Tinubu’s Akwa Ibom Visit: Eno Declares Friday Work-Free Day, Lines Up Projects For Commissioning

Although Akwa Ibom is not one of the 12 battleground states listed in the campaigns’ itinerary of President Bola Tinubu, ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections, Governor Umo Eno, has concluded plans to make Friday, November 6, presidential visit have a political fanfare.

LEADERSHIP recalls that Tinubu’s last visit to the State was during the run – up to the 2023 polls on the campaign train of becoming the President, which he won.

And his visit on Friday, on a working visit, would be the first since becoming the President of Nigeria.

Therefore, to effectively rally the people for the mini campaign, the governor has declared Friday November 6, 2026, a work – free day, ” to enable the citizenry turn out enmass to receive the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who will be in the state on a working visit.”

The President, he said, would take out time to commission some people – oriented projects executed since 2023 by his administration.

Towards ensuring that the projects meet the expectations, the governor undertook inspector tour to the projects’ sites, where he personally assessed their levels of completion, after which he enjoined the people to massively participate in welcoming the President.

According to the governor, the President, who is expected to be accompanied by his wife, Oluremi, and other top Federal Executive Council (FEC) members, National Assembly and bigwigs of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), would inaugurate the International Terminal Building at the Victor Attah International Airport.

Others include Aviation village, Airport Hospital, ARISE Palm Resort, the 14.5-kilometre Nsit Atai–Okobo Road (Airport-Okopedi Road), Ring Road 3, Command and Control Centre and others.

Also, the Uyo Local Government Council has announced the temporary closure of Ikot Ekpe Market, popularly known as Udua Ebot (goats’ market), along the Goodluck Jonathan Boulevard, one of the routes the Presidential convoy is expected to roar through on the capital.

The Council Secretary, Dr. Ubong Udofia, who announced this on behalf of the chairman, Dr. Uwemedimo Udo, said, “The market will be reopened on Saturday, November 7, immediately after the President’s visit.”

He, therefore, stated that “traders and members of the public have been advised to take note of the closure and make alternative arrangements,” explaining that
“the announcement has effectively given traders a day away from their businesses to accommodate the presidential visit.”