By Our Correspondent

As Pamultation for 2027 election heats up,former presidential candidate of Labour Party (Pl), Mr Peter Obi and key South-East political leaders have intensified pre-2027 consultations, holding a strategic closed-door meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan amid growing calls for opposition realignment.

On April 27, 2026 — The high-level engagement, held in Abuja, reportedly focused on Nigeria’s political direction and possible coalition-building ahead of the next general elections. Sources indicate that Obi was accompanied by prominent regional stakeholders, reinforcing the South-East’s push for greater influence in national politics.

Although details of the discussions were not publicly disclosed, the meeting has triggered speculation about a broader alliance capable of challenging the ruling party.

Analysts suggest the consultations may be part of a wider strategy to consolidate opposition strength and possibly present a unified presidential front.

In a related development, political figure Gbenga Hashim urged the labour movement and civil society groups to actively defend Nigeria’s democracy, warning that complacency could weaken democratic institutions ahead of 2027.

Together, these developments underscore intensifying political manoeuvres, as alliances, regional interests, and ideological blocs begin to reposition in what is shaping up to be a defining electoral contest

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By Our Correspondent

An Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Igbo Union Ndi Igbo worldwide, has praised Senate President, Senator Goodwill Akpabio and his wife Dr. Mrs. Unoma Ekaite Akpabio, for their untiring support to Igbo people and everything concerning Igbo as a nation.

The group said that the couple had remained a formidable support to Igbo cause, describing them as great assets to the progress of Igbo in Nigeria.

The group stand was contained in press statement signed by Ndi Prince Elias Odoemena, the National Convener of the group and made available to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday.

The statement described Senator Akpabio’s marriage to an illustrous daughter of Igbo land from Enugu as a continued blessing to the Ndigbo, and a pivotal of developmental monuments being cited in Igbo land as a whole.

The group added that Akpabio’s marriage to Unoma is not a curse but a divine blessing that has transmitted to monumental open doors to the Igbo as a whole, describing Senator Akpabio as son-law well loved in the entire Igbo land, who is more than ordinary son-law.

“He has become a bonafide Igbo man not only by his marriage to our daughter and sister, Unoma, but for the uncountable dividends of democracy he has brought to Igbo land, right from his days as governor of Akwa Ibom State to his present position as number three man in Nigeria. Akpabio has exhibited statefastness, loyalty and love to our people,” he said.

According to the statement “Senator Akpabio has continued to use any avenue available to him to cement the relationship between Igbos and their brothers and sisters from the old Eastern region, by building bridges across the people’s of South South and South-east both politically and economically.”

Igbo Union Nzuko Ndi enumerated some of things Senator Akpabio has done to build friendship, brotherhood and trust amongst the two neighbouring zones in the two country: “Governor Senator Akpabio constructed more than 500 metres Nkana bridge that connects Abia State and Akwa Ibom State. Akpabio built a worship centre, constructed roads in Igbo land and gave and facilitated employments for many sons and daughters of Igbo land.

“This act of kindness to the Igbos has made Senator Akpabio and his wife, our daughter, to be exceptionally loved, respected and reverenced in all communities in Igbo land, as a great in-law of exceptional quality and carriage that has the interest of anything Igbo at their hearts.

The Igbo group said they are all together surprised of Akpabio’s exceptional benovelence to Ndigbo, know his anticidents as a governor in Akwaibom down to this period he now occupies the exholted office of Senate President.

” We in Igbo land are not surprised.We are have being following the activities of the great couple right from their days as the first couple of Akwaibom State. What he implanted in the state, still stand as a reference points to all the in-coming governors in the state.
From roads infrastructure to schools, hospitals, sports facilities etc, Akpabio stood out amongst the governors of his era,” the statement added.

The group said in appreciation for all the good works the couple has been doing in Igbo land, Igbos are ready to honour Sen. Akpabio’s wife, Dr. Mrs. Unoma Ekaite Akpabio soon for her constant reach and support for any thing that concerns Igbo people, describing their act towards her as paying back with love that she has so much extended to her people through her beloved husband.

By Our Correspondent

President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio has officially declared the Ondo South Senatorial seat vacant following Senator Jimoh Ibrahim’s appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, UN.

Ibrahim was last week accredited as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative in New York after presenting his Letter of Credence to UN Secretary‑General, António Guterres.

Announcing the vacancy during Tuesday’s plenary, Akpabio said it takes immediate effect in line with constitutional provisions.

He directed the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to conduct a by‑election to fill the seat within the next 30 days.

Under the 1999 Constitution, as amended, the Senate is required to notify INEC of any vacancy in its membership to initiate a fresh election.

Senator Ibrahim, a businessman and politician, represented Ondo South Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC before his diplomatic appointment.

His presentation of the letter of credence marks the official start of Ibrahim’s duties as Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

During the ceremony, Ibrahim conveyed President Bola Tinubu’s goodwill, commending Guterres for his leadership and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter at a critical moment in global affairs.

Highlighting Africa’s role within the UN system, Ibrahim said President Tinubu recognizes the continent’s contributions in supporting the Secretary‑General and the G77 plus China bloc during General Assembly deliberations.

He stressed that this backing reinforces the call for a permanent African seat on the UN Security Council, describing such a move as a historic milestone that would strengthen global peace and security, especially across Africa.