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Uyo: Traders Protest Akwa Ibom Government’s Demolition Of Shop Extensions

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Uyo: Traders Protest Akwa Ibom Government’s Demolition Of Shop Extensions

Writing by Sediq Mutari....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Petty traders in Uyo metropolis are expressing their frustration following the demolition of their shop extensions by the Akwa Ibom State Government.

The Uyo Capital City Development Authority (UCCDA), led by Chairman Anietie Eka and accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Internal Security and Waterways under Commissioner Maj. Gen. Koko Essien (rtd), carried out the demolition on Tuesday. The targeted illegal structures included shop extensions along Ibom Plaza, Aka Road, and the Nung Oku area.

The government’s notice to vacate the area had expired on June 18, 2024.

Stranded petty traders, whose makeshift shops were destroyed—many with goods still inside—complained that the notice period was insufficient for them to relocate.

One trader, Edidiong, who sells fabrics, lamented, “The government has become so insensitive to the plight of the people. All my goods have been destroyed inside the shop because when the task force arrived this morning, no time was given to us to salvage our wares before destroying the structures.”

Another trader, Aniekan Ukem, remarked, “During election periods, they come begging for votes from people like us; afterward, the people-oriented governance disappears.”

Ekpe Udoinyang, a wine dealer, shared his distress, saying, “I am a graduate of Philosophy, but since I couldn’t find a job since graduation, I had to take out a loan to start this business as the government said we should ‘ARISE’. Now the same government is destroying my only means of livelihood. How do I repay the loan?”

Speaking to some angry youths at the scene, UCCDA Chairman Eka emphasized the importance of clearing government-owned areas to ensure resident security and achieve the government’s remodeling targets.

Commissioner for Internal Security Essien stated that the demolition aims to address the root causes of crime and build a safer, more secure city for all citizens, aligning with the security management goals of the ‘ARISE Agenda’.

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2027 Election: ‘You Must Vote For Me Again’ – Tinubu Sends Strong Message To Nigerians.

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President Bola Tinubu has urged Nigerians to turn out in large numbers to re-elect him in the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

News reports that the President made the appeal on Saturday during the flag-off of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Kaduna State.

Tinubu called on voters to support the APC across all levels of government in the forthcoming elections.

He stressed that the party needed to retain power at the federal, state and legislative levels to sustain its plans and policies for the country.

The President also expressed optimism that his administration’s ongoing reforms would begin to deliver positive results before the 2027 general elections.

Addressing supporters at the rally, Tinubu said, “Come January 16, 2027, you must go out massively to elect me again. APC all the way, APC for our governors, APC for our senators, APC for our House Representatives, and APC for our House Assembly.”

Meanwhile, the Presidency has highlighted planned investments involving major international companies, including JPMorgan, Shell, ExxonMobil and Siemens Energy, as evidence that Tinubu’s economic reforms have not discouraged investors from doing business in Nigeria.

The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, listed 19 investments and projects spanning several sectors in a post on X on Saturday, October 24, 2026, while responding to criticism of the administration’s economic policies.

According to Onanuga, the projects cover banking, oil and gas, electricity, mining, manufacturing, telecommunications, data centres, ports and logistics.

He also accused opposition figures of failing to acknowledge what he described as the progress recorded under Tinubu’s administration since he assumed office in May 2023.

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Politics Heats Up As APC Kicks Off Presidential Campaign In Kaduna — Photos.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday launched its presidential campaign in Kaduna State ahead of the 2027 general elections, attracting thousands of party supporters to Ranchers Bees Stadium.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Supporters trooped to the venue as preparations for the event continued, while several dignitaries, including ministers and state governors, were already seated awaiting the arrival of President Bola Tinubu.

Musicians also entertained guests as the crowd waited for the President to arrive, Naija News reports.

The campaign was expected to commence shortly after Tinubu’s arrival.

The event was also significant as it was described as the first time a sitting Nigerian president had hosted his presidential campaign flag-off at a stadium.

Below are some pictures from the venue.

Photos From APC Presidential Campaign In Kaduna

Meanwhile, Musa Kwankwaso, a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, has expressed confidence that the North-West region will deliver massive support for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Kwankwaso made the remarks against the backdrop of the party’s presidential campaign flag-off in Kaduna on Saturday.

He declared that the North-West would vote overwhelmingly for Tinubu and return him to the Presidential Villa after the 2027 polls.

According to him, the large gathering at the rally demonstrated the region’s support for the President and dispelled doubts about where the North-West stands in the forthcoming presidential contest.

“Today, we of the North-West geopolitical zone have spoken loud and clear on who we stand for. Our choice of Tinubu remain our commitment to a better Nigeria and national cohesion,” he said.

Kwankwaso maintained that the significance of the Kaduna rally extended beyond political mobilisation, arguing that it sent a message to other geopolitical zones about the need to unite behind Tinubu for the country’s progress.

He said the President’s administration offered an opportunity to promote balanced development and ensure a fair distribution of national resources across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The APC campaign council member also dismissed suggestions that the North-West’s support for Tinubu was based solely on political interests, insisting that the region had a responsibility to honour its commitment and remain united behind the President as the 2027 election approaches.

He urged Nigerians, particularly political stakeholders across the country’s geopolitical zones, to view the growing support for Tinubu through the lens of national unity and collective progress rather than narrow political considerations.

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Kogi Police Probe Horrific Incident As Officer Allegedly K!lls Girlfriend Before Taking Own Life.

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The Kogi State Police Command has commenced an investigation into the deaths of two individuals in Ajaokuta amid reports of a suspected murder-suicide involving two police officers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Afusat Saliu, confirmed the development during an interview with Sunday Punch on Saturday.

According to an earlier report by SaharaReporters, a corporal attached to the Ajaokuta Division, identified as Amos, allegedly shot his girlfriend, Grace, who was also a corporal, before shooting himself with his AK-47 rifle.

A source disclosed that Amos reported for night duty as a station guard at about 6 p.m. on Friday but allegedly left his duty post a few hours later.

He was said to have gone to Grace’s quarters at around 9 p.m., where he allegedly fired three shots at her, striking her shoulder, lower abdomen and leg, before turning the weapon on himself.

The source attributed the incident to an ongoing crisis in the couple’s relationship.

Reports indicated that the two officers had been dating for several years, but their relationship reportedly became strained in recent months following allegations of infidelity and a breakdown of trust.

Their disagreements allegedly escalated into physical altercations and threats, leading the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) to detain them at one point and advise them to end the relationship.

“The two junior police officers had been dating for some years now, but a few months ago, they started having trust issues and cheating allegations. There had been physical fights and threats to the extent that they were detained at some point by the DCO, who later advised them to end the love relationship for the sake of peace,” the source said.

The source added that the couple’s disagreements continued despite the DCO’s intervention.

Speaking to Punch, Saliu confirmed that the command was aware of the incident and said the findings would be made public after the investigation had been completed.

“We are aware of the incident, and the case is currently under investigation; we will update members of the public after the investigation is concluded,” she said.

However, the police spokesperson declined to immediately confirm whether the deceased were members of the command.

“I cannot confirm that to you right now, but we are investigating the circumstances that led to their death,” she stated.

Saliu also refused to confirm whether the incident was a case of suicide, stressing that the police were yet to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

“I cannot also tell you if the couple committed suicide or not until the investigation is concluded. We will release an official statement once I get a conclusive report on the matter,” she added.

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