Okai Austin, a key figure in Kogi State’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside his associates Okpanachi Jacob and Peter Onuma, has issued a formal apology to Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo after a media claim accusing him of diverting N13.4 billion from the state’s funds.

In a press conference held in March, the trio had made the explosive allegation, demanding that the funds be refunded.

However, on Tuesday, they withdrew the accusation and publicly apologized in a letter addressed to the governor.

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The letter, issued by Okai Austin on behalf of himself and his co-signatories, stated: “Upon further review and diligent comparison of the relevant facts, particularly those provided by the State Government concerning the disbursement of funds intended for local government development, I came to the realization, after much briefing and clarification, of the significant discrepancies in the information upon which the previous statement was based.”

The trio admitted that their earlier claim was based on inaccurate information and clarified that the funds in question were actually ₦3 billion, not ₦13.4 billion.

They also included documentation detailing the approved distribution of these funds, which was provided by the state government.

“We have no personal animosity, hatred, or ill feelings towards your government, personality, tribe, or any member of your family.

“We hold Your Excellency, Governor Usman Ododo, in high regard as the duly elected Governor of our esteemed state,” the letter continued.

Furthermore, they emphasized that their actions were not motivated by partisan differences or tribal bias, but rather from a genuine desire to participate in the democratic process and hold the government accountable.

The apology letter concluded with a full acceptance of responsibility: “We take full responsibility for any damage or inconvenience our assertions may have caused.”

The trio expressed sincere regret for any distress their earlier remarks might have caused the governor, his administration, or the people of Kogi State.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially endorsed Chief Jude Ezenwafor as its candidate for the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.

Ezenwafor, a real estate developer based in Abuja, was the only aspirant in the race and secured the support of all 853 accredited delegates from the 21 local government areas of the state.

The party’s primary election took place on Tuesday at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka.

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In line with party procedure, even though he was unopposed, delegates were issued ballot papers and asked to write down the name of their preferred candidate.

The voting began with 14 national delegates casting their votes before the state delegates took turns according to their local government areas.

Ezenwafor was declared winner by the head of the PDP National Committee overseeing the primary, Col. Chijioke Onwubuya (retd), who announced the results after the votes were counted.

Grateful for the party’s backing, Ezenwafor thanked the delegates and called for unity and hard work ahead of the election.

“I thank all the delegates for the massive support and their endorsement. We are going to work hard to ensure the party wins the governorship election,” he said.

Ezenwafor’s emergence follows his purchase of the party’s N40 million nomination form, making him the sole contender in the PDP’s governorship primary.

The National Chairman of the Labour Party (LP), Comrade Julius Abure, has rejected claims of a leadership vacuum within the party, describing any such declarations as invalid.

Abure made this statement during the ongoing National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at the party’s National Secretariat in Utako, Abuja, on Monday.

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“There is no vacuum in the leadership of the Labour Party. The Supreme Court judgement did not say the tenure of the current NWC under my leadership has expired,” Abure asserted, reinforcing his position as the party’s leader.

He went on to address the so-called National Caretaker Committee, which some factions within the party have sought to install, calling it an “illegal body” not recognized by any law guiding the Labour Party.

“What happened in Umuahia, Abia State, was not a NEC meeting; as such, the so-called caretaker committee is an illegal entity,” Abure said, emphasizing that the actions taken in Abia were not legitimate.

“The purported caretaker committee is just a meddlesome interloper whose sole purpose is to destroy our party,” he concluded, seeking to reassure party members that the LP’s leadership remains secure under his tenure.

More to follow………….