President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a request linked to the long-awaited Ibom Deep Seaport, announcing the decision while addressing supporters at his presidential campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

"I look, and I approve it"

Speaking from the podium, flanked by party leaders and security officials, Tinubu told the crowd that the state's leadership had brought a request to him.

"Now your leader makes a request, for international export status. I look, and I approve it," he said, to cheers from supporters.

The Ibom Deep Seaport has been one of Akwa Ibom's biggest ambitions for years, with successive state governments pushing for it as a way to open the state to international trade and create jobs.

Promises of jobs and skills

Tinubu also used the occasion to make several promises about the state's economic future.

"I promise you skill development. I promise you jobs," he said. "We are going to plant a lot of economic trees."

He pointed to the palm tree, a major part of the region's economy, as an opportunity. "There is no reason why we cannot use the value of palm trees and the palm here," he said, adding that there was no reason the country could not create skills development that is "everlasting".

"Development must be even"

The President said growth must reach every part of the country. "Development must be even, inclusive and reasonable. It must bring progress and create economic value," he said.

What it means

If the approval leads to real progress on the seaport, it could be a major boost for Akwa Ibom's economy, bringing shipping, logistics and related businesses to the state.

But campaign promises are easy to make at rallies. Nigerians will be watching to see whether the approval is followed by funding, construction and the jobs that have been promised.

Over to you

Is Tinubu's approval of the Ibom Deep Seaport request a genuine step forward for Akwa Ibom, or just another campaign promise ahead of 2027?

It was an emotional scene at the Trade Fair International Market in Lagos as former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate and Labour Party candidate in the 2023 election, arrived to pay his last respects to the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe, popularly known as Omeluora.

Chief Ezibe, widely regarded as one of the founding fathers of the famous Balogun Market in Lagos, was honoured by traders, associates, friends and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate his life and his contribution to commerce.

"My leader! My leader!"

Something remarkable happened when Obi arrived. The atmosphere suddenly changed. Traders stepped away from their businesses, and a large crowd gathered around him, cheering and calling out, "My leader! My leader!"

Many raised their phones to capture the moment, while members of his team, wearing T-shirts printed with "Rest in Peace Omeluora", waved to the crowd from his car.

For those watching, the reception was another reminder of the strong support Obi continues to enjoy among sections of the trading community, particularly in Lagos. He had come for a solemn occasion, yet his presence drew the kind of attention usually seen at major political gatherings.

Who was Chief Okey Ezibe (Omeluora)?

To many traders, the late Chief Sir Okey Ezibe was more than a successful businessman. He was a respected figure whose contributions helped shape the business community around Balogun Market, one of Nigeria's busiest commercial centres.

For years, Balogun Market has provided opportunities for thousands of traders, importers, wholesalers and small business owners. People like Omeluora are remembered for building business networks, encouraging younger entrepreneurs and strengthening the trading community. His passing marks the loss of a respected figure in that community.

Obi's reception gets people talking

Despite the disagreements and controversies that surround Nigerian politics, Obi still draws enthusiastic crowds in parts of the country, and the scenes at Trade Fair appeared to reflect that connection.

Some will see the reception as a sign of his political popularity ahead of the 2027 general election. Others may simply see it as a warm welcome for a familiar public figure attending the funeral of a respected businessman.

Whatever the interpretation, the excitement around his arrival became one of the memorable moments of the day.

Remembering Omeluora

Beyond the cheers and the political talk, the gathering was ultimately about remembering Chief Okey Ezibe and the legacy he left behind.

A man can build wealth, businesses and influence in his lifetime, but what people say about him after his death often tells another story. For Omeluora, the respect shown by the trading community speaks to the place he held in their lives.

Rest in peace, Omeluora. A great iroko has fallen. His name will continue to be remembered among those who helped commerce grow in Lagos.

Over to you

Is the reception Peter Obi received at Lagos Trade Fair another sign of his political strength ahead of 2027, or was it simply a show of respect from traders? Share your thoughts.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said that Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has ruined his own chances in the 2027 election.

What he said

Speaking at an All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign rally in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, Shettima reportedly said Obi had run himself out of the race through what he called lies and bogus statistics. He suggested that Obi had recently travelled abroad quietly before returning to Nigeria, and that he had thrown away the goodwill he once enjoyed among voters. The vice-president also mocked Obi's frequent comparisons between Nigeria and Bangladesh, saying a shirt made for one country cannot fit another, and dismissed Obi's claim that he won the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu in Akwa Ibom

Before the rally, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated several projects built by Governor Umo Eno's administration, including the new terminal building at Victor Attah International Airport in Uyo. Tinubu described the visit as a homecoming, praised Eno as a visionary leader, and said the airport's international flight status was the result of the governor's commitment to the state. The President also took a swipe at Obi at the event over erosion in Anambra State.

Background

Obi, a former Anambra governor, came third in the 2023 presidential election and challenged the result in court, insisting he won. He is running again in 2027 with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate. The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027. Obi's campaign had not publicly responded to Shettima's remarks at the time of writing.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned of an alleged plot to threaten, intimidate and abduct temporary election workers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

What INEC said

Speaking in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, during a North Central zonal readiness assessment, INEC chairman Professor Joash Amupitan said intelligence-led operations carried out with the Department of State Services (DSS) had led to the arrest of key suspects, who have since been charged in court. He warned that anyone who interferes with or harms election workers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. He did not give details of the suspects or the charges.

Warning to staff

Amupitan also warned electoral officers against negligence and political bias, saying neutrality at local level would directly affect public trust in the elections. He said credible elections cannot be achieved through last-minute arrangements, and that INEC is working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security to tackle threats early.

Background

INEC expects to manage more than 103 million registered voters across 176,846 polling units in 2027. The commission relies on hundreds of thousands of ad hoc staff, many of them members of the National Youth Service Corps, to run polling units, and attacks on election workers and offices have been a concern in past elections. This week INEC has also faced questions about about 1.5 million questionable entries found in the voter register, and disowned a fake poster about the ADC's leadership.

What happens next

The presidential and National Assembly elections are scheduled for 16 January 2027.