The Presidency has reacted to the ongoing dispute between former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and the state government over the state’s debts and financial liabilities.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a post on X on Wednesday, said Obi had claimed to have left Anambra without debt and challenged him to follow through on his pledge to quit the presidential race if his claim was disproved.

Onanuga wrote, “Peter Obi claimed he left Anambra with a clean slate of debt and even threatened to quit the presidential race if his claims were proven otherwise.”

He added that the Anambra State Government had responded with claims concerning liabilities allegedly left by the former governor’s administration.

“Now, the Anambra government has confronted him with facts and figures showing he owed Water Corporation workers, teachers, and pension and gratuities, and had also borrowed for frivolous things,” Onanuga said.

“The ball is back in his court. Will he follow through on his threat by quitting the race?” he asked.

The reaction followed a fresh response by the Anambra State Government to Obi’s Tuesday denial of claims that his administration left behind inherited debts, including a ₦2bn ecological fund, contractor liabilities and unpaid salaries, gratuities and pensions.

Obi had said his administration cleared more than ₦35bn in historical gratuities and arrears and left office without outstanding salary, pension or gratuity obligations.

He also disputed the government’s claim concerning the ecological fund, saying more than ₦2.13bn was left untouched in a First Bank account for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion crisis.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, disputed Obi’s account, saying the account he identified was an Internally Generated Revenue Consolidated Revenue Account and not an ecological fund account.

Mefor said the government obtained a certified printout of the account and claimed that “from 2011 when the account was opened until date, there has never been any such amount—whether as inflow or balance—in the account.”

Obi had challenged anyone who could establish that his account of the state’s finances was incorrect, saying, “If anybody can establish anything to the contrary, I will stop campaigning.”

Source: punchng.com

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The release of the final list of candidates for the 2027 general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission has heightened the battle for the 109 senatorial seats across the country.

With the publication of the list, political parties and their candidates now have a clearer picture of the contenders for the Senate, setting the stage for a fierce contest for the legislative seats in the February 2027 elections.

The senatorial race is expected to attract prominent politicians, including governors who will serve out their terms in 2027, serving and former lawmakers, political newcomers and other aspirants seeking to influence the composition of the 10th National Assembly.

The final list also formally puts the candidates in the spotlight, with parties expected to intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the poll.

For Abia North, Kalu Orji Uzor, the current occupant, will contest on the platform of the All Progressives Congress against Okoronkwo Godswill of the African Democratic Congress, Nkole Ndukwe of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Udeachara Jude of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Abia Central will have Atuma Emeka of the APC, Austine Akobundu of the ADC, Nkechi Nwaogu of the NDC and Ogu Bob of the PDP.

Abia South will parade Ikonne Paul of the APC, Isiguzor Victor of the ADC, Enyinna Michael of the NDC, Onuoha Chinyere of the PDP and Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Labour Party.

For Adamawa North, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri will vie on the platform of the APC, Iya Umar for ADC, Abubakar Rabiu for NDC and Lawan Ribado for the PDP, while Adamawa South will parade Tangwami Bilishan of the APC, Binos Yaroe of the AC, Peter Barata of the NDC and Ahmed Hassan of the PDP.

Adamawa Central has Salihu Mustapha (APC), Ibrahim Mustapha (ADC), Ahmed Abdullahi Musa (NDC) and Attah Mohammed Ibrahim of NDC.

Akwa Ibom North East has Aniekan Etim (APC), Sunday Etim Umoren (ADC), Afia Ekere S (NDC) and Udobang Cletus Kufre (PDP).

Akwa Ibom North West will parade Akpabio Godswill (APC), Akpabio Ibanga Obot (ADC), Inemeh Patty Etete (NDC), while PDP has no candidate.

Akwa Ibom South will feature Akpan Ekong Sampson (APC), Louis Paul Udoh (ADC), Frank Okon Daniel (NDC) and Isong Etim (PDP).

Anambra North has Nnalue Kingsley (APC), Udedibia Sunday Ikenna (ADC), Nwoye Tony Okechukwu (NDC) and Oliatachinenye Edith (PDP); Anambra Central – Ekwunife Uche Lilian (APC) Nwobu Geoffery Ndubuisi (ADC), Umeh Victor (NDC) and Ughamadu Lawrence Chijioke (PDP), while Anambra South has Benson-Oraelosi Maryanne (APC), Anagwu Fredrick Emeka (ADC), Onunkwo Ebuka Josephat (NDC) and Nwosu Ikechukwu Samben (PDP).

