Atiku Shuns Clamour For Southern Presidency, Picks ADC Presidential Forms

May 9, 2026

Atiku Abubakar buys ADC Presidential Form

By Akinwale Kasali

Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential Candidate in the 2019 and 2023 Elections, has once again thrown his hat into the 2027 Presidential race.

In doing that Atiku has pointedly ignored that the North having, through late President Muhammadu Buhari held the Presidency for eight years, the Southern Nigeria should be allowed to hold it for same period.

On Friday, Atiku purchased the Presidential Ticket as an Aspirant on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC. And did Rotimi Amaechi from Southern Nigeria.

The ADC confirmed that Abubakar has paid the sum of N90 million for the Presidential forms to enable him to contest under the party’s platform.

This was disclosed in a statement posted on its X account on Saturday.

The post was accompanied by a receipt confirming the transaction, with Official Receipt No. 2881.

The document indicates a payment of ₦90 million in bank draft, stated as the cost of the presidential nomination form ahead of the 2027 general election. The receipt was dated Friday, May 8, 2026.

The party stated: “A New Chapter in Nigeria’s Democratic Journey.

“H.E. Atiku Abubakar, GCON, has officially received his payment receipt to contest under the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 Presidential Election.”

The embattled ADC described the development as part of what it called a wider political shift within the party, framing it as a moment of strategic significance in its evolving electoral posture.

“This development marks another significant moment in the growing movement for national renewal, democratic inclusion, and people-driven leadership within the ADC,” it read.

Following this development, the party further positioned itself as an emerging alternative in Nigeria’s competitive opposition space.

It added: “As Nigerians continue to seek credible alternatives, the ADC remains committed to providing a strong platform built on unity, competence, economic recovery, security, and national progress.”

According to the announcement, the next formal step in the process will take place in the coming days.

It noted: “The formal presentation of nomination forms is expected on Monday at the ADC National Secretariat, Abuja.”

The party further framed the development as part of growing internal momentum ahead of the election cycle.

“The movement is growing. Hope is rising. Expect more,” the party concluded.

Wike Lied, Fubara Never Accepted Not To Seek Re-election – Tam-George

Adesina Soyooye

May 9, 2026

By Adesina Soyooye

Austin Tam-George, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, has disclosed that the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, lied in his recent monthly press interview when he declared that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, said before President Bola Tinubu, that he would not run for a second term in office.

Tam-George said that Fubara never accepted to such an agreement and that it is a fabrication by Wike.

Recall that Wike had disclosed during the Media outing that Fubara said before President Tinubu during a reconciliation meeting that he was not going to seek a re-election to a second term in office. Wike, therefore, posited that Governor Fubara was being “clever by half” when it was disclosed that a group of Rivers State Elders had purchased the 2027 Governorship Election Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for him.

Recall, also that Wike, Fubara’s estranged political godfather, had sworn that Fubara will never get a second term in office for daring to disagree with him.

L-R; Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike

But Tam-George, in an interview, put a lie to Wike’s claims that part of the outcome of the reconciliation before the President was that Fubara will not seek a second term in office. According to the former Commissioner, nothing of that nature came up; there was no such agreement, and no such agreement was signed.

He stated that even if there was any private political understanding, such agreement cannot overide the Nigerian Constitution.

Tam-George emphasized that the Nigerian Constitution gives every elected governor the right to seek a second term if he/she so desires. Therefore, he argued, if Fubara decides to seek a re-election and eventually appears on the ballot, his fate rests with the people through a democratic process.

Tam-George: “I can tell you that no such agreement exists. It’s a completely fictitious fabrication by the FCT minister. No such agreement exists.”

In a bid to stop Fubara, Wike, who insists he is a staunch PDP member, and who leads both the PDP and the APC in Rivers State under what he calls a Rainbow Coalition, has already positioned two Governorship aspirants against 2027 – one for the PDP and the other for the APC under which Government he serves as a Minister.

Alleged N37 Billion Fraud: EFCC Declares Fmr Minister, Umar Farouq Wanted

Ayodele Oni

May 9, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Social Development Sadiya Umar Farouq under the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s Government is on the wanted list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over allegations of abuse of office and diversion of public funds.

