Politics

IMO GOVERNMENT MOVES TO ACQUIRE 500 HECTARES OF LAND IN NKARAHIA UMUAPU FOR PUBLIC USE, CALLS FOR CLAIMS

Published

8 months ago

April 9, 2025

Owerri, Nigeria – March 21, 2025

In a decisive move reflecting the Imo State Government’s commitment to infrastructural development, the Ministry of Lands, Survey and Physical Planning has issued a public notice declaring its intent to acquire a vast parcel of land measuring approximately 500.008 hectares in Nkarahia, Umuapu, located in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

The land, known as “OGBURUZO OGWU”, has been earmarked for compulsory acquisition under Sections 28 and 29 of the Land Use Act of 1978 — a provision that empowers state governments to take over lands for projects deemed beneficial to the public.

In a public notice referenced LOG 1588/15 and dated March 21, 2025, the Honourable Commissioner for Lands, Barr. Enyinna Onuegbu (KSC), stated unequivocally that all interested parties or persons with developments on the affected land must, within six (6) weeks from the date of this announcement, submit a formal statement of interest. This must be accompanied by documented evidence of ownership or development to the Ministry’s office located at Block 7, State Secretariat Complex, Owerri.

“The Government of Imo State is ready to pay compensation to anyone who has verifiable interest in the said parcel of land,” the notice reads.

This notice, issued under the authority of Governor Hope Odidika Uzodimma (CON), signals a bold and determined stride by the government in its efforts to expand development footprints across the state. It also serves as a clarion call to landowners and stakeholders in the affected area to come forward promptly and regularize their claims.

The government’s tone is firm: failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe may result in the forfeiture of any potential compensation or recognition of claims.

Analysts believe this acquisition could be tied to a major project that would transform the economic or infrastructural landscape of Ohaji/Egbema and the state at large, though official details of the intended use are yet to be disclosed.

As the clock ticks on the six-week deadline, the ball is now in the court of those with legitimate claims to act swiftly, lest their silence be taken as forfeiture. The Imo State Government, it seems, is not waiting.

— End —

Politics

Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Assembly Members Dump PDP For APC

Published

2 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Martin Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Tori News reports Amaewhule defected along with 15 other members of the House on Friday.

Amaewhule said the defection is due to clear division in the PDP.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state earlier this year in March, suspending the Governor, Sim Fubara and his Deputy alongside members of the State Assembly.

Politics

Insecurity: Bode George intensifies call for state police

Published

4 hours ago

December 6, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Bode George, has intensified his call for the establishment of state police to contain the wave of insecurity in Nigeria.

George made this call on Friday when he appeared during an interview on Arise Television monitored by Ekwutosblog.

He was reacting to the worsening insecurity situation in the country where innocent Nigerians, including women and schoolchildren are kidnapped and others killed in the process.

“First of all, what is wrong with establishing state police? We have seen nobody is going to cancel the Federal Police, but policing is local.

“When you now turn the boys who live in the same area and legalize their existence to put smiles on the faces of the people, it will be better to manage because they will understand the language of the locals. They know the do’s and don’ts in their own area. So why are we wasting time?

“I am happy I read something last week after the Arewa Consultative meeting in the North. They met and took a decision that they have agreed to a state police.

“Then the Southwest met with their governors, and the governors’ statement made after that conference is that they also accept having state police.

“What are we wasting time for? Because the way it is, you don’t even know who is telling the truth or who is telling the lie,” he said.

Politics

I’m still in PDP – Wike replies Turaki, dismisses expulsion

Published

20 hours ago

December 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.

Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.

He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.

The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.

He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.

“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.

“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”