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Osborn Umahi, the 28-year-old son of the Minister of Works and former Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has been sworn in as Chairman of Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

Osborn took the oath of office on Tuesday after emerging victorious in the August 22, 2026, local government election, where he contested on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.

The swearing-in ceremony was conducted by Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and attended by political leaders, government officials and other dignitaries, including David Umahi.

With the inauguration, Osborn formally assumed office as chairman of the council.

He had, during his campaign, pledged to focus on infrastructure development, youth empowerment, support for businesses and improved basic services in the local government.

Osborn also pledged to forgo his salary and allowances throughout his tenure, saying he was seeking to serve rather than benefit financially from the office.

His election came as the APC secured all 13 chairmanship positions in the August 22 local government poll in Ebonyi State.

Osborn, an engineer and businessman, studied civil engineering at the University of Surrey in England before obtaining a master’s degree in finance and investment management from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland.

His father, David Umahi, served as Ebonyi State governor from 2015 to 2023 before he was appointed Minister of Works by the Federal Government.

The younger Umahi now begins his tenure at the Ohaozara council with his campaign promises, including grassroots development and improved public services, expected to shape his administration.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly removing candidates nominated by the party for the 2027 general elections and replacing them with names it said were unknown to the party.

The party made the allegation in a statement signed by its National Chairman, Sen. Moses Cleopas Zuwoghe, following INEC’s publication of the list of candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.

Zuwoghe described the development as a deliberate attempt to undermine the party ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that it could create confusion and dissatisfaction among the party’s supporters.

The NDC chairman particularly cited the Anambra State House of Assembly list, where he alleged that 10 names published by INEC were neither nominated nor authorised by the party.

The affected constituencies listed by the party include Onitsha South 1, Onitsha South 2, Orumba North, Anaocha 1, Idemili North, Njikoka 1, Nnewi South, Nnewi South 2, Ayamelum and Dunukofia.

According to Zuwoghe, the party conducted its primaries and appeal process before producing a final list of candidates endorsed by relevant stakeholders, the party leadership, representatives of its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the appeals panel.

He alleged that after the final list was uploaded to the INEC portal using the code provided to the party, nine names were kept in “Pending” status by INEC officials.

Zuwoghe claimed that INEC officials told the party that the names were already in the commission’s system based on information submitted by officials who monitored the NDC primaries.

The chairman said the party subsequently challenged the names and submitted the identities of its actual candidates, but alleged that INEC refused to make the necessary changes.

He further alleged that the electoral commission subsequently collected Form EC-9 directly from the disputed candidates and uploaded the forms without going through the party.

“This not only runs against the grain of the Electoral Act and INEC’s own guidelines, it is simply unacceptable,” Zuwoghe said.

He argued that where there was a discrepancy between the candidates submitted by a political party and information allegedly obtained by INEC’s monitoring teams, the commission should have left the affected positions blank rather than publish candidates the party did not recognise.

The NDC also alleged that similar incidents had occurred in other states, including Benue and Imo, describing the development as part of what it called a broader pattern of opposition parties being prevented from presenting their preferred candidates.

“We, as a party, are also carrying out our own independent investigation, the preliminary findings of which are already pointing to the complicity of INEC officials in foisting names purporting to be our candidates,” the statement said.

The party called on the INEC Chairman to urgently investigate the matter and determine how the disputed names found their way onto the commission’s published list.

Zuwoghe said the NDC would pursue the matter through legal channels, including approaching a court of competent jurisdiction to seek redress and have what it described as its authentic candidates restored.

He urged members of the public and NDC supporters to disregard the disputed names, insisting that they were not candidates nominated by the party.

The NDC chairman vowed that the party would pursue the matter “to the very end” to ensure that the disputed candidates are removed and the alleged irregularity reversed.

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The inclusion and recognition of Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), for the 2027 Governorship election in Zamfara State, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), has been commended by the Zamfara Youths Alliance for Good Governance, (Z-YAGG).

In a statement issued Sunday in Abuja, and jointly signed by Comrade Adamu Mohammed; Mallam Jubril Bello Magaji; Alhaji Garbadeen Sani Gummi – Chairman, Secretary, and Publicity Secretary respectively, the Group declared that, “with INEC’s fulfillment of Section 29(3) of the Electoral Act, 2026, the coast is now clear for the forthcoming General Elections, and particularly Zamfara State Governorship election.”

The Group emphasized that, “it is disheartening and shameful that the good people of Zamfara have been subjected to different stages of underdevelopment, hardship, and economic squalor, continuously since 1999. Somehow, indigenes and residents of the State keep wondering why the suffering despite the huge natural endowments. Moreso, the perpetual insecurity which has crippled agriculture, commerce, trade, and other viable economic activities speaks to the level of governance in Zamfara; both present and past.”

The Z-YAGG reiterates that it is apolitical but argues “we are interested in whatever is good for the people, even as another election circle draws near. For now, having done detailed studies on all the candidates, we are impressed with Rt. Hon. Ibrahim Shehu Gusau, of the PDP. He is better equipped with the right antecedents and pedigree to pilot the affairs of Zamfara. It is on this score that we congratulate him for successfully scaling INEC’s hurdles”

The Group concluded by pledging, “to mobilize, canvass for votes, and support his ambition when the campaign for the Governorship and State Assembly elections starts. With presence in the entire Local Government Areas, we will evolve ingenious campaign templates to market him to every segment and sector of people in Zamfara State.”