The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Federal Ministry of Works, the Edo State Government, and other stakeholders have commenced an urgent intervention to address the deplorable condition of the highways between Edo and Delta States.

In a statement on Wednesday, by the Director, Corporate Affairs of NDDC, Seledi Thomspon-Wakama said the Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, alongside the Senate Committee and House of Representatives Committee on Works and the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, embarked on a joint inspection of failed portions of the Benin-Sapele-Warri and Benin-Agbor roads.

The statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt, revealed that during the inspection, Umahi stressed the federal government’s commitment to fixing the deteriorating sections and finding immediate and sustainable solutions to the challenges along the critical corridor.

Umahi said the quick intervention followed a directive from President Bola Tinubu, in response to concerns over the deteriorating condition of the critical road corridors, which have subjected commuters, residents and businesses to severe hardship.

Consequently, the Ministry of Works, in collaboration with the Edo State Government, invited the NDDC, major construction companies operating along the Benin–Asaba axis, and other stakeholders to undertake a joint inspection of the failed portions of the roads.

Also speaking at the road site, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, said the commission received complaints about the sufferings of motorists along the Benin-Sapele corridor and had taken steps to intervene.

He added that the Commission had scoped 15.4 kilometres between Benin, Ologbo Junction and Sapele, describing it as a strategic road section in the region and noting that the bad stretch had become unmotorable, causing gridlock, hardship and crippling the local economy.

Ogbuku said the NDDC and the Ministry of Works had agreed to work together on the intervention to ensure that any remedial work conforms to the road’s original design and can stand the test of time.

He said the intervention reflected the Commission’s commitment to complementing the federal

government’s efforts to restore critical infrastructure and ease the burden on communities and road users across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the NDDC was committed to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu by delivering strategic infrastructure interventions that improve connectivity, stimulate economic activity, and enhance the quality of life of our people.

Also speaking, Edo State Governor, Senator Okpebholo, commended President Tinubu for responding swiftly to the challenge, noting the intervention would quickly arrest the deterioration of sections of the critical highway.

Okpebholo said Edo State’s strategic position made the deplorable state of the highway a national concern, describing the state as a gateway to the South-South, South-East, South-West and the North.

The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Wednesday inaugurated its Presidential and National Assembly campaign for Ogun Central Senatorial District, in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

The programme, which took place in three different Ifo, Abeokuta North and Abeokuta South local government areas, was attended by thousands of party supporters and residents from all the six local government areas that made up the district.

The campaign train, led by the party’s Ogun State governorship candidate and Chairman of the Campaign Council, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, moved through the three federal constituencies that make up Ogun Central before culminating in a mega rally at the Ake Palace Arcade, Abeokuta.

The flag-off began in the Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where residents and party supporters lined the streets and balconies to welcome Adebutu, the deputy governorship candidate, Dr. Yemi Kolapo-Sowunmi, the party’s Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, and other party leaders and candidates at Agbado Station.

The campaign train later proceeded to Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Arch. Dele Olaleye, was received by a large crowd at NTA Junction, Totoro.

Supporters who had gathered as early as 10a.m sang solidarity songs and cheered the candidates as they passed through the area.

The train subsequently moved to Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where Hon. Toyin Amuzu is the PDP’s House of Representatives candidate. Thousands of supporters joined the procession and followed the convoy to the Ake palace ground, venue of the Ogun Central senatorial campaign flag-off.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, Adebutu urged the people of Ogun Central to support the PDP and vote for what he described as tested and credible candidates in the 2027 elections.

He appealed to voters to support Obasanjo, saying her records during her previous tenure in the Red Chamber remained a benchmark for purposeful representation in the district.

Adebutu also promised that a PDP administration would restore prosperity and improve governance, drawing comparisons with the achievements recorded under previous PDP administrations, particularly the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

“I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors,” he said.

Adebutu expressed optimism that the party would reclaim power in the 2027 elections and usher in what he described as a new era of prosperity.

He declared, “Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people”.

He urged PDP supporters to remain united, turn out in large numbers on election days and defend their votes against intimidation.

“Ogun Central must bid farewell to non-performance and vote for liberation. Come out en masse, vote for the PDP and stand by your votes. Do not allow anybody to intimidate you,” he said.