In a notice published on its website Saturday, the EFCC asked anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact its offices nationwide.

Umar Farouq, 52, is from Zamfara State. Her last known address is listed as EN008, Okpo River, off Agulu Street, Maitama, Abuja. She served under former President Muhammadu Buhari from 2019 to 2023.

The EFCC is investigating alleged fraud involving about N37 billion linked to the ministry during her tenure.

On 16 April 2026, a Federal Capital Territory High Court issued a warrant for her arrest after she and other defendants failed to appear for arraignment.

Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie also approved the arrest of Bashir Nura Alkali, a Permanent Secretary in the Ministry.

Umar Farouq, Alkali, and Sani Mohammed face a 21-count charge of criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

The EFCC alleges the defendants misappropriated about $1.3 million and N746.6 million meant for government programmes.

“Part of the funds, meant to be refunded to the ministry after payments under a social intervention programme, was allegedly diverted for personal use,” the agency said.

She served as Buhari’s Minister between 2019 and 2023 as a replacement for Dr. Beta Edu who was removed from office over some alleged untidy circumstances.

One of the highlights of Farouq’s tenure was when a social media blogger married her off to Buhari in a fake marriage ceremony complete with wedding invitations and photographs.

She was however alleged to have later married a former Chief of the Air Staff under same administration.

INEC Guidelines: Defection Ends Saturday

Ayodele Oni

May 9, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State, Kayode Ajulo, has declared that defection from one party to the other ends by 11.59 pm on Saturday.

The commissioner explained that the political party a Nigerian politician belongs to as of 11:59 p.m. on Saturday will effectively determine the platform on which such a politician can contest the 2027 General Elections.

Ajulo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, made the assertion in a legal opinion released on Saturday, warning politicians against last-minute defections after the deadline for the submission of party membership registers to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The legal opinion, titled “Fixity of Political Party Membership and Sponsorship for the 2027 Polls,” is based on provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Electoral Act 2026, particularly Section 77.

According to him, the Electoral Act now mandates political parties to maintain and submit comprehensive digital membership registers containing verified details of members, including National Identification Numbers, photographs, polling unit information and biometric data.

Ajulo explained that only individuals captured in the registers submitted to INEC before the May 10, 2026 deadline would be recognised as valid members eligible to participate in party primaries or contest elections on the platform of such parties.

He stressed that the law expressly prohibits dual party membership and imposes penalties for violations, warning that politicians who defect after the submission deadline risk disqualification, while political parties that fail to comply with the provisions could lose the right to sponsor candidates.

The Attorney General noted that although Section 40 of the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, such rights are subject to electoral regulations aimed at promoting internal party discipline and preventing political instability caused by frequent defections.

Ajulo also cited Sections 68 and 109 of the Constitution relating to defection by lawmakers, noting that elected legislators are expected to vacate their seats upon switching parties except in cases of division or merger within their political parties.

He further referenced judicial authorities affirming that political party sponsorship and nomination are tied to compliance with electoral guidelines at the relevant period.Describing the Electoral Act 2026 as a deliberate legislative response to what he termed “opportunistic cross-carpeting,”

Ajulo said the law was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic process and reduce political inconsistency.

He advised politicians considering a change of political affiliation to formally resign from their current parties and ensure their names are removed from existing membership registers before the INEC deadline.

The senior lawyer also urged political parties to carefully compile and verify their registers to avoid sanctions or disqualification during the nomination process.

The development comes amid heightened political activities and intensified membership drives across major political parties ahead of the 2027 elections, with party primaries expected to hold between April 23 and May 30, 2026.

Stop Dragging Gov Otti Into Your Internal Crises, LP Cautions APC

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 9, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Labour Party, LP, has cautioned the All Progressive Congress, APC, against linking Governor Alex Otti to its festering and self-inflicted crises in Abia state.

The Party described as totally unacceptable the tendency by the APC in Abia State to seek to drag Governor Otti into its internal and leadership tussles.

