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Edo guber election: APC calls for drug test on candidates

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The Campaign Council of the APC for Edo Governorship Election has called on the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to subject party candidates in the poll to compulsory drug tests.

The council made the call in a statement by its Director of Media, Kassim Afegbua, on Wednesday in Benin.

According to him, the candidates needs to present themselves for a serious drug test to ascertain their level of sanity.

Afegbua urged the NDLEA to zero in on all candidates of the frontline political parties with a view to ascertaining their sanity.

“We have been reliably informed that some of them are alleged to be heavy consumers of banned substances, including alcohol.

“A test for all of them will unveil their level of sanity,” he said.

He noted that Edo voters must be well-guided in making informed choices during the elections and avoid voting for a candidate who would spend the state’s resources in funding drug and alcoholic lifestyles.

Afegbua said the test would save Edo people of any future embarrassment that may arise, adding that the voters could not be deceived again.

“Edo State is too decent to have a governor who will bring shame to the people.

“Anyone who wants to govern Edo State should not be a heavy consumer of marijuana.

“This is a banned substance, and we expect the NDLEA to verify and conduct tests on the major candidates.

“Our candidate, Sen. Monday Okpebholo is prepared to submit himself to any test any time he’s called upon.

“We expect similar assurances from the other candidates to ascertain their level of sanity

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“It will be a big shame for residents of other states to drag our people in the mud for mistakenly voting for a candidate whose state of mind can not be guaranteed.

“That is a big risk Edo people can not gamble with. We are doing this to save our state, and we hope that the NDLEA will quickly swing into action and do the needful,” he said.

Afegbua said the council would continue to mount pressure on the anti-drug agency until the call was yielded.

“We must unearth any padded candidate who pretends to be a saint during the day but a notorious gangster at night.

“With the insecurity, unemployment, decayed infrastructure, poor healthcare, lack of potable water, and failed education in Edo State, the people deserve a governor with a sane mind to lead us into prosperity,” he said. (NAN)

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Abia: I will retire when I finish my 8 years tenure – Otti

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Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has firmly ruled out any plans to contest for a Senate seat after his tenure ends.

He made the declaration on Saturday during a reception held in his honour by the Anambra Development Unions Association, Aba branch.

Otti dismissed speculations of a senatorial ambition, describing the rumours as baseless and misleading.

“When I finish my eight years here, I will retire. I am not going to Abuja,” Otti said, urging critics to stop spreading falsehoods.

He stressed the need to give room for younger leaders, citing the evolving political landscape and rising youth participation.

“We are no longer that young. Society is changing, and the young ones are rising. It’s time we give them the opportunity,” he added.

The governor also announced plans to revisit the 2011 disengagement of 154 state workers, mostly teachers, from the civil service.

He said the State Head of Service would be directed to urgently review the matter for possible redress.

Otti hinted that those under 65 might be reengaged on contract, especially given the teacher shortage across the state.

He criticised the workers’ dismissal on the basis of state of origin, calling it unjust and illegal.

“For those outside the age bracket, we’ll find fair compensation mechanisms,” the governor assured.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to justice, inclusivity, and correcting the wrongs of previous governments.

In separate remarks, lawmaker Stephen Ucheonye and Chief Obiora Nwakpadolo praised Otti’s leadership and developmental strides.

They said the governor’s performance inspired the decision to hold the reception in his honour. (NAN)

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Ukachukwu Emerges Victorious Over Ozigbo to Secure APC Nomination for Anambra Governorship

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Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former House of Representatives member, has successfully obtained the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial ticket for the upcoming Anambra governorship election.

Ukachukwu won decisively during the party’s primary election held on Saturday, outpacing his nearest competitor, Valentine Ozigbo, along with other candidates by a significant margin.

He garnered 1,455 votes, while Ozigbo received 67 votes. Other aspirants, Edozie Madu and Johnbosco Onunkwo, secured 8 and 26 votes, respectively.

The Anambra governorship election is scheduled for November 8, 2025.

In a statement following his victory, Ukachukwu vowed to lead the state to the APC.

“We will ensure that Anambra is delivered to the APC. I want to emphasize that no one has ever won the governorship of Anambra without my backing; it has never occurred,” he remarked.

“I have played the role of a godfather, but now I aspire to be the father of the father — it’s time to move beyond the traditional godfather model.”

Notably, just hours before the primary election, three aspirants withdrew from the race, including former federal lawmaker Chukwuma Umeoji, Obiora Okonkwo, and Paul Chukwuma, who has since resigned from the party.

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No Vacancy In Aso Rock, Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, APC Declares

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The Executive Committee and Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State have passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani ahead of 2027, declaring that there would not be vacancy in the Aso Rock Villa and Sir Kashim Ibrahim House Kaduna during the next election.

This is contained in a communiqué signed by Francis Danladi Kozah and Jerry Irimiya Mark, chairman and co-chairman of the APC stakeholders and read by the council chairman, Joseph Bege.

The communique stated that the decision was taken based on President Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani’s commitments to the peace and security of not just Zangon Kataf, but Kaduna state at large.

According to the stakeholders, the establishment of a military 2nd National Mission Brigade base in the local government has proven to be a pivotal move in sustaining peace in the area.

“Their commitment to the peace and security of our people is evident in the sudden end to attacks on our communities.

“This move reflects the government’s understanding of the critical need for enhanced security measures in areas prone to conflict, thereby fostering an environment where citizens can thrive.

“We urge all residents of Zangon Kataf to remain vigilant and committed to fostering harmony within our communities, as peace is the cornerstone of development,” They said.

The stakeholders lauded Tinubu for appointing Indigenes of Zangon Kataf including Gen. Chris Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and Bishop Hassan Kukah as Pro Chancellor of the Federal University of Applied Sciences, Kachia.

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They explained that given the return of peace in the area and the tangible infrastructural development being witnessed, the re-election of Tinubu and Sani was a done deal.

“In light of all that we have benefited from this government, we want to declare that there is no vacancy in Sir Kashim Ibrahim House and Aso Rock come 2027.

“We shall offer our full support to both President Bola Tinubu and Governor Uba Sani in their re-election bid,” they added.

They appreciated Gov. Sani for the ongoing multi-billion naira skills acquisition city that will provide ‘our youths with certified skills, thereby stamping out the root cause of criminality in our society’.

The stakeholders called on people of the local government to rally behind the two leaders as they have shown dedication to their welfare, security and progress.

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