fruitless bid to deceive a highly elitist and intellectually persuaded Enugu electorate, Mrs Ada Ogbu and her dramatis personae threw caution, her pedigree and the pious proclivities of their members to the wind in what perhaps turned out to be muddying the waters of unforced errors. It is therefore not only ridiculously stunning, but defies all imagination, mangles all logics, and belies all credulity that the Senatorial candidate of NDC and her co-travellers would condescend to the despicable level of openly linking Enugu Government to an ill-fated and self-defeatist attempt at surreptitiously hosting a presidential candidate through the cesspit of deceit, manipulation and immorality.
    Where is the ecclesiastical rectitude, untainted probity, and self-acclaimed morality that Governor Peter Obi preaches? Have they not been cascaded to Enugu NDC members?

    The APC family in Enugu and the teeming supporters of our performing Governor, already armed by the opponent’s innate sophistry in contriving evil, and the frightening frequency of these concocted absurdities by the Enugu NDC, could not have been deceived or appalled by the imputation repressive state influence in a simple case of default in private commercial agreement. Rather, we are condemned to view this latest slant from the precincts of a smokescreen, an unholy prelude and a failed alibi to validate future theatricals and nuisance targeting unsuspecting Enugu voters.

    Enugu NDC has failed on arrival. It is almost non-existent in Enugu and perhaps gains its only infinitesimal traction whenever the state government or the name of our erudite Governor is mentioned in its tales of woes.

    Enugu State under the enigmatic and talismanic Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has been judicially noticed as an epicentre of enduring peace, modern security, exponential growth, sustainable development, serene ambience, and the alluring harmony of a united people. Mischievously linking uncharitable words or deeds, without verifiable facts, to a revered state even the NDC purportedly intends to govern, is antithetical to the minimum acceptable trust values and the widely acknowledged enviable security profile of Enugu State.

    A cursory look at the rejoinder from the management of Amadeo Event Centre would easily suggest that Mrs Ada Ogbu (NDC Enugu East Senatorial Candidate) should apologise to Ndi Enugu. Only in her lucid and unagitated moments will she realise how much she has offended the sensibilities and temperament of Ndi-Enugu, famous for their uncanny savvy, intellectual nobility, sublime virility, exquisite power of imagination, and peerless sense of history.

    Ndi-Enugu, the 2027 Elections are about issues, ideas and the definitive capacity to deliver. Therefore, no amount of smear politics, incendiary comments, political calumny, or media frenzy can rewrite Dr Peter Mbah’s glowing credentials, deeply entrenched in the hearts of our electorate, who are watching in pleasant shock as the dividends of democracy are being positively re-imagined and re-engineered in their favour.

    STEVE ORURUO
    Spokesperson and Director
    Public Communications
    ENUGU STATE APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

  • Amadeo Event Centre Controversy: Enugu APC Campaign Council Accuses NDC Of Disinformation

    Amadeo Event Centre Controversy: Enugu APC Campaign Council Accuses NDC Of Disinformation

    …Defends Mbah’s Government

    The Enugu State All Progressives Congress Campaign Council has accused the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) of deliberately spreading false information over the controversy surrounding the use of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu for a town hall meeting involving NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi , alleging that the party was attempting to discredit the APC-led state government through a viral video.

    In a statement titled ‘Unmasking the Alarmism of NDC: A Clarion Call for Enugu’s Extra Vigilance’, issued by its Spokesperson and Director of Public Communications, Steve Oruruo, the campaign council said the dispute arose from an alleged breach of a private agreement between the event centre’s management and one Dr. Sabastine Chuks Eze, who, according to the event center, reportedly presented himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners.

    The campaign council wondered why NDC decided to present the disagreement to the unsuspecting public as an attempt to prevent the NDC from holding a town hall meeting at the venue and in the state. The APC council also dismissed allegations linking the state government to the incident and challenged the NDC Enugu East Senatorial District candidate, Ada Ogbu, to apologise to residents.

