Enugu traders reel in pains as govt begins sealing their shops

• Enugu State news today

Traders in Enugu State are reeling in pains as government again begins to seal their shops. The Board of Internal Revenue has started swooping in shop owners across the state.

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It is enforcing the annual revenue collection from shop owners. But those traders have their own side of the story. And they’re calling on Governor Peter Mbah to listen to it.

Mrs Monica Ezema, a foodstuffs seller at Ikpa Market, Nsukka, said they didn’t necessarily have problems paying the taxes. But the traders feel betrayed.

According to Mrs Ezema, Governor Peter Mbah promised them good market road, water and power supply during his campaigns in 2023. After they voted him, he slammed them with unprecedented taxes. Three years into his administration, and despite paying the levies, they’re yet to see any impact.

“We need to see what the government is doing for us. Last year, we paid this levy with difficulties. We are gradually getting used to it. That is why there are less agitation this year.

“We need the state to tar the road that passes through this market. We also need a fire service station. We need micro-credit schemes. During rainy seasons, we lose a lot to flooding. During dry seasons, we are at the mercy of dust. The other end of the road was tarred by a hotelier.

“Let us see the impact of what we are contributing to. We need power supply”, Mrs Ezema said.

Mrs Chika Odo who has a shop at Abakpa Market also complained. She said the tax collectors are giving them April-4th deadline, and have rejected the traders plea for date extension.

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“It is about one year ago that this revenue drive started. We protested, but the government insisted. This time around, we are ready to pay.

“But we want more time. Things are difficult, and we want the state government to understand with us”, she said.

Last year, defaulters were fined, and their shops were sealed by government officials, Mrs Odo said. The shops remained locked for the longer periods they were able to pay both the taxes and the penalties.

“They began using red tapes to seal the shops yesterday. Most of us are billed N36,000 annually,” another shop owner at Aho Opi said. She lamented the bites of present economic realities in Nigeria, said that even as Easter approaches she has not sew even one clothe for any human being. She is a sewer.

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Governor Peter Mbah made the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to jump from ₦26.8 billion in 2022 to a projected ₦406.7 billion by the end of 2025.

2027: How the fight to unseat Anayo Onwuegbu is dividing Aninri

As the campaign to stop Hon Anayo Onwuegbu reelection bid intensifies, cracks are manifesting within Aninri political circles.

• Aninri group tells Gov Mbah to deny Anayo Onwuegbu ticket in 2027

Hon Onwuegbu, who represents Aninri/Awgu/Oji-River federal constituency in the National Assembly, is yet to openly declare his intention. But his close allies speak often of his return in 2027.

The lawmaker has himself signalled he is interested in seeking the post again. When Governor Peter Mbah decamped to All Progressives Congress (APC) last year, he was among the first major Enugu politicians to step in the governor’s footsteps.

Like always, there are other people who want the same seat. Some of them – mostly placeholders and paperweight politicians – have already started disturbing social media spaces with their clean photographs and child-like promises. However, Aninri has a unique take in that.

A newly evolving group, Ka Aninri Jee Movement, has increased its tempo, aggressively recruiting members and seeking governor’s help to unseat Anayo Onwuegbu. Its narrative is that the council area has not produced any member for House of Assembly for 28 years.

The coordinator Hon Chinedu Okwu (a.k.a Otaka), former member of Enugu State Assembly, has already met Governor Mbah with a “proposal”. Several critical stakeholders from Aninri, Awgu and Oji-River, have reportedly joined the group – on a low-key – because of him, a source privy to the situation told InfoWars.

They upped the call yesterday, placing loud adverts on radio stations and several online portals, and directly call for the governor to listen to the ‘injustice’.

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But history is likely to bear harsh judgement on Ka Aninri Jee Movement, and favour Onwuegbu’s return.

What appears to be an organised opposition within Aninri is pushing back at Otaka’s rhetorics of unfairness.

“Aninri occupied the senate seat for 20 years while others waited for that 20 years without raising eyebrows,” on Bonaventure Okorie, an Aninri constituent, began.

“Injustice is everywhere and in people’s blood”, he said, added that fairness doesn’t require that Aninri should dream of any National Assembly position at least for another decade.

