POLITICS
PDP Abia Central Assures John Okiyi Kalu Of Their Total Support As Primaries Approach
The stakeholders and leaders of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have assured a frontline aspirant for the governorship ticket of the party, Chief John Okiyi Kalu of their total support as the Guber primary election approaches.
The assurance was made when Kalu, a former Commissioner for Information, who equally served as a Commissioner for Trade and Investment, paid a visit to the stakeholders in Umuahia, where he presented his intentions to them, and they responded.
According to Kalu, he came to seek the support of the party members in the Abia Central Senatorial District because he is sure that he came out to win and not to negotiate with anyone for payment.
Kalu equally urged the stakeholders, leaders and members in Abia Central to give him their absolute support, as he will not betray a party he has been a strong part of since 1999.
The former commissioner for information said that he is the only true party man in the race, as he has never in the history of his life doubted the PDP or tried to betray the PDP.
He urged the members to be careful while making their choices so that they would not use their hands to choose a man who would betray the party in the middle of the race, just to benefit their paymasters who called them to cause distraction.
Kalu urged the stakeholders to realise that the ticket he is seeking is the ticket of every PDP member, stressing that when they allow themselves to be deceived by non-party people, it will not be good for the history of the party.
Responding to his request, the Ikwuano PDP Chairman, Okechukwu Azundu, said that the Ikwuano LGA, one of the LGAs that make up the Abia Central Senatorial District, is fully behind a party man like Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, who has come out open with nothing to hide.
Azundu said that Ikwuano has fully agreed with John Okiyi-Kalu, stressing that they are with him, as they are now hopeful that their party, the PDP, is back and still alive.
Umuahia North Chairman, Omesue Bright Chidi, equally said that his LGA will go with Chief John Okiyi-Kalu and encouraged him to continue with what he is doing, as they are solidly behind him for standing fully with the party.
Barr Chris Amaefula, Chairman, Umuahia South, also assured Chief John Okiyi-Kalu of the full support of the PDP members and stakeholders in Umuahia South LGA.
A stakeholder of the party in Isiala-Ngwa North, Elder Sam Esindu, equally said they will support Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, whom he believes has worked very hard for the party for so many years.
Isiala-Ngwa South Chairman Nwankpa Okechukwu and his Osisioma Ngwa counterpart, Barr Emeka Onyenso, unanimously gave their support to John Okiyi-Kalu as well.
PDP State Woman Leader Mrs Felicia Ukajianya said that the PDP women are 100% behind Chief John Okiyi-Kalu, stressing that he is the only serious option they have to get close to the government house again.
She gave him the assurance that PDP women will never disappoint him, stressing that the women will stand by him and equally prayed for and encouraged him.
Tension reportedly erupted during the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary in Ebonyi State after Senator Ken Eze was accused of physically confronting the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Samson Nwafor, at Onueke, headquarters of Ezza South Local Government Area.
The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the APC primary election for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District when the senator allegedly confronted the NUJ chairman over what he described as unfavourable media reports concerning his political activities and re-election ambition.
Eyewitnesses claimed the argument later degenerated, with some aides and loyalists of the senator allegedly attacking the journalist during the altercation, causing panic among party supporters, journalists, and political stakeholders at the venue.
Following the development, journalists under the NUJ in Ebonyi State reportedly resolved to boycott all activities involving Senator Eze pending further directives from the union leadership.
Members of the union condemned the alleged attack, describing it as an assault on press freedom and an attempt to intimidate journalists from carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
As of the time of filing this report, Senator Eze had not publicly responded to the allegations.
POLITICS
NDC Closes Presidential Forms Sale with Peter Obi as Sole Buyer, Extends Deadline for Other Positions
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has officially closed the sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for its 2027 presidential ticket, with indications that only Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State governor, purchased the forms.
Party sources disclosed that Obi was the sole aspirant who bought the presidential forms as sales closed on Sunday, May 17, 2026.
However, the NDC has granted a one-week extension for the collection of Expression of Interest Forms for other elective positions, including governorship, Senate, House of Representatives, and State Houses of Assembly seats.
In a statement, the party’s National Secretary, Mr. Ikenna Morgan Enekweizu, announced that the new deadline is now 12 midnight on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The extension applies exclusively to aspirants for the aforementioned positions, while the presidential forms sale has been conclusively closed.
According to the NDC timetable, screening of aspirants who have purchased and completed the forms will run from Tuesday, May 19, to Tuesday, May 26, 2026. Collection and return of Nomination Forms for screened and cleared aspirants will also take place within the same window, from May 20 to May 26, 2026.
The party warned that no further extensions would be granted beyond the new deadline and urged all aspirants to strictly adhere to the guidelines and timelines. It also directed aspirants to appear for screening and pre-qualification interviews at designated venues nationwide with all relevant documents.
The developments come as the NDC positions itself for the 2027 general elections, with Peter Obi’s reported sole purchase of the presidential forms drawing significant attention within political circles.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its Abia South Senatorial District primary election, with the lawmaker representing Obingwa-West State Constituency in Abia state House of Assembly, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr, emerging victorious after securing a commanding lead across the six local government areas in the district.
The final results were announced at the APC Abia South Senatorial District Primary Election Collation Centre in Aba today by the Collation Officer, Prof. Emmanuel Kalu Agbaeze.
According to the collated results, Erondu Jnr swept all six LGAs to defeat his closest rivals, Dr. Nyerere Chinenye Anyim, Prince Paul Ikonne, and Hon. Blessing Nwagba.
Breakdown of the results showed that in Aba North LGA, Erondu Jnr polled 1,840 votes, while Anyim scored 1,071 votes, Ikonne secured 1,504 votes, and Nwagba got 1,447 votes.
In Aba South LGA, Erondu Jnr recorded 2,629 votes, defeating Anyim who polled 1,085 votes, Ikonne with 1,219 votes, and Nwagba with 1,495 votes.
At Obingwa LGA, Erondu Jnr maintained a strong lead with 3,612 votes, while Anyim secured 504 votes, Ikonne got 41 votes, and Nwagba polled 27 votes.
In Ukwa East LGA, Erondu Jnr garnered 1,836 votes, ahead of Anyim’s 646 votes, Ikonne’s 329 votes, and Nwagba’s 437 votes.
Results from Ukwa West LGA showed Erondu Jnr polling 3,675 votes, while Anyim scored 2,119 votes, Ikonne secured 716 votes, and Nwagba got 836 votes.
In Ugwunagbo LGA, Erondu Jnr further consolidated his lead with 3,022 votes, while Anyim polled 285 votes, Ikonne got 290 votes, and Nwagba secured 214 votes.
At the end of the exercise, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jnr emerged winner with a total of 16,640 votes.
Dr. Nyerere Chinenye Anyim scored 5,206 votes, Prince Paul Ikonne polled 4,099 votes, while Hon. Blessing Nwagba secured 4,456 votes.
Prof. Emmanuel Kalu Agbaeze subsequently declared Erondu Jnr winner of the APC Abia South Senatorial District primary election.
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