The Source reports that the APC, in a statement early on Friday, May 8 2026, accused the Media team of the Abia State Governor of being responsible for the fake and misleading reports circulating in the social media space suggesting that Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives has endorsed Governor Otti for a second term in office.

“The attention of the APC in Abia State has been drawn to a misleading, malicious and deceptive propaganda being circulated across various media platforms allegedly by Governor Alex Otti’s media team.

“For the benefits of unsuspecting members of the public who may be misled by these desperate falsehood, we wish to categorically state that the Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu has never at any time, either publicly or privately, endorsed Governor Otti for a second term in office”, the APC stated.

However,in a reaction late Friday, the Abia state chapter of the LP, in a statement from its spokesperson, Emenike Iroegbu , condemned the APC’s growing tendency to associate the Abia state Governor with issues concerning Kalu.

The LP emphasized that the Abia State Governor is too focused and preoccupied with the task of delivering on the people’s mandate to bother about persons who are yet to clearly define their own political direction.

Similarly, the LP called on the APC in Abia State to rather pay attention to the rebuilding of the Party instead of constantly dragging the Governor into their internal challenges.

“Ordinarily, the Labour Party would not have dignified such a needless and panic-driven publication with a response but it has become necessary to advise the Abia State APC to desist from the habitual attempt to use the good name of Governor Alex Otti to drive their endless political narrative and internal anxieties.

“Governor Alex Otti is far too focused on governance, rebuilding critical infrastructure, repositioning the economy, restoring confidence in public institutions and improving the lives of Abians to spend valuable time discussing individuals who are yet to clearly define their own political direction.

“It is, therefore, surprising that the APC in Abia State continues to drag the Governor into every conversation as though their political relevance depends solely mentioning his name.

“The truth remains that Governor Alex Otti’s performance has naturally become the standard for governance in Abia state, and this reality appears to be giving the opposition sleepless nights.

“The Labour Party finds it unnecessary to engage in debates over endorsement or political speculations manufactured by opposition elements seeking public attention.

“Governor Otti’s growing acceptance across Abia State and beyond is rooted in visible performance, prudent leadership and the restoration of hope to the people”, LP noted.

The Party, therefore, urged the APC in Abia State to focus on rebuilding their party, articulating alternative policies ,and addressing the concerns of their members instead of dissipating energy on trying to drag Governor Otti into their internal and leadership crises .

Unity Bank Disburses Over N500m To SMEs

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 9, 2026

As part of efforts to promote Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs in the country, Unity Bank has continued to empower small-scale traders and shop owners across Nigeria through its initiative called Shop Collateralised Facility, SHOCOF.

SHOCOF is an innovative loan product, and Unity Bank has disbursed over N500 million to beneficiaries, significantly improving access to financing, and further driving financial inclusion.

Originally introduced as a targeted intervention for traders in Southeast Nigeria, SHOCOF quickly gained traction and broad acceptance for its flexibility and tailored structure, prompting the Bank to expand the product nationwide.

Under the initiative, eligible customers can use their shops as collateral to access financing. The product simplifies access to credit by leveraging the commercial value and stability associated with fixed business locations, enabling traders to secure funds without the stringent collateral requirements associated with traditional lending structures.

The facility provides working capital support that enables beneficiaries to restock goods, increase inventory turnover, improve cash flow, and respond more effectively to market demand.

Recent reports indicate that more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s small businesses operate informally, with many relying on personal savings and informal borrowing channels due to limited access to Bank credit. SHOCOF was developed to bridge this gap through a lending model tailored to the realities of market traders and small shop owners.

Speaking on the impact of the product, the Group Head, Risk Management, Unity Bank, Olusegun Oladipo, said the Bank recognised the need for financing solutions aligned with the realities of informal sector businesses.

“SHOCOF was created to address a critical gap within the small business ecosystem by providing access to credit through a structure that traders can satisfactorily meet without much ado,” Oladipo said.

He added: “By recognising the value and stability embedded in their businesses, we have been able to support traders with the capital required to sustain and grow their operations.”

