General
Election 2019: Chain Reactions Begins Political Campaign Management Services
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One of Nigeria’s leading Public Relations and Integrated Communications Consulting firms, Chain Reactions Nigeria, the Nigerian affiliate to Edelman which is the largest Public Relations firm in the world, has unveiled its bespoke public affairs and political campaign management services for governments, political parties, aspirants and candidates aimed at preparing them to structure their political campaigns better with better professional support in the run up to the next 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
A statement issued at the weekend in Lagos and signed by the firm’s Managing Director and Chief Strategist, Mr Israel Jaiye Opayemi, disclosed that incumbent political office holders and their challengers can take advantage of different plans in the firm’s public affairs and political campaign management service bouquets to run better and well-structured campaigns to win in this election cycle.
Explaining the various services governments and politicians should take advantage of, Mr Opayemi said, “We have a Campaign Play Book for governments and candidates seeking re-elections.
“The package is themed, ‘How to Win Re-Election Campaigns.’ We have a Play Book for challenger aspirants and candidates in a package named, ‘How to Defeat an Incumbent.’ They are like two sides of the same coin we have learnt to toss up in favour of different clients who approach us for our services.
“They are part of the professional services we run by the highest professional and ethical standards with clear rules of engagement spelt out. For example, we cannot provide these services to both an incumbent and his or her challenger no matter the fees.”
According to Mr Opayemi, other services in the rich bouquets of the firm’s political campaign management services include a Campaign Strategy Starter Pack, Unpacking the Opposition and Opposition Research Guide, Understanding Polling, Developing Thematic Campaign, Developing a Message Deck, Vote Mapping and Targeting, Media Training for Candidates and Campaign Managers, Debate Simulation and Elocution Training for Candidates and Running Mates, Social Media Management and Online Reputation Management in the age of fake news.
He further listed Issues and Crisis Management, Technology for Vote Protection and Anti-Rigging, Operations Manual for a Campaign and Elections Situation Room, Planning Guide for Election Day Logistics, Framing Effective Campaign Structure, Creative Design and Production Services, Campaign Events Management and Roadshows, Media Strategy and Planning Services as well as Creative News Room Services for political parties, aspirants and candidates amongst others.
Mr Opayemi further assured that apart from interested governments, political parties, aspirants and candidates benefiting from best in class professional campaign management services from Chain Reactions will also be working with a number of local research firms and their international counterpart with presence in Nigeria to help political players who sign on to its services to access professional polling services.
He explained that this is one of the areas where some political parties and candidates with financial war chest fail woefully in political contests in our climes.
“Political gladiators need to understand the power of research and polling. You cannot sit in the comfort of your campaign offices and hotels and frame your campaign theme and message.
“They must be derived from research. You need to feel the pulse of the electorate. This was our game changer in the last governorship elections in Ekiti State and we can repeat that feat for any aspirant or candidate who approaches us,” Mr Opayemi said.
He urged political parties, aspirants and candidates preparing to participate in the 2019 elections to take advantage of working with professionals who specialize in services of this nature saying, “the insights we will be sharing are products of the collective experience our Public Affairs Practice Heads have pulled together from 26 years of active involvement in planning and managing political campaigns across five elections cycles from 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 aside from off cycle elections such as such as the Ekiti State Governorship elections of 2014 and 2018 where our services were utilized. Nothing beats experience.”
On the overall benefits of political gladiators working with professionals who help to frame their campaigns, Mr Opayemi said Nigeria will be better for it as the electorate will be empowered to take informed decision at the polls.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Ebonyi State Police Command has insisted on conducting a post-mortem examination to determine the cause of death of Miss Mary Habila, a physiotherapist who died at the residence of the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The demise of the deceased, which occurred in late June, recently became public and has sparked calls for a probe from many quarters.
Meanwhile, the family of the deceased has approached the court to stop the autopsy, but experts tell Business Post that the family has no authority to file an affidavit, as this is a case of suspected murder against the state and not the family.
Mr Umahi has also called for a probe.
The Ebonyi Police Command said the autopsy was necessary to establish the cause of death and support its ongoing investigation, despite objections from the deceased’s family.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Joshua Ukandu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, stating that the police had commenced a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding Ms Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu said preliminary investigations revealed that the deceased and a colleague were members of the medical team attached to the Minister of Works and had accompanied him to his hometown in Uburu, where she later died in a room within the compound of his residence.
According to him, detectives from the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) have visited the scene, documented relevant evidence and obtained statements from persons connected to the incident.
He added that the command had concluded arrangements to engage a qualified pathologist to carry out a post-mortem examination, which it considers crucial to determining the actual cause of death.
Mr Ukandu explained that the police became involved in the matter after receiving a distress call on June 27, 2026, from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ohaozara Division, informing the command of a medical emergency involving Habila and requesting his presence at the David Umahi Federal Teaching Hospital, Uburu.
