NEWS
2023: Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance declares support for PDP
…Pledges to work for Ugwuanyi, Mbah, others, in appreciation of governor’s traits
Members of Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance (UEPA) in Enugu State, yesterday, unanimously declared their support for all the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election.
Members of the group said their decision to support the PDP was because of the respect they have for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who is the leader of the PDP in Enugu State and the South East geo-political zone.
Speaking during the 4th phase of empowerment programme of UEPA in support of Gov. Ugwuanyi’s peaceful and result-oriented administration, the Director General of the group, Ozo Onyebuchi Ani, disclosed that they are overwhelmed by the unique leadership qualities of the governor and his good works in Enugu State in spite of the state’s lean resources and the nation’s economic, security and public health challenges.
Ani stressed that Ugwuanyi, who graced the event, became governor at the most difficult period in the nation’s economic development but has been able to manage the affairs of Enugu State peacefully and successfully.
The Director General maintained that it is worthy of commendation that the governor in spite of the nation’s numerous challenges led Enugu State out of two economic recessions suffered by the country within five years, to record milestone achievements in various sectors of development, most especially in the areas of peace, security, health, education, workers’ welfare, road infrastructure and rural development.
Ani stated that it was unfortunate that some people with ulterior motives have deliberately refused to acknowledge the good works of Gov. Ugwuanyi in spite of the challenges he met on ground when he assumed office, assuring that: “We will continue to follow you (Ugwuanyi), as governor of Enugu State, and as a Senator in 2023, in Jesus name, Amen.”
Commenting further on the governor’s steadfastness, resilience and visionary approach towards the progress of the state, the Director General said: “You have done well in spite of the nation’s economic challenges. You assumed office when the economy of the country was in shambles but you were able to manage the affairs of the state peacefully and successfully. Anybody undermining your efforts has an ulterior motive.”
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Appreciating Gov. Ugwuanyi for the emergence of a youth from Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Engr. Osita Ngwu (RG), as the candidate of the PDP for Enugu West Senatorial District and the Patron of UEPA cum former Chief of Staff of the governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor, as the PDP candidate for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency, Ani urged the governor to remain steadfast in his leadership role and assist them immensely to deliver the duo, the PDP governorship candidate in the state, Barr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah and other candidates of the party in the state.
“Your Excellency, you are the father of the state. You have been a father to this noble association. You have been a guardian to this noble association. There was never a day we called on you that you did not answer us. We give glory to God for giving us a man like you. It is not easy. Here we are doing this ceremony today in a quiet environment. It is not easy. It is a divine gift from God through you.
“I want to put it straight to you sir that we are grateful to you. And we want to thank you that today, Udi/Ezeagu is going to have a Senator in the person of Engr. Osita Ngwu. We want to thank you again because he is a youth. He will perform wonders.
“As if that is not enough, our Patron, your former Chief of Staff, Rt. Hon. Dr. Festus Uzor, emerged the candidate of the PDP for Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency.
“Please, Your Excellency, deliver Dr. Festus Uzor for us. Help us to deliver him. Help us to deliver Engr. Osita Ngwu, help us to deliver all the PDP candidates in our state.
“We, the members of Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance, are for the PDP. And why we made it possible for the PDP is because of your influence.
“Gburugburu (Ugwuanyi), Udi/Ezeagu Progressive Alliance has decided to follow you after your tenure as the governor to any other place you will go because where you are going is far,” the Director General said.
Ani revealed that UEPA has empowered about 80 percent of its members, explaining that the 4th phase of the empowerment programme was borne out of their firm resolve as a socio-cultural organisation to continue to empower their members periodically.
Disclosing the theme of the empowerment programme as: “Palm Production and Wealth Creation,” the Director General said: “We have invited a resource person in the person of Chief Eric N. Ozongwu, MD, NONET Palms Nig. Ltd, to educate us on “Palm Production and Wealth Creation” so that we can slightly vary the method of this current programme to the advantage of today’s beneficiaries. It is in our interest not to only volunteer funds to members but to also provide some more value.”
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of Udi Local Government Area, Hon. Philip Okoh, on behalf of the people of Udi and Ezeagu LGAs, welcomed Gov. Ugwuanyi and expressed gratitude to him for gracing the occasion.
Hon. Okoh said they will remain grateful to Gov. Ugwuanyi for lifting up their people politically through his (Oko’s) emergence as the Chairman of Udi LGA and the emergence of Engr. Ngwu and Rt. Hon. Dr. Uzor as PDP candidates for Enugu West Senatorial District and Udi/Ezeagu Federal Constituency respectively.
Dignitaries at the event held at Enugu Sports Club, GRA, Enugu, include, Engr. Ngwu (RG), Rt. Hon. Dr. Uzor, Chief Ozongwu, and the club’s Chairman, Barr. John Henry Nwosu.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has challenged the Presidency to explain how Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) dividends were distributed among states and local governments, insisting that a reconciliation exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion.
Makinde’s position was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in response to the Presidency’s rejection of the governor’s earlier claims over NLNG dividend payments.
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The statement said the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), with the support of the Federal Government, engaged a consultant to reconcile NLNG dividend payments, adding that the exercise identified approximately ₦9 trillion allegedly due to states and local governments.