Also commenting, Divisional Head, SME & Retail Banking, Unity Bank, Adenike Abimbola, said the nationwide adoption of the product reflects proper market segmentation to meet the growing demand for accessible financing among small business owners.

“What started as a targeted intervention in the Southeast, which quickly gained momentum because the product directly addressed the realities of everyday traders,” Abimbola said.

Over the years, Unity Bank has continued to introduce targeted solutions aimed at empowering entrepreneurs, including its flagship Yanga account package developed to support female entrepreneurs.

The Bank reaffirmed that expanding access to capital for underserved business segments remains critical to boosting trade, strengthening local economies, and driving sustainable economic growth

Why Some Bank Dividends Are Paused, Implications For Investors

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 9, 2026

There is a quiet but important shift underway in Nigeria’s banking sector, and shareholders are beginning to feel it through their dividend payouts. Several banks declared healthy profits for the financial year ended December 2025. A few proposed dividends were announced, then came the regulatory signal that the CBN reportedly withheld approval for some of those dividends until the affected banks aligned with the provisions of BOFIA to ensure prudential compliance.

The story behind the headlines is more reassuring than alarming. Nigeria’s banks are not being asked to explain a crisis but are being required to complete regulatory alignment under risk-assessment governance. The current dividend pause, and elevated impairment charges are, according to Proshare’s latest banking sector update, evidence of regulatory discipline alignment, balance-sheet repair, and capital-quality discipline rather than of banking distress.

The CBN has spent the past two years pushing the industry through a recapitalisation programme that raised about N4.65 trillion across 33 banks. With capital quantity now broadly settled, the regulator has turned attention to capital quality. That means making sure the loans on banks’ books are valued honestly, that losses are recognised promptly, and that depositors are protected before shareholders are paid.

The numbers tell the story. Across several tier-one and tier-two banks, impairment charges in 2025 totalled around N2.16 trillion. UBA recorded a loan-loss provision of N331 billion. Access Holdings increased its impairment charges by 209% to N287.3 billion. Those figures are not signs of weakness. They are signs that vulnerabilities are being recognised upfront rather than postponed.

A large part of the story sits in the oil and gas sector, where banking industry exposure is estimated at around N21 trillion at the end of 2024. Some of those exposures have entered public conversation, and lenders have taken active steps to recover value, including asset freezes and receivership filings. The willingness to disclose, provision, and litigate is itself a sign of a healthier sector, not a failing one.

For shareholders, the immediate experience is uncomfortable. A paused dividend feels like bad news. The longer-term message, however, is more constructive: a banking system that recognises losses, retains capital, and rebuilds buffers can support sustainable dividends and stronger share prices over time.

Discerning investors are reading the moment differently. They were the same investors who supported the recapitalisation cycle. They saw long-term franchise value, deeper capital buffers, and the prospect of cleaner earnings on the other side of the reset. The current pause does not change that decision mindset. If anything, it reinforces it. A bank that takes its impairment hit now is a bank with a cleaner runway tomorrow.

The informed way to read what is happening is that the system is not broken, but the rules are now being applied with more discipline. The banks that raised capital are now being asked to demonstrate that they can use that capital to absorb losses, protect depositors, and build buffers before they distribute profits.

The message, therefore, is straightforward. Nigeria’s banks are being pushed into a stricter phase of regulatory alignment. Losses are being recognised earlier, capital is being retained, recovery actions are being pursued, and transparency is improving.

The short-term effect is uncomfortable for shareholders, but only for a while. The longer-term aim is a stronger, more resilient banking system with a better foundation for sustainable investor returns. For the public, that is good news, even if it does not feel like it on dividend day.

2027: Jonathan Kicks Against Plans To Stop Him From Contesting

Tosin Olatokunbo

May 9, 2026

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has kicked against a suit in the federal high court Abuja seeking to disqualify him from running for president in 2027.

The suit filed by a lawyer Johnmary Jideobi, dated October 6, 2025, is seeking to stop the former Nigerian leader from participating in next year’s presidential election, on the basis that he has been sworn-in twice as president of the Federal Republic.

