# The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has appealed the judgment of the Federal High Court, Awka, which recognised Hon. Innocent Ojike as the party’s candidate for the Oyi State Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The development has generated controversy, with supporters of Ojike calling on Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, to intervene and resolve the dispute.
In its appeal filed at the Asaba Division of the Court of Appeal, APGA expressed dissatisfaction with the judgment delivered by Justice Evelyn Anyadike of the Federal High Court, Awka, on September 11, 2026.
The party argued that the trial court erred in law and thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.
It would be recalled that the APGA National and State Assembly Primary Election Committee had declared Ojike the winner of the party’s primary election conducted across the 15 wards of Oyi State Constituency on May 23, 2026.
The outcome was subsequently challenged following the emergence of another result, which purportedly replaced the earlier declaration made by the duly constituted primary election committee.
Justice Anyadike, in her judgment, reportedly set aside the disputed declaration and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to publish the name and particulars of Ojike as APGA’s candidate for the Oyi State Constituency in the 2027 general elections.
The judgment effectively recognised Ojike as the candidate produced by the APGA primary election held on May 23, 2026.
Reacting to the appeal, Hon. Eneh Victor appealed to Governor Soludo to intervene, warning that the dispute could affect the party’s chances in the constituency if not resolved.
Eneh also criticised the decision of the APGA leadership to appeal the judgment, arguing that the dispute was an internal matter between two members of the party.
# The Federal Government is set to intensify measures against vandalism and the activities of scrap dealers in Anambra and Delta States following the removal of critical components of the First Niger Bridge.
The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, has urged the Governors of Anambra and Delta States to closely monitor scrap markets in their respective states, warning that activities in the scrap trade could facilitate the theft and destruction of public infrastructure.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the First Niger Bridge at the Onitsha end of the bridgehead, where he expressed concern over the huge sums being spent by the government to replace bolts, nuts and expansion-joint components removed by vandals.
The Minister recalled that, while serving as Governor of Ebonyi State, he banned scrap-dealing activities because of their alleged links to the vandalism of public infrastructure.
He therefore urged the two states to take stronger measures to prevent a recurrence of the vandalism witnessed on the bridge.
Umahi also called on residents to report suspected vandals to security agencies, stressing that the protection of critical infrastructure requires the collective efforts of government and citizens.
Beyond monitoring scrap markets, the Minister directed the strengthening of security around the bridge, including the complete installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and their integration with the surveillance system at the Second Niger Bridge.
He also ordered the installation of additional solar-powered streetlights around the bridge.
Umahi further reiterated the Federal Government’s ban on illegal sand dredging around bridges, warning that such activities could undermine the structural integrity of critical infrastructure.
The Minister said the vandalised bolts had been replaced and secured, while the specialised expansion joints had been manufactured, flown into the country and installed.
He assured motorists that the First Niger Bridge would reopen next week following the completion of the outstanding rehabilitation works.
# The ongoing torrential rainfall has caused significant damage in Awka metropolis, with two buildings collapsing at Umudioka by Agu-Oye and four electricity poles falling near the Old Government House area.
The two buildings at Umudioka reportedly collapsed after a nearby gully erosion site caved into them, while the four electricity poles at Aroma, which were carrying high-tension wires, were being disconnected by officials of First Power.
Reacting to the development, the Managing Director of the Awka Capital Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr. Ossy Onuko, said the building collapse was caused by an age-long gully erosion that had gradually extended into residential areas.
Dr. Onuko assured residents that the state government would take necessary steps to address the erosion site and prevent further damage.
He noted that there are several erosion sites across Anambra State requiring urgent intervention, stressing the need for individuals, communities and groups to collaborate with the state government in tackling the menace.
According to him, the state is losing land to erosion on a daily basis, making collective action necessary to address the problem.
He also advised residents to desist from activities that could worsen flooding and erosion in their communities.
Speaking on the incident, a member of the family that owns one of the collapsed buildings, Lady Okwudilichukwu Nweke, said the building collapsed suddenly during the rainfall. She attributed the incident to improper channeling of water in the area, which she said gradually developed into a gully.
Nweke disclosed that no casualty was recorded in the incident, but appealed to the state government to come to the family’s aid.
She said the family had been rendered homeless, adding that floodwaters swept away most of their belongings and left them uncertain about where to begin rebuilding their lives.
# The Mayor of Idemili South Local Government Area, Hon. Mrs. Amaka Obi has continued the commissioning of infrastructural projects across the council area, with the latest projects inaugurated.
The projects include the 1.5-kilometre Ogba-Efi Ring Road in Awka-Etiti, St. Gerald Road in Aborji, Oba, solar-powered streetlights, and a solar-powered water borehole on Ogba-Efi Ring Road.
Delivering her opening address, Mayor Obi emphasized that the projects were deliberately designed to address long-standing infrastructural gaps and boost socio-economic activities across the council area.
