News
Anambra 2025: Valentine Ozigbo laments loss of APC ticket, petitions appeal committee
One of the aspirants under the All Progressives Congress, APC, for the November governorship election in Anambra State, Valentine Ozigbo, has petitioned the appeal committee over the primaries conducted last weekend.
The party’s ticket was won by a prominent real estate investor and oil mogul, Nicholas Ukachukwu who defeated Ozigbo and other top contenders.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ozigbo described the primary election as a charade and an injustice against the people of Anambra.
He revealed that he had filed a formal petition before the APC Gubernatorial Primary Appeals Committee, alleging that the process that produced Nicholas Ukachukwu as the party’s flag bearer was marred by fraud, irregularities, and violations of democratic norms.
Ozigbo said, “Yesterday, I formally submitted a petition to the Appeals Committee of our great party… That exercise, by all observable standards, was a charade — a well-orchestrated heist designed to deliver a predetermined outcome.”
Citing widespread manipulation, voter exclusion, and a lack of transparency in vote counting, Ozigbo asserted that the process violated not only internal party rules but also broader expectations of fairness and accountability in a democratic system.
Ozigbo, who joined the APC in February after stints with the Labour Party and the PDP, where he had a strong showing in the 2021 governorship race, framed his protest as a defense of democratic values rather than a personal grievance.
“This is not just about me. It is about the soul of our democracy. About the values we claim to represent. About the future we owe our children,” he wrote, adding that the April 5 primary was a fraud against him but, more critically, a theft against the people of Anambra.
Ozigbo is widely regarded as one of the most formidable contenders in Anambra politics, boasting widespread youth support, a clean image, and the unique ability to bridge Nigeria’s corporate and political landscapes.
Analysts note that he is the only APC aspirant with a recent electoral base and cross-party appeal capable of unseating incumbent Governor Charles Soludo in the November election.
In a tone that was both defiant and inspirational, Ozigbo affirmed his decision to remain within the APC and continue the fight from within the party.
“I will not be distracted. I will not run for the Senate, nor will I pivot to another political opportunity for the sake of ambition. I will stand firm, here, in the APC, and I will fight this good fight to its just end,” he declared.
Rejecting political expediency, Ozigbo emphasized that his foray into politics has always been about service, not power.
“I am not a transactional politician… I seek [power] to make a difference — to restore dignity, create jobs, secure lives, and light a path for the next generation.”
Ozigbo invoked global and biblical liberation struggles — from the U.S. Civil Rights Movement to Mandela’s long walk to freedom — to frame his campaign as part of a larger battle for justice and transformation in Anambra State.
“Oppression always fights back before it breaks. That is what we are witnessing today: the dying kicks of a system scared of change,” he said, warning party leaders that “the future cannot be bribed or bullied. The people are watching. History is recording.”
Addressing the national leadership of the APC directly, Ozigbo urged the party to rectify what he described as a grave error: “This election is a defining moment not just for Anambra but for the credibility of our party and the soul of our nation.
“The party still has a chance to right this wrong and present a candidate who can truly win and govern.”
News
Gov Alex Otti visits Nnamdi Kanu in Sokoto prison
Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, on Sunday paid a visit to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, at the Sokoto Correctional Centre.
The governor was accompanied by officials of the Sokoto State Government during the closed-door visit.
Nnamdi Kanu was recently moved to Sokoto after he was convicted on terrorism-related charges and handed a life sentence by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Governor Otti had earlier promised to pursue every lawful and political avenue to ensure that Kanu gets justice. Sunday’s visit is seen as part of ongoing efforts by the Abia State Government regarding his case.
Details of the meeting were not made public as of the time of this report.
News
Terrorists abduct bride, bridesmaids in Sokoto attack
Armed terrorists have abducted a bride-to-be, her bridesmaid, and eight other residents from Chacho village in Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State
The Sokoto abduction occurred around 1:30 a.m., according to residents, when the attackers stormed the village. Most of the victims were women, with only one man also taken.
One resident sustained injuries and is receiving medical treatment. Villagers told reporters that the bride was preparing for her wedding scheduled for later that morning when the raid struck, plunging the community into shock and mourning.