    Oruruo who signed the statement maintained that the controversy was being politicised ahead of the 2027 elections and defended Governor Peter Mbah’s administration, describing Enugu as a peaceful and developing state.

    The statement urged voters to focus on issues, ideas and candidates’ capacity to deliver rather than what it characterised as political attacks and misinformation.

    The full statement is reproduced below:

    UNMASKING THE ALARMISM OF NDC: A CLARION CALL FOR ENUGU’S EXTRA VIGILANCE

    The attention of the Enugu APC Campaign Council has been drawn to contrived layers of spurious allegations blatantly spewed against the credibility of the management of Amadeo Event Centre in Enugu and, by extension, the integrity of the APC-led Enugu State Government through a viral video.

    Silence could have been golden, save for the brazen frivolity that characterised the chronicled and dramatized falsehood intentionally deployed to embarrass and impugn the image of the entire state, and invariably validate their next lie in the sequence of street-level mendacities, while an unsuspecting section of the populace may remain confused. Ndi-Enugu must therefore prepare to rise above such barefaced antics, gimmicks and shenanigans from the pit of hell.

    We admit that the Social media is a platform that has unwittingly provided countless opportunities for the audience to be mesmerised with scintillating and breathtaking performances while advertising cognitive brilliance and prolific imagination. Yet, it paradoxically affords some of its users the unmistakable luxury of exciting mediocrity and licensed idiocy.

    What we understand as a breach or violation of Clause 17 of the terms and conditions of a personal agreement reached with the management of Amadeo Event Centre by one Dr Sabastine Chuks Eze, a disguised client who paraded himself as the Registrar of the Nigeria Institute of Healthcare Givers and Medical Social Work Practitioners, in which he assented to the right of the aforesaid management to halt any activity, meeting, or event not conducted strictly in accordance with the stipulated rules of engagement, eventually metamorphosed into an NDC contract to host a town hall meeting at the behest of former Governor Peter Obi.

    Instructively, the Amadeo management had since divested and deconstructed the dubious, speedy and strange garb with which the latest in this series of lies were cloaked, lest the public be deceived with the baseless, misleading and ill-motivated circus of freshly conjured lies, or outrageous spectacle of fabricated stories, blatant falsehoods, and disinformation.

    However, in a fruitless bid to deceive a highly elitist and intellectually persuaded Enugu electorate, Mrs Ada Ogbu and her dramatis personae threw caution, her pedigree and the pious proclivities of their members to the wind in what perhaps turned out to be muddying the waters of unforced errors. It is therefore not only ridiculously stunning, but defies all imagination, mangles all logics, and belies all credulity that the Senatorial candidate of NDC and her co-travellers would condescend to the despicable level of openly linking Enugu Government to an ill-fated and self-defeatist attempt at surreptitiously hosting a presidential candidate through the cesspit of deceit, manipulation and immorality.
    Where is the ecclesiastical rectitude, untainted probity, and self-acclaimed morality that Governor Peter Obi preaches? Have they not been cascaded to Enugu NDC members?

    The APC family in Enugu and the teeming supporters of our performing Governor, already armed by the opponent’s innate sophistry in contriving evil, and the frightening frequency of these concocted absurdities by the Enugu NDC, could not have been deceived or appalled by the imputation repressive state influence in a simple case of default in private commercial agreement. Rather, we are condemned to view this latest slant from the precincts of a smokescreen, an unholy prelude and a failed alibi to validate future theatricals and nuisance targeting unsuspecting Enugu voters.

    Enugu NDC has failed on arrival. It is almost non-existent in Enugu and perhaps gains its only infinitesimal traction whenever the state government or the name of our erudite Governor is mentioned in its tales of woes.

