By our reporter

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2027 general election in Enugu State, Mr Obodoeze Ocho, has blamed flawed recruitment processes into political offices for the prevailing maladministration and economic hardship in the state and across Nigeria.

Ocho stated this weekend during the Enugu North zonal stakeholders’ meeting held in Nsukka. He faulted the procedures candidates emerge for various positions, noting that “the best are often left out due to lack of a level playing field”. He said APC in the state “places emphasis on credible candidates to ensure that square pegs are placed in square holes”.

In his words, “ADC is firmly committed to fielding credible individuals of unquestionable character across all elective positions in the state and indeed Nigeria. Our candidates emerge through free and fair means to avoid post-election crises. We are one family, and won’t deceive Ndi Enugu. That has been our mantra nationwide.”

It was gathered that ADC used the stakeholders’ meeting to unveil it’s senatorial candidate for the zone in the person of Dr Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi.

The Chairman of ADC in Enugu State, Mr Chris Eze, a retired General in the Nigerian Army, explained that the deliberate delay in unveiling the candidate was to ensure “a thorough vetting process”.

Gen Eze said the party prioritised selecting candidates “who stand head and shoulders above opponents in the zone”.

“We don’t compromise because we are pro-people. We provide an undiluted platform for the emergence of our candidates in a free and fair platform,” he said.

General Eze urged the people of Enugu North to reject inducement-driven politics and instead “vote for ADC candidates dedicated to protecting their true interests”.

The ADC senatorial candidate for the zone, Dr Ugochukwu Ugwuanyi, a UK-trained neurosurgeon, said he will ensure proper legislation for the benefit of the people of the zone. He pledged to ensure that the dream of Adada State creation is accomplished.

Our correspondent reports that Ugwuanyi is a member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

From Paul Nwanodim (Port Harcourt)

Amid criticisms of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) infiltration of the preliminary 2027 election voters’ register released last week by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Commission has fixed December 15 2026, for final publication of the voters’ register.

Chairman of the Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure  at the South-South Zonal Interactive Meeting with INEC Staff in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, at the weekend 

This is as the Commission has promised to examine and take possible corrective actions to address by the series of criticism that have trailed the alleged AI-generated photographs appearing on the Commission’s preliminary voters’ register.

Amupitan, who assured that the Commission was reviewing the photographs and would take necessary steps based on verified findings, urged Nigerians to participate in the ongoing display, claims and objections process to identify irregularities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The INEC chairman urged eligible voters to scrutinise the preliminary register and report suspected errors.

He stressed that public participation was important to ensuring the credibility and accuracy of the final document.

He said the final voters’ register was scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.

He reassured Nigerians that INEC would ensure that no eligible voter was disenfranchised through administrative negligence or logistical failures during the 2027 elections.

On preparations for the polls, Amupitan said the Commission was strengthening its technological capacity, including preparations for the deployment of 57,000 newly procured Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices.

He added that INEC was auditing its electronic result management systems to strengthen transparency in the transmission of results through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

He stressed the need for intelligence-led planning and adequate protection for voters, electoral materials and personnel.

From Igwe Onyeka Davidson  (Umuahia)

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, flagged off his re election campaign on Sunday, with a threat to arrest and prosecute all supporters of jus Labour Party, who threaten opposition campaigns in the state 

The governor cautioned supporters  against taking the law into their hands or interfering with the campaign activities of rival  political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.Political analysis reports

He warned that that the law will catch up with anyone  who indulges in attack of the opposition, despite political affiliation m, warning that no one would be shielded from arrest for disrupting the lawful activities of opposition parties

Speaking at the campaign flag off, Otti declared that his administration would not tolerate political intolerance or the denial of opponents’ democratic rights.Political analysis reports

He said opposition parties were free to use public facilities, including stadiums, provided they complied with established procedures, obtained necessary approvals and paid the stipulated fees.

The governor therefore instructed security agencies to ensure that no political group was prevented from holding legitimate rallies or other campaign activities.Political analysis reports

“I have since given a public directive, and I am repeating it here, that opposition parties should not be restricted from the use of public facilities, including the stadium, once they apply and obtain the necessary approvals.

“You do not have my mandate to attack people or to stop people from campaigning.

“Security agencies have been mandated to arrest and deal decisively with anyone who attempts to obstruct any political group from holding their legitimate activities, even if they are Labour Party members. I hope I am heard clearly,” he said.Political analysis reports.”

Otti however, challenged opposition parties to raise the quality of political debate by offering alternative policy directions rather than relying on personal attacks or recycling issues he said had been addressed by his administration.Political analysis reports

According to him, the political conversation in Abia should now be centred on development priorities and the next phase of governance rather than basic issues such as salaries, pensions, roads and environmental sanitation.Political analysis reports

“Do not forget that in Abia we have gone past the era of campaigning on the payment of salaries and pensions, construction of roads or urban sanitation.

“The hygiene issues have been dealt with. If you are unable to raise your campaign pitch to the development realities of our state, you will definitely struggle to convince any informed voter,” the governor said.

He urged political opponents to interrogate available performance data before making claims about the state, pointing to Abia’s ratings in the Citizen Satisfaction Index, State Performance Index and Fiscal Performance Ranking by governance-monitoring organisations.Political analysis reports

“You should go and do your research first before coming out to open your mouth, because there are data everywhere to show what has been achieved. Evidently, the world knows that Abia is on the right track..

“It would therefore be unthinkable that anyone will ever be allowed to return us to the old era of irresponsibility and misery,” he declared.

Otti, who expressed appreciation to residents for their turnout at the campaign flag-off, called on party supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation and take the message of the party to communities across the state.

“This is your project, and as you return to the communities, knock on every door and remind our people that we still have a job to complete. Invite them to join the campaign so that together we can conclude the journey that began 12 years ago in faith and optimism,” he added.