Politics

14 Political Assassinations Recorded In Anambra In Two Years

Published

2 months ago

October 1, 2025

No fewer than 14 cases of political assassinations were recorded in Anambra State between 2022 and 2024, according to a report by the Cleen Foundation.

The report cautioned that the killings could pose serious threats to the conduct of the November 2025 governorship election in the state.

The organisation’s Director of Programmes, Salaudeen Hashim, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the presentation of the foundation’s 2025 Anambra Governorship Election Security Threat Assessment Report.

Citing the report, Hashim said Anambra witnessed no fewer than 14 cases of politically linked killings in the last two years, a trend he described as “a disturbing element that requires urgent attention.”

He noted the killings were taking place against a backdrop of widespread insecurity, proliferation of small arms, kidnappings and the activities of armed groups, all of which pose risks to the coming election.

“Within the last two years, some really disturbing trends have emerged in Anambra, particularly political assassinations. 213+ deaths linked to violence from 2022 to 2024, nine INEC facilities attacked, and 14 political assassinations were recorded, among others.

“To have this number within such a short period is something that requires serious attention,” he said.

He added that local political structures in the state had been “deeply politicised,” while rivalries among major political parties had often turned violent.

Hashim said the report also flagged the activities of non-state armed groups, youth gangs, drug abuse, misinformation and disinformation as threats likely to escalate electoral violence.

“Existing criminal threats combined with fierce political competition will create heightened risks. One key element blinking very strongly is the issue of small arms. There are a lot of reports about possession and usage of small arms in local areas,” Hashim stated.

Hashim urged security agencies to pay attention to local government areas such as Ihiala, Onitsha North, Ogbaru, Orumba North, Nnewi South, describing them as high-risk LGAs.

“The high-risk LGAs are Ihiala, Ogbaru, Nnewi South, Orumba North and Onitsha North.
They have recently recorded violent incidents. We urge security agencies to pay attention to these LGAs, ” he said.

He, however, said the foundation plans to open an Electoral Security Support Centre on November 7 to monitor developments before, during and after the election, while also engaging security agencies to mitigate threats.

Acting Executive Director of the foundation, Peter Maduoma, said the report was part of efforts to provide early warning signals and support election stakeholders to respond effectively.

“We are looking forward to an election where the system will work. If security is well managed, Anambra can produce one of the best elections,” Maduoma said.

The Anambra governorship election is scheduled for November 8, 2025.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, a total of 2,802,790 voters are on the register for the State governorship election.

There have been cases of political assassinations in the state. In May 2022, a lawmaker representing Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s constituency, Okechukwu Okoye, and his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, were gruesomely murdered after being kidnapped by gunmen along Aguluzigbo Road in Anaocha Local Government Area.

Similarly, Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North 1 state constituency, who was abducted on Christmas Eve, was later found dead on February 6, 2025.
(PUNCH)

Politics

APC Queries Minister For Insubordination As Fresh Crisis Rocks Party In Kano

Published

9 hours ago

November 22, 2025

Editor

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Minister of State for Housing and Urban Development, Hon. Yusuf Abdullahi Ata, for making “unguided” comments capable of provoking misunderstandings and disunity within the party.

In a query letter signed by the Kano State APC Chairman, Prince Abdullahi Abbas, the party threatened disciplinary action against the Minister if he failed to respond to what it considers acts of insubordination.

The letter was copied to the party’s national leadership, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, and zonal leaders.

The letter reads: “The leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has observed with concern recent comments you made in the media regarding internal party matters and aspirants.

“These statements have the tendency to provoke misunderstandings and disunity among members. Issues relating to party affairs fall strictly within the purview of the APC leadership and its designated spokespersons.”

Abbas added: “You are not assigned any public relations role within the party, and such public comments may be wrongly interpreted as official party positions.

“Although you have the right to support and promote any aspirant of your choice, by virtue of your position as a Minister and member of the Federal Executive Council, you are expected to engage on issues that facilitate the unity of all party members.

“The party has observed that you habitually make uncomplimentary and derogatory public pronouncements. You are hereby warned to restrain from such behavior; failure to do so may compel the party to take further disciplinary action.”

In response, Minister Ata described the query as baseless, lacking specific accusations, and said he had not received an official copy of the letter, learning of it instead through social media.

He insisted that he possesses the constitutional right to express his opinions freely and would not relinquish that right.

Ata stated: “I am not aware of any offense or breach of party rules. I believe it is inappropriate for a Minister of the Federal Republic or any party member to first see a letter intended for them on the internet before it is officially delivered.

