Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has hit back at socialite and businessman Paschal Okechukwu, better known as Cubana Chief Priest, after the latter criticised his administration.

The governor dismissed the businessman’s comments while speaking at an event in Abakaliki, saying he had no interest in engaging with him.

“I don’t have time for Cubana Chief Priest. He’s a mere attention-seeker and an individual of no consequence” Nwifuru said.

He added, “However, if I remember him, I feel sorry for him.”

The exchange followed comments by Cubana Chief Priest questioning the governor’s performance in office. He reportedly challenged Nwifuru to explain how an administration could spend about three years in office without having major projects commissioned by the President or other state governors.

The remarks had earlier attracted criticism from Chinedu Ogah, the member representing Ikwo/Ezza South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Ogah condemned Cubana Chief Priest’s comments, defending the governor’s administration.

Nwifuru’s response now adds another layer to the controversy, although the governor did not provide a detailed response to the specific claims made about projects commissioned under his administration.

The disagreement has consequently shifted attention to the broader question of the Ebonyi government’s record on infrastructure and development projects since Nwifuru assumed office.

An early-morning building collapse in Enugu has left one person dead and four others injured after a four-storey structure under construction suddenly gave way in the Independence Layout area of the state.

The incident occurred around 6 a.m. on Sunday on Ogbalu Street, where workers were reportedly sleeping inside the construction site when the building collapsed.

Four workers were pulled from the debris alive and taken to the Enugu State Teaching Hospital for medical treatment.

Authorities said six people had been sleeping at the site before the incident, but one of them had reportedly stepped out shortly before the structure came down. The body of another victim was recovered from the rubble.

The rescue operation has drawn the involvement of several emergency and security agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency, Nigerian Red Cross Society, State Emergency Management Agency, Enugu State Capital Territory Development Authority and the Police.

Officials are still working at the scene to determine whether anyone else may be trapped beneath the debris.

The cause of the collapse remains unknown as of the time of reporting.

The incident has also renewed questions about compliance with construction standards, site safety and the effectiveness of regulatory monitoring in Enugu.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has directed security agencies to arrest anyone found to have been involved in the reported killing of his associate, Olamilekan Ajagungbade, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade.

Ajagungbade was reportedly shot dead in Ile-Ife on Sunday amid a dispute connected to the leadership of a motor park.

Reacting to the incident, Adeleke ordered Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura to take immediate action against those responsible. The directive was disclosed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The governor also ordered rival groups involved in the park dispute to leave the motor parks while security agencies work to restore calm.

“There will be no sacred cows as all culprits will be brought to book” Adeleke said, while urging residents to remain calm.

As part of his response, the governor announced plans to bring back the Park Management System across the state, saying an Executive Order would soon be issued to provide the legal backing for the arrangement.

The renewed system is expected to regulate the operation of motor parks and garages and address disputes over their management.

Ajagungbade was described in the report as a close associate of the governor and a member of the Accord Party.

The circumstances surrounding the shooting and the identities of those responsible had not been fully disclosed at the time of reporting.