₦airaland Forum

Osalobua! See Govo pic.twitter.com/EajazMCq1R

— E go be ✌🏿 (@josteez_) March 3, 2026

An emotional video of an elderly man crying as his shop is demolished by the Anambra State Government. 😢

Progress is good, but is this the right way? pic.twitter.com/RjOL9PaRQa

— GEEZ TV (@geeztvofficial) March 3, 2026

This is the current state of the main market Onitsha, Anambra State after the first phase of illegal structure demolition by the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo.

What are your thoughts on this pic.twitter.com/nHyYjJNqWA

— checkout okwuo.com (@okwuohq) March 3, 2026

The Onitsha North Local Government Area of Anambra State has commenced the demolition of illegal structures at the Onitsha Main Market.

The exercise, aimed at “restoring the original masterplan and improving trading activities in the sprawling market,” was met with outcry from traders.

The exercise follows over a month of evacuation notices issued to affected traders and shop owners.

Monitoring the demolition, our correspondent observed that bulldozers began pulling down several marked structures at Park 1, Park 2, and Park 3, as well as sections along Bright Street, Johnson Street, and Gwomgworo, with the exercise set to continue on Monday.

Security operatives, including the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and state security agents, barricaded roads leading to the market prior to the demolition, which began around 1:00 a.m. on Sunday.

Some traders had preemptively demolished their shops and evacuated their belongings on Saturday.

In a statement on Saturday, the Chairman of Onitsha North LGA, Anthony Nwora, said, “Occupants were duly notified prior to the exercise, which aims to reclaim the original masterplan and restore order for seamless ‘trade and shop’ activities.”

The notice, titled “Final Reminder on Demolition of Illegal Structures at Main Market, Onitsha,” reminded owners that the grace period had expired.

The LGA had initially given a 14-day notice, extended by another 14 days at the request of occupants, with the final expiration set for February 28, 2026.

“The owners/occupants of all the illegal structures located at Park 1, Park 2, and Park 3 of Main Market, Onitsha are hereby reminded that after the 14-day notice…which was extended…we will carry out the demolition of the illegal structures anytime from Sunday 1st March 2026,” the statement read.

The LGA advised traders to remove valuables ahead of the enforcement date.

Observing the site, our correspondent reported that the once-bustling market had turned into rubble, with broken blocks, scattered roofing sheets, and damaged goods littering the streets.

Many traders were seen salvaging items for minimal sums.

A textile trader, Rebecca Uche, lamented, “I just came back from the hospital. I have a spinal problem. I paid over N2m for the shop less than six months ago. I had just finished renovating the place a few weeks ago when the demolition notice came.

“Although the government said they are remodelling the market, demolishing the existing structures without providing alternatives affects livelihoods and creates hardship.”

Another trader, Ozoemenam Opara, added, “The government proposed the demolition, but traders begged them not to proceed. When they insisted, traders obtained a court injunction from Justice J.I. Nweze of the Onitsha High Court, directing all parties to maintain the status quo pending a hearing fixed for March 16.

“We thought the court order would stop the exercise, only to wake up and see the demolition in progress.”

Okeke Akasim recounted, “I rushed to evacuate my wares at 2 a.m. When I got close to my shop, it was already demolished with the wares inside. I collapsed and, on regaining consciousness, managed to leave without a pin from my shop.”

Solomon Arenyeka has emerged as the Delta State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress following the party’s state congress held on Tuesday.

Arenyeka was previously the Delta State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party before Governor Sheriff Oborevwori led members of the party in a mass defection to the APC in 2025.

At the congress, Moses Iduh was elected Deputy Chairman, while Efe Uko emerged as State Secretary.

Other executive members elected include Paulinus Akpeki as Delta Central Chairman; Emmanuel Amgbaduba as Delta South Chairman; Daniel Ossai as Delta North Chairman; Emmanuel Egbabor as State Organising Secretary; Valentine Onojeghuo as State Publicity Secretary; Ifeyinwa Sobotie as State Woman Leader; and Christopher Agali as State Youth Leader.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Commissioner for Special Duties (Government House), Ifeanyi Osuoza, congratulated the newly elected executives on behalf of the state government.

In a statement made available to journalists in Warri, Osuoza described their emergence through consensus as a vote of confidence in their leadership capacity and commitment to party unity.