In Bauchi South, Governor Bala Mohammed of the Allied People’s Movement, will vie the seat against Shehu Abdullahi of the APC, Garba Dahiru of the ADC, and Dabo Danjuma Adamu of the PDP.

Bauchi Central will parade Misau Isah Hamma (APC), Abdul Ahmed Ningi (ADC), and Aliyu Bello of the PDP, while Bauchi North will have Baba Ibrahim Mohammed (APC) against Suleiman Mohammed Nazif (ADC), and Adamu Abdulkadir of PDP.

In Bayelsa East, Sunny-Golu Israel (APC), Sylva Ngo Nathaniel (ADC), Tekenah Dau Kenny (NDC) and Joseph Ateki Boabofa (PDP) will slug it out, while Benson Friday Konbowei (APC), Aistine Inei Asamaowei (ADC), Okoyareuben Boutuaowei (NDC) and Akinaka Erepamo Richard will slug it out for Bayelsa Central.

In Bayelsa West, the national leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson will contest against Agbiki Fidelis (APC), Ogola Christopher (ADC), and Ebebi Onduakpo Polycarp (PDP)

Benue North East will have Udende Emmanuel Memga (APC), Tyough Robert Aondona (ADC), and Unongo Thomas Tyolumun (PDP); Benue North West, Zam Titus Tartenger (APC), Tsegba Terngu (ADC), Utaan Conrad Terhide (NDC) and Ortom Eunice Erdoo (PDP), while Benue South will feature Agbo Frances Ottah (APC), Olofu David Adejo (ADC), Onjeh Daniel Donal (NDC) and Moro Abba Patrick (PDP).

For Borno North, Monguno Mohammed Tahir (APC), will slug it with Abdullahi Modu Kura (ADC), Abubakar Tijjani (NDC) and Kareto Mohammed Abdullah (PDP); Lawan Kaka Shehu (APC), Baba Gana Zannah (ADC), Abdulkadir Fema (NDC) and Kyari Alhaji Grema will slug it out at Borno Central, while Ndume Mohammed Ali (APC), Idris Mamman Gatumbwa (ADC), Kwajafailliya Habu (NDC) and Apaguaminu Mallum (PDP), will slug it out in Borno Central.

Cross River North will have Jarigbe Jarigbe Agom (APC), Ugbong Casmir (ADC) and Ake Abuashe Grace (NDC); Cross River Central – Ewa Oden Ibiang (APC), Akin Rickett (ADC), Ewa Bassey Eko (NDC) and John Ifere (PDP), while Cross River South will have Ekpenyong Asuquo (APC), Edet Joseph (ADC), Egwu Egwu Arong (NDC) and Inyang Florence (PDP).

In Delta Central, the current occupant, Dafinone Ede (APC), will contest against Ewhrudjakpor Benjamin (ADC), Omo-Agege Ovie (NDC) and Arhagba Ighogbedjere (PDP);  Delta North – former Governor Okowa Ifeanyi (APC), Ogoliegbune Valentine Chibuzor (ADC), Ochei Victor Onyekachi (NDC) and Ogannah Onyeama Austyn (PDP), while for Delta South, Joel-Onowakpo Thomas Ewomazino (APC), will contest against Adhekpukoli Elo (NDC) and Otuaro Kingley Burutu (PDP).

Ebonyi North parades Nwebonyi Onyeka Peter (APC), Ikeria Chibuike Solomon (ADC), Nwite James (NDC) and Opoke Sunday Andrew (PDP); Ebonyi Central – Eze Kenneth Emeka (APC), Ugo Maginus Kel (ADC), Odoh Benard Ifeanyi (NDC) and Ngwuta Elechi Christopher (PDP) while Ebonyi South will have Ani Anthony Okorie (APC), Silas Joseph Onu (ADC), Ndubuisi Emmanuel (NDC) and Nwachi Maria Ude (PDP).

Edo North will have former governor and current occupant, Adams Oshiomhole (APC) against Aruna Abubakari (ADC), Oisamoje Maria Evuarherhe (NDC) and Momoh-Dejih Bashir Eugine; Edo Central – Ikpea Joseph (APC), Okonofua Herberta (ADC), Inemezele Ikpea Igiagbe Joseph (NDC) and Edo South –

Ogbeide-Ihama Omoregie (APC), Iduoriyekemwen Matthew Aigbuhuenze (ADC), Epelle-Asemota Bridgitte (NDC) and Ojediamen Benjamin Ehichioya (PDP).