“The letter does not cite any specific statement, action, or conduct that amounts to wrongdoing. As a Nigerian citizen, I fully reserve the constitutional right to express my personal opinions.

“At no point have I claimed to speak on behalf of the party. Every comment I made was strictly in my personal capacity. I remain firmly committed to the constructive policies and renewed hope agenda of Mr. President.”

The exchange between the party leadership and the Minister has further exposed internal crises within APC in Kano, as various factions jockey for influence ahead of the 2027 general elections. Members of the party are reportedly divided among major power blocs, with some supporting the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, while others back former National Chairman Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The crisis deepened when some party stakeholders endorsed Ganduje as the state party leader, bypassing Barau, who is the highest-ranking political officer in Kano APC. Although the endorsement was claimed to be unanimous, Barau denied any involvement.

Recently, party stalwart Hon. Alwan Hassan accused Barau of obstructing the confirmation of Ramat Garba at the National Assembly for the presidential nomination as head of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Hassan also alleged that Barau orchestrated the removal of former Minister of Housing, Alh. Abdullahi Gwarzo, replacing him with Ata.

In a counter statement, Muhammad Abubakar, leader of the Coalition Tinubu Support Organization, dismissed Hassan’s claims, accusing him of advancing the interests of certain leaders to tarnish the reputation of the Deputy Senate President.
(GUARDIAN)

Politics

APC Explains Suspension Of Senator Gbenga Daniel

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

APC Ward 4 in Sagamu says it suspended Senator Gbenga Daniel because he refused to appear and defend himself over allegations of anti-party activities.

Speaking to journalists at the ward office in Sabo, Sagamu, the Ward Secretary, Hon. Oluwole Aduroja, said he spoke for the 19-member executive committee.

He explained that their clarification was necessary after a statement issued by MJS Partners on behalf of Senator Daniel, reacting to a November 17 letter from the APC National Secretariat.

Aduroja, who stood with the Ward Chairman, Hon. Adebayo Ismail, said the Ward Executive Committee agreed to suspend Senator Daniel because he failed to appear before a panel set up to review petitions against him.

The petitions accused him of working against the party.

He said the problem started during the last general elections, when Senator Daniel “acted in open defiance of the party and engaged in actions inimical to the interest of the APC and its candidates in Ogun State.”

Aduroja added that after the elections, the senator, “attempted to obstruct and frustrate the course of justice during the Election Petition Tribunal sittings through actions and interventions that were directly hostile to the interest of the APC and its candidates.”

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He said these actions remain unchallenged.

Reacting to the position of the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Bashiru, in the November 17 letter, Aduroja insisted that the APC Constitution allows Executive Committees at all levelsward, local government, state, zonal or national to discipline any member.

He said Article 21(5)(vii) gives the National Working Committee the power to suspend members, but does not override the powers of Executive Committees at other levels, and does not require them to seek approval from the NWC.

He explained that “any disciplinary action taken by an Executive Council, including suspension, is subject only to appeal as outlined in Article 21(4).”

He added that nothing in the constitution makes their decision dependent on NWC review.

Aduroja said Ward 4 is committed to discipline, fairness and due process, and stressed that the suspension of Senator Gbenga Daniel remains in full effect.”

Politics

Irresponsible Of You To Blame Trump Over Rising Insecurity – ADC Blasts Tinubu’s Govt

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2025

Editor

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has criticised the Federal Government of Nigeria for blaming the wave of attacks, especially in Kebbi and Kwara States on remarks by US President Donald Trump.

Recall that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, George Akume on Wednesday, said recent statements by Trump concerning the security situation in Nigeria have emboldened violent groups across the country.

Responding to the SGF, the National Publicity Secretary of the ADC, Bolaji Abdullahi, in a statement said Akume’s comment was an attempt to deflect responsibility.

According to him, it is appalling that the APC-led government suggested that insecurity in Nigeria was triggered by a statement made by a foreign president.

The ADC mouthpiece further stated that the claim amounted to a shameful abdication of responsibility and a confirmation that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is overwhelmed by the security crisis.

He added that Nigerians had endured massacres, mass abductions and attacks on schools and places of worship for years under the APC-led government.

Abdullahi said the situation has worsened under the current administration because of the government’s failure to respond decisively.

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“It is therefore disingenuous to blame one tweet for the state of insecurity in Nigeria,”

“Those killing Nigerians did not need to be instigated by Trump; they were already actively encouraged by a government that consistently fails to act decisively to stop the carnage, a government that is, even after nearly three years in office, still celebrating its electoral victory while the country is turned into a killing field,” he said.