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Why Uzodimma May Handpick APC Candidates for LG Chairmanship, Councilorship positions

Published

2 years ago

August 28, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

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As the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo State prepares for the upcoming local government elections, Governor Hope Uzodimma faces a crucial decision: whether to allow party leaders to harmonize and select candidates or to personally handpick those who will represent the party in the chairmanship and councilorship races.

Several factors suggest that the governor may lean towards the latter, especially given the current political climate and the strategic considerations at play.

Governor Uzodimma has publicly warned APC aspirants against engaging in unethical practices, such as taking oaths or entering into allocation-sharing agreements with influential party leaders.

These practices, which have been rumored to be prevalent among some aspirants, pose a significant threat to the integrity of local governance.

By securing the support of powerful leaders through such means, these aspirants effectively become beholden to them, prioritizing the leaders’ interests over the needs of their constituencies.

The governor’s threat to disqualify any aspirant caught engaging in these practices is a strong stance, but it may not be enough if he allows the current leadership to produce candidates.

These leaders could easily program their chosen candidates to adhere to the allocation-sharing agreements or oath-bound loyalties, knowing that their positions are secure as long as Uzodimma’s influence pushes them to victory in the elections. In such a scenario, the governor’s warning becomes ineffective, and the true purpose of ensuring transparent and accountable governance is lost.

Maintaining Control Amidst Local Government Autonomy

The autonomy granted to local government chairmen across Nigeria has reshaped the power dynamics between state governors and local government officials.

With more control over their resources and administrative decisions, chairmen are less dependent on the state government, potentially limiting the governor’s influence at the grassroots level.

For Governor Uzodimma, allowing party leaders to select candidates for these powerful positions could result in a loss of control.

If leaders install their loyalists as chairmen and councillors, they could wield significant influence over local government affairs, potentially even outmaneuvering the governor himself.

These leaders could leverage their control to influence councillors to remove chairmen who do not toe their line, a feat the governor may find difficult to counter if he did not personally select the candidates.

By handpicking APC candidates, Governor Uzodimma can ensure that those elected are aligned with his administration’s goals and are not under the undue influence of party leaders with their own agendas.

This strategy would allow him to maintain a unified front within the party and ensure that local government officials remain accountable to the state government, thereby preserving his ability to govern effectively.

Balancing Power and Protecting Governance

Governor Uzodimma’s potential decision to handpick APC candidates is not just about maintaining control; it is also about balancing power within the party and the state.

The governor is keenly aware that the concentration of power in the hands of a few party leaders could destabilize the party and weaken the overall governance structure in Imo State.

By selecting candidates who are free from the influence of these leaders, the governor can prevent the rise of independent power centers that could challenge his authority and disrupt the administration’s efforts to deliver on its promises to the people.

Moreover, this approach would protect the integrity of local governance by ensuring that those elected are committed to serving their communities rather than advancing the interests of a select few.

However, allowing the aspirants to go to the field and conduct proper primaries might also ensure that the leaders do not manipulate the process and install their loyalists who might turn around tomorrow to work against Uzodimma.

It is worthy of note that once elected, Uzodimma would not have the power to unseat them and as they have their own allocation which comes directly to them, he would not be able to push them around.

Source: Issueshq.com

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BREAKING: Finally, Power Minister, Adelabu resigns from Tinubu’s cabinet

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Finally, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu has resigned from President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

In a resignation letter dated April 22, 2026, and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Adelabu said the decision would take effect from April 30, 2026, to allow for a smooth transition.

The letter, routed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that he was stepping down with “a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude.”

He wrote, “I write with a deep sense of honour and profound gratitude to formally tender my resignation as the Honourable Minister of Power of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This resignation is to take effect on 30th April 2026, in order to allow sufficient time for a smooth and orderly handover of responsibilities.”

Adelabu thanked the President for the opportunity to serve, describing his appointment as a privilege.

He said, “Your Excellency, I remain sincerely grateful for the privilege and confidence you reposed in me by appointing me to serve our great nation in this capacity.

It has been a rare honour to contribute to national development under your leadership and to play a role in advancing reforms in the power sector—one of the most critical foundations of Nigeria’s industrial growth and economic transformation.”

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Reps Begin Review of Police Trust Fund Law, Tighten Timeline for Committee Work

Published

3 hours ago

April 22, 2026

Gloria Ikibah

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By Gloria Ikibah

As part of efforts to strengthen the country’s security architecture, President Bola Tinubu, has sent a formal communication to the House of Representatives on seeking legislative approval for the repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Establishment Act, 2025.

The request which was transmitted to the House for consideration and passage on Wednesday at plenary, underscores the need to improve the management and administration of the fund, enhance police training, and provide modern equipment for the Nigeria Police Force.

According to the letter,, the proposed amendment is aimed at boosting the operational capacity, accountability, and sustainability of the Police Trust Fund in line with current security challenges.

The President urged lawmakers to give the bill expeditious consideration, as the said the reform will improve the welfare of police personnel and support skill development across the force.

In another development, the House Committee on Rules and Business has moved to tighten legislative discipline, directing all standing and ad hoc committees to submit reports on bills and motions within set timelines in line with House procedures.

Chairman of the committee, Rep. Francis Uwaive, reminded all committee chairmen to treat all assigned matters within 30 days, with the risk of losing such assignments after 60 days if no progress is made, except where a short extension is granted.

A firm deadline has also been set for all outstanding reports, with the end of April 2026 as the cut-off point, and non-compliance attracting automatic discharge.

Amid the formal proceedings, lawmakers briefly paused to celebrate two members marking their birthdays, acknowledging their contributions to public service and national development.

The mood later shifted as the House paid tribute to a former member of the Fifth Assembly, observing a minute’s silence in his honour following his passing after a prolonged illness.

He was remembered for his dedication and service to his constituents in Benue State, with colleagues noting that his death represents a significant loss to the legislature and the country.

News

Iran Seizes Two Ships attempting to cross Strait of Hormuz

Published

7 hours ago

April 22, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said on Wednesday that their naval forces stopped two ships attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and directed them to the territorial waters of the Islamic Republic.

“The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps naval force this morning identified and stopped in the Strait of Hormuz two violating ships,” the Guards said in a statement.

“The two offending ships… were seized by the IRGC’s naval forces and directed to the Iranian coast.”

They identified one ship as “MSC-FRANCESCA”, which they said belonged “to the Zionist regime” in reference to Israel, and the other as “EPAMINONDAS”, which they said was “tampering with navigation systems and jeopardising maritime security.”

The Guards further warned against any action against the regulations imposed by the Islamic republic in the strait “as well as activities contrary to the safe passage” through the waterway.

Tehran has said vessels must seek permission to leave of enter the Gulf through Hormuz, through a route that in peacetime accounts for a fifth of the world’s oil and gas exports along with other vital commodities.

Source: AFP