For Ekiti North, Oguntoye Ayobami Samuel (APC), will contest with Ayeni Funso (ADC), Oguntoye Ayobami (NDC); Ekiti Central has the current Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele (APC) against Akinyemi Victor (ADC), Omolayotaiwo Oluwagbenga (NDC) and Fatuyi-Olajuyigbe Monica Adesola (PDP), while Ekiti South has the Senate Spokesman, Adaramodu Adeyemi (APC) against Kolawole Job Nathaniel (ADC) and Ayeni Oye Olabisi (PDP).

Enugu East has Chukwu Kelvin (APC), Idoko Mechika (ADC), Asadu Patrick (NDC) and Ukwueke Kingsley; Enugu West – Ngwu Osita (APC), Ani Juliet Nkechi (ADC), Eneh Kingsley (NDC) and Amadi Dennis (PDP); Enugu North – Asogwa Ikeje Israel (APC), Chika Idoko Emmanuel (ADC), Asadu Patrick Oziokoja (NDC) and Ezeme Nestor Chika (PDP).

Federal Capital Territory has Philip Aduda (APC) against Ireti Kingibe (ADC), Austen Peters-Pam Amanda (NDC) and Angulu Bako (PDP).

Gombe North has Governor Yahaya Muhammed Inuwa (APC), Mustapha Mohammed Aliyu (ADC), Mohammed Dukku (NDC) and Dankwambo Ibrahim Hassan (PDP); Gombe Central – Mohammed Ahmed (APC), Idris Audu Umar (ADC), Kabiru Mohammed (NDC) and Hammadu Aliyu, while Gombe South has Hamma Tabitha (APC), Mela Audu Nunghe (ADC), Amos Bulus Kilawangs (NDC) and Siyako Anthony Yaro (PDP).

Imo East has Uzodinma Ezebuihe Anayochukwu (APC), Ofoegbu Uchenna Daniel (ADC), Onyeagocha Uchechukwu (NDC) and Madume Prince Eze (PDP); Imo West – Governor Uzodimma Goodhope (APC), Iwuchukwu Vincent (ADC), Nwogu Nze Ndieze (NDC) and Onyereri Chukwudi Victor (PDP), while Imo North has Ndubueze Patrick (APC), Ibekwe Nkiru (ADC), Omegara Mathew (NDC) and Ejiogu Micheal Duru (PDP).

Jigawa South-West has Ibraheem Sani Garba (APC), Ahmed Isah Dutse (ADC), Aminu Mustapha (NDC) and Suleiman Abba (PDP); Jigawa North-East, Madori Ahmed Abdulhamid Malam Ali (APC), Muhammad Ubali Shitu (ADC) and Salisu Mamuda (PDP), while Jigawa North-West has Hussaini Babangida Uba (APC), Ahmed Mahmud Gumel (ADC), Sabo Salisu (NDC) and Abdullahi Aminu Taura (PDP).

Kaduna North has Yero Mukhtar Ramalan (APC), Khalid Ibrahim Mustapha (ADC), Sha’aban Mohammad Turad (NDC) and Ahmed Abdullahi Zubairu (PDP), Kaduna Central – Sani Shehu (APC), Lawal Adamu Usman (ADC), Adamu Haruna (NDC) and Ibrahim Usman (PDP) and Kaduna South, Marshall Sunday Katung (APC),  Godfrey Ali Gaiya (ADC) and Gumbari Joseph Mataimaki (PDP).

For Kano Central, Shekarau Ibrahim (APC) will contest against Samaila Abdullahi Mukhtar (ADC), Yusuf Nasiru Gawuna (NDC) and Sankara Nafiu Danladi; Kano North – Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin (APC), Saleh Shehu Kudawa (ADC), Usman Sunusi Danbatta (NDC) and Sagir Abdulkadir Ahmad (PDP); Kano South has Kawa Suleiman Abdurrahaman (APC), Baba Aminu Zubair (ADC), Ibrahim Kassim Bataiya (NDC) and Isa Umar Sambo (PDP).

Katsina North has Yahaya Nasir (APC), Lawal Sani (ADC), Yahaya Aminu (NDC) and Daura Umar Dauda (PDP); Katsina Central – Abubakar Sadiq Yar’Adua (APC), Lawal Sani (ADC), and Abdulaziz Amina Lawal Rafindadi (PDP); Katsina South has Dandutse Muntari Mohammed (APC), Lawal Umar (ADC), Hussain Ishaq Suleim (NDC) and Bawa Rabiu (PDP).

