Imo State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Austin Onyedebelu, has said that the party leadership in the State will fight like a wounded lion to ensure President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reelected come 2027 presidential election.
Onyedebelu made the assertion during a stakeholders’ meeting between the State Working Committee of the party and officials of the APC drawn from the 9 LGAs and 105 wards of Owerri Zone.
The meeting was attended by the LGA party Executives, Ward Executives, elected LGA Chairmen, Councillors, and other party officials.
Addressing the gathering, the State Chairman stressed that unity remained the greatest weapon for electoral success.
He maintained that party members and the leadership must work together in ensuring overwhelming victories for Mr president and other candidates of the party in the State.
The APC Chairman warned party officials that they would be held accountable for the party’s performance in their respective areas.
“If you lose our votes we are going to hold you responsible. Don’t tell us why you failed after the election.
“Tell us now what will make you fail so we can address it. If there is anything or any leader that will sabotage our efforts, you must tell us now for us to address it,” he said.
Onyedebelu urged party faithful to rely solely on genuine grassroots mobilization rather than shortcuts, insisting that only real votes would guarantee victory.
He added that there is no other way to win elections than to count on real votes, and that the only way to achieve it is to remain united.
The State party boss cautioned against anti-party activities, reminding members that those who work against their own party would ultimately have nothing to gain.
“If you support the opposition to win against your party, when they begin to share the proceeds of victory, they will first reward their own party members before remembering you,” he added.
The State Chairman also described the 2027 general elections as a defining moment for Owerri Zone in its aspiration to produce the next Governor of Imo State.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the State Secretary of the party, Onyekachi Ibezim, explained that the purpose of the meeting was to enable the State Working Committee to interact directly with party executives at the LGA and Ward levels ahead of the 2027 electoral contest.
He noted that the officers constitute the engine room of the party at the grassroots and would be held responsible for the success of the party in the forthcoming general elections.
Responding on behalf of Owerri Zone, the State Vice Chairman for Owerri Zone, Justus Ogu, assured the State Working Committee that the zone would not disappoint the party.
He assured that the Zone will deliver APC from President down to the State House of Assembly members.
…Inspected Projects Include Roads, Health Centres, Markets, Bridges, ICT Centres, Stadiums, Solar Streetlights and Rural Electrification
The Plateau State Government has expressed satisfaction with the level of infrastructural development and people-oriented projects being executed across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state, following a comprehensive statewide project inspection tour conducted by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Chief Ephraim Usman Gar, disclosed this on Thursday, November 5, 2026, during a press briefing in Jos, where he presented the ministry’s findings from the inspection tour covering the three senatorial zones of Plateau State.
According to the Commissioner, the inspection exercise was undertaken to assess completed and ongoing projects initiated by the 17 Local Government Council Chairmen, ensure the judicious utilisation of public funds, verify the quality of projects and determine their alignment with the grassroots development agenda of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s administration.
Gar explained that the ministry, in line with its statutory responsibilities, is mandated to monitor, inspect, guide and provide technical assistance to local governments, particularly in matters relating to administration, finance and the delivery of essential services to communities.
The inspection tour featured the ministry’s management team, the Special Adviser to Governor Mutfwang on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Jonathan Dabo, relevant ministry staff, members of the media and representatives of Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking on the outcome of the exercise, the Commissioner commended the 17 Council Chairmen, stating that their performance demonstrated commitment to the vision of the present administration.
He noted that the projects inspected reflected the administration’s determination to take governance closer to the people through practical interventions that address the needs of communities at the grassroots.
“I am pleased to report that the 17 Council Chairmen have not disappointed the ‘Time Is Now’ administration. Providing dividends of democracy at the grassroots remains the top priority of this administration. From what we have seen, governance has truly been taken closer to the people,” Gar stated.
SOUTHERN ZONE: INFRASTRUCTURE, SECURITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
The inspection tour commenced in the Southern Senatorial Zone, where the team assessed several projects designed to improve infrastructure, education, healthcare, youth development and security.
Among the projects inspected were the ongoing remodelling of youth centres, mini stadiums, Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres, legislative chambers, solar-powered streetlight installations, primary healthcare centres, motorised boreholes and housing estates for legislators.
The team also inspected the Wase Rock Radio and Television Station, alongside facilities at the temporary headquarters of the 175 Infantry Motorcycle Battalion of the Nigerian Army.
The Commissioner described the council’s support for facilities connected to security operations as an important demonstration of the role local governments can play in strengthening peace and security within their communities.
