By George Mgbeleke
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said the late Senator who represented Rivers South East Senatorial District served his people and country with with honour, dignity and unwavering devotion to duty.

Senator Akpabio made the declaration in his tribute at a funeral service held in honour of the late Senator in the Anglican Church in Koroma Tai in Rivers State.

According to Senator Akpabio, “Senator Barinada Mpigi served his people and his country with honour, with dignity, and with unwavering devotion to duty.

“In the hallowed Chamber of the Senate, where the affairs of the nation are debated and determined, his voice was steady, his judgment thoughtful , and his commitment to the welfare of his constituents unmistakable.

According to Senator Akpabio, the late Rivers State Senator served with dignity and with conviction mindful that the lives, hopes, and welfare of many were bound up in how faithfully they served.

“He served with loyalty to his people, with fidelity to his conscience, and with faith in the promise of our nation.

“Though we grieve his loss, we remember him as a man who served with honour, who labored with conviction, and who believed in the future of Nigeria. Nigeria misses him. The Senate mourns him. His people remember him. His service remains stenciled in the tablets of time and in our national archives,” Akpabio said.

Until his demise the late Senator Mpigi who represented Rivers South East in the Senate was the Chairman Senate Committee on Works and was reputed to be one of the most influential, outspoken and dedicated Senator in the Nigerian 10th Senate.

By Our Correspondent

As politicians warm up 2027 elections,the people of Awkunanaw clan, cutting across several communities in Enugu South and Nkanu West Local Government Areas of Enugu State, have endorsed the governor of the state, Dr. Peter Mbah, for a second term in office.

The people, who trooped out en masse at the Civic Centre, Akpasha, for a mega rally in support of Mbah on Saturday, also presented governor Mbah with an Ofo (symbol of authority and justice) saying he had set a record in less than three years that would be difficult for anyone to break in eight years.

They advised any son or daughter of the Awkunanaw clan – Akegbe Ugwu, Obuofia, Amechi, Amodu, Obeagu, Umueze, Akwuke, and Ugwuaji –
interested in the state’s governorship seat to perish the thought until the office rotates to Enugu East Senatorial Zone again.

Akegbe Ugwu, Obuofia, Amechi, Amodu, Obeagu, Umueze, Akwuke, and Ugwu
Articulating the stand of the mammoth crowd, elder statesman and former President of the Senate, Senator Ken Nnamani, noted that Mbah had become a poster boy for subnational governance in Nigeria.
“We want to make it clear that the people of Awkunanaw are solidly behind Peter Mbah to complete his second term. His good works in Enugu are earning him public acclaim throughout the country.

“The high point of our coming here today is that we want to bequeath him with an Ofo, and it is rarely given. So, nobody in Nkanu land should use Governor Mbah’s remaining four years to play with us.

“Again, if anyone feels he has an issue with him, we are going to settle it indoors as brothers. But the truth remains that we are not going to joke with his second term.

“Besides, Awkunanaw does not go to fight and come back defeated. No! We go into a just fight we will win and be proud that we fought. He has, in barely three years, done what other governors could not do in eight years. That is why we trooped out here en masse to show him explicit support. We are standing tall with him without hiding, and we are ready to defend him everywhere,” Nnamani declared.

Reinforcing Nnamani’s remarks, former governor of old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo, said, as a forthright people, Awkunanaw clan, having presented the Ofo staff to Governor Mbah, could not renege on their support for him.

Nwobodo, who was represented by the Enugu State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Deacon Okey Ogbodo, declared that Mbah remained the best hands for the state come 2027.

“The point is that we have given the Ofo to him, and it is not something you give to two individuals at the same time because our ancestors are also involved, and it is tantamount to endorsing two persons for the same office. So, Mbah is our governorship candidate come 2027,” he declared.

Secretary to Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, reiterated that Mbah had set Enugu as a benchmark for good governance, commending his revolutionary transportation strides across all sectors.

