The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has described the recent effort of the Nigerian Government towards the release of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, as heartwarming.

The group recalled that despite several appeals to former President Muhammadu Buhari to intervene in Ekweremadu’s case, the previous administration showed no interest.

In a statement, the National President of Ohanaeze Youths, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, said it was reassuring that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had taken steps to facilitate Ekweremadu’s possible transfer to Nigeria.

He said it was a thing of delight that President Bola Tinubu’s government has moved towards facilitating the return of Ekweremadu to Nigeria.

It is worth recalling that President Tinubu’s delegation, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar, commenced consultations with the United Kingdom (UK) authorities on the possibility of securing Ekweremadu’s transfer to Nigeria to serve his remaining jail term.

Okwu said, “This singular move by the President Bola Tinubu administration further reinforces his love for the Igbo people. President Bola Tinubu has continued to do for Ndigbo what the previous administration deliberately refused to do.”

The Ohanaeze youth president, who also celebrated the appointment of another Igbo man as one of the service chiefs, pleaded with the Tinubu government to expedite the process of Ekweremadu’s return to Nigeria.

“Ndigbo are grateful to Mr President for initiating this move; this singular action and several others will never be taken for granted. We urge the government, having commenced the process, to see to its fruitful conclusion,” Okwu said.

In other news, ahead of the 2027 general elections, members of the 1st to 8th Delta State House of Assembly—both serving and former— overwhelmingly adopted President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as their sole candidates for the 2027 presidential and governorship elections.

The endorsement, made during an extraordinary session in Asaba, was presided over by the Speaker of the 8th Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, and accompanied by a vote of “implicit confidence” in both leaders.

The motion to adopt Tinubu and Oborevwori as sole candidates was moved by Rt. Hon. Halims Agoda, a member of the 1st Assembly and former federal lawmaker, and seconded by Hon. Kris Njokwuemeni of the 2nd Assembly.

It was unanimously adopted by attendees, comprising legislators widely referred to as “Non-Sitting Members.”

The endorsement marked the climax of the maiden Delta State House of Assembly Speaker’s Annual Leadership Series, themed “Leadership Dynamics in the Delta State House of Assembly: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.”

In his keynote address, Speaker Guwor emphasised the need for “harmonious consensus” in the Legislature, suggesting that unity among lawmakers is essential for inclusive governance.

“This moment is significant because every Assembly represented here today, from the First Assembly of 1992 to the Seventh Assembly that preceded ours, has contributed immensely to shaping the democratic journey of Delta State,” he said.

Several former lawmakers, including Rt. Hon. Victor Ochei, Frank Enekorogha, Emmanuel Okoro, Basil Ganagana, Ovie Agas, Funkekeme Solomon, Orezi Esievo, Anthony Elekeokwuri and Johnson Erijo praised Speaker Guwor for convening the gathering.

They argued that the meeting would strengthen political harmony and create an avenue for shared insight between past and present legislators.

Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Arthur Akpowowo, who chaired the planning committee, hailed the session as the first of its kind in Nigeria. He lauded members for their attendance and camaraderie, calling the occasion “evergreen.”