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INEC Set For PHALGA 3 Bye-Election, ’Morrow …As Court Fails To Stop Process
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says modalities have been put in place for the conduct of tomorrow’s bye-election for the replacement of the vacant position in the Port Harcourt Constituency 111 in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Rivers State, Obo Efanga, who addressed newsmen at the INEC office in Port Harcourt, yesterday, disclosed that four political parties have been cleared to participate in the bye-election.
He said the political parties include; Democratic Alternative (DA), Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Resident Electoral Commissioner also stated that the smart card reader for the election would capture the number of people accredited to vote, adding that there would be restriction of movement from 8am to 6pm on Election Day.
He also disclosed that sensitive materials for the election were intact and would be distributed later.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner was accompanied by Residents Electoral Commissioners, of Bayelsa, and Akwa Ibom, including party agents to take delivery of the sensitive materials, AC8A, AC8B, AC8C and AC8E, including ballots papers, which were all sealed.
He assured that INEC would not rest in its oars in ensuring the conduct of a free, fair and credible bye-election in the state.
Speaking with The Tide in an interview, the agent of Mass Movement of Nigeria (MMN), Gospel Nwigbara, expressed satisfaction with the electoral process so far, adding that his party was prepared for the election.
Also speaking, the agent for All Progressives Party (APC), Mr. Michael Ogolima urged INEC to ensure a hitch-free poll.
Meanwhile, an All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2015 Legislative Election, Mr. Chima Nnokam has failed in his fresh bid to stop the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from conducting any bye-election to fill the vacant position in the state House of Assembly seat for Port Harcourt Constituency 3.
Nnokam had approached of a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt to seek an order of the court to stop tomorrow’s bye-election in the constituency pending the determination of the originating suit in the court.
The plaintiff is also praying the court to order INEC to issue him certificate of return having come second position during the 2015 legislative election in the constituency since INEC failed to conduct the bye-election within 30 days when the seat became vacant as provided for in the Electoral Act (as amended).
According to him, failure to issue him with certificate of return by the INEC after the expiration of the 30 days would amount the disregard of the provisions of the law.
However, the trial judge, Justice H.I.O. Osohmah, in his ruling on the motion bordering on jurisdiction by INEC and Peoples Democratic Party, refused to give any interlocutory injunction stopping INEC from ing the bye-election for PHALGA Constituency 111 Legislative Election, tomorrow.
Justice Osohmah, in his short ruling, told the parties that when an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain and hear a matter is before the court, he was under obligation to first settle the issue of jurisdiction before proceeding to other issues.
He, however, said the court would hear the application referred to it by the Appeal Court on the next adjourned date.
Speaking to journalists after the ruling, counsel to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Don Omealo (SAN) expressed happiness with the court position, adding that INEC does not have any legal constrain in conducting Saturday’s Bye-Election in PHALGA 3 State Constituency Election.
According to him, “the court refused the interlocutory injunction as sought by the claimant,” adding that his client was free to go ahead with the election as scheduled.
However, counsel to the plaintiff in the matter, Eugene Odey (Esq) said he was dissatisfy with the decision of the court but, however, said, he would brief his client on the next line of action.
Odey said it was a known fact in law that when an issue bordering on referral from a higher court to a lower one, the law mandates the lower court to, as a matter of urgency, hear the application, adding that the Judge in his wisdom, acted otherwise.
It would be recalled that the plaintiff, Mr. Chima Nnokam had contested the PHALGA 3 Constituency Legislative Election under the platform of the APC and came second after the PDP candidate, Hon. Victor Ihunwo, who had since vacated the seat following his victory and subsequent position as Mayor of Port Harcourt.
APC has, however, fielded another candidate, Mr. Worlu Dickson, who would contest with other three candidates from other political parties as announced by the INEC.
Taneh Beemene & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
