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Uptown Press Nigeria, 1 Reservation Road, NUJ Press Centre, Benin City, Bénin (2026)

18/09/2026

Senator Imasuen Breaks Ground for Amagba Ultra-Modern Market, Moves to Tackle Insecurity

Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, has commenced the construction of an ultra-modern market in Amagba community, Oredo Local Government Area of Edo State, with a fresh commitment to facilitate the construction of a police station to strengthen security in the rapidly growing community.

Imasuen performed the groundbreaking ceremony for the market on Thursday, marking the commencement of construction of about 30 lock-up shops and 40 open stores designed to boost commercial activities and improve access to basic goods for residents.

18/09/2026

Super Eagles: Chelle Shakes Up Squad as Nwabali Returns, Osimhen, Ilenikhena Make AFCON Cut

Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle has unveiled his squad for Nigeria’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau, with several notable decisions dominating attention.

Chelle’s selection combines established stars, returning players and fresh faces as Nigeria begins its quest for a place at the 2027 AFCON.

One of the major talking points is the return of goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali, who makes his comeback to the Super Eagles setup for the first time since the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Also earning his first senior invitation is Alverca left-back Isaac James, who has started all six of his club’s Liga Portugal matches this season and provided two assists.

Young forward George Ilenikhena has equally been handed a maiden senior call-up after opting to represent Nigeria over France following discussions with Chelle.

Chelle has also turned to Moses Usor following the injury to Femi Azeez. The LASK forward has enjoyed a promising start to the season, including a goal and an assist against Celtic in the UEFA Champions League play-offs.

Another headline decision is the inclusion of Victor Osimhen despite his recent groin injury.

The Galatasaray striker has been invited for the qualifiers, but his participation will ultimately depend on his fitness ahead of the matches.

Nigeria will face Madagascar in Uyo on September 25 before travelling to Guinea-Bissau for the second qualifier on September 29.

With a mix of experience and emerging talent, Chelle’s latest squad signals the beginning of another crucial chapter for the Super Eagles as they target qualification for the 2027 AFCON.

16/09/2026

Senator Neda Imasuen Set to Break Ground for Amagba Ultra-Modern Market in Edo South

Senator representing Edo South Senatorial District, Neda Imasuen, is set to lead the official groundbreaking ceremony for the new Amagba Ultra-Modern Market in Amagba Community, Edo State.

The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, September 17, 2026, at 12 noon, marks a significant step towards the development of a modern market facility for residents and traders in the community.

According to the invitation released by the office of the lawmaker, the project is being highly facilitated by Senator Imasuen as part of his interventions aimed at improving infrastructure and supporting economic activities across Edo South.

The proposed market, as presented in the project design, is expected to provide a modern trading environment with improved facilities and a more organised setting for traders and residents.

The ceremony will bring together members of the public, community stakeholders and other invited guests at Amagba Community for the formal commencement of the project.

The intervention adds to Senator Imasuen's growing focus on constituency development, with projects and programmes targeted at infrastructure, economic empowerment and improved living conditions across Edo South.

The Amagba Ultra-Modern Market is expected to further strengthen commercial activities in the community when completed.

16/09/2026

2027: Electoral Security Is Shared Responsibility, CP Daaor Tells Political Stakeholders

The Edo State Police Command has commenced early engagement with political parties and other key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 electioneering season, with Commissioner of Police, CP Patrick Daaor, emphasising the shared responsibility of all actors in ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

CP Daaor stated this on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at a strategic security meeting with chairmen of political parties, candidates and other stakeholders in the electoral process.

The meeting was convened to strengthen communication between the Police and political actors, promote a clear understanding of security expectations and establish a framework for peaceful and lawful political activities across Edo State ahead of the 2027 elections.

Addressing the stakeholders, CP Daaor said the role of the Police is to provide the security environment necessary for lawful political activities to take place, stressing that the Force would remain neutral in the political contest.

He noted that the security of the electoral process is a shared responsibility, requiring political parties, candidates, their supporters and security agencies to play their respective roles within the provisions of the law.

