Ahead of the November 8, 2025 governorship election, the Umueri community in Anambra East local government area has endorsed Governor Chukwuma Soludo for re-election. Dr John Metchie, president-general of the Umueri General Assembly, made the announcement during the 2025 Umueri New Yam Festival.
Metchie urged other aspirants to consider contesting in other states, declaring that Soludo has effectively “taken” Anambra State. He said, “The people of Anambra have collectively resolved to re-elect the governor and his deputy to enable them to continue and consolidate their developmental strides.”
Highlighting Soludo’s achievements in just three years, Metchie asserted there is “no vacancy” in the Government House come November 8 and predicted a landslide victory for Soludo and his deputy, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim. He added, “The youths, women, and key stakeholders of the Omambala region are unanimously and unequivocally in support of Governor Soludo’s second-term bid, which he described as non-negotiable.”
Metchie, who also serves as deputy commander-general (Intelligence) of the Nigerian Forest Security Service, advised other candidates to drop their ambitions and join forces to sustain Anambra’s current development momentum. This endorsement signals strong grassroots support for Soludo as the governorship race intensifies.Bafana Bafana Aim to Secure Historic World Cup Spot Against Nigeria Tonight
South Africa’s Bafana Bafana are poised to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2002 if they beat Nigeria at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein this evening. Coach Hugo Broos urged his players to maintain focus and push for victory despite their favourable position in the qualifiers.
“We are in a good position, but it is still not finished,” Broos told the media. “It would be a big mistake to think nothing will happen. We have to play a perfect game against a good team that might have a last chance.”
Broos acknowledged the pressure on Nigeria, who trail by six points, and said, “If Nigeria don’t win, they are in big trouble, but it will be a tough game. We will try to win as we do in every match.” Bafana have won four qualifying games in a row and Broos believes qualification is near. “It would be a miracle if we don’t qualify.”
Nigeria may be without key striker Victor Osimhen due to injury, but attackers like Ademola Lookman remain threats. Bafana’s unbeaten home record under Broos over four years adds to their confidence ahead of tonight’s crucial clash.Kachikwu Reveals Buhari Threatened to Sack Him Over Fuel Subsidy Removal
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has disclosed that late President Muhammadu Buhari once warned him he would be dismissed if his plan to remove the petrol subsidy failed. Speaking during a virtual lecture organised by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Kachikwu recounted the challenges he faced battling nationwide fuel scarcity during his tenure as Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company.
He said, “The greatest challenge I had when I resumed was the long queues at petrol stations. Despite my efforts, subsidised fuel was being smuggled out of the country illegally.” Kachikwu explained that repeated appeals to Buhari to increase pump prices were met with resistance, given the president’s populist stance. He recalled, “Eventually, he said, ‘I’ll leave you to take the risk. If it works, fine. If it doesn’t work, I fire you.’”
Kachikwu introduced a “price modulation” policy to adjust petrol prices with global markets, eliminating the subsidy and clearing queues within 48 hours. He also revealed refusing to pay billions in subsidy arrears due to lack of transparency. Though he acknowledged that President Bola Tinubu’s recent subsidy removal was inevitable, he stressed it should have been backed by plans for refineries, infrastructure, and communities.
This disclosure sheds light on the political complexities around Nigeria’s fuel subsidy policy.Dino Melaye Alleges APC Controls PDP from Presidential Villa
Senator Dino Melaye, a key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of being controlled by agents of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) operating from the Presidential Villa. Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Melaye described the PDP as “dead and buried,” claiming, “Apart from our Lord Jesus Christ no dead can rise again.”
Melaye asserted, “PDP was sold and I’m not sure if they got the receipt of payment but it was sold, and what you have now is APC-controlled PDP.” Responding to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s call for rebuilding the PDP, Melaye said, “If a sitting governor is saying let’s have a party first, it means that there is no party.” Proudly affirming his position in ADC, he declared it “the party that will unseat Tinubu and by the grace of God send Tinubu out of the Villa, come May 29, 2027.”
