The MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has restored power supply to parts of Nsukka inEnugu State, following successful installation of 11kV indoor breakers at its UNN Injection Substation.

The Head of Communications, MEDL, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, in a statement issued on Monday in Enugu, disclosed that the exercise was successfully completed on Sunday.

Ezeh said that the company had implemented a planned outage which commenced on March 27, instead of March 26, as earlier scheduled, to enable its team of engineers carry out the replacement of faulty breakers at the facility.

The spokesman said that consequently, normal electricity supply had been restored to the four affected 11kV feeders at the UNN Injection Substation – Willson, UNN, Township, and Onuiyi feeders.

Ezeh expressed appreciation to customers affected by the outage for their patience and understanding, noting that the maintenance work was necessary to enhance service reliability and improve power supply.

He explained that prior to the replacement, the substation had been experiencing equipment limitations which adversely affected supply to several areas.

“These areas included: Ogige Market and its environs, the UNN community extending to Obukpa, Isiuwa through Ofulonu, Agu Eke Edem, the Barracks area as well as St. Cyprian and environs,

“Others are Uwani Ugwu community, Building Materials Market, Solive Industries, Umuakashi community, parts of Aku Road, as well as Catholic and Anglican Cathedral communities.

“As a result, these areas were temporarily back-fed through the Onuiyi and Bass 11kV feeders,” he said.

Ezeh also appealed to residents for continued understanding regarding the current nationwide power supply challenges, which had led to reduced electricity availability.

He noted that ongoing gas supply constraints had limited the generation capacity of power plants, thereby reducing the volume of energy available for distribution companies and, ultimately, the hours of supply to customers.

He reassured residents of MainPower’s commitment to efficiently distributing the available energy across its network in Enugu State.

It would be recalled that early this month, MainPower carried out major maintenance work at its Trans-Ekulu Injection Substation in Enugu, which involved the installation of a newly-procured 11kV indoor switchgear panel at a cost of over ₦200 million.

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Giwa, has called on residents and the state government to sustain the culture of environmental cleanliness across the state.

Giwa made the appeal on Monday during a sanitation exercise carried out at the densely populated Old Park commercial axis in Enugu. The exercise, led by officers and personnel of the State Police Command, signals the commencement of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day celebration.

According to the police chief, the command has also launched a free, comprehensive medical outreach at the Police Hospital within the state headquarters. The outreach includes free medical consultations, health screenings, laboratory tests, distribution of medications, and eye examinations.

He further disclosed that a town hall meeting with security stakeholders would be held later in the day under the theme, “Community Partnership: Building Trust.” He encouraged residents to participate actively, emphasising that security remains a collective responsibility.

“For this morning, we are out here to keep Enugu clean and to encourage residents to maintain a hygienic environment that promotes public health,” Giwa said. “We have covered most parts of Old Park, including market and transport areas, and observed minimal refuse compared to what is obtainable in similar locations elsewhere.”

He urged residents to take advantage of the ongoing medical outreach, noting its importance in promoting community well-being.

Outlining the week-long programme, Giwa stated that a walkathon would be held across the Enugu metropolis on March 31, while Area Commanders in other parts of the state would conduct similar exercises.

On April 1, the command will embark on public sensitisation campaigns targeting electoral violence, ballot snatching, and related offences. This will be followed on April 2 by the presentation of cheques to families of deceased police personnel within the command.

The activities will culminate in a grand finale on April 7 at Eagle Square, featuring a ceremonial parade and procession.

The National Police Day celebration is designed to strengthen police-community relations and reinforce public trust in law enforcement institutions.

More than three-quarters of Premier League fans would like to see VAR scrapped and even more believe it has a detrimental impact on the matchday experience, according to a survey by the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA).

Many candidates scheduled to sit for the 2026 mock unified tertiary matriculation examination (UTME) were left stranded on Saturday after a technical failure disrupted the exercise nationwide.

The exam, organised by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), failed to commence several hours after candidates arrived at designated computer-based test (CBT) centres.