Invoking their ancestors, the traditional rulers of the entire Awkunanaw clan in a process led by HRH Igwe Obi Igwesi, jointly presented an ofo to Mbah, declaring that any Awkunanaw son or daughter, who goes against Mbah’s reelection would be inviting the wrath of their forefathers.

Speaking, Governor Mbah fired back at the opposition, saying no one could diminish or distort the achievements recorded by his administration in less than three years.

“Three years ago, there were no Smart Schools and Type-2 Hospitals in all our political wards; the International Conference Centre, Hotel Presidential, Nigergas, the Enugu United Palm Products Limited, and several other prized assets were still skeletal shells and moribund.

“Three years ago, there was no Enugu Air; no state-of-the-art transport terminals; no CNG buses; and our dear capital city was not the conferencing hub that it has become today,” he stated.

He warned the people of Awkunanaw and Nkanuland against selfish politicians sowing seeds of discord in desperate bids for power to feather their nests.

“We must come together to resist forces of falsehood and division.

“How can you claim to love Nkanu people and yet act in ways that hurt their interests? That tells you one thing: they are driven by selfish interests.

“Besides, could they have recorded even a tiny fraction of what we have achieved so far?” he queried.

Meanwhile, other Awkunanaw leaders at the event include Hon. U.S.A Igwesi, Amb. Gordi Agbo. Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo, Hon. Chimaobi Atu, Hon. Iloabuchi Aniagu, Hon. Obiajulu Princess Ugwu, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, Hon. John Egbo, Dr. Amaka Ngene, Hon. Nwabueze Ugwu, Igwe Dr. Greg Ugwu and other traditional rulers from within and outside the Awkunanaw clan.

Also present were
Prof. Oguejiofo Ujam, Hon. Ken Nyamah, Hon. Sam Ngene, Hon. Caleb Ani, among a host of those who spoke to endorse the governor.

Other dignitaries present include Dr. Ben Nwoye, Dr. Martin Chukwunweike,
Senator Kelvin Chukwu, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji, Hon. Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, Hon. Uchenna Ugwu, Barr. Victor Udeh, Hon. Eugene Odoh, Prince Lawrence Ezeh, Hon. Okechukwu Edeh, host Council Chairman – Hon. John Ogbodo – and many other Council Chairmen, among a host of others.

By George Mgbeleke
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has congratulated its newly elected State Executives and Chairmen on the peaceful conduct of their congresses, describing the process as a reflection of the party’s commitment to internal democracy and the rule of law.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party announced that the inauguration of the new officials will take place on May 12, 2026, or a later date to be communicated. The ADC also urged the officials to remain committed to the party’s ideals and align with the leadership direction of our National Chairman, Senator David Mark, as they work to strengthen the party nationwide.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) congratulates all newly elected State Executives and State Chairmen across the federation on the successful and peaceful conduct of their congresses.

These elections, carried out in line with the provisions of the law and the party’s constitution, reflect the ADC’s enduring commitment to internal democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. We commend all party members and stakeholders for exercising their democratic rights with maturity, discipline, and a shared sense of purpose.

The Party is pleased to announce that the formal inauguration of the newly elected State Executives is scheduled to take place on May 12, 2026, or on a later date to be duly communicated by the National Working Committee.

As you prepare to assume office, we urge all elected officials to remain steadfast in their dedication to the ideals and vision of the party. The task ahead requires unity, discipline, and a continued commitment to building a strong, credible alternative for the Nigerian people.

The ADC remains confident that under your leadership at the state level, the party will continue to grow, deepen its structures, and strengthen its connection with citizens across the country.
Once again, congratulations.

Meanwhile,the party has released the updated lists of its Convention Committee and Subcommittees ahead of its forthcoming national convention.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party said the update is aimed at strengthening coordination and ensuring a smooth and credible convention.

The ADC urged all committee members to discharge their responsibilities with diligence and called on stakeholders to support the process.
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