Kebbi North – Adamu Muhammad Aliero (APC), Mera Ibrahim Mohammed (ADC), Abdurrahaman Aliyu (NDC) and Mukhtar Mohammed Tafarki (PDP); Kebbi Central, Adamu Mohammed Aliero (APC), Aminu Bande (ADC), Umar Yarotela (NDC) and Andarai Haruna Saidu (PDP) and Kebbi South, Muhammed Ja’afaru Ngaski (APC), Maidoki Garba Musa (ADC), Hassan Mustapha (NDC) and Abubakar Hamza (PDP).

For Kogi Central, former Governor Bello Yahaya (APC), while contest against Ogembe Salau Ahmed (ADC), Salau Muritala Audu (NDC) and Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP); Kogi East – Ameh Erico Joseph (APC), Abubakar Aminu Suleiman (ADC), Ameh Peter Ojonugwa (NDC) and Muhammed Abdullahi (PDP) and Kogi West – Karimi Sunday (APC), Musa Ibrahim Ahmadu (ADC), Fatosa Olumuyiwa Adedokun (NDC) and Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen (PDP).

Kwara Central has Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (APC) against Abdulahi Risikat Motunrayo (ADC), Suleiman Abdulrasheed Olufemi Omoda (NDC) and Saliu Mustapha (PDP); Kwara North – Umar Sadiq (APC), Bala Taoheed Usman (ADC), Gana Thomas Audu (NDC) and Kolo Baba Jiya (PDP) and Kwara South, Adewoye Olalekan (APC), Oyedepo Iyiola (ADC), Oni Samuel Omoniyi (NDC) and Popoola Adekeye Lekan Saheed (PDP).

Lagos Central has Sanni Eshilokun Wasiu (APC) against Abayomi Idowu Omotayo (ADC), Johnson Lawrence Adeniyi Oladipupo (NDC) and Dakova-Vaughan Kolawole David (PDP); Lagos East – Abiru Adetokunbo Mukhail (APC), Moshood Babatunde Olanrewaju (ADC), Adebanjo Adeola Damilola (NDC) and Adeniji Victoria (PDP) an Lagos West – Adebule Idiat Oluranti (APC), Bello Owolabi Hafis (ADC), Salvador Adegoke Moshood (NDC) and Phillips Adebiyi Abiodun (PDP).

Nasarawa North has Governor Sule Abdullahi (APC), Victor Affiku Tsaku (ADC), Danladi James (NDC) and Madaki Benbella Anthony (PDP); Nasarawa West – Haruna Dauda (APC), Umar Musa Galadima (ADC), Adamu Auta Umar Farouq (NDC) and Kaura Danlami Kefas (PDP) and Nasarawa South – Abdul Ibrahim Baba (APC), Hassan Abubakar Nalaraba (ADC), Baba Ayinwulu (NDC) and Agbo-Omeri Mike (PDP).

Niger East has Musa Mohammed Sani (APC), Ahmed Mohammed Mukhtar (ADC), Bawa John Agmada (NDC); Niger North – Bello Abubakar Sani (APC), Abdullahi Shehu Mohammed (ADC), Bawa Joshua Nuhu (NDC) and Abdullahi Yahaya (PDP) and Niger South – Idris Mohammed Sani (APC), Umar Danjuma Emimaru (ADC), Sadiq Mohammed Rabiu (NDC) and Jiya Peter Ndalikali (PDP).

Ogun Central has Salisu Shuaibu Afolabi (APC), Samuel Oluwafemi Abiodun-Oni (ADC), George-Taylor Oluwadurotimi (NDC) and Obasanjo Iyabo (PDP); Ogun East – Governor Abiodun Adedapo Olusegun (APC), Adebanjo Babatunde Olalekan (ADC), Shokoya Adewale Oluwasegun (NDC) and Omotayo Oluwafemi Abdulhameed (PDP) and Ogun West – Ojugbele Jimo Olusola (APC), Olanrewaju Abdul-Lateef Ajani (ADC), Abioro Itunu (NDC) and Ogunola Babatunde (PDP).