Many candidates reportedly arrived by 6am at various locations, but the examination did not begin until 1:30pm, which triggered frustration among parents and students.

The development happened days after JAMB warned that candidates who fail to show up after indicating interest would be sanctioned, noting that this would deprive other candidates of the chance to participate in the exercise.

The incident has sparked widespread concern, outbursts, and backlash among Nigerians, particularly on social media.

Folosele Leye, an X user, said the CBT centre used during the mock exam of his daughter had poor network connectivity.

“Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very
poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches,” Leye wrote.

Chiboi, another social media user, said the situation isfrustrating, said the technical failures and poor coordination heighten stress levels for candidates.

See tweets below.

This is frustrating but, sadly, not surprising. UTME is supposed to test readiness, not patience.
Technical glitches and poor coordination don’t just waste time, they increase stress for students who are already under pressure. It also raises the bigger question: if a mock exam… https://t.co/gT7htRqjry

— kie 🇺🇸🇳🇬 (@mr_chiboi) March 29, 2026

Technical glitches have officially become part of national life. UTME included.

— Dozie (@DozieOfficial1) March 29, 2026

JAMB keeps repeating the same server glitches year after year like it’s a tradition. If they can’t even handle a simple mock exam without stranding thousands of kids for hours, how are we trusting them with the real UTME that determines futures? Maybe it’s time to scrap this CBT…

— Affiliate_stanley (@Stanleyade01) March 29, 2026

@JAMBHQ , please endeavour to address the issues raised by candidates before the main UTME exams . I mean, we all paid for this .
😭😭

— Gelatinium (@Dannycruz0011) March 29, 2026

am expressing dissatisfaction with Living Stone CBT Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, where my daughter was posted for her UTME mock exam. The network and computer systems were very poor, making it difficult for students to take their exams in both batches.

— Folowosele Leye (@FolowoseleLeye) March 28, 2026

Aprokorepublic

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has updated its official website to recognize the faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) backed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as the party’s legitimate leadership.

According to the commission’s political parties page, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed now serves as the National Chairman, while Senator Samuel Anyanwu holds the position of National Secretary. Other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) have also received official acknowledgment.

This development follows a series of legal rulings, including a Federal High Court judgment that directed INEC to recognize the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led National Caretaker Committee. INEC had previously signaled this stance by inviting representatives from the Wike-backed group to its quarterly consultative meetings with political parties in early 2026, while the rival faction was absent.

On Sunday, March 29, 2026, the faction held a national convention at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja. Over 2,500 delegates attended and re-elected Mohammed and Anyanwu through consensus, along with other NWC members. INEC officials were present to monitor the proceedings.

The recognition comes amid the PDP’s prolonged leadership crisis. The Wike-aligned group has described INEC’s move as a step toward restoring stability and preparing the party for future elections, including the 2027 general polls. Rival factions, however, have contested the decision and indicated plans to pursue further legal action.

Political observers view this as a significant boost for the Wike camp, solidifying control over the party’s structure ahead of key electoral activities. INEC’s update provides the faction with formal validation to conduct party affairs, such as candidate nominations and congresses.

Aprokorepublic

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Enugu has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding fairness, justice, and professionalism in handling investigative matters across Nigeria’s South-East and South-South regions.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Annex, Chijindu Arum, said the assurance formed part of activities lined up for the 2026 National Police Day celebration.

Arum noted that the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the FCID Annex, Enugu, AIG Chukwudi Ariekpere, has aligned with the trust-focused and confidence-building policing agenda of the Inspector-General of Police.

According to him, the AIG emphasised the importance of sustaining the existing cordial relationship between the police and the public, describing it as critical to effective policing.

“He reiterates that justice and fairness will remain the guiding principles in the handling of all matters brought before the Annex,” the statement said.

The FCID Annex also called on residents to participate in the 2026 National Police Day celebration, themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”

As part of the programme, the command has outlined a series of activities aimed at strengthening police-community relations and enhancing public safety. These include an environmental sanitation exercise scheduled for March 30, a walkathon focused on mental alertness, peace, and community safety on March 31, and a community engagement and public sensitisation campaign on April 1.