“On arrival, the DPO was informed by hospital authorities that Miss Mary Habila had been brought in dead.
He immediately briefed the Commissioner of Police, who directed that the matter be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for thorough investigation,” the statement read.
The police spokesperson disclosed that while the family of the deceased had opposed the conduct of an autopsy, the command considered the procedure necessary in view of the circumstances surrounding the death.
“The Command therefore awaits the attendance of the family or their duly appointed representative, as their presence is essential to the conduct of the post-mortem examination,” Mr Ukandu said, assuring the public that the investigation would be conducted professionally, transparently and without bias, stressing that every necessary step would be taken to uncover the circumstances surrounding Habila’s death.
Mr Ukandu further assured that the command would continue to provide updates as the investigation progresses.
Family Seeks to Stop Autopsy
The family of the deceased, who is a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and was seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works, formally requested the withdrawal of further investigation into her death and declined an autopsy.
In an affidavit titled Affidavit of Withdrawal of Case filed before the High Court of Justice of Ebonyi State, her father, Tanko Habila Wisdom, said the family was not alleging any foul play in her death and wished to proceed with her burial.
According to the affidavit, Mary Habila died on June 27, 2026, in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
The deponent stated that before her death, Habila was a staff member of the David Umahi Federal University of Medical Sciences and had been seconded to the Federal Ministry of Works in Mabushi, Abuja, where she served in the Office of the Minister of Works for about three years.
By Adedapo Adesanya
A Federal High Court in Apo, Abuja, has ordered the final forfeiture of billions of Naira worth of assets linked to businesswoman and socialite, Ms Aisha Achimugu, to the federal government.
Justice Jude Onwugbuzie granted the order following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), directing the permanent forfeiture of jewellery valued at N4.645 billion, 11 exotic vehicles worth N4.293 billion, $50,000 and N30 million in cash.
The ruling followed the EFCC’s request for the final forfeiture of the assets, which the commission said were linked to Ms Achimugu.
The forfeited assets include: Jewellery valued at N4,645,170,294.90; 11 exotic vehicles worth N4,293,000,000; $50,000 in cash; and N30,000,000 in cash.
The court’s judgment vests ownership of the assets in the federal government, bringing the forfeiture proceedings to a close.
In March, Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed the final forfeiture of $13 million linked to the Lagos socialite. However, in an interview in April, she denied that $13 million was discovered by the EFCC in her residence, describing the claim as inaccurate and misleading.
Justice Nwite had, on August 22, 2025, granted the anti-graft agency’s motion ex parte for an interim order forfeiting the sum of $13 million linked to Oceangate Ltd to the federal government over allegations that the fund was proceeds of unlawful activity.
The judge had then directed the commission to publish the order in a national daily for interested people to show cause within 14 days why the fund should not be permanently forfeited to the federal government.
In 2024, the businesswoman gained significant media attention for a seven-day birthday celebration in Grenada, which was attended by high-profile guests, reportedly including Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The socialite also defended her widely publicised birthday celebration, noting that it had been “planned for 10 years” and was not funded with any money under investigation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
To boost fertiliser production, strengthen food security and advance Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, Renaissance Africa Energy Company Limited has signed a 16-year Gas Sale Agreement (GSA) with Indorama Fertiliser FZE for the supply of up to 60 million standard cubic feet of natural gas per day from the Assa North Ohaji South (ANOH) Gas Processing Facility.
The agreement was signed by the chief executive of Renaissance, Mr Tony Attah, and Indorama’s counterpart, Mr Manish Mundra, with both executives describing the deal as a significant milestone in advancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation agenda, industrial development, and agricultural growth aspirations.
“This agreement reflects our commitment to unlocking the value of Nigeria’s abundant gas resources through partnerships that create real and lasting impact,” Mr Attah said, adding: “By supplying natural gas to a major fertiliser producer such as Indorama, we are supporting a value chain that is critical to food security, agricultural productivity, industrial growth, and economic development.”
The agreement will provide Indorama Fertiliser with a secure and reliable source of natural gas to support uninterrupted production and enable the company to meet growing domestic and regional demand for fertiliser products.
The resulting increase in fertiliser availability is expected to contribute to improved crop yields, enhanced agricultural productivity, and strengthened food security across Nigeria and Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Mr Mundra said the deal was an important milestone for the company in its ambition of supporting Nigeria’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“Reliable access to natural gas is fundamental to fertiliser production, and this long-term arrangement provides a strong foundation for sustainable operations and future growth,” Mr Mundra said. “We appreciate the partnership with Renaissance and look forward to leveraging this collaboration.”
The transaction aligns closely with Nigeria’s Decade of Gas initiative and further demonstrates the strategic role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, supporting manufacturing, enhancing energy security, and enabling economic diversification.
