Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

…urges completion of reconstruction exercise at Ekeoha Shopping Plaza The President-General of the Abia State Markets Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA), Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, has expressed concern over the delay in the completion and delivery of the first phase of the remodelling and reconstruction efforts at the Ekeoha Shopping Plaza, Aba. This is as he lauded the high level of enthusiasm so far shown by traders in registering and obtaining their Permanent Voters Card (PVC) and National Identification Number (NIN). Chief Udeigbo, who spoke on Thursday, April 30, 2026, when he led executive committee members of ASMATA on a working tour…

The Director-General of the Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM), Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, has called for the immediate reversal of the decision by the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to zone its governorship ticket to the Abia Central Senatorial District. Eke, while reacting, expressed shock and deep disappointment over the decision and described the move as hasty, ill-timed, and lacking broad consultation with key stakeholders across the three senatorial districts. DrumAfricanews reports that Kalu, who is the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency in Abia North Senatorial District, was seen…

In what now appears like a political shocker as the 2027 governorship election approaches in Abia State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has zoned its governorship ticket for the forthcoming election to Abia Central Senatorial District. Many Abians had expected that the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rit. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who hails from Bende LGA in Abia North Senatorial District will clinch the ticket. However, a release by Uche Aguoru Publicity Secretary, APC Abia State said that the notice serves to guide APC members and intending aspirants in the purchase of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms.…

The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) has raised a grave concern over the targeted victimisation and institutional neglect of Mrs Nwokocha Esther Ucheya by the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB). CEHRAWS said that while it holds the responsible officials accountable for the injustice, “we must clearly distinguish these actions from the broader vision of governance under Governor Alex Chioma Otti.” The Civil Society Organisation said that it is both ironic and concerning that, at a time when Governor Otti has demonstrated commitment to workers’ welfare through prompt salary payments and reform-orientated leadership, certain actors…

The Imo State Ministry of Education (Primary and Secondary) has issued a firm warning to private schools, reaffirming a strict ban on certain graduation ceremonies and the indiscriminate swapping of textbooks. In a notice dated April 27, 2026, the government directed all private school proprietors, headteachers, and principals to comply immediately or face severe consequences, including license revocation. Under the existing policy, graduation ceremonies are completely prohibited for: · Kindergarten · Nursery · Junior Secondary School (JSS 3) Only two groups may hold graduation events: · Primary 6 pupils · Senior Secondary School (SSS 3) students The Ministry also barred…

Ndigbo For Tinubu 2027 Forum, a political group, has accused leading members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), former vice president Atiku Abubakar; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde; and former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, of planning an interim government if the ADC loses the presidential election in 2027. The group alleged that the ADC chieftains, through their actions and speeches at the recent national opposition summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State, have sent a message that they do not want free, fair and credible elections in 2027.  In a…

By Alani Bamude The latest orchestrated attack against the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has once again revealed the growing fear, panic, and desperation within opposition ranks who have clearly run out of ideas and now resort to recycled falsehoods and politically motivated petitions. The response submitted by respected law firm Olaniwun Ajayi LP on behalf of Hon. Benjamin Kalu comprehensively dismantles every allegation contained in the petition and establishes, beyond doubt, that all relevant documents are lawful, valid, authentic, and verifiable. What Nigerians are witnessing is not a genuine legal complaint, but a calculated…

A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, has said that it is a thing of concern and regrettable situation that, despite the money currently available to the Abia State government, the minimum wage of the state is an embarrassment to the workers.  Kalu, a former commissioner for information in the state, in an optimistic tone said that when his party, the PDP, takes over the government house in 2027, the least worker in Abia must earn at least N120,000 after tax as minimum wage.  The PDP stalwart said that in the absence of the global recession of…

The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) today reiterated that the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, remains the duly recognised and undisputed leader of the APC in the state. The party said that any individual or group parading themselves as leaders of the party in the state does so at their own risk.  It added that the leadership of the APC in Abia will firmly resist any attempt, no matter how highly placed, to sow seeds of division, create parallel structures, or undermine the unity and cohesion of our party. In…

…demand to represent themselves in all elective positions The Aba Ngwa People, the indigenous owners of Enyimba City, comprising Aba North and Aba South Local Government Areas, held a peaceful demonstration on Monday, the 27th of April, 2026, over what they termed political marginalisation and maltreatment. The peaceful demonstration which started along Factory Road, Aba, saw the demonstrators in their multitude chanting as they marched to the house of Barr. Emeka Wogu, chairman of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), a prominent Aba Ngwa son and the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Abia South Senatorial District.…