    Enugu State under the enigmatic and talismanic Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has been judicially noticed as an epicentre of enduring peace, modern security, exponential growth, sustainable development, serene ambience, and the alluring harmony of a united people. Mischievously linking uncharitable words or deeds, without verifiable facts, to a revered state even the NDC purportedly intends to govern, is antithetical to the minimum acceptable trust values and the widely acknowledged enviable security profile of Enugu State.

    A cursory look at the rejoinder from the management of Amadeo Event Centre would easily suggest that Mrs Ada Ogbu (NDC Enugu East Senatorial Candidate) should apologise to Ndi Enugu. Only in her lucid and unagitated moments will she realise how much she has offended the sensibilities and temperament of Ndi-Enugu, famous for their uncanny savvy, intellectual nobility, sublime virility, exquisite power of imagination, and peerless sense of history.

    Ndi-Enugu, the 2027 Elections are about issues, ideas and the definitive capacity to deliver. Therefore, no amount of smear politics, incendiary comments, political calumny, or media frenzy can rewrite Dr Peter Mbah’s glowing credentials, deeply entrenched in the hearts of our electorate, who are watching in pleasant shock as the dividends of democracy are being positively re-imagined and re-engineered in their favour.

    STEVE ORURUO
    Spokesperson and Director
    Public Communications
    ENUGU STATE APC CAMPAIGN COUNCIL

  • INEC Rules Out Postponement Of 2027 General Elections

    INEC Rules Out Postponement Of 2027 General Elections

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has ruled out any possibility of postponing the 2027 general elections, declaring that the polls will take place according to the timetable already released by the commission.

    INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, gave the assurance on Saturday during an interactive meeting with commission officials and Resident Electoral Commissioners from the six South-South states in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

    He also announced that the commission would publish the final voters’ register on December 15, 2026, after completing the ongoing verification and correction process.

    Amupitan said INEC would not alter its statutory schedule despite suggestions by some political parties that the elections could be shifted.

    “Our statutory timeline is fixed. We will not change anything. The election must hold as scheduled,” he said.

    The INEC chairman disclosed that Rivers State would receive particular attention during the preparations because of its large voting population and strategic importance.

    According to him, Rivers has 3,736,434 registered voters, the highest number in the South-South region. Delta follows with 3,525,988, while Edo has 2,865,263.

    Akwa Ibom has 2,566,198 registered voters, Cross River 1,928,978 and Bayelsa 1,200,691.

    He urged electoral officials to ensure that logistical and operational challenges did not prevent eligible voters from exercising their rights, particularly in states with large voter populations.

    On the ongoing voters’ register review, Amupitan said the preliminary register had been made available online and at designated centres to enable voters to confirm their details and submit objections where necessary.

    He disclosed that INEC had received more than 5,000 requests for corrections, including changes to names and dates of birth, as well as over 600 objections. The requests are being processed before the final register is released.

    The chairman also revealed that INEC had considered a fresh voter revalidation exercise after he assumed office but dropped the plan because of concerns that the exercise would be too close to the general elections.

    Speaking on the commission’s preparedness, Amupitan expressed confidence that INEC would deliver peaceful, transparent and credible elections, drawing lessons from recent off-cycle governorship polls, particularly the Osun State election.

    He described the Osun poll as the most participatory off-cycle governorship election in the country’s history, saying it was considered credible by local and international observers despite earlier security concerns.

    According to him, the experience from recent elections would help the commission address challenges and strengthen its preparations for 2027.

    “We will conduct elections that will move the nation forward and not an election that will bring it down,” he said.

    On security, Amupitan said INEC was working with relevant agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services, to protect voters, electoral workers, ad hoc personnel and election materials.

    He stressed that voters must be able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and exercise their franchise in a safe environment.

    The chairman also dismissed suggestions that artificial intelligence or computer algorithms could determine the outcome of the elections, insisting that the choice of winners would remain with Nigerian voters.

    “It is the people of Nigeria that will decide the outcome of the elections and not AI or any algorithms,” he said.