The Commissioner therefore urged political actors to adhere to the rule of law and ensure that rallies, campaigns, meetings and other political activities are conducted peacefully and in accordance with extant laws and regulations.

He also encouraged political parties and candidates to communicate their planned activities to the Police in good time to facilitate appropriate, intelligence-led security arrangements.

CP Daaor further called on political actors to encourage their supporters to maintain peace and avoid actions capable of turning political disagreements into violence, intimidation or disorder.

The meeting also provided an opportunity for participants to raise concerns, seek clarification and engage the Command on security arrangements for political activities across the State.

The Commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Edo State Police Command to providing a secure environment for all lawful political activities without discrimination, while taking necessary measures to safeguard public peace.

He disclosed that Wednesday’s engagement would be the beginning of a series of consultations with political stakeholders as political activities gradually intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.

CP Daaor stressed that peaceful elections do not begin on election day but are built through responsible conduct and cooperation long before citizens cast their ballots.

“While parties may seek different mandates, we share one State, and we must protect the same peace,” he said.

The engagement reflects the Command’s emphasis on early dialogue and cooperation with political stakeholders as Edo State prepares for the 2027 electioneering period.

16/09/2026

2027: Wike Fires Back at APC Governors, Calls Them ‘Smart but Politically Lazy’ Over Rainbow Coalition

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has hit back at governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, describing them as “smart but politically lazy” over their rejection of his proposed Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Tuesday, September 15, following a declaration by the APC Governors’ Forum that its members would not support any political arrangement capable of weakening the party or its candidates
The dispute followed a closed-door meeting of APC governors in Abuja on Monday, September 14, chaired by Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma.

Uzodimma had said the governors would not participate in, support or endorse any alliance capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, weakening the APC or adversely affecting its candidates at any level.
Wike, however, dismissed the governors’ position, questioning their political calculations and challenging them to focus on mobilising support for President Tinubu rather than opposing his coalition initiative.

The FCT Minister argued that supporting Tinubu for the presidency does not mean that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, must abandon its candidates in governorship, National Assembly and State House of Assembly elections.

“What I said and stand for is that I will mobilise support for the reelection of the President. I never promised anyone that PDP will not field candidates to contest governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly elections,” Wike said.
He also challenged the political argument advanced by the APC governors, pointing to the voting pattern in the 2023 elections, particularly in Imo, Abia, Enugu and Ebonyi states.

Wike cited Imo as an example, arguing that APC won two senatorial seats in the state in 2023 despite President Tinubu recording a much lower share of the presidential vote there.

He similarly referenced National Assembly results in other South-East states to argue that voters can support different parties in presidential and legislative elections.

“Was it a rainbow coalition that also made the APC win National Assembly elections in Ebonyi, Abia and Enugu States where the President did not have ten percent of the votes?” he asked.
Wike also took particular aim at Uzodimma, questioning the outcome of the 2023 presidential election in Imo under his leadership.

The former Rivers State governor further alleged that opposition from some APC governors towards him intensified after President Tinubu appointed him Minister of the FCT.

He maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was not an arrangement with the APC but a platform intended to mobilise support across political parties for Tinubu's 2027 presidential bid.

The APC governors, however, have maintained that their commitment is to APC candidates and have distanced the party's governors from Wike's political arrangement.

The clash has opened a fresh political fault line ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Rivers State, where Wike has been promoting the Rainbow Coalition while remaining a prominent PDP figure serving in the APC-led Federal Government.

16/09/2026

Lagos Traders Protest Chinese Nationals’ Alleged Involvement in Retail Trading

Traders at the Lagos Trade Fair Complex along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway have protested the alleged involvement of Chinese nationals in retail trading, accusing the development of putting local businesses under severe pressure.

The protest, which took place at markets within the complex, saw traders carrying placards demanding that Chinese nationals stop selling directly to consumers and leave retail trading to Nigerian businesses.

Videos circulating on social media showed protesters displaying messages including “Chinese must go” as they voiced concerns over what they described as unfair competition in the trading environment.