Also speaking, the PDP Senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo, said she returned to the party because of her determination to restore what she described as the lost fortunes of the senatorial district.

Obasanjo, who represented Ogun Central in the Senate from 2007 to 2011, said she was concerned that some of the achievements recorded during her tenure had been eroded.

“My desire to take back our senatorial district to where it was when I represented it, is the reason why I came back to the PDP, and to take up the challenge of restoring our lost glories,” she said.

She added that she was encouraged by the reception she had received across the district, noting that residents had continued to identify projects and interventions associated with her previous tenure.

“Everywhere I go, people themselves point out the work I did when I represented them and tell me how many people were liberated from poverty. I am determined to do even more so that our people can benefit from the dividends of democracy,” Obasanjo said.

On his part, candidate for the Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, Chief Toyin Amuzu, pledged to run an all-inclusive and people-centred representation if elected to the House of Representatives.

Amuzu assured the people of Abeokuta South that he would not be a representative who would abandon his constituency after securing election and relocating to Abuja.

According to him, effective representation goes beyond occupying a seat in the Green Chamber, stressing that a lawmaker must remain connected with the people who gave him the mandate.

“By the grace of God, if elected to represent the good people of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, I will run an all-inclusive representation. I will not sit in Abuja after my

inauguration and forget the people who elected me.

“I will continue to engage our people from time to time to know what they are lacking and what their immediate needs are. Representation must be about the people, and that is the kind of representation I am prepared to offer.”

The PDP House of Representatives candidate also promised to attract meaningful federal presence and developmental projects to communities across the 15 wards of Abeokuta South Federal Constituency.

He assured residents that every part of the constituency would benefit from his representation, adding that no ward or community would be neglected.

Speaking on his legislative agenda, Amuzu pledged to sponsor and support people-oriented bills that would improve the welfare and living conditions of Nigerians.

He said he would ensure that his activities at the Green Chamber would be guided by the interests of the masses and the developmental needs of his constituents, and as well support legislation that would promote economic opportunities, youth empowerment, improved welfare, social justice and other policies aimed at improving the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

Other party’s candidates for the various constituencies also used the campaign tour to solicit support from voters, promising purposeful representation and improved attention to the needs of their constituents.

Prominent industrialist and philanthropist, Chief Kesington Adebutu, popularly known as “Baba Ijebu” is expected to join an array of government representatives, policymakers, business leaders and young Nigerians at the 2026 Ambassadors National Youth Summit organised by the Joshua Oyeniyi International (JOI) Foundation.

A statement yesterday, explained that the high-level youth gathering is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 29, 2026, in Lagos.

The summit is designed to bring together established leaders and emerging voices to deliberate on issues affecting Nigeria’s economic future, leadership development, innovation and youth participation in national development, with the theme of the programme being Role Of Emerging Leaders in Securing Nigeria’s Economic Prosperity.

“With young people forming a significant part of Nigeria’s population, the organisers say the summit will provide an important platform for bridging the gap between the country’s emerging generation and the institutions and individuals responsible for shaping its socio-economic direction.

“Chief Adebutu’s expected presence adds further prominence to an event that has positioned itself as a meeting point for youth leadership, entrepreneurship, public policy and private-sector influence,” it added.

The 2026 summit is expected to feature high-level plenary sessions, policy conversations, networking opportunities and engagements between young delegates and experienced leaders. The official programme also highlights discussions around economy, security and leadership, alongside innovation and impact-focused activities.

The event is being convened by the Founder and President of Joshua Oyeniyi International, Dr. Joshua Oyeniyi, with the Foundation describing the Ambassadors Summit as its flagship platform for inspiring, equipping and connecting the next generation of African leaders.

“As preparations reach their final stage, the summit is expected to provide an avenue for young Nigerians to listen, question, network and contribute to conversations about the country’s future.

“For many delegates, the significance of the gathering will not only be in the personalities present, but in the opportunities it creates for meaningful interaction between today’s decision-makers and tomorrow’s leaders,” it added.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute him if it has evidence linking him to the alleged $16bn power expenditure while he was in government.

AWKA — The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) is set to contest Saturday’s local government election in 20 of the 21 local government areas of Anambra State, with opposition parties failing to field candidates in the affected councils.

The only council where a contest is expected is Anambra East, where a candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) is challenging the incumbent local government chairman.