    However, he acknowledged the cybersecurity risks associated with emerging technologies and said the commission would explore ways to use technology to protect its digital systems from possible attacks.

    Amupitan warned INEC employees and ad hoc staff, including members of the National Youth Service Corps, against actions capable of undermining the electoral process.

    He said officials found compromising the integrity of the elections would face legal consequences, urging personnel in the South-South to discharge their duties responsibly.

  • NCDC Confirms Two Suspected Ebola Cases In Adamawa Tested Negative

    NCDC Confirms Two Suspected Ebola Cases In Adamawa Tested Negative

    Precious Nwonu, Enugu

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed that two suspected cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) reported in Adamawa State tested negative after two rounds of laboratory examinations.

    The agency’s Director-General, Dr Jide Idris, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that there was no laboratory-confirmed Ebola case in the state.

    According to Idris, the Adamawa State Public Health Emergency Operations Centre received a report in the early hours of October 30, 2026, about two individuals showing symptoms that required investigation for possible Ebola infection.

    The individuals were subsequently isolated, while health authorities initiated appropriate public health measures and collected samples for laboratory analysis.

    However, the results of the two rounds of testing returned negative for the Ebola virus.

    Idris said the NCDC had been working with the Adamawa State Government, particularly the Ministry of Health and Human Services, to investigate the cases and coordinate the response.

    He commended the state Commissioner for Health and his team for their prompt response, assuring residents that the national disease control agency would continue providing technical support to strengthen surveillance and response activities.

    The NCDC chief clarified that the only laboratory-confirmed Ebola case reported in Nigeria remained the index case previously identified in the Federal Capital Territory.

    He urged Nigerians to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified reports or speculation about the suspected cases, advising the public to rely on official government and public health communication channels for accurate updates.

    Idris also reminded Nigerians that Ebola is a serious infectious disease requiring early detection and proper medical attention.

    He listed symptoms that may include fever, severe weakness, headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and unexplained bleeding.

    He advised anyone experiencing such symptoms, particularly after possible exposure to the virus, to seek immediate medical care and inform health workers about relevant travel or contact history.

    The NCDC also cautioned against self-medication, urging people to follow medical advice as health authorities continue to monitor the situation.

  • Vote for Tinubu in 2027, South-East Govs Tell Ndigbo

    Vote for Tinubu in 2027, South-East Govs Tell Ndigbo

    Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Charles Soludo of Anambra State, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, and Hope Uzodimma of Imo State have called on the people of South-East region to vote massively for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election and ignore every form of deceipt and political distractions.

    The governors made the call during the All Progressives Congress (APC) Women Mega Rally and Empowerment Programme for the South-East flagged off by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu at Okpara Square, Enugu, on Saturday.

    Speaking, the host governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, urged the people of the region to support Tinubu’s re-election bid to enable him to consolidate the gains of his administration’s economic reforms.

    He attributed ongoing development projects, including the construction of primary healthcare centres, to the federal government’s economic reforms.

    “If I ask what future you want for your children, I’m sure you are seeing that future unfold gradually through the bold and courageous reforms of Mr. President.

    “It is through those reforms that enough money has been made available to all the states. Which is why in Enugu, when you look around you, you will see the Smart Green Schools, Type 2 Primary Healthcare Centres, and numerous other projects and initiatives we have undertaken in just three years.

    This is happening because of the bold and courageous reforms of Mr. President and we know the job is not finished yet. A good sailor does not abandon his ship mid-sea because of challenges.

    “So, we must finish the journey we all started together. We must come out on January 16 with our PVC and ensure that the good work Mr. President is doing will continue.

    “Don’t listen to any voice. Those voices telling us a different thing. We, the Igbos have gone to communities outside our zone to build businesses. And we also know how to build relationships. And that is being put to test. We are not a people that are ethnic bigots. We are a people that are strategic.

    “And that is why we must all come out in our numbers and support Mr. President to continue the good work. Support all our APC candidates to ensure that they are returned come January and February,” he emphasised.

