The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State, Dr. Kelechi Anosike, has insisted that only the Wike-led faction of the PDP is recognised by law and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), dismissing the existence of any other faction of the party.

Anosike, while declaring his support for the faction aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, argued that the other factions are not recognised by INEC and that it would be a waste of time to run under any of them.

“There are not two PDPs. We have only one PDP, and it is the one recognised by INEC, with Nyesom Wike as our national leader. The others have moved to different parties,” he said.

He also claimed that, in Abia State, he remains the only candidate of the party and that the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and four other political parties have aligned with the PDP in a bid to unseat Governor Alex Otti in the 2027 governorship election.

Speaking on the performance of Governor Alex Otti, Anosike said the administration had failed to adequately cater to the needs of young people in the state. He claimed that many Abia residents, particularly youths, had abandoned the Labour Party and were now supporting the PDP ahead of the next election.

“The Abia State government has neglected the people, especially the youths. There is no meaningful programme targeted at them. About 75 per cent of the youths are with us, and more are joining every day.

“They have adopted our party. Nigerians will see endorsements from these parties and understand that we are serious,” he added.

Responding to claims that he is being sponsored by influential political figures, the PDP candidate dismissed the allegations, insisting that his ambition is driven solely by divine direction.

“Nobody sent me. It is the Almighty God who sent me and is driving this process,” Anosike said.

He also denied reports linking his candidacy to former Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.

Anosike cautioned the Otti-led administration against what he described as the intimidation of opposition voices, urging the governor to be open to criticism and public scrutiny.

“If you have nothing to hide, there is no reason to clamp down on people expressing their opinions. If you believe you have performed well, present your achievements and defend them.

“During debates, we will ask critical questions and expect answers. Arresting people for speaking their minds only raises suspicions,” he said.

The PDP candidate further accused Governor Otti of focusing mainly on road construction while neglecting other critical sectors of the economy.

According to Anosike, infrastructure development alone is insufficient to improve citizens’ welfare, arguing that the state government has failed to address growing poverty and economic hardship.

He also claimed that the Otti administration has benefited from increased federal allocations under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“Previous administrations received as little as N3 billion monthly, whereas the current government receives as much as N30 billion.

“With such resources, road construction alone should not be celebrated as an extraordinary achievement,” he said.

Ogbeide Associates, Solicitors and Counsel, holding brief for the factional Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, requesting an investigation into the party’s Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and factional National Chairman, Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed, over a letter dated November 3, 2025, addressed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The petition alleges that the letter falsely claimed the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) had suspended Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagum as Acting National Chairman and appointed Mohammed in his place.

According to the petition, the NWC’s 608th Emergency Meeting of November 1, 2025, held barely 48 hours before the letter was written, resolved to suspend Anyanwu himself, along with three other officers, over allegations of anti-party activities.

The petition stated that no NWC resolution, minutes, or attendance record has been produced showing that the committee ever resolved to suspend Ambassador Damagum or appoint Mohammed.

The petition further noted that the official attendance record of the 608th meeting shows that Anyanwu was absent, while Mohammed was present at the meeting.

It noted that Mohammed had direct, firsthand knowledge of the meeting’s actual outcome before the disputed letter was sent.

The petition also draws attention to a subsisting Federal High Court judgment of October 10, 2024 (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/579/2024), which recognised Ambassador Damagum as Acting National Chairman and restrained INEC from acting on any document not bearing his signature—a judgment Senator Anyanwu himself had forwarded to INEC for compliance in November 2024.

The petition notes that the Court of Appeal, on March 9, 2026, affirmed the NWC’s suspension of Senator Anyanwu.

In addition to seeking an investigation of the two named individuals, the petition asks the Inspector-General to examine how INEC handled the November 3 letter, given that the commission was already in possession of both the subsisting court judgment and the NWC’s suspension resolution at the time.

“This petition is not about personalities. It is about whether public institutions can be misled with documents that do not reflect the true position of internal party processes, and whether such conduct will be investigated as the law requires,” counsel for the petitioner said.

The lawyers called on the Nigeria Police Force to treat the matter with urgency, while indicating that the petitioner stands ready to provide all supporting documentation, including the relevant court judgments and internal party records, to assist in the investigation.

Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Mr Peter Obi, has officially served a writ of summons on actor-turned-politician Kenneth Okonkwo in a defamation suit filed at the High Court of Anambra State, Onitsha Judicial Division.

According to court documents dated June 25, 2026, Obi is seeking N8 billion in damages over statements allegedly made by Okonkwo during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on June 8, 2026, and subsequently circulated on social media platforms.

The legal action is being pursued on Obi’s behalf by Chief Alex Ejesieme (SAN) of Alex Ejesieme, SAN & Co. (Madiba Chambers), Awka, Anambra State.

DAILY POST reports that case stems from a growing dispute between the two former political allies, who have recently exchanged criticisms over political developments and leadership issues within the opposition movement.

The writ, issued by the court and marked for service outside Anambra State in neighbouring Enugu State, directs Okonkwo to enter an appearance within 42 days of being served or risk judgment being entered against him in his absence.

In the suit, Obi contends that comments made by Okonkwo during the television interview, which was later uploaded to Channels Television’s YouTube platform and amplified through his verified social media accounts, were false, malicious and defamatory.

The former Anambra State governor is claiming N5 billion as general damages for alleged injury to his reputation, character, integrity, public image, political standing and goodwill.

He is also seeking N2 billion as aggravated damages, citing what he described as the breadth, persistence and repetition of the alleged defamatory statements, including publications made after his lawyers issued a demand letter dated June 9, 2026.

In addition, Obi is asking the court to award N1 billion in exemplary damages, arguing that the defendant deliberately repeated and amplified the allegations despite being notified of his complaint.

Beyond monetary compensation, the plaintiff is seeking several court orders, including a directive compelling Okonkwo to publish a full retraction and apology on Channels Television, its YouTube platform, his social media accounts and in three national newspapers.

Obi is also requesting an order directing the defendant to remove all publications containing the disputed allegations from platforms under his control and a perpetual injunction restraining him from making similar allegations in the future.

The suit further seeks post-judgment interest on any monetary award granted by the court, as well as the costs of the action.