Politics
Release Nnamdi Kanu, Ohanaeze Urges FG
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the Federal Government to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued detention as unjust and unacceptable.
This resolution was part of a communique issued at the end of a two-day Ohanaeze Ndigbo Leadership Retreat held at the Landmark – Nike Lake Hotel, Enugu, from June 4 to 5, 2025.
The communique was jointly signed by the President General, Senator Azuta Mbata, his deputy and Chairman, Planning Committee, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, Secretary General, Emeka Sibeudu, and National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Ezechi Chukwu, on Tuesday.
The retreat, themed “Rebuilding Our Foundation,” brought together prominent Igbo leaders and stakeholders from diverse sectors, including academia, religious and traditional institutions, organised private sector, town unions, youth and women groups, and the diaspora.
The gathering, chaired by the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and declared open by the Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai.
In one of its resolutions, the retreat “unequivocally condemned in strong terms, the continuous detention of Nnamdi Kanu, whom before now has been acquitted by a court of competent jurisdiction.” The communique urged the federal government to “find an alternative solution to his matter and release him.”
The retreat emphasised unity, economic revitalisation through investments in Igbo land, and cultural rebirth rooted in traditional values such as “Igwebuike (strength in unity), Onye aghala nwanne ya (leave no one behind), and Ako bu ije (wisdom is key to progress).”

Also, participants resolved to support the Professorial Endowment Chair in seven universities across the Ohanaeze states, a project aimed at promoting research in Igbo language, culture, and history.
Ohanaeze also announced plans to present its programmes and a draft constitution to Imeobi, the organisation’s highest decision-making body, in due course.
Punchng.com
Politics
JUST IN: Makinde Appoints New Chief of Staff After Ogunwuyi’s Resignation

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has appointed Bashorun Akinwale Akinwole, popularly known as Wolekanle, as his new Chief of Staff, following the resignation of Segun Ogunwuyi.
Makinde also appointed Mrs Aderonke Adedayo, his Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies, as Director-General of the Due Process Office.
The appointments were announced in letters signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Musibau Babatunde, on Monday.
Akinwole, a grassroots politician, previously served as Chairman of the Oyo State Local Government Service Commission.
Adedayo will combine her new responsibilities as Director-General of the Due Process Office with her existing role as Special Adviser on General Intervention and Donor Agencies.
Both appointments take immediate effect.

The governor congratulated the appointees and urged them to discharge their duties with loyalty, commitment and dedication to the service of Oyo State.
Politics
BREAKING: 8 State Governors Out as INEC Releases Final List for 2027 Election
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is set to release the final list of candidates contesting the February 6, 2027.
Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, with eight states excluded from the governorship poll.
According to The Nation, the commission is scheduled to publish the final list on Saturday, October 10, 2026, in line with Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026.
There are 8 affected states where governorship elections will not hold as part of the February 2027 electoral exercise because they operate on separate election schedules.
INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed during a world press conference and stakeholders’ meeting that 21 of Nigeria’s 22 registered political parties nominated 936 governorship and deputy governorship candidates for the 28 states scheduled to elect governors in 2027.
The parties also nominated 9,692 candidates for the State Houses of Assembly elections.
Section 32(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires INEC to publish the names and addresses of nominated candidates at least 60 days before an election.

The law also provides a procedure for political parties to notify the commission if a candidate’s name is missing from the published list.
Under Section 32(2), such notification must be submitted in writing, signed by the party’s national chairman and secretary, and supported by an affidavit within 14 days of publication.

Although governorship elections will not take place in the eight excluded states during the February 2027 exercise, State House of Assembly elections are scheduled across all 36 states.
The commission’s final list is expected to provide further details of the candidates and political parties participating in the elections.
INEC had earlier set September 19, 2026, as the deadline for substituting candidates and September 26, 2026, as the final date for submitting nomination forms.
The publication of the final list will be an important step in preparations for the 2027 elections, as political parties and candidates move towards the next phase of campaigning.
Politics
Nigerian Gov Gives 8 Top Appointment, Others
new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Hon Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has approved the appointments of new Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Assistants (SAs).
The Governor also approved the appointment of Alhaji Moshood Kewuyemi as the Chief Imam of the Government House Mosque.
The new SSAs include:
Ms. Folashade Ogunoye, SSA Gender
Alhaji Aminu Saidi Tunde, SSA Islamic Religion Affairs
Rev. Tunde Ogunsuyi, SSA Christian Religion Affairs

Kemisola Obamoyegun, SSA Housing
Dr. Oluwatobi Aruwajoye, SSA Primary Health
Alhaja Mohammed Sikirat Idera, SSA Muslim Women Affairs
Mrs Ehuwa Victoria Olufunke, SSA Christian Women Affairs
Alhaja Fauzart Gidado, SSA Women Mobilisation (Central).
And, others.
The appointments take immediate effect.
