Author: Drum Africa Correspondent

…says Otti spent ₦360M quarterly maintaining 6 decorative water fountains The Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said that it acknowledged that Governor Alex Otti’s administration has carried out rehabilitation on some already existing roads at outrageously inflated costs; it strongly rejects the false, exaggerated, and highly deceptive claim that 414 roads have been built under Otti’s government. Uche Aguoru, Publicity Secretary, APC Abia State, said that the recent claim by Governor Otti that his administration has constructed 414 roads across the state is not true, as the APC, being a party on the ground in…

Abia state governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) in the 2027 general elections, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has dismissed allegations making the rounds that he is a new member of the party in the state. Anosike explained that he joined the PDP in 2005 and has remained an active member of the party, despite not having held any government or party position. Anosike who emerged candidate of the party last Sunday,in an interview with journalists in Umuahia, explained that those whom he alleged joined the PDP during the ‘social media era’ and do not know his journey with the…

A Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed the powers of the Independent National Electoral Commission to set timelines for political parties to conduct their primaries ahead of the 2027 general elections. The court, however, ruled that the electoral body cannot abridge statutory timelines specifically provided under the Electoral Act 2026 for submission and substitution of candidates. The judgment was delivered by Justice J.K. Omotosho in a suit filed by the Social Democratic Party challenging aspects of INEC’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 elections. A Certified True Copy of the judgment obtained by DrumAfricanews showed that the…

…vows to return him come 2027 Chief Alphonsus Udeigbo, President-General of Abia State Markets The Amalgamated Traders Association (ASMATA) has described the threeA years of Governor Alex Otti as one defined by impactful and purposeful leadership. Udeigbo also added that transformational governance and an unflinching commitment to the total recovery of the past fortunes of the state have been the main focus of the Otti administration, which no right-thinking person can claim ignorance of. This is even as he called on all well-meaning Abia people and all Nigerians residing in the state to reciprocate the governor’s sincerity of purpose and…

The Onyedinma Foundation has condemned the gruesome rape and murder of 21-year-old Miss Chinwendu Achumba, a post-basic midwifery student at Lady of Mercy College of Nursing, Umulogho, Obowo, Imo State, describing it as heinous. DrumAfricanews reports that Miss Achumba,who began her post-basic midwifery Lady of Mercy College of Nursing after completing her basic studies at the Abia State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology (ABSCOHMAT),was raped and murdered by two suspects after refusing their romantic advances. An indigene of Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, Miss Achumba was murdered on Thursday, May 21, 2026, in Imo State, by two…

…September deadline ends May 10 ‘lockout’, gives losing APC aspirants escape route The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday voided INEC’s 2027 election timetable, striking out the May 10, 2026 deadline that barred politicians from switching parties. The ruling gives Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso’s National Democratic Congress four extra months to woo aggrieved APC aspirants ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election. Justice M.G. Umar held that INEC “cannot lawfully abridge” timelines set by the Electoral Act 2026. The Act permits parties to submit membership registers and candidate lists until September 2026. The judgment effectively dismantles INEC’s…

…says Ariaria is comfortable now, doesn’t want to see bad governance again The chairman of the Ariaria International Market Traders Association (AIMATA), Sir Hyacinth Ositadinma Nnabude, has said that the remaining schedule for the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) will be treated with a high level of seriousness as though lives depend on it. Sir Nnabude, who has been monitoring the registration from zone to zone, likes to line as well as capture other people who earn their daily living in Ariaria International Market, like the okada riders, wheelbarrow pushers, truck pushers, loaders and jobmen, and said that no one will…

An Abia state magistrate court sitting in Aba North, remanded one Mr Ekeke Nnamdi, over the alleged forgery of using the seal belonging to a deceased legal practitioner, Agbai Igwe. Nnamdi, who allegedly presented himself as a legal practitioner, was alleged to have forged late Igwe’s seal to prepare a deed of power of attorney in favour one Okoro Onyekachi Christiana. Our correspondent reports that in the three count charge with number; MAN/182c/2026, Commissioner of Police vs Ekeke Nnamdi, (Male),43 years, the prosecutor alleged that the suspect knew that Agbai had died two years ago, but forged his seal to…

The Society for Human Rights Advocacy and Development (SOHAD), an umbrella platform of civil society organisations and pro-democracy groups based in Abia State, has condemned what it termed inappropriate actions and decisions by some police in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State. SOHAD said that after the recent mayhem and civil disorder linked to the recent kingship tussle and community clash in Okon Aku and Okagwe communities in Ohafia Local Government Area, the group’s hierarchy met on May 18, 2026, at Freedom Hall to appraise the role and position of the Abia State Police Command in the whole issue. …

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has given all adults of Igbo origin that getting a Permanent Voters Card (PVC) is not negotiable anymore, as it is the only right they have to make a statement in the current Nigeria. Addressing Igbos including traders, transporters, government workers and people of all walks of life, the Abia President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr Chukwuemeka Okwuonu, said that in this 2027, Igbos will make a statement that will bring respect back to the race. Okwuonu stressed that no Igbo parents should allow their male and female adults who are up to 18 to waste the…