One of the protesters alleged that Chinese nationals initially entered Nigeria primarily to engage in wholesale trading but had increasingly expanded into retail, creating additional pressure for local traders.

According to him, Chinese traders enjoy significant advantages because of their access to capital and direct business connections with manufacturers and suppliers in China.

He alleged that some Chinese vendors also obtain customer information from waybills and subsequently contact the customers directly, offering similar products at lower prices after importing them from China.

The trader argued that the practice makes it increasingly difficult for Nigerian retailers, who operate through local distribution channels and incur additional costs, to compete effectively.

He stressed that the protesters were not advocating violence or the destruction of Chinese-owned businesses, warehouses or shops.

Rather, he said, their demand was for Chinese nationals to refrain from competing directly with Nigerian traders in the retail market.

The protest highlights growing concerns among traders over the structure of competition within Nigeria’s informal and organised retail sectors, particularly the impact of direct importation and foreign-owned retail operations on locally owned businesses.

The protesters are calling for relevant government authorities to examine the situation and enforce existing regulations governing foreign participation in Nigeria’s retail trade.

16/09/2026

Nigeria Inflation Eases to 15.39% in August 2026 as Food Price Pressures Moderate

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate eased marginally to 15.39 per cent in August 2026, down from 15.43 per cent recorded in July, according to the latest Consumer Price Index report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The latest figure represents a 0.04 percentage-point decline in the headline inflation rate, indicating a marginal moderation in the pace of increase in the prices of goods and services.

On a month-on-month basis, headline inflation stood at 0.71 per cent in August, significantly lower than the 1.57 per cent recorded in July.

This means that the average price level increased at a slower rate during the month under review.

The development was accompanied by a notable moderation in food inflation, which stood at 19.57 per cent year-on-year in August 2026, compared with 25.30 per cent recorded in August 2025.

On a month-on-month basis, food inflation fell to 1.02 per cent in August from 5.56 per cent in July, representing a decline of 4.55 percentage points.

The NBS attributed the moderation largely to price movements across several food staples, including palm oil, carrots, pepper, onions, cassava flour, beef, yam flour, water yam, melon (egusi), fresh ginger, fresh fish, Irish potatoes, wheat grain, frozen chicken and turkey meat.
Despite the national moderation, food inflation remained considerably higher in some states.

Adamawa recorded the highest year-on-year food inflation rate at 38.85 per cent, followed by Zamfara at 37.96 per cent and Bayelsa at 36.20 per cent.

The August figures come under Nigeria’s rebased Consumer Price Index framework, which uses 2024 as the price reference year and 2023 as the weight reference period. The rebased CPI covers 934 product varieties across 13 divisions.

The latest NBS report therefore points to a slower pace of price increases in August, particularly in the food category, although the year-on-year inflation rate remains a key indicator of the continuing change in consumer prices.

15/09/2026

Emir’s Death Sparks Tension in Osogbo as Man Is Shot, Several Others Attacked

Tension has gripped Osogbo, the Osun State capital, following a fresh wave of violent attacks reportedly linked to the death of notorious figure Olalekan Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade.

The latest incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday when a young man identified as Kunle, also known as Asha, was reportedly shot in the neck around Dele Yes Sir junction, close to Zeus Club in Osogbo.

The attack has heightened fears of possible retaliatory violence following Emir’s death in Ile-Ife on Sunday, September 13.

According to reports attributed to Naija Confra, Kunle was selling barbecue fish at the junction when two motorcycles carrying suspected attackers arrived at the scene.

Eyewitnesses reportedly said the victim raised an alarm and called for help before he was shot in the neck.

The development is coming amid reports of several attacks allegedly carried out by individuals believed to be loyal to the late Emir, with residents expressing concern over the security situation in parts of the State capital.

Emir was reportedly killed in Ile-Ife on September 13 amid claims that the incident was connected to disputes surrounding transport union and park politics.

However, reports surrounding his death have remained contentious, with allegations that some of those suspected of involvement were also members of his own group.

