Ahead of the All Progressives Congress Anambra governorship primary election scheduled for Saturday, an aspirant, Chukwuma Umeoji has stepped down from the race. The Independent National Electoral Commission had earlier scheduled the party primaries to take place between March 20, 2025, and April 10, 2025. Following Umeoji’s withdrawal from the race, the six remaining APC aspirants who purchased the forms—Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Nicholas Ukachukwu, Paul Chukwuma, Onunkwo Johnbisco Obinna, Valentine Ozigbo, and Edozie Madu—will compete for the party’s ticket tomorrow. Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, who announced Umeoji’s withdrawal, expressed optimism that he would support and work towards the success of the party’s eventual gubernatorial candidate in the November 8, 2025 Anambra state election. The statement read in part “An aspirant in tomorrow’s gubernatorial primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra state, Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, has informed the Party of his decision to withdraw from the election. According to him, this decision was made in good faith following consultations with my supporters across the state. “Our great Party thanks the Rt. Hon. Umeoji for his aspiration and dedicated support of the Party in Anambra state and nationally. “It is our hope that Rt. Hon. Umeoji will do all in his power to support and work for the victory of the eventual gubernatorial flag bearer of our great Party in the November 8, 2025 Anambra state gubernatorial election.”

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called for an all-out campaign against drug abuse and illicit trafficking. Tinubu said such a campaign should evolve into a national movement, emphasising that only a holistic and inclusive approach can successfully tackle the scourge. “To effectively tackle this problem, our approach must be comprehensive,” Tinubu declared in a keynote address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, at the grand finale of the 2025 World Drug Day commemoration at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja. “We must foster peace. We must promote inclusive development. And we must uphold human rights every step of the way,” he said, highlighting the need to address the root causes of drug abuse such as poverty, inequality, and conflict. Tinubu argued that combating substance abuse and trafficking is not a task for the government alone but must be championed by families, civil society, youth groups, faith leaders, community organisations, businesses and individuals with lived experience. “Their voices matter. Their stories inspire. Their leadership is essential,” the President said. Tinubu noted, “Together, we can dismantle the systems that sustain this crisis. Together, we can build a future where prevention is strong, treatment is accessible, and recovery is not just possible—but celebrated.” He connected this commitment to his administration’s broader Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to address socio-economic vulnerabilities. “This has been the focus of our administration—breaking the burden of poverty, uplifting millions out of squalor, and caring for the youth through the student loan scheme and other empowerment initiatives,” he said. Tinubu also commended the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and its chairman, Brigadier General Buba Marwa (retd.), for the agency’s globally recognised achievements in both drug supply and demand reduction. “The NDLEA’s work has not only earned praise from international partners but has also drawn further support and collaboration in the global fight against substance abuse,” he noted. In his welcome address, Marwa revealed Nigeria’s drug challenge, stressing that prevention must now be treated as a national emergency. “With a population exceeding 230 million, it is both urgent and pragmatic to prevent new individuals from being drawn into the population of drug users,” he said. According to Marwa, the NDLEA has adopted a two-pronged strategy: an aggressive crackdown on drug supply networks and a robust push for drug use prevention and rehabilitation. “Over the past 53 months, we have arrested 66,085 drug offenders, including 94 identified drug barons. We’ve seized over 11.1 million kilograms of assorted drugs and secured the conviction of 12,201 individuals”, he announced. The former Lagos military governor further revealed that 26,393 persons had undergone counselling and rehabilitation during the period, with 30 treatment centres currently in operation and seven more approved for development in the current fiscal year. Marwa praised the support of the Tinubu administration, the National Assembly, and international partners, including the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the UK Border Force, and others. Marwa said that beyond enforcement, the agency has made significant strides in community-based advocacy and prevention through its flagship War Against Drug Abuse campaign. “Every week, in all 36 states, the FCT and 14 zonal commands, WADA teams raise awareness in schools, markets, offices, places of worship and transport hubs through over 11,000 sensitisation programmes and weekly media campaigns, we have reached millions”, he said. Marwa emphasised that effective parenting and responsible teaching are frontline defences in the fight against drug abuse. “Children don’t just need money—they need the presence and guidance of their parents,” he said, urging parents and teachers to instil values and stay engaged in their wards’ lives. He also spotlighted the NDLEA’s 24/7 toll-free helpline and psychological support services as essential resources for those battling addiction. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, in his remarks, described drug abuse as a multidimensional threat, undermining national security, public health, and economic development. “It forces organised crime, destroys the rule of law, and erodes the future of our young people—our most precious national assets,” Fagbemi stated. He emphasised the importance of integrating drug prevention into the educational system, healthcare services, and criminal justice systems. The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Drugs and Narcotics, Senator Ibrahim Dankwambo, described the fight against drugs as “a war of necessity.” “Every life lost to addiction is not just a tragedy; it is a failure of our collective will. Every young Nigerian drawn into this abyss is a call to arms,” Dankwambo said. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Country Representative, Cheikh Ousmane Toure, said prevention, treatment, and recovery must not be seen as luxuries. “They are life-saving investments. Together, we can break the vicious cycle of drug abuse, organised crime and marginalisation, and build a safer, healthier, and more hopeful Nigeria,” he stressed.