The suit is coming on the heels of recent moves by some political actors in the country to drag the former leader into the presidential race to challenge incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

On Thursday, some African Democratic Congress, ADC leaders visited the ex-president in his Abuja home to woo him to join other presidential aspirants seeking to dislodge President Tinubu next year.

Also, on Friday the Tanimu Turaki faction of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during a visit called on him to contest for the country’s highest office again.

The ex- president, in his response, had told the two delegations from the ADC and PDP that he was still consulting to decide whether he would run or not as Commander-in-chief.

In the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2102/2025, Jideobi is seeking some reliefs from the court, in his quest to stop Jonathan, which includes; an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the former Nigerin leader from from presenting himself to any political party in the country for the purpose of contesting next year’s presidential election.

But the former president has countered the suit in a counter-affidavit filed by his lawyer, Chief Chris Uche, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on May 5 saying the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to carry out the action, and that the matter of his qualification to run for president has been settled by two courts, a federal high court and the Court of Appeal.

In a Notice of Preliminary Objection, Jonathan stressed that Jideobi’s suit lacked merit and should be dismissed immediately, describing the suit as a gross abuse of court process, adding that the plaintiff has not proved how the participation of Jonathan in the 2027 election will affect him.

“The plaintiff has no personal interest or legal right whatsoever affected by the subject matter of this suit.”
In a 14 paragraph affidavit deposed in support of the Notice of Preliminary Objection, Jonathan maintained that the plaintiff’s suit is utterly speculative, academic, hypothetical, and not based on any real or existing dispute.
“The plaintiff relies on media publications and conjecture suggesting that the 1st defendant may contest a future election.
“The 1st defendant has (i) not declared any intention to contest any election; (ii) not been nominated as a candidate; and not participated in any electoral process giving rise to this suit.”

Referring to Section 137(3) of the Constitution (as amended) which was introduced by a constitutional amendment (Act No. 10 of 2017) which came into force in June 2018, the deponent, Emmanuel Tsebo, told the court that Jonathan “has not been elected as President more than once”, adding, “That the tenure of the 1st defendant ended in 2015, prior to the coming into force of the said amendment.”
He added, “That the said constitutional amendment does not state that it applies retrospectively.

“That by settled principles of law, constitutional provisions do not operate retrospectively to affect vested rights.”
Besides, the deponent averred that the issue raised by the plaintiff concerning the constitutional eligibility of Jonathan had already been litigated upon and determined by competent Courts of law.

“That in Suit No. FHC/YNG/CS/86/2022 between Andy Solomon & Anor vs. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan & Ors, the Federal High Court sitting at Yenagoa unequivocally held that the provisions of Section 137(3) of the Constitution do not apply retrospectively to the 1st Defendant, and a certified true copy of the judgement is annexed herewith as Exhibit “A”.

“That the said judgement remains valid, subsisting and binding.

“That the Court of Appeal in the case of Cyriacus Njoku vs. Goodluck Jonathan & Ors, Appeal No CA/A/574/2013 also held that the 1st defendant’s assumption of office upon the demise of President Umaru Yar’Adua did not amount to an elected presidential tenure within the contemplation of the Constitution, and therefore did not count as a prior elected term. A certified true copy of the judgment is annexed herewith as Exhibit “6B”.

“That the Court of Appeal further held that the 1st defendant was running his “first term” after his election in 2011.

“That the said judgement of the Court of Appeal remains valid, subsisting and binding.

“That the plaintiff’s present suit seeks to relitigate the same issue already determined by courts of competent jurisdiction.

“That this suit is a collateral attack on subsisting judgments of courts of competent jurisdiction.

“That the plaintiff’s suit seeks to convert this Honourable Court to sit as a Court of Appeal over the judgments of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal.”

Progressive Governors Forum Meets, Passes Vote Of Confidence In Uzodimma

The Source

May 9, 2026

Governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the aegis of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) rose from their meeting Friday, at the Imo State Government House in Abuja, and passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of their Chairman, Sen Hope Uzodimma, and his Vice, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State.

The meeting which lasted for more than three hours, and presided over by Governor Uzodimma, basically looked at issues around the forthcoming Primaries of the APC, and how the Governors and all Party members and different Committees set up for the upcoming Primaries can work together to deliver a hitch free national and subnational exercise.