“The exercise identified a shortfall of about ₦9 trillion due to states and local governments. The Federal Government accepted the findings,” the statement said.
The governor maintained that the reconciliation report remained in the custody of both the Federal Government and the NGF.
“The report remains in the custody of both the Federal Government and the NGF. We trust the Presidency will not deny its existence,” the statement added.
The statement also noted that Makinde is the incumbent Vice-Chairman of the NGF.
Makinde Questions $21.5bn NLNG Dividend Payments
The governor questioned the Presidency’s statement that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since its inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration.
According to Makinde, the Presidency’s response did not explain how the payments were distributed or establish the amounts received by states and local governments.
“The Presidency stated that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration. But it did not explain how these funds were disbursed,” the statement said.
The governor also questioned whether states and local governments had received their shares, how much they received and the basis for calculating their allocations.
“Have states and local governments received their shares? How much did they receive, and how were those amounts calculated? What happened to the $3 billion received under this administration?” the statement asked.
Makinde defended the figures he had previously cited, maintaining that his claims were based on verifiable information.
“Governor Makinde conducts public discourse with decorum and does not make unfounded claims or quote figures without a basis,” the statement said.
The governor maintained that he was ready to provide further clarification on the matter while urging the Presidency to address the substance of the allegations.
“We remain ready to provide further clarification while we urge the presidency to address the substance of the matter,” the statement added.
Recall that Biztellers had earlier reported the Presidency’s rejection of Makinde’s claim concerning NLNG dividends allegedly withheld from states and local governments.
The Presidency stated that NLNG had paid $21.5 billion in dividends into the Federation Account since its inception, including $3 billion received under the current administration.
However, in his latest response, Makinde argued that disclosing the total amount paid into the Federation Account did not address how the funds were distributed among the different tiers of government.
The governor is now demanding clarification on the distribution of the dividends and the findings of the reconciliation exercise that reportedly identified the ₦9 trillion shortfall.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to shut down Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, if the institution’s management fails to reverse the reported increase in school fees.
The association, in a press release dated Sunday, October 18, 2026, described the reported tuition increment as insensitive, unjustifiable and unacceptable, citing the economic difficulties confronting Nigerian students.
The statement was signed by the NANS President, Dist. Comr. Akinteye Babatunde Afeez, GCNS, who warned that the increase could frustrate the academic aspirations of countless students.
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“To be clear, education cannot be commercialised. Students cannot be made to pay for the financial challenges confronting our universities,” the statement read.
NANS acknowledged that universities require adequate funding but argued that their managements, particularly vice-chancellors, should explore innovative revenue-generating opportunities rather than impose additional financial burdens on students.
The association maintained that the Federal Government was investing heavily in education to keep students in school and ensure that access to education was not determined by their financial background or status.
NANS Gives University Management Conditions
The student body warned the vice-chancellor and the entire university management against policies capable of pushing students out of school.
It said the national leadership would not stand by while Nigerian students faced additional financial pressure that could threaten their academic futures.
“Going forward, we wish to make it clear to the Vice-Chancellor and the entire University Management that the National Leadership of NANS will not stand by while Nigerian students are subjected to policies capable of pushing them out of school,” the statement said.
NANS subsequently demanded an immediate reversal of the reported tuition increase and called on the university to restore fees to the affordable and reasonable levels that existed before the increment.
The association warned that failure to meet its demand would lead to a mobilisation of its national leadership to the institution.
“To this end, we call on the management of Alex Ekwueme Federal University to immediately reverse the reported tuition increment and return the fees to the affordable and reasonable level that existed before the increment. Otherwise, we will mobilise the National Secretariat of NANS to Alex Ekwueme Federal University and shut down the school until the fee is reversed,” the statement added.
NANS Reaffirms Commitment to Students
The association reiterated its commitment to defending the interests, welfare and aspirations of Nigerian students.
It pledged to continue speaking firmly against policies that place unnecessary and unbearable financial burdens on students.
NANS maintained that students should not be made to bear the financial challenges confronting universities and called on the management of AE-FUNAI to reverse the reported increase.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has handed over land titles to displaced residents of nine communities in Birnin Yero, Igabi Local Government Area, to enable them to rebuild their homes and regain shelter.
The Kaduna State Ministry of Information and Culture disclosed the development on Sunday, October 18, 2026, describing the exercise as an intervention aimed at helping displaced residents rebuild their homes.
According to the ministry, each beneficiary is being allocated a plot of land to support resettlement and provide shelter for affected residents.
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“ He is officially handing over land titles, giving each person a plot of land to rebuild their homes and regain shelter,” the ministry’s announcement stated.
The ministry also noted that Governor Sani had continued to support displaced communities across Kaduna State since assuming office.
The latest exercise focuses on nine communities in Igabi Local Government Area, with the allocation of land intended to help affected residents rebuild their homes and regain stability.
The development comes amid previous reports concerning land disputes and displacement affecting communities in Kaduna State.
In September 2026, reports indicated that the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) had resolved more than 5,000 land disputes and restored over 150 property titles.
The agency also reported that alternative plots had been provided to some communities affected by previous demolitions.
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