“Your collective emergence through consensus underscores maturity, unity, and strategic foresight; qualities that will be indispensable as we move toward the decisive political contests of 2027.

“The task ahead is clear: consolidate the party structure, deepen grassroots mobilisation, strengthen internal harmony, and present a compelling, people-focused agenda that will secure overwhelming victories in all elections come 2027.

“This is a moment for focus, discipline, and strategic coordination. The people of Delta State are watching, and history beckons. May your tenure be marked by unity, progress, and resounding electoral success.

“Congratulations once again, and best wishes as you lead the APC Delta State to greater heights,” the statement read.

It is never my style to subject the dead to uncomplementary commentaries. Neither do I have a reputation of passing judgments of mockery on the recently departed. The dead deserve silence, not stones.

I am of noble pedigree, and decency, forthrightness, and wisdom is our hallmark as a true Yoruba born. Yet, life is a stubborn teacher. It teaches in the cradle, in the marketplace, and sometimes - in the grave, and I am here for the lessons it promises.

The grievous news of the horrid passing of this young man was communicated to my timeline by mutuals and the tributes expressed in his honour were indeed humbling and sobering. Touched by these encomiums I reflexively joined his loved ones in mourning his passing and honouring his memories despite never knowing the man while he drew breath. For death is a debt every man must pay, and grief is a language we all understand.

But hours later, the same algorithms that carry condolences began to ferry unpleasant whispers. And I had to take a trip to the man's wall to have a peek at how the mind of the man worked while he walked among us. I am not one to judge any man by the opinions of others. Accusations must pass through the sieve of personal inquiry.

Then came a surprise - he had blocked me.

A man I never knew. A man I never crossed paths with. Blocked.

That startled me for I am not known on this space to trade in insults or to invade people's privacy with provocation. Anyway, that weighs a little, afterall, Every man has sovereignty over his space. No one owes another an apology for the boundaries they erect. That weight, I dropped.

I dug deeper, not in attempt to unearth unflattering footprints but to have an idea of the kind of clay the late biker was moulded with and some of the things I found, I rather not fully express. The grave has swallowed enough.

All I will say to those yet breathing, for lessons are of no value to the dead. Let us live with the consistent consciousness that we are only here for a very short stint and regardless of who we become, the positions we hold and the opinions we share.

Treat the next man with mirror regard. Even when values clash like talking drums, let respect remain. “A river does not drink its own water.” We are here for one another.

Wishing death upon anyone - even those whose politics or policies we oppose - is not courage. It is poverty of spirit. It diminishes the wisher more than the wished.

In the end, I will honour Onifoto as a man, a soldier, a fighter, a fellow Nigerian - one who rode for what he loved and lived in the direction of his passion.

May the earth rest lightly upon him.

May eternity grant him quiet.

inoki247:
Rip..

The guy always wishing people death for having different Political opinion...

wonlasewonimi:
Riding bike in a country where emergency and health care services are shyte

The site is very useless. You can register with any name and any photo. You can even use any number as NIN.
No verification whatsoever, not even as minimal as email verification. The data collated there cannot be trusted. You guys should do better. This is 2026.

JuanDeDios:
******* It will. People are already gnashing their teeth. Some farmers have debt. The other day, someone sold his cassava farm for opueke price to herdesmen to feed their cattle.

But Nigerians don't care. They're not interested. Government no send. In a couple of years when high prices come around again, they will wail and cry endlessly about "greedy farmers" and "meedle men".

“You are very stupid and acting irresponsible for asking me questions about transparency and economic data” - Alex Otti to a BON Journalist during a media chat.

I am just here thinking if this was Sanwo-Olu who called a journalist stupid. pic.twitter.com/rRb38rwamw

— Thεό Abu (@TheoAbuAgada) February 28, 2026

The drop of food prices in the market has killed our farmers. It has put them into more poverty.

— Peter Obi

pic.twitter.com/J2CuJzxCnY

— High Chief Lawrence Igbins Okoro (@HighChiefOkoro) February 28, 2026

Arostar2023:
So Rufai Oseni is now a credible journalist? Wonders shall never end

Jaylord12:
I agree with Rufai.....they are jokers and greedy fellows....na to dey blame APC up and down...Obi should have pitch a tenant wit Kwankwaso rather than ADC