Chairman of the PGF, Governor Uzodimma, his Deputy, Governor Sani and the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Nasir Idris, briefed the media after their meeting surrounded by their colleagues who were also in attendance.

Governor Uzodimma had said that the meeting had become imperative as the APC Primaries are around the corner, hence the need for the Party to be more united to deliver a hitch free exercise under the supervision of the Governors, the leadership of the Party and the Committees.

Uzodimma said that with the Thursday submission of President Bola Tinubu’s form to contest for reelection in January 2027, there was need for all the APC Governors to collaboratively work hard with other Party members and stakeholders to ensure that the President who has shown performance in his first tenure is reelected next year.

The PGF Chairman further spoke about a more united Party and the need to strengthen support at all levels in the overall interest of the APC.

Also speaking, Governor Sani maintained that the unity of the Party is not negotiable at the moment, and that the APC Governors have proven to be more united now than ever in supporting President Tinubu and Party.

On the purported change of leadership of the PGF which trended on social media ahead of the meeting of Friday, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State dismissed the report as complete false.

“That is not correct. You can see our Chairman, Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Vice, Governor Uba Sani are all here. They are our leaders. We don’t have any problems. Let me use this opportunity to also move a vote of confidence in the leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma and his Vice, Governor Uba Sani,” Governor Idris stated.

Recall that there was a purported change of leadership in the Forum which trended on social media and some traditional newspapers on Friday which made the Director General of the PGF, Mr. Folorunso Aluko, to issue a strong rebuttal over the fake report, and reaffirmed the leadership of Governor Uzodimma.

Governors of the following States attended the meeting – Imo, Ondo, Kaduna, Taraba, Sokoto, Lagos, Nasarawa ( Deputy), Ebonyi, Kano, Yobe, Edo, Zamfara, Benue, Kebbi, Borno,and Jigawa.

Reps Deputy Speaker, Kalu Denies Endorsing Gov Otti For A Second Term

Suleiman Anyalewechi

May 8, 2026

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Congress APC has strongly rejected claims suggesting that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has endorsed the second term ambition of Abia state Governor, Alex Otti.

The rebuttal is coming against the backdrop of growing speculations amidst social media reports claiming that Kalu has jettisoned his much touted gubernatorial bid to endorse Governor Otti’s re-election.

Alex Otti - Abia State Governor — Alex Otti, Abia State Governor

According to the reports, Kalu has instead resolved to concentrate on consolidating his stay at the National Assembly.

It will be recalled that the Deputy Speaker was said to have earlier in the week procured the expression of interest and nomination forms for the Abia Governorship and House of Representatives race, a development which had accentuated rumours of abandoning his pursuit for the state’s topmost job.

But in a statement on Friday May 8, 2026, from Uche Aguoru, its spokesperson, the Abia State chapter of the APC described the reports of the Deputy Speaker’s purported endorsement of Governor Otti as false, misleading and mischievous.

The party accused Governor Otti’s media minders of being behind the cowardly misinformation circulating in social space.

While calling on party members, supporters and Abia residents to disregard the reports, the APC emphasized the unflinching commitment of Kalu to the party’s quest at staking a strong claim in the governance space of Abia state come 2027.

“For the benefits of unsuspecting members of the public who may be misled by these desperate falsehood, we wish to categorically state the Rt Hon Benjamin Okezie Kalu has never, at any time, either publicly or privately, endorsed Governor Alex Otti for a second term in office.

“Rt. Hon. Kalu remains a loyal, committed, and dedicated party man as well as the undisputed leader of the APC in Abia State.

“On the contrary, the Deputy Speaker has remained resolute, and fully committed to the mission of ensuring that the All Progressive Congress wins all elective positions in Abia State and takes over the Government House, Umuahia, come May 29, 2029

“His determination to ensure that the Labour Party, LP, administration in Abia State is voted out remains strong, consistent and unwavering, especially in view of what many Abians consider the mismanagement of the state across critical sectors of governance”, the APC stated.

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