News

‘I’m not dead’ – Abia APC Senatorial candidate, Erondu cries out over alleged name substitution

Published

3 months ago

August 1, 2026

The All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Abia South Senatorial District, Erondu Uchenna Erondu Jr., has rejected the alleged substitution of his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 general election, describing the purported action as unlawful and unconstitutional.

In a press statement personally signed on Saturday, Erondu said he is not dead and remains the duly nominated APC candidate for Abia South.

Erondu, who is currently a member of the Abia State House of Assembly representing Obingwa West Constituency, said the primary election conducted on May 16, 2026, across the 65 electoral wards in the six local government areas of Abia South Senatorial District returned him as the winner.

Erondu Jr. said his mandate was declared by the APC National Working Committee in the presence of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Department of State Services (DSS). He added that he was issued a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the APC Abia South primary election results on June 30, 2026.

He expressed concern over reports that his name had been replaced with Paul Ikonne in violation of the Electoral Act, 2026.

Citing Section 33 of the Electoral Act, 2026, he explained that a political party can only substitute a candidate where the candidate dies, voluntarily withdraws through a personally signed written notice addressed to the party, or where a court of competent jurisdiction issues an order affecting the nomination.

“I am alive. I have not withdrawn my candidature. I have never signed or submitted any notice withdrawing my candidature to the All Progressives Congress,” Erondu Jr. declared.

Erondu therefore called on the APC National Working Committee and INEC to remain guided by the provisions of the Electoral Act.

The Abia State chapter of the APC had, on July 1, 2026, declared Erondu Uchenna Erondu as the party’s candidate to challenge the Labour Party’s senatorial candidate, Enyinnaya Abaribe.

News

Decomposing body of unidentified man found in Plateau

Published

7 minutes ago

October 26, 2026

PlateauReports

The decomposing body of an unidentified man has been discovered by troops of Operation Ensuring Peace, OPEP, in an abandoned building behind a primary school in Jwakom Village, Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Security analyst, Zagazola Makama, in a post on X quoted sources saying that the discovery was reported at about 1:40 pm on Sunday, October 25, 2026, prompting troops of Sector 8 OPEP to respond to the scene.

Makama explained that the troops confirmed the presence of a decomposing male corpse. Efforts to establish the identity of the deceased were unsuccessful.

He added, "The corpse was subsequently recovered and handed over to the youth leader of Jwakom for necessary action."

Makama stated that investigations are ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased and determine the circumstances surrounding his death, while authorities are expected to take further action as more details emerge from the investigation.

Decomposing body of unidentified man found in Plateau

Business

CBD COP17: Namibian Biosafety Expert Martha Kandawa-Schulz dies in Yerevan

Published

4 hours ago

October 26, 2026

PlateauReports

Martha Kandawa Schulz Namibia SBSTTA28 31july2026 photo.jpg

Martha Kandawa-Schulz, Namibia’s Cartagena Protocol National Focal Point, died in Yerevan, Armenia, while participating in the ongoing United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP17).

Ms Kandawa-Schulz, a professor, died on 23 October, according to a statement the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Secretariat issued Sunday evening.

She was serving as Co-Chair of the Contact Group on Risk Assessment and Risk Management of Living Modified Organisms at the conference.

In a message to delegates, the Secretariat described her as a highly respected colleague whose dedication, expertise, and leadership contributed significantly to the Convention and its Protocols, as well as to the global biosafety community.

It said her commitment and collegiality had earned her the respect and appreciation of colleagues who had the privilege of working with her.

The Secretariat extended its condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and the Government and people of Namibia.

It also expressed sympathy to the African Group and others mourning her death.

“The Presidency and the Secretariat are working closely together to support her family and the Namibian delegation on site, and to facilitate the necessary arrangements,” the statement said.

The Secretariat also announced that a book of condolences would be available to delegates from 13:00 on Monday at Entrance 2, near the Asia-Pacific Room, for those wishing to pay their respects.

It urged delegates to honour Ms Kandawa-Schulz’s memory and recognise her contributions to the shared objectives of the Convention.

ALSO READ: CBD COP17: Nigeria, six others each win $50,000 grant for biodiversity projects

The circumstances surrounding her death were not stated, although reports indicate that she collapsed during her engagement in the working group meeting on Friday.

CBD COP17 is taking place in Yerevan, Armenia, bringing together governments and other stakeholders to deliberate on global biodiversity conservation and the implementation of the Convention and its associated protocols.

Government representatives, delegates, scientists, civil society representatives and researchers, among others, from nearly 196 countries are participating in the conference.