Speaking at a campaign rally for the election in Otuocha on Wednesday, Governor Chukwuma Soludo attributed the absence of opposition candidates to what he described as their assessment that challenging APGA would amount to a waste of resources.

Soludo said the outcome of the 2025 governorship election, in which he claimed to have secured 73 per cent of the votes, contributed to the decision by other political parties not to participate in the council poll.

“Anambra is a fortress of APGA. Following my 73 per cent score during the governorship election, other political parties felt there is no need for them to waste their money in Saturday’s local government election and that is why they ran away,” he said.

The governor said with no opposition candidates in 20 LGAs, voters in those councils would effectively be affirming the APGA candidates.

“In 20 out of the 21 LGAs, no party fielded any candidate and so in those LGAs, the people will just be doing affirmation because it is democracy.

“In 20 LGAs, no party is challenging APGA and proper election will take place only in Anambra East. Anambra is APGA and APGA is Anambra and so, none of them wanted to waste their time and money,” Soludo said.

The governor also highlighted some of his administration’s programmes, including free education, free antenatal and delivery services, youth empowerment and recruitment into the health and education sectors.

He said more than 300,000 women had benefited from the state’s free antenatal and delivery programme, while over 16,000 youths had been trained and empowered under the “One Youth, Two Skills” initiative.

Soludo added that the state had recruited 1,500 medical personnel and more than 8,000 teachers as part of efforts to strengthen primary healthcare and education.

“We’re on massive acceleration in all the sectors,” he said.

On the 2027 general elections, Soludo said APGA was already preparing for the contests, adding that the party would unveil its candidates at the appropriate time.

“After booting, we launch and when we launch, it will be tsunami. Anambra is APGA land.

“We will unveil our presidential candidate, the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates at the fullness of time,” he said.

Soludo said the party would commence its campaign for the general elections at the appropriate time, adding that the state would support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the presidential election as part of efforts to sustain collaboration with the Federal Government.

“Our campaign for general elections will come, but you know that apart from the presidential election which will go to our president, others will go to APGA.

“We will vote for the president so that we will continue with our collaboration because there are so many things in the offing, which will enable us get our share from the Federal Government,” he said.

The Presidency has blamed contractors for the poor state of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba Expressway, where commuters were reported to have been stuck for several days.

Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare,
blamed the failure of the road on the contractors handling the ongoing work on the road.

Dare noted that the Federal Government responded swiftly to the public outcry by deploying key stakeholders to the affected section and demanding immediate action from the contractor.

According to him, the incident should not be used to assess the state of road projects across the country, stressing that several other federal roads had been completed or were progressing without similar complaints.

The president’s spokesman further said that the government had a responsibility to identify roads requiring repairs and provide funding, while contractors were expected to execute the projects properly.

“I think that first, these are isolated cases. And we all know by the nature of road construction, during the rainy season, you encounter problems like this.

“Whatever played out yesterday, we had all the stakeholders there. And it’s important that even though the contractor came out, even though
he gave excuses, it showed a failure on their part,” Dare said.

Dare’s remark came barely 24 hours after the Minister of Works, David Umahi, inspected the troubled Benin-Agbor-Asaba road in Edo State
and apologised to commuters over its condition.

Yesterday, APC Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON, officially obtained the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) Out-of-Home Political Campaign Permit ahead of the 2027 General Elections.

The permit, issued in preparation for the election scheduled for January 16, 2027, was presented on behalf of ANSAA by the Assistant General Manager and Officer-in-Charge, Engr. Ngobili Chika (ARPA), to Senator Uche Ekwunife, CON.

The approval authorizes the APC Senatorial Candidate to commence the lawful deployment of approved out-of-home political campaign materials across the Anambra Central Senatorial District, in line with the agency’s regulations and guidelines.

The permitted campaign materials include posters, banners, branded vehicles, public address systems, flyers, campaign T-shirts, street storm materials, rally branding, and other approved political publicity materials.

The development underscores the importance of conducting political campaigns within the framework of existing laws and regulatory requirements as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

ANSAA, as the state agency responsible for regulating signage and outdoor advertising.

With the permit secured, Senator Uche Ekwunife’s campaign team can now proceed with the deployment of approved outdoor campaign materials across Anambra Central in accordance with ANSAA regulations.

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