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Cross River Urges Federal Government To Speed Up Calabar-Uyo Highway Repairs
Cross River Urges Federal Government To Speed Up Calabar-Uyo Highway Repairs. The Cross River State government has called on the federal government to accelerate reconstruction efforts on the Calabar-Uyo federal highway.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
During a recent visit to the Federal Controller of Works in Calabar, Commissioner for Commerce Abigail Duke Orok highlighted the road’s poor condition, which has persisted for nearly a decade.
Once a one-hour journey, the trip from Calabar to Uyo now takes a minimum of five hours due to the deteriorating state of the highway, which links the Cross River State capital to neighboring Akwa Ibom and other eastern states. The commissioner expressed concerns about the road’s impact on local businesses, noting that the poor infrastructure has significantly increased transportation costs and hindered the movement of goods and services.
The state government emphasized the need for urgent repairs to support upcoming events such as the International Trade Fair in November and Carnival Calabar in December. “We appeal for palliative measures on critical access roads to ensure maximum participation from neighboring states and countries during the Trade Fair and Carnival,” Orok said. She also pointed out other problematic routes, including the Ikom-Obudu, Bekwarra-Vandekya, and Akamkpa/Biase sections.
In response, the Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Adebisi Osim, acknowledged the state’s concerns and assured that the matter would be forwarded to the relevant authorities. He added that efforts are ongoing to expedite work on the affected roads by coordinating with contractors to ensure timely completion.
Former National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Yunusa Tanko, has explained his decision to leave the political camp of Peter Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, ahead of the 2027 general election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Tanko was previously one of Obi’s closest allies, serving as his spokesman and Media Director of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Organisation during the 2023 general election.
In September 2024, Obi appointed him as the worldwide National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement.
However, Tanko was removed from the position in October 2026 and subsequently appointed as Obi’s Political Adviser on Northern Affairs.
His departure from Obi’s camp came as a surprise to many supporters after he was unveiled on Wednesday as the National Coordinator of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential Campaign Council for its candidate, Prince Adewole Adebayo.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Tanko said he left the Obidient Movement because members of the group no longer wanted him around Peter Obi.
He insisted that his decision was not motivated by any personal disagreement with the former Anambra State governor, adding that he could not remain in an environment where he was merely tolerated.
Tanko also disclosed that both Obi and the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, were informed before he accepted the SDP appointment.
He said, “The group did not want me. You don’t stay where you’re being tolerated. You go to where you’re being appreciated.
“I respect Peter Obi, but since they don’t want me, people who want me picked me up from the dustbin and made me a bride. That’s what happened.”
Tanko further explained that his relationship with Adebayo did not begin recently, noting that both men had maintained a cordial relationship since 2023.
He added, “This is not a mistake in history. When you go back into history, you will see my warm relationship with him way back in 2023. So this is a relationship that has long been built.”
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has accused the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, of going against the power-sharing agreement he supported in 1999 by seeking to contest the 2027 presidential election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Akume made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from Miyetti Allah Fulaku Yesoyeso, led by its National President, Alhaji Abubakar Suleiman.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, the SGF recalled that the power-sharing agreement was reached during a meeting of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors-elect in Kaduna in 1999.
Akume maintained that the existing power-rotation arrangement provides for the South to occupy the presidency for eight years, after which the North would have its turn.
He argued that, under the arrangement, the North would have to wait until 2031 before producing the country’s next presidential candidate.
The SGF noted that successive administrations, from former President Olusegun Obasanjo to the current administration of President Bola Tinubu, had largely adhered to the arrangement.
He recalled that Obasanjo served two terms of eight years before the late President Umaru Yar’Adua succeeded him. Following Yar’Adua’s death in office, his then Vice-President, Goodluck Jonathan, assumed the presidency and served for almost six years before Muhammadu Buhari took over.
According to Akume, Buhari completed two terms before Tinubu succeeded him, with the current president having served four years and another four years remaining under the power-sharing arrangement.
He said, “Under the agreement, the South was to serve for eight years before power returned to the North for another eight years. I am surprised that Atiku, who was part of the meeting and supported the arrangement, is now seeking to become president after Buhari has already served eight years,” Akume said.
“This is not the time for the North. The North will come in to contest in 2031.
“Personal ambition should not be allowed to divide the country or undermine its unity. Those seeking the presidency from the North should wait until 2031.”
The National Vice-Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-East, Dr Ijeomah Arodiogbu, has maintained that there is no constitutional provision preventing Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, from contesting the Imo West senatorial seat in the 2027 elections while still serving as governor.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
News reports that Arodiogbu, who also serves as the South-East Co-Zonal Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, made the clarification while responding to arguments questioning the governor’s eligibility.
He cited Section 183 of the 1999 Constitution, which states that “the Governor shall not, during the period when he holds office, hold any other executive office or paid employment in any capacity whatsoever.”
According to him, the provision only prohibits a sitting governor from occupying two offices simultaneously and does not prevent the person from seeking a party nomination, contesting or winning another election.
Arodiogbu also referenced Section 68(1)(f) of the Constitution, which requires a lawmaker to vacate his legislative seat upon assuming an executive position.
He argued that the provision recognises the possibility of moving between executive and legislative offices, provided the two positions are not held at the same time.
He said, “There is no constitutional impediment against Senator Hope Uzodinma’s aspiration. The Constitution does not require a sitting governor to resign merely because he desires to contest another election. What it forbids is dual occupancy of offices.
“Should he win the senatorial election, he would resign as Governor before taking the oath of office as a Senator. That is the clear position of the law.”
The APC chieftain further stated that appellate courts, in interpreting Sections 66, 107, 137, 182 and 183 of the Constitution, had held that resignation was only necessary when a candidate was about to assume a new office.
He added that no provision of the Electoral Act imposes a general restriction on a sitting governor seeking election into the Senate.
Arodiogbu also argued that Uzodimma’s tenure, which is expected to end in January 2028, does not constitute a legal obstacle, insisting that any transition would be carried out in accordance with the Constitution after the inauguration of the new National Assembly.
He said, “The law is clear, the Constitution is clear, and the judicial authorities support this position.
“Those peddling the contrary view are either deliberately misinterpreting the Constitution or attempting to create political distraction. Senator Hope Uzodinma remains free to pursue his legitimate political aspiration without any constitutional disability.”
He reaffirmed the APC’s support for Uzodimma as its candidate for the Imo West senatorial seat and urged party members to disregard what he described as speculative legal arguments.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja had, on October 29, ruled that former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, won the APC senatorial primary for the district.
The Imo State Government has indicated that it would appeal the judgment.
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