
News
Protest rocks Owerri over demolition of old Timber Market
Residents of Umuonyima community in Owerri Municipal Council of Imo State have staged a protest against the demolition of the Old Timber Market by the state government.
Speaking with journalists, the President General of the Community, Christian Anukam, said that they were protesting against inhumane action meted on the community by the state government over the demolition of the ancient timber market in Owerri.
The PG expressed sadness over what he termed impromptu action on the side of the government for not informing occupants of the place ahead of time to enable them safeguard their wares.
“They came and informed us just a day before the demolition with one of the governor’s aides telling us that the instruction was to bring everything down,” Anukam said.
He pointed out that the community supported the APC-led administration of Hope Uzodinma and wondered why the state government decided to treat them in such manner by not allowing tenants trading in the market the opportunity to secure their goods before the demolition.
Anukam maintained that a one-day notice is not enough to enable occupants move their wares out of the area.

One of the community leaders, Paschal Ugwuanyi said they just learnt that Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA) officials were coming to demolish the place without properly informing the community.
According to him, the land was released to them since 2007 by the then administration purposely for the market. He stressed that they were surprised at the turn of events.
Another community leader, Prince Mike Ukaegbu, said they were on a peaceful demonstration because the land is the only market where the community and the traders make their daily living.
He pleaded with the state government to give more time to enable occupants secure their goods while looking for alternatives.
Ukaegbu further pleaded on the government to consider their pleas as they are also citizens of the state.
“We are in support of the government of Senator Hope Uzodimma,” he submitted.
Other community leaders who spoke to journalists, including the traditional head of the clan, disclosed that the notice of the demolition was impromptu and pleaded that there should have been an earlier notice before the action.
Recall that the state government, through the Owerri Capital Development Authority (OCDA), had said it will commence demolition exercise at the Old Timber Market.
According to the General Manager of OCDA, Frank Nkem, prior to the demolition, a 21-day notice was given to the occupants, which he said the occupants refused to adhere to.
Nkem said that during the last visit to the area, he toured the premises and engaged with the leadership to reiterate the need to comply with the notice to vacate the illegal occupation, which he said has expired.
He said the government is more concerned over how the area has allegedly become a breeding ground for criminal activities, including gun-running, drug peddling and other unlawful practices.
Nkem added that despite the official relocation of traders to the Naze Industrial Market many years ago, that remnant of the traders had remained recalcitrant, refusing to comply with the relocation order.

News
Akani Landlords in Enugu raise alarm over alleged encroachment, urge buyers to exercise caution
The Akani Ancestral Layout Landlords Association has issued a public warning to prospective land buyers and investors over alleged encroachment issues involving parts of the Akani Land Layout Planning Scheme located in Emene-Nike, Enugu.
In a public notice released on Monday, the association said its attention had been drawn to videos circulating online concerning individuals allegedly involved in controversial land transactions within sections of the Akani Ancestral Layout.
According to the association, one of the videos featured a female investor who allegedly paid for plots of land in New Enugu Estate and Dolphine Estate but was yet to receive allocation of the purchased plots.
While sympathising with the investor over the development, the association stated that its members had reviewed the location and size of the land reportedly belonging to Dolphine Estate and now suspect that parts of the estate may have encroached on the area officially known as the Akani Land Layout Planning Scheme.
The association explained that the layout was approved through a Public Notice issued under the Urban and Regional Planning Law, 2012, and signed on August 16, 2012, by the then Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development in Enugu State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ujam.
Raising what it described as a “red flag” to the public, the association urged intending land buyers to conduct proper due diligence before purchasing land in the area, stressing the importance of ensuring that any property being acquired does not violate the boundaries of the Akani Layout Planning Scheme.

The group also disclosed that many members of the Akani Layout Landlords Association had already completed verification processes and payments for their title documents with relevant authorities in the Enugu State Government.
The association noted that the notice was aimed at preventing future disputes and helping prospective investors avoid costly mistakes.
“Forewarned is forearmed,” the statement concluded.

News
Tinubu congratulates Rangers International after ninth NPFL title win
…Lauds Gov Mbah’s investment in youth, sports
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Rangers International FC on winning the 2025/2026 Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) title, describing the club’s triumph as a remarkable achievement and a testament to its enduring football legacy.
Rangers secured the league crown for a record ninth time after finishing the season with 68 points from 38 matches, ahead of closest rivals Rivers United.
In a statement issued on Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu congratulated the management, players and supporters of the Enugu-based side for their successful campaign.
The President recalled the club’s dominance in Nigerian football during the 1970s and 1980s, highlighting its historic exploits on the continental stage.
He specifically referenced Rangers’ run to the final of the African Cup of Champions Clubs in 1975 and their triumph in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977.
President Tinubu also praised the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, for supporting youth and sports development in the state, saying the club’s success reflected the impact of such investments.

“I must also congratulate Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State on the victory of Rangers International FC. This victory is an obvious fruit of his administration’s investments in youth and sports in the state. I commend him,” the President said.
He further noted that Rangers, as one of Nigeria’s oldest football clubs, has produced several players who brought honour to the country on the global stage.
The President equally commended Rivers United for their impressive performance throughout the season and for displaying sportsmanship during the competition.
Tinubu wished both Rangers International FC and Rivers United success as they prepare to represent Nigeria in next season’s CAF Champions League.

News
INEC appeals ruling against Election Guidelines
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has asked the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal to set aside the judgement of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which nullified part of the the election guidelines put in place by the commission for the conduct of the 2027 general election.
Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, had last week nullified guidelines issued by the INEC directing political parties to submit their membership registers and databases by May 10, 2026, as a condition for participation in the 2027 general election.
A political party, the Youth Party, had filed a suit challenging the legality of the electoral body’s directive or guidelines.
The court said in its judgement that INEC could not lawfully shorten the timeline already provided under Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 for the submission of party membership records and candidates’ particulars.
But, in the appeal notice dated May 25, 2026, filed by INEC, through its Counsel, Chief Alex Izinyon, SAN, the electoral umpire prayed the court to set aside the judgement of the lower court.


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