“Our vision from day one has been to ensure that development reaches every corner of Idemili South. These roads, lighting systems, and water facilities are not just concrete and steel—they are lifelines meant to enhance security, promote commerce, improve daily living conditions, and restore the dignity of our people,” Hon. Obi stated.
The projects were officially commissioned by the Anambra State Commissioner for Works, Arc. Okey Ezeobi, who represented Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
Speaking at the event, Arc. Ezeobi commended Mayor Obi for her leadership and infrastructure initiatives across Idemili South, noting that the road projects would improve connectivity and facilitate movement within the area.
# The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 16 new academic programmes for Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), following the successful completion of the Commission’s resource verification exercise.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, announced the development during the University’s 35th Inaugural Lecture held at the ETF Auditorium.
Omenugha, who addressed the gathering virtually, said the approval followed the NUC’s recent verification of the infrastructure, facilities and other resources required for the commencement of academic activities in the programmes.
The NUC had deployed a verification team to the University in August to assess the available resources, a process which was a major requirement for securing approval and subsequently admitting students into the programmes.
Confirming the approval, the Vice-Chancellor said the University would commence the process of admitting students into the newly approved programmes without unnecessary delay.
The Vice-Chancellor also disclosed another development arising from her recent engagement with the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China.
According to her, she attended the 77th Anniversary celebration of the People’s Republic of China in Abuja, an engagement she described as reflecting the growing visibility of COOU beyond Nigeria.
She said the engagement resulted in a pledge by the Chinese Embassy to provide the University with equipment worth $30,000 to support its development and advancement.
Omenugha said the development further underscored the University’s 3Vs mantra of Values, Viability and Visibility, which she said continues to guide its institutional engagements, partnerships and growth.
The Vice-Chancellor’s trip to Abuja also coincided with the date of the inaugural lecture and was connected with the conclusion of processes surrounding the approval of the 16 programmes, accounting for her physical absence from the event.
# The Anambra State Government has arrested Osita Chukwuma of Blessed Egbogu Motors Limited and sealed the company’s illegal mining site in Uga, Aguata Local Government Area, for allegedly disregarding directives issued by the Anambra State Mining Reform Committee.
Chukwuma was arrested alongside six other persons, including Samuel Igweka, Ifeanyi Daniel, Uchenna Umeaba and Okeke Sopuluchukwu, who were identified as drivers of tipper trucks, as well as Chikaodili Okonkwo, a conductor, and Amaka Uba, a sales representative.
The arrests followed a “save our soul” report by residents of Umudimisii, Umuoru Village, Uga, who alerted the state government to ongoing illegal mining activities in the area.
According to the residents, the activities had placed the community at serious risk of gully erosion, mass failure and building collapse, with previous incidents reportedly resulting in loss of lives.
Speaking during the enforcement operation, the Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Anambra State Mining Reform Committee, Prof. Charles Ofoegbu, frowned at the activities of illegal miners.
Prof. Ofoegbu directed the company to restore the affected site and re-establish its green vegetation, warning that any attempt to reopen the site would attract prosecution.
He said the state government’s efforts to reform the mining sector would be intensified through collaboration among the Mining Reform Committee and the Ministries of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Environment, and Physical Planning.
The Commissioner reiterated the state government’s commitment to enforcing regulations guiding sustainable mining and ensuring that mining activities do not cause avoidable damage to the environment.
# Anambra State Government has sealed an illegal Gas plant, Cynthiamaco Global Limited Oil and Gas, Enugwu-Agidi in Njikoka Local Government Area for being sited without the required regulatory approvals from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and also in violation of prescribed safety standards.
Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Charles Ofoegbu, who handed down the order shortly after the exercise, affirmed that same measure would be replicated across the state.
Professor Ofoegbu revealed that the Ministry of Physical Planning has been given a notice to invoke relevant laws and sanction against all filling stations, gas stations and their likes that do not meet the physical planning requirements of the state.
He, however, disclosed that his ministry is presently constituting a team with members drawn from the ministries of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Physical Planning, Environment and operators like NUPENG and PENGASSAN to sanitize the system.
Ofoegbu noted that they will also embark on aggressive checking of the quality of petrol being dispensed to Ndi Anambra and if anyone is found guilty, the filling station would be sealed and product destroyed.
# In a bold move to address the rising cases of Gender Based Violence (GBV) in Anambra State, the Gender Perspective and Social Development Centre (GPSDC) with support from the Women Aid Collective (WACOL) has convened a two day residential training in Awka for Umuada (daughters of the land) from Nkpor and Nibo communities.
The training seeks to leverage the unique cultural influence of Umuada to speak against harmful practices, tackle gender based violence and promote positive behavioural change within their communities.
Held under the project, “Empowering Christian Women and Women Leaders of Culture for Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence in Nigeria Through the Strengthening of Grassroots Organizations,” the programme is designed to strengthen Umuada leadership and equip them to play a more active role in GBV prevention, response and community-level change.