“It came very late, God has endorsed him for more four years 2027 Hon Engr Anayo onwuegbu is the code”, Samuel Kenechukwu said.

More voices from Aninri are now talking, effectively undermining Ka Aninri Jee’s efforts to generate much sentiments needed to sway opinions of Lion Building power brokers.

Since December 2025, constituents have sustained severe media attacks on Hon Anayo Onwuegbu, highlighting his unusual quietness in the House of Representatives. But whether or not this will be yardstick for winning a APC ticket for the zone will be known in coming days.

Aside extreme wealth, clout and longer connections, the lawmaker may have other advantages over the rest in the race. A month ago, his major ally from Mpu told InfoWars that there are a lot the lawmaker has achieved for the constituency but which have remained largely unreported. He blamed Onwuegbu’s media handlers for “laziness, inexperience” and possible sabotage.

Aninri group tells Gov Mbah to deny Anayo Onwuegbu ticket in 2027

“PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: Aninri group tells Gov Mbah to deny Anayo Onwuegbu ticket in 2027.

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“The entire members of the KA ANINRI JEE MOVEMENT hereby endorse His Excellency, Barr. Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, the dynamic Governor of Enugu State, for a second term in office.

“Your Excellency, under your visionary leadership, Enugu State is witnessing unprecedented development, enhanced security, and an uncommon commitment to digital governance. We commend you sincerely for putting Enugu on the path of greatness.

“But today, we gently remind our beloved Governor and the good people of Enugu State that Aninri has never produced a Member representing the Aninri/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives since the advent of the current democratic dispensation 27 yrs ago.

• Reps 2027 – Aninri has been cheated for 28 years – Hon Otaka

“We now firmly demand that you use your good offices to ensure that ANINRI produces the next Member representing the ANINRI/Awgu/Oji River Federal Constituency in the Green Chamber come 2027. After 28 years of democracy, equity, justice, and fairness require that Aninri takes its rightful turn.

“Ndi Aninri, Ndi Awgu, Ndi Oji River — it is time to give Aninri its fair share at the Federal House of Representatives!

“KA ANINRI JEE! Aninri ga eje 2027!

This message is brought to you by the members of the Ka Aninri Jee Movement.

Announcers:

• Hon. Okwu Chinedu Otaka — Director General

• Hon. Obiora Obasi — Secretary General 

ECOWAS job vacancies 2026: how you can apply and get it

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has officially announced job vacancies for 2026, inviting qualified professionals from member states to apply.

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With approximately 435 million people within the 15-member economic alliance, its sure to be very difficult or near impossible for the most qualified persons to be hired at the end. The application has already started on April 1 and will end on April 30, 2026.

When it announced the exercise on its official website, ECOWAS said the recruitment would cover roles in critical sectors, including administration, finance, trade, infrastructure, health, telecommunications, legal affairs, and security.

Vacancies are spread across several areas, but capital cities of Nigeria, Senegal, Guinea, Ethiopia, and Liberia are given lion shares.

It’s not clear what influenced the body’s decision to allot more chances to some countries over the other. But its certainly not because of population.

By far, Nigeria is the most populous country in ECOWAS with approximately 200 to 230 million people.

Burkina Faso and Niger have populations of approximately 23 million and 26 million respectively, far above Senegal’s 17-million and Guinea’s 13-million populations.

Also, in the ECOWAS job vacancies 2026, age and gender are crucial. It sets age limits for candidates as follow: 35 years for general service roles, 45 years for professional positions, and 50 years.

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Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interested persons should submit a completed application form, a curriculum vitae, and a cover letter through designated email addresses.

ECOWAS job vacancies: here are application contact details for Nigerians

• Procurement/Official Bids: procurement@ecowas.int

• General Application Email: cedeao@ecowasmail.net

• Procurement/Official Bids: procurement@ecowas.int

• Court of Justice Inquiries: registry@courtecowas.org

• Physical Address: 101, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Asokoro District, P. M. B. 401, Abuja, Nigeria

ECOWAS was founded on May 28, 1975, with its current headquarters located at Asokoro district, Abuja. Mauritania pulled out of the body in 2000. Cabo Verde is the smallest country, with population of approximately 500.