Naija Confra, which reported the latest attack, also alleged that Emir had been involved in violent criminal activities and had accumulated enemies within rival groups, transport union circles and political circles.

The publication further alleged that there had previously been internal clashes within the NBM group in Osogbo, including reported confrontations involving Emir and other members.

Meanwhile, residents are increasingly concerned that further violence could follow the killing, particularly if suspected associates of the deceased continue seeking revenge.

The latest reported shooting has also renewed calls for heightened police visibility and intelligence-led operations across vulnerable areas of Osogbo to prevent further attacks and possible reprisal killings.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun Police Command had not issued an official statement confirming the shooting or the reported attacks.

The circumstances surrounding Kunle’s reported shooting, including the identity and motive of the attackers, remain subject to police investigation.

15/09/2026

FCT Police Rescue Newborn Baby Girl Abandoned in Carton Along Abuja Road

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued a newborn baby girl who was found abandoned inside a carton along a roadside in Galadima, Abuja.

The shocking discovery has raised fresh concerns over the growing cases of infants being abandoned in vulnerable locations across the nation’s capital.

The rescued baby was reportedly found inside a carton dumped along the road in the Galadima area before police operatives moved in to secure her safety.

The incident is the third case of an abandoned baby recorded within the FCT in the last two weeks, heightening concerns over the disturbing trend.

The FCT Police Command spokesperson, SP Joseph Adeh, expressed concern over the increasing cases of babies and children being abandoned or left in dangerous conditions.

Adeh appealed to residents and members of the public with relevant information to come forward and assist the police in tracing the baby’s parents or other family members.

She urged anyone with credible information about the identity or whereabouts of the child’s family to contact the police to facilitate the reunification process.

The latest incident has again drawn attention to the vulnerability of newborns and the urgent need for responsible members of society to report cases involving abandoned or endangered children to the appropriate authorities.

The Police Command assured the public that efforts would continue to identify the circumstances surrounding the abandonment and establish contact with the baby’s family.

15/09/2026

APC Governors Draw Battle Line Against Wike’s Rainbow Coalition, Vow No Support

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governors have drawn a battle line against the political alliance being championed by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declaring that no arrangement outside the party’s official structure will receive their support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governors’ declaration, issued after a closed-door meeting in Abuja on Monday, September 14, puts Wike’s proposed “Rainbow Coalition” on a collision course with the ruling party’s electoral leadership.

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with strong political ties to the APC-led Federal Government, has been promoting a coalition in Rivers State involving political actors from both parties. The arrangement is expected to pursue shared political interests ahead of the 2027 elections.

But the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) has rejected any political arrangement capable of weakening APC candidates or creating divided loyalty within the party.

Chairman of the Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, announced the governors’ position while reading the communique issued after the meeting.

He said the governors unanimously resolved not to participate in, support or endorse any political alliance capable of undermining President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, weakening the APC or adversely affecting its candidates at any level.

“The Forum unanimously resolved that its members will not participate, support or endorse any political alliance or arrangement capable of undermining the re-election of Mr President, weakening the APC or adversely affecting any candidate of the party at all levels,” Uzodinma declared.

The Imo governor made it clear that the APC governors would not campaign for candidates outside the party’s platform, regardless of any political understanding involving the APC.

“In other words, the Forum has no intention to support any candidate at any level that is not an APC candidate, because our candidates are being sponsored by our party,” he said.

He added that the governors’ campaign commitment remained exclusively with APC candidates, warning that no arrangement capable of causing confusion, divided loyalty or conflicting interests within the party would be entertained.

“The governors’ campaign commitment is exclusively to all APC candidates. No arrangement that causes confusion, divided loyalty, or conflicting interest within the party will be entertained,” Uzodinma said.

The declaration is a direct warning to political actors seeking to combine the structures or interests of the APC and PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.

In Rivers State, where Wike remains a powerful political figure, the governors’ position could complicate efforts to build a coalition that secures support across the two parties.

The PGF’s position also reinforces the APC’s determination to protect its candidates and electoral interests, leaving no room for political arrangements that could compromise the party’s campaign objectives.

Uptown Press Nigeria

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