A community member described the attack as “tragic,” noting the delay in security response. “Security operatives were alerted immediately, but they only arrived about an hour after the bandits had fled,” he said, expressing frustration.
Business
Dangote Refinery to supply 1.5bn litres of petrol monthly
….Writes NMDPRA, Engages Marketers to Stabilise Fuel Market
Photo caption: L R: Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Fertiliser Limited, Vishwajit Sinha; Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird; President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced plans to supply one billion five hundred million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) monthly to the Nigerian market in December 2025 and January 2026, a move aimed at ensuring uninterrupted nationwide fuel availability through the festive season and into the New Year.
President and Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, disclosed the plans at the weekend, noting that the refinery will make available 50 million litres of PMS daily beginning December 1.
“In line with our commitment to national wellbeing, and consistent with our track record of ensuring a holiday season free of fuel scarcity, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery will supply 1.5 billion litres of PMS to the Nigerian market this month. This represents 50 million litres per day. We are formally notifying the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of this commitment. We will supply another 1.5 billion litres in January and increase to 1.7 billion litres in February, which translates to about 60 million litres per day,” Dangote said.
Photo caption: L R: President and Chief Executive, Dangote Industries Ltd, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, South South Development Commission, Usoro Akpabio, during the visit of SSDC members to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Fertiliser Plant in Lagos on Sunday, November 30, 2025.
Speaking during a visit by the South-South Development Commission (SSDC) to the refinery and the Dangote Fertiliser complex, he stated that the facility currently has adequate stock and is producing between 40 and 45 million litres of PMS daily. He added that the daily supply of 50 million litres should dispel long-standing claims that domestic refineries lack the capacity to meet national demand.
Dangote also revealed ongoing engagement with petroleum marketers to strengthen distribution systems, including expanding the use of CNG-powered haulage.
“Our priority is to ensure Nigeria receives the products it needs. This is not driven by profit motives; it is about guaranteeing the availability of essential energy products. It is similar to the transformation we delivered in the cement sector,” he added.
He further noted that the refinery is progressing with its expansion plan to reach a capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day. More than 100,000 workers are expected to be involved in the expansion of both the refinery and the fertiliser complex. Dangote emphasised that the Group remains committed to its vision, driven by the strong public support for the company’s role in shaping Nigeria’s economic development.
During the visit, the Managing Director of SSDC, Usoro Offiong Akpabio, commended Dangote’s leadership and his continued contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s industrial capability, national energy security and long-term economic competitiveness.
She described the South-South region as Nigeria’s natural energy corridor, with vast crude oil reserves, gas infrastructure, maritime assets, agro-industrial activity and emerging industrial clusters. She noted that deeper collaboration between the region and the Dangote Group could unlock opportunities in product distribution, CNG infrastructure, petrochemicals, agriculture, and employment creation.
Akpabio added that such partnerships would advance the Federal Government’s energy stability agenda and position the South-South as a strategic growth hub for the Dangote Group.
“As the statutory development body for the South-South, SSDC is mandated to drive regional economic development, infrastructure integration, human capital advancement, and private-sector–led growth. In this regard, we stand prepared to support State-level policy and regulatory support for Ease-of-doing-business across our six states. Enabling environments for Dangote Group’s expansion into strategic sectors such as gas processing, agro-industrial value chains, renewable energy, logistics, and export-oriented manufacturing,” she said.
In a letter from the refinery’s Managing Director, David Bird, to the Authority Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, the company reaffirmed its readiness to host NMDPRA officials onsite at the refinery from December 1st to verify and publish its daily supply volumes. The refinery also sought the Authority’s support to ensure unhindered importation of crude, feedstocks and blending components, as well as smooth vessel loading for product evacuation.
“In the spirit of full transparency to the public we are willing to publish our daily production and stock volumes (online and print media),” Bird stated. “We seek the full support of NMDPRA to allow Dangote refinery to import our crude, feedstocks and blending components unhindered as well as support the lifting of our products by vessel. We continue to experience delays in vessel clearance which impacts not only the refinery operations but also our customers, adding unnecessary costs and inefficiencies”.
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