Politics
Abia North: ANPF, Isuikwuato Stakeholders blast Agbaeze-led group over smear in campaign against Sen Orji Kalu
By George Mgbeleke
A socio-political group, Abia North Peace Foundation, (ANPF) has issued a robust rebuttal to a recent gathering convened at the residence of Chief Chima Agbaeze in Isuikwuato, which was styled as a “Committee of Friends” meeting under the guise of the so-called “Coalition for Equity and Justice in Abia North”.
The condemnation follows a communiqué issued by a self-acclaimed “Coalition for Equity and Justice in Abia North” after a meeting convened by Chief Chima Agbaeze at his residence in Isuikwuato.
In a statement jointly signed by Chief Nnanna Ukaegbu, Director General, and Pastor Caleb Kalu Awa, Assistant Secretary on Friday, the Abia North Peace Foundation described the gathering as a “political masquerade” driven by “sycophancy, propaganda, and desperate revisionism.”
“The attempt by Chima Agbaeze and his co-travellers to cast aspersions on Distinguished Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is laughable and exposes a deep-seated hypocrisy These same individuals, now preaching selective equity, conveniently ignored the sixteen consecutive years the Isuikwuato/Umunneochi axis held the Senate seat without question,” the statement read.
They pointed out that General Ike Nwachukwu and the late Comrade Uche Chukwumerije, both from the same zone, served a combined sixteen years, yet no agitation for rotation emerged until now. “Senator Kalu has served only eight years so far, but his impact across Abia North remains unmatched,” the statement added.
The Foundation listed Kalu’s achievements, including rural roads, improved schools, scholarships, employment opportunities, and increased federal presence. They insisted that the Senate seat is “not a token to be shared like a village masquerade costume but a mandate earned through performance and the trust of the electorate.”
Reiterating its backing for Kalu’s third term bid, the group declared that “the people of Abia North will decide in 2027, not shrine loyalists or pseudo-activists manipulating public sentiment.”
Separately, an Isuikwuato community chieftain, Barrister Ukaoha Ifekwo from Eluama, warned the group spearheading the campaign to desist immediately, describing their online statements as “libellous and an embarrassment to men and women of goodwill.”
According to him, the so-called coalition is an unregistered group “operating only on social media” that has become “a nuisance to discerning minds in the zone.” He cautioned that the group risks incurring the wrath of both the people and the law for defamation and name-dropping.
“Only ignorance will lead some people to want to change a winning team mid-game,” Barr. Ukaoha stated. “Voters understand the importance of having ranking lawmakers whose experience brings tangible benefits to their constituencies.”
Both statements urged the public to disregard what they described as “manufactured outrage” and “desperate propaganda” against Senator Kalu.
“The real injustice is to allow petty personal ambitions and desperation to hide behind the mask of so-called equity,” the Foundation concluded.
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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