CENTRAL ZONE: ROAD CONSTRUCTION, HEALTHCARE AND EDUCATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE
In the Central Senatorial Zone, the inspection team visited Kanam, Kanke, Pankshin, Mangu and Bokkos Local Government Areas to assess several ongoing and completed development projects.
One of the notable projects inspected was the 23-kilometre Gugur Road construction in Kanke Local Government Area, which is expected to improve connectivity and ease transportation for residents and communities along the route.
Other projects included the remodelled Dengi Multipurpose Hall, primary healthcare centres and the 1,500-capacity event hall in Mangu.
The team also inspected the 200-capacity Anatomy Laboratory at Plateau State University, Bokkos, reportedly funded by the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
Other projects visited included the Palace of the Ngolong Ngas and transformers provided for rural electrification, highlighting interventions in traditional institutions, education and electricity infrastructure.
NORTHERN ZONE: BRIDGES, MARKETS, HEALTH CENTRES AND RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
The Northern Senatorial Zone was the final leg of the statewide inspection tour, covering Bassa, Barkin Ladi, Jos East, Jos North, Jos South and Riyom Local Government Areas.
In the zone, the team inspected and assessed several projects aimed at improving healthcare delivery, rural connectivity, commercial activities, security and administrative efficiency.
Notable projects included primary healthcare centres at Sabon Gari, Chinye-Miango, Garba Daho and Furaka, as well as rural electrification projects in Miango.
The inspection also covered council secretariat complexes, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centres and ultra-modern markets at Rishari-Rutara and Zarakon.
Other major infrastructure included bridges linking Farin Gada to Rusau and Vwang to Kogot, police station outposts, and town halls located in Kwang and Kuru.
According to the Commissioner, these projects reflect the efforts of local governments to respond to the developmental priorities of their respective communities.
GAR COMMENDS COUNCIL CHAIRMEN, REAFFIRMS GRASSROOTS DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
Reflecting on the overall outcome of the exercise, Gar maintained that the projects inspected across the 17 Local Government Areas were largely people-oriented and connected to the actual needs of the communities.
He stressed that the commitment of the Council Chairmen to the development vision of the state government was essential to achieving sustainable grassroots development.
The Commissioner further acknowledged the support and cooperation of Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, expressing appreciation for the opportunity given to the ministry and local government councils to discharge their responsibilities without undue interference.
He also commended the Council Chairmen, traditional institutions, media organisations and Civil Society Organisations for their cooperation and participation throughout the inspection exercise.
The statewide tour represents an important monitoring initiative by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, particularly as the Plateau State Government continues to emphasise accountability, effective service delivery and inclusive development across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
With projects spanning road construction, healthcare, education, electricity, security, markets, youth development and community infrastructure, the inspection has provided an opportunity to assess how local government resources are being translated into tangible development at the grassroots.
Former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, has told the African Democratic Congress, ADC, to stop threatening the country with fire and brimstone over the nullification of its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
In a post on his verified X handle on Thursday, Sani urged the ADC to take its case to the Appeal Court, adding that the party brought the crisis on itself when it took over a troubled party instead of registering a new one.
"The ADC should get ready to appeal their case instead of threatening the country with brimstone and fire. This is the price they have to pay for taking over a troubled party instead of registering a new one,” Sani said.
Sani was reacting to the statement by the ADC after the Federal High Court in Abuja sacked the David Mark-led leadership of the party and voided Atiku's presidential ticket for 2027.
In its statement, the ADC had warned the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, not to play with fire. The party said the judgment, delivered by Justice Peter Lifu barely 24 hours after the massive turnout at the ADC presidential campaign rally in Sokoto, showed the desperation of the APC.
Sani said that kind of language will not save the ADC in court. He said threats will not change a judgment. Only an appeal will.
He said the coalition leaders knew the ADC had leadership problems before they adopted it. He said instead of going to INEC to register a fresh party with a clean constitution and clean leadership, they chose to hijack a party that already had factions and court cases.
"They saw the trouble in the ADC. They entered it with their eyes open. Now the trouble has caught up with them," Sani said.
Sani recalled that the coalition, made up of Atiku, David Mark, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Rauf Aregbesola and others, settled on the ADC as its platform rather than establishing a new political party.
He urged the ADC to stop dragging the country into its internal fight, stating that Nigeria is bigger than Atiku, Mark and any party's ambition.
Sani said the appeal is the right road. He said the courtroom, not threats, will decide if Atiku remains on the ballot for 2027.