The leader of the 7th Osisioma Ngwa Legislative Council, Victor Ngwakwe, has lamented what he described as a growing wave of anger, hunger, and frustration among residents across Abia’s local government areas, blaming the situation on the state’s alleged tight control of local government funds.

Ngwakwe, who represents Osokwa Ward, said that councillors in Osisioma Ngwa are under immense pressure from their constituents who expect them to deliver basic services despite the absence of direct funding.

“Our people are not asking for much. They just want the basic things government is supposed to do for them,” he told reporters on Thursday.

“But the grassroots don’t know the people at the state level — they only have access to their councillors, who unfortunately have no funds to work with.”

He expressed deep concern that public confidence in local representatives was fading, particularly among elderly voters who no longer trust their councillors to deliver on campaign promises.

Ngwakwe accused the Abia State Government of violating the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Local Government Act by appropriating and spending local government allocations from Umuahia, instead of allowing councils to manage their own funds.

“Everything is done at Government House in Umuahia, which is against what’s clearly stated in the Constitution,” he said.

“It’s only in Abia that this section of the law is implemented 100% against local councils.”

The lawmaker disclosed that councillors often resort to personal funds or private assistance to carry out even the smallest projects.

“Whatever you see any councillor doing now is either funded personally or supported by a friend or political boss,” he added.

Ngwakwe urged Abia residents to understand that local councillors are willing and ready to serve if granted access to statutory allocations.

“The funds allocated to Osisioma Ngwa are enough to show that we care for our people,” he said. “But I must be clear — Abia State controls the local government money, and we don’t have access to our monthly allocations.”

In a major political shift that could reshape the political landscape of Enugu State and the South East, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is expected to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

According to multiple sources within both parties, the governor’s defection will be accompanied by key members of the state executive council, top aides, and a significant number of state lawmakers. The planned defection will take place during a high-profile event in Enugu, which is expected to draw national APC leaders, including members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Governor Mbah’s anticipated move to the APC is being viewed as a strategic political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political observers believe the defection could significantly strengthen the APC’s presence in the South East, a region that has historically leaned toward opposition parties.

Sources close to the governor suggest that his decision was influenced by ongoing political negotiations at the national level and increasing efforts from federal stakeholders to consolidate APC’s power in the region.

The APC is reportedly preparing a grand reception to welcome the governor and his allies. Internal party sources revealed that steps are being taken to restructure the PDP leadership in Enugu to accommodate the influx of new members. A reconciliation committee is also working to manage internal reactions and ensure smooth integration.

We are welcoming Governor Mbah and his team. His choice to join the APC proves that our party is the preferred path for progress and national alignment, said a senior APC official who asked not to be named.

Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Top Officials Set to Defect to APC on October 14

In a major political shift that could reshape the political landscape of Enugu State and the South East, Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah is expected to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress APC on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

According to multiple sources within both parties, the governor’s defection will be accompanied by key members of the state executive council, top aides, and a significant number of state lawmakers. The planned defection will take place during a high-profile event in Enugu, which is expected to draw national APC leaders, including members of the party’s National Working Committee.

Governor Mbah’s anticipated move to the APC is being viewed as a strategic political realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political observers believe the defection could significantly strengthen the APC’s presence in the South East, a region that has historically leaned toward opposition parties.

Sources close to the governor suggest that his decision was influenced by ongoing political negotiations at the national level and increasing efforts from federal stakeholders to consolidate APC’s power in the region.

The APC is reportedly preparing a grand reception to welcome the governor and his allies. Internal party sources revealed that steps are being taken to restructure the PDP leadership in Enugu to accommodate the influx of new members. A reconciliation committee is also working to manage internal reactions and ensure smooth integration.

We are welcoming Governor Mbah and his team. His choice to join the APC proves that our party is the preferred path for progress and national alignment, said a senior APC official who asked not to be named.

As of the time of filing this report, the Peoples Democratic Party has not released an official statement regarding the expected defection. However, insiders within the party expressed deep concern over the development, warning that it could weaken the PDP’s influence in the state.

Several PDP leaders are reportedly making last-minute efforts to persuade the governor to reconsider, amid fears that the move could destabilize the party structure ahead of the next election cycle.

If finalized, this defection will be one of the most significant political developments in Enugu State since the return to democratic rule in 1999. With multiple lawmakers and cabinet members expected to follow the governor, the political atmosphere in Enugu and the South East is set for a major transformation.

Whether the APC will gain long-term advantage from this shift remains to be seen, but the event marks a turning point in the state’s political direction.

Abuja, Nigeria – In a significant development, former President Goodluck Jonathan has thrown his weight behind the call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). According to reports, Jonathan met with a concerned individual earlier today to discuss Kanu’s continued incarceration and agreed that the matter needs to be addressed decisively and justly.

Jonathan reportedly promised to meet with President Bola Tinubu to discuss Kanu’s case, further amplifying the growing chorus of voices demanding Kanu’s release. This list includes notable figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana SAN, Senator Shehu Sani, and many others across various divides.

The call for Kanu’s release is driven by concerns over marginalization and the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader. Many believe that Kanu’s case has become a symbol of the need for justice and fairness in Nigeria’s treatment of ethnic and regional activists.

As the movement gains momentum, prominent individuals, including politicians, traditional leaders, and activists, are being urged to join the call for Kanu’s release. Notable figures such as Peter Obi, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, and others from the Southeast region are specifically being invited to lend their voices to the cause.

The campaign for Kanu’s release is expected to culminate in a peaceful protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja on October 20, led by activist Omoyele Sowore.