Ondo North has Ipinsagba Olajide Emmanuel (APC), Foluso Mayowa Felix Adefemi (ADC), Daodu Babatunde (NDC) and Adenekan Olateru Olagbegi (PDP); Ondo Central – Adegbonmire Adeniyi Ayodele (APC), Akinyelure Patrick Ayo (ADC), Falaiye Olugbenga (NDC) and Ondo South- Kekemeke Duerimini Isaacs (APC), Tofowomo Gbadamosi Tola (ADC), Nejo Myson Adeyemi (NDC) and Oyerinmade Mathew Oye (PDP)

Osun Central – Adegoke Rasheed Adekunle (APC), Olaoye Akeem (ADC), Oduyemi Morenikeji Nathaniel (NDC), Fadeyi Olubiyi Oluwole (PDP) and Ganiyu Ayobami Olaoluwa (Accord); Osun East – Fadahunsi Francis Adenigba (APC), Babatunde Olaniyi Loye (ADC), Derin-Ologbenla Charles Adewale (NDC) and Fadipe Ibukun Isola (Accord); Osun West – Ogunbiyi Akinade Akanmu (APC), Oriolowo Adelere (ADC), Ayoola Alaba (NDC and Oyewumi Kamorudeen Olalere (Accord).

Oyo Central has Akintunde Yunus Abiodun (APC), Kamil Akinlabi (ADC), Salawu Akeem (NDC), Olunloyo Ayobami (PDP) and Olufemi Ajadi (APM); Oyo North – Ogunesan Hannah Olawumi (APC), Agoro Lanre Adehirah (ADC), Ojekunle Abigail Olanike (NDC), Adeoye Beulah Olufemi (PDP) and Sina Peller (APM); Oyo South – Oseni Abasi Aderemi (APC), Lukman Adeola Adetunji (ADC), Abdulateef Gbolagade (NDC), Adeleke Kehinde Saheed (PDP) and Adedeji Dhikrullahi Olajide (APM).

Plateau North has Mwadkwon Simon Davou (APC), Rose Bitrus Mwanti (ADC), Bature Musa Jonathan (NDC) and Gwottson Dalyop; Plateau Central, Kasuwa Bitrus David (APC), Yusuf Bello (ADC), Yusuf Ishaku (NDC) and Goliath Timothy (PDP); Plateau South – Lalong Simon Bako (APC), Solomon Selcap Dalung (ADC), Kefas Peter Dandam (NDC) and Shekarau Johnbull (PDP).

Rivers East has Onyesoh Allwell Iheacho (APC), Agwor Samuel Ndubuisi (ADC), Okwuwolu Wolu Benjamin (NDC) and Anele Akor Wisdom (PDP), Rivers South-East – Osarosaka Ebenezer Erewari (APC), Ikuru Tele Betram (ADC), Abiante Awaji-Inombek (NDC) and Nwogu Olaka (PDP); Rivers West – Obuah Amechi Felix (APC), Otto Josiah (ADC), Ogbobula Isaac (NDC) and Job Vincent (PDP).

Sokoto North has Wamakko Aliyu Magatakarda (APC), Maishinko Mani Katami (ADC), Abubakar Mainasara Sani (NDC) and Maccido Ahmed (PDP); Sokoto East – Tukur Muhammad (APC), Hassan Muhammad (ADC), Ummar Maisalati (NDC) and Umar Abubakar (PDP) and Sokoto South – Abdullahi Ibrahim Danbaba (APC),  Yabo Faruk Malami (ADC), Tanimu Bodinga (NDC) and Yusuf Dahiru (PDP).

Taraba North – Lau Shuaibu Isa (APC), Maigari Kasimu Bello (ADC), Bandawa Anfani (NDC) and Bubajoda Hilkiah (PDP); Taraba Central – Manu Haruna (APC), Ahmadu Benni Umaru Salim (ADC), Nyan-Ganji Gilbert Gills (NDC) and Iliyasu Goje (PDP); Taraba South – Aliyu Yusuf (APC), Afiniki Yarima (ADC), Ezekiel Yakubu Ambo (NDC) and Istifanus Musa (PDP).

Yobe North – Lawan Ahmad Ibrahim (APC), Imamuddeen Ahmad Abubakar Talba (ADC), Abubakar Chigari (PDP); Yobe East – Governor Buni Mai Mala (APC), Kale Kawu (ADC), and Mustapha Maigoro (PDP); Yobe South – Bomai Ibrahim Mohammed (APC), Gambo Jajere Baba (ADC), Hassan Mohammed (NDC) and Hamma Ibrahim Barde (PDP).

Zamfara North has Sahabi Ya’u (APC), Shehu Rafi (ADC), Nasiru Garba (NDC) and Musa Hanafi Moriki (PDP); Zamfara Central – Bilbis Ikra Aliyu (APC), Abubakar Atiku Sale (ADC), Ibrahim Sanusi (NDC), Bala Sanusi (PDP) and Zamfara West – Abdulaziz Yari (APC), Ibrahim Mikailu Barau (ADC), Abdullahi Hassan Anka (NDC) and Lawal Faru (PDP).

Source: punchng.com

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