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.

Olubunmi Popoola

The Oyo state governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Olooye Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke (FCA), has assured the Association of Traditional Baales, otherwise known as community leaders, of full implementation of local government autonomy, better renumerations and urban renewal, which he said are critical tools to both the grassroots and state development.

He maintained that these would form important parts of his programmes to boost local economies, creates safer and healthier living spaces, if voted into power in 2027 general elections.

He made the disclosure at the weekend during a strategic meeting with the Baales across all the eleven local government areas in Ibadanland, the Oyo state capital. 

According to him in a statement made available to journalists by his media team on Sunday, the urban renewal would improve the neglected areas in major cities across the state, while the local government autonomy would enhance security and grassroots development as well guarantee better renumerations for the traditional institutions.

Olooye Adegoke, who is the Oota Balogun of Ibadanland, while speaking to a large audience of the Baales, said he would upgrade infrastructures, boost local economy, and create safer and healthier environment through local government autonomy and urban renewal.

The ADC governorship candidate reiterated his desire to give the senior citizens from 75 years and above monthly allowances, as well as free health care, while there would be provision of jobs for the teeming youths of the state.

According to him, “local government autonomy and urban renewal will bring about economic growth, job creation, new businesses, commercial hubs, and construction projects as well as creating local jobs.

“As part of our urban renewal programme, we will create attractive public spaces and modern utilities which will draw new commercial investments and tourism infrastructure. Inner roads will be rehabilitated, while new ones will be built, so as to ease the provision of social amenities such as pipe borne water.

“There will be upgraded roads, public transit, and utility networks which will improve daily connectivity in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, Iseyin and other urban centres in Oyo State,” he explained. 

“I am a staunch advocate of the local government autonomy; it is the closest tier of government to the people. The state government is often distant from the grassroots and may not be easily accessible to the local population.

“Local government administration is closer to the people, and if the elected local government executives possess the authority and financial resources to act, the grassroots will be the primary beneficiaries,” he added.

Adegoke also promised to strengthen traditional institutions by ensuring the prompt release of their statutory five per cent share of local government allocations.

The ADC candidate said his administration would be guided by fairness, equity and justice, adding that available resources were sufficient to drive development across the state.

“There will be a better renumeration for our traditional leaders through local government autonomy in the sense that their five per cent allocation from the local government allocations will get to them as and when due.

“We will also introduce monthly allowances for our elders from 75 years of age and provision of free healthcare for them as well as provision of pipe borne water across the state,” he said.

The baales, speaking through their president, Baale Folorunsho Durojaiye Bamitale Ige of Olounde Ige in Oluyole Local Government Area, thanked Olooye Adegoke for listing local government autonomy as parts of his lofty ideas and programmes, appealing to him to make local government autonomy a reality when elected into power in 2027.

They maintained that granting local government financial autonomy would enhance grassroots development and enable councils to maintain rural roads more effectively, and enhancement of security.

Our Reporter 

The trial of Ufuoma Famous, a woman accused of murdering her husband, Famous Gideon, and another woman, Mrs Edoh, as well as attempting to murder a third person, Felicia, has commenced at the Delta State High Court, Ughelli Judicial Division, presided over by Justice Sunny Adolor.

 At the hearing, the prosecution team, led by Peter Daubry, Esq., a Deputy Director in the Delta State Ministry of Justice, called two witnesses to testify in support of its case. One of the witnesses was the defendant’s son.

 The defendant is facing a three-count charge. Count One alleges that she murdered her husband, Famous Gideon, while Count Two accuses her of murdering Mrs Edoh. Count Three alleges that she attempted to murder Felicia.

 The alleged offences reportedly occurred in January 2026 at Ighrovie, Ughelli, Delta State.

 During the proceedings, the defendant’s son testified as one of the prosecution witnesses, giving evidence in connection with the allegations against his mother.

 Following the testimonies of the two witnesses, the court adjourned the case to November 5, 2026, for continuation of the prosecution’s case.