    Speaking on the empowerment programme targeting 5,000 women across the South-east, Mbah said the initiative followed the empowerment of more than 2,000 women, including payment of hospital bills, in Enugu by the First Lady, within 48 hours.

    “When you empower a woman, you strengthen the family. When you empower a woman, you build a strong community,” he said.

    Also speaking, Governor Uzodimma reiterated the commitment of the region to supporting Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

    He explained that Igbos had experienced marginalisation for over 60 years, but were beginning to witness a new era of political inclusion and development under Tinubu.

    He commended the president for expanding the scope of infrastructure and economic development in the South-East.

    “We are now seeing good roads, electricity, health reforms as well as educational reforms in the country. A winning team must not be changed,” he said.

    The governor urged the electorate to sustain the current development trajectory, saying the federal government’s economic reforms had increased resources available to states for development.

    “We have more money to build Okigwe to Owerri, Umuahia to Owerri, Orlu to Owerri and Owerri to Port Harcourt roads,” he said.

    Like Mbah, Uzodimma added that the improved financial position of the state had enabled his administration to pay salaries and pensions consistently, including 13th-month salaries for workers.

    In his remarks, Governor Nwifuru said that the number one mission for Ndigbo in 2027 elections was to re-elect President Tinubu, describing the APC as the only political party with a clear and identifiable manifesto capable of sustaining the country’s development and truly advancing the course of Ndigbo.

    He dismissed suggestions of his involvement in any political coalition, stressing that his loyalty remained with the APC, urging urged supporters to vote for APC candidates at all levels in the 2027 elections.

    Similarly, Soludo, represented by his Deputy, Dr. Gilbert Ibezim, said the South-East had a responsibility to support Tinubu’s re-election in appreciation of his administration’s achievements, adding that the region stood to benefit more from continued collaboration with the federal government.

    Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, urged Igbos to embrace political inclusion by supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

    Kalu said the Igbo had not produced a president of Nigeria in the past 60 years, and was therefore not party to any one-term arrangement for the Presidency of Igbo extraction by anybody.

    He, however, stressed that the Igbo needed to to strengthen its political alliances across the nation to actualise a full two-term Igbo presidency in the near future.

    He recalled that Tinubu, while serving as governor of Lagos State, maintained cordial relationships with Igbos and included them in his cabinet.

    He commended the Tinubu administration for establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC).

    He described it as a major step towards addressing the region’s developmental challenges.

    Meanwhile, addressing the rally, the First Lady conveyed President Tinubu’s goodwill message and urged Nigerians not to be discouraged by the economic challenges associated with the President’s reforms, insisting that the country was moving towards prosperity.

    She likened the process to childbirth, noting that although the period of labour could be painful, it ultimately led to delivery.

    “Mr. President said I should greet everyone. We have done reforms and we are now in prosperity. Don’t allow anyone to deceive you. The worst is over. We are stepping into prosperity,” she said.

    The First Lady described the empowerment initiative as an indication of the APC government’s commitment to translating its promises into practical interventions, noting that the party was combining political mobilisation with economic support.

    The First Lady urged the women to mobilise support for President Tinubu and APC candidates in the forthcoming 2027 general elections, asking them to hold political aspirants accountable for their records of empowerment and development interventions.

    Other dignitaries at the massive rally were Wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima; wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Uloma Akpabio; wives of the South East governors; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite; Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Udeh (SAN); and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim.

    Also present were the APC Deputy National Chairman (South), Dr. Ben Nwoye; National Women Leader of the APC and Director-General of the Women Wing of the Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Mary Alile-Idele; South-East Zonal Woman Leader of the APC, Dr. Oby Ajih; members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen and other party stakeholders.

    The rally by the Remi Tinubu-led Women Mobilisation Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, which kicked off in the South East, will also be held across the remaining five geopolitical zones of the country.