Additionally, lectures on human rights, professionalism, and discipline are slated for April 2.

The statement added that the nationwide grand finale of the celebration will take place on April 7, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja, featuring a ceremonial parade and tactical display.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the death of one person and injuries to eight others following a multi-vehicle crash along the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway.

The Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps in Enugu State, Franklin Agbakoba, disclosed this to journalists in Enugu on Sunday.

According to him, the accident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. on March 28 and involved nine persons—six males and three females.

Agbakoba said the crash involved three commercial vehicles: a Mercedes truck, a Toyota Sienna, and a Toyota Hiace bus. He attributed the likely causes of the accident to dangerous overtaking and excessive speed.

FRSC personnel responded promptly to the scene, evacuating the injured victims to a hospital at the 9th Mile area for medical attention, while the body of the deceased was deposited at a morgue in Enugu.

“We have also cleared the obstruction caused by the crash to ensure the free flow of traffic,” Agbakoba added.

Among the injured were four journalists attached to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and African Independent Television (AIT), including reporter Chimaroke Ugwu and cameraman Jerry Ugwuanyi, as well as Kelechi Ekeledo and Ifeanyi Ogbodo.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Enugu Council, Obinna Ogbuka, expressed concern over the recurring accidents along the Ugwu-Onyeama stretch of the expressway.

He sympathised with the injured journalists and called for the expedited completion of ongoing reconstruction works on the road to curb further loss of lives.

The Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway has long been identified as a high-risk corridor, with stakeholders repeatedly urging authorities to implement lasting safety measures.

A fatal road accident at the notorious Onyeama Hills axis of the Enugu–Onitsha Expressway has claimed three lives and left several journalists injured.

According to eyewitness accounts and preliminary reports, the crash involved multiple vehicles, including a black Toyota Sienna bus conveying media personnel on official assignment to Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Some occupants of the vehicle, including crew members from African Independent Television, AIT,  and Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Among those affected are NTA reporter and Chairman of the NTA Chapel, Chimaroke Ugwu, alongside his cameraman, Jerry; as well as AIT reporter and Secretary of the Private Broadcast Chapel, Kelechi Ehirim, and his cameraman, Ifeanyi Ogbodo.

As of the time of filing this report, the identities of the deceased had yet to be officially confirmed.

Emergency responders, including officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigeria Police, were on ground conducting rescue operations and managing the aftermath of the crash.

The Onyeama Hills stretch has long been regarded as a high-risk corridor due to its steep gradient, heavy traffic flow, and recurring accidents, raising persistent concerns over road safety infrastructure and enforcement.

Reacting to the incident, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Enugu State Council, Obinna Ogbuka, expressed sympathy to affected members and gratitude that no journalist fatalities were recorded.

He, however, decried the recurring loss of lives along the Ugwu Onyeama axis and renewed calls for the expedited completion of ongoing reconstruction works on the expressway as a critical step toward mitigating future accidents.

Authorities are expected to release further details as investigations into the cause of the crash continue.

As of press time, the Federal Road Safety Corps had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

The National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabiu Kwankwaso, has concluded arrangements to formally defect to the African Democratic Congress ADC, on Monday, in what signals a significant realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.

Senior officials within both parties confirmed that the former Kano State governor would declare for the ADC alongside key loyalists, including former Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo, who recently resigned from office.

Top ADC figures, including National Chairman David Mark and National Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, are expected to receive Kwankwaso into the party.

The move follows months of negotiations between Kwankwaso and the ADC, during which the former governor reportedly sought assurances of the party’s vice-presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.

Talks had initially stalled over the demand, but were revived after renewed engagements, including a recent meeting with Aregbesola in Abuja.

Kwankwaso’s defection also comes amid shifting political dynamics in Kano, particularly following the earlier move by Governor Abba Yusuf to the All Progressives Congress.

Sources further indicated that broader coalition talks involving Peter Obi and former President Olusegun Obasanjo had informed the realignments, as opposition figures intensify consultations ahead of the 2027 general election.