Political stakeholders in Igbo-Eze South Local Government Area have indicated that the council area will produce a replacement senator to complete the tenure of the late Okechukwu Ezea, whose passing created a vacancy in the National Assembly.

DAILY GAZETTE gathered that the development followed consultations among party leaders, stakeholders and political actors across the council area, with a growing consensus that the remaining period of the senatorial mandate should return to Igbo-Eze South in the spirit of equity and representation.

Contenders have reportedly intensified consultations ahead of the process to fill the vacant seat.

Late Senator Ezea was laid to rest on Friday at his country home in Itchi, Igbo-Eze South LGA.

The National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress has suspended planned party congresses in Abia State, a move believed to be connected to the anticipated defection of Governor Alex Otti to the ruling party.

The decision is reportedly aimed at allowing the governor to conclude his planned political realignment and assume leadership of the party structure in the state before congresses are conducted.

Details of the development were contained in a letter sighted on Wednesday by DAILY GAZETTE.

The letter was jointly signed by the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda and the party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru.

Popular businessman and socialite Pascal Okechukwu, widely known as Cubana Chief Priest, has urged the South-East to politically align with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, arguing that such cooperation could pave the way for the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu and improve the region’s chances of producing a future president.

Reacting to a viral video in which a traditional ruler from the region appealed directly to the President, the celebrity barman commended the monarch for taking the message to Abuja, saying direct engagement with the Federal Government was necessary to draw attention to the concerns of the South-East.

In a post written in Pidgin, Okechukwu stressed that confrontation with the government would not yield results, insisting that “alignment” remained the most effective path to achieving political and regional objectives, including Kanu’s freedom.

He also called on the region to reassess its political strategy, noting that Tinubu secured victory in the 2023 presidential election despite limited support from the South-East, and could replicate the feat in future polls.

According to him, offering electoral backing to the current administration could strengthen negotiations and position the Igbo for greater political inclusion at the national level, including the possibility of producing a president in the future.

Okechukwu further argued that Tinubu’s political structure and influence across the country make him a formidable force in Nigerian politics, urging the South-East not to remain isolated from national power dynamics.

His comments followed an earlier appeal by traditional ruler Lawrence Agubuzu, who had urged the President to release Kanu or return him to Kenya, where he was arrested, warning that his continued detention was fueling agitation among youths in the region.

The chairmanship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Bwari Area Council election, Julius Adamu, has stepped down from the race in support of the All Progressives Congress candidate, Joshua Musa, in a development that has stirred political reactions across the Federal Capital Territory.

The withdrawal was announced on Wednesday in Bwari during a gathering attended by supporters and political stakeholders, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

A video circulating online captured Adamu declaring his decision to exit the contest and urging his supporters to rally behind Musa in the forthcoming election.

Wike, addressing the gathering, confirmed that discussions had been held and an agreement reached for Adamu to stand down.

Adamu described the move as the outcome of extensive consultations, noting that political unity and cooperation were more important than rivalry.

He appealed to party loyalists and residents to support Musa’s candidacy in the interest of Bwari’s development.

The February 21, 2026 Federal Capital Territory Area Council elections will see voters elect chairmen and councillors across the six councils — Abuja Municipal, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Abaji and Kwali.

The exercise is being conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission after months of campaigning that began in September 2025.

The Bwari race has attracted strong attention from both major parties, with control of the council considered strategically important.

Musa’s candidacy had earlier been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria following legal disputes and appeals.

Wike’s role in the development underscores his growing influence in FCT politics since assuming office in 2023.

Though still a member of the PDP, the former Rivers State governor has frequently supported initiatives and candidates associated with the ruling APC, drawing criticism from some members of his party who accuse him of anti-party activities and political realignment.

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Electoral Act, 2022 (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill 2026 into law following its passage by the National Assembly of Nigeria after months of deliberation and intense debate.

The legislation, which comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, has stirred controversy over provisions relating to the transmission of election results, particularly the balance between electronic and manual methods.

The Senate of Nigeria passed the bill after a heated session that saw lawmakers clash over Clause 60.

Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe demanded a division on the clause, questioning provisions that allow manual transmission if electronic transmission fails.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio initially suggested the demand had been withdrawn, a position challenged by opposition lawmakers.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin argued it would be out of order to revisit an issue already ruled upon, triggering further tension on the floor.

The disagreement escalated into a brief face-off involving Senator Sunday Karimi, while Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele maintained that earlier decisions had been nullified through a motion for rescission, making Abaribe’s demand valid.

A division was eventually conducted, with 55 senators voting to retain the proviso allowing manual transmission in the event of network failure, while 15 opposed it.

At the House of Representatives of Nigeria, lawmakers also disagreed over a motion to rescind an earlier amendment supporting compulsory real-time electronic transmission of results.

The motion, moved by Francis Waive, was put to a voice vote by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.

Although dissenting voices appeared louder, the Speaker ruled in favour of the motion, prompting protests from lawmakers and forcing the chamber into a closed-door session.

Honourable Udemezue,

The Anambra State House of Assembly has initiated steps to recall a suspended member representing Ayamelum Constituency, Bernard Udemezue, following months of disciplinary action linked to a social media post.

The lawmaker was first suspended in August 2025 after the Assembly accused him of sharing content it described as damaging and unbecoming of a legislator.

Udemezue had alleged online that his constituency was being marginalised in the allocation of constituency allowances.

After reviewing a report by its Committee on Ethics and Privileges, the House imposed an initial three-month suspension for what it termed “unparliamentary conduct.”

The suspension was later extended by another three months when he failed to comply with the Assembly’s directives.

The extended suspension, which began on November 26, 2025, is expected to expire on February 26, 2026.

During plenary on Tuesday, the Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, directed the Committee on Rules, Ethics and Privileges, chaired by the Majority Leader, Ikenna Ofodeme, to urgently review the suspension as part of moves toward his recall.

According to the Speaker, the committee is to reassess the matter in line with the House’s earlier resolutions and determine the level of compliance by the suspended lawmaker before submitting its recommendations.

The Assembly subsequently adjourned plenary to February 19, 2026, when the committee is expected to report back on the review.