By Eze Nnadi

The candidacy of the former House of Representatives Minority Leader and now governorship candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress (ADC), Kingsley Chinda and many others have remained most dicey, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reviews the supreme court ruling on section 77 of the 2026 Electoral Act as amended

The Supreme Court had in its judgement in the case between INEC and the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) upheld the powers of the election umpire to issue revised electoral guidelines and timetable and schedule of activities

The ruling further raised concerns over the candidacy of some individuals, who defected to other political parties, after they lost primaries in their original parties

The candidates were however given tickets of their new parties to contest the 2027 general election, after the Oh NEC stipulated 21 days after the submission and publication of party membership registers

Among the allegedly affected candidates are Hon. Kingsley Chinda (Rivets state), Isa Pantami (Gombe state) Senator Mustapha Salihu (Kwara state) and others

This is even as the ruling All Progressives Congress APC has written the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, demanding immediate enforcement of the Supreme Court judgment on the submission and use of political parties’ membership registers for primaries, congresses and conventions.

The APC in a letter dated October 9, 2026, signed by its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and National Secretary, Sen. Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, asked the Commission to apply the legal consequences of non-compliance, including barring any defaulting party from fielding candidates in the general election.

The ruling party asked INEC to enforce the judgment “in accordance with its terms and legal effect.” as well as, to verify whether each party submitted its digital membership register within the statutory period and to apply the consequences under section 77(7). Third, to ensure that only members on the register submitted to the Commission vote and are voted for in internal party elections.

APC noted that “the judgment underscores the statutory requirement for political parties to submit their membership registers to INEC at least 21 days before primaries, congresses and conventions. It also provides that only members listed in the duly submitted register are eligible to vote and be voted for in these internal party processes.”

The Party emphasised that credible elections require transparent internal democratic processes and strict adherence to the rule of law.

It added that the commission’s prompt action to enforce the Supreme Court judgment would uphold the integrity of the electoral process.

‎‎Ahead of the 2027 general election in Rivers state, the members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Legacy Group in the state have distanced themselves out of the Nyesom Wike led Rainbow Coalition
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‎The group in a statement issued on Friday by it’s coordinator, Ambassador Fubara Dagogo said the foundation members of the APC in Rivers state have remained intact and will soon take a position ahead of the polls
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‎The legacy group, which comprises members of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressives Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and others who merged in 2013 to form the now ruling APC, regretted that new entrants into the legacy party have made frantic efforts to push them out of the party and take control
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‎The group described a recent meeting held by the Rainbow coalition, led by former governor Nyesom Wike, and the Simplefied Movement, under the leadership of the state governor, Siminalaiyi Fubara as an indication that there are ground main ves to finally push them away, warning that it has remained intact and ready to prove a point with the upcoming election
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‎The legacy group slammed the Rainbow coalition for ignoring them in the distribution of tickets and political offices in the state, despite their strong grassroots support, adding that it was the group that held the Rivets APC intact before they joined and hijacked the party
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‎It warned that it would not abandon the now ruling party, which they said was built by them from the scratch, when they were then seen as people who were fraternizing with their enemies
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‎ According to the group, “We are not going to work with the Rainbow coalition in Rivers state, we remain the real owners of the APC in the state, and our grassroots support remains intact. We have continued to keep our support, despite the efforts of the intruders into our party, and we will use the 2027 election to as usual, prove our strength
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‎”As members of the legacy group, we paid a huge price, building the APC in Rivers state, and we aren’t ready to give up now. We nurtured this now ruling party, when these later day converts treated us with scorn, accusing us of romancing with those they referred to as enemies of the state. Now they have taken over and we are being relegated to the background. This we are determined to resist, using our supporters in the upcoming election
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‎”We urge our teeming supporters across the state to remain calm, despite any form of provocation, very soon, the legacy group will make a policy statement ahead of the upcoming polls”
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‎The group reminded the people of Rivers state that it is their votes that would determine who governs and represents them, urging them to seize the opportunity of the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voters Card (PVC), to prepare themselves ready to elect their leaders
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‎It noted further that the group has paid it’s price in the Rivets state APC, adding that the legacy members of the party are determined to take back the party
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‎”As foundation members of the APC in Rivers state, this party belongs to us, we built it and we are determined to take back our party. We have held series of meetings and have jointly agreed that the legacy group will make a statement in the 2027 general election. Our support has not yielded to any pressure and we are determined to take a position that would reshape the polls and return the group to it’s ownership position in the state,” the group assured
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‎The group however emphasised that it would not abandon the APC , which they suffered so much to build from the scratch in the state, but insisted that the group has relaunched itself to take it back

By Chidera Orji

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has highlighted the progress and transformative impact of the major infrastructure projects being executed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, describing them as strategic investments aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s transportation network, strengthening national connectivity and stimulating economic growth.

A press release from.Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director, Information and Public Relations in the ministry quoted Umahi to have disclosed this on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in Abuja, during a Press Conference, where he updated on the Tinubu Administration’s four Legacy Road Projects, ongoing federal road interventions, completed projects, procurement processes, and the Ministry’s efforts to ensure value for money in the development of infrastructure.

The Minister identified the four legacy projects as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Highway (the Trans-Saharan Route/North-South connectivity corridor, and the Dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road.

According to him, the projects were conceived as strategic national infrastructure to connect all six (6) geopolitical zones, facilitate the movement of people and goods, open up economic opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term development.

Giving an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi disclosed that Section 1, covering 47 kilometres, has been completed, while significant progress has also been recorded on Section 2, covering approximately 55 kilometres.

He explained that pavement works on Section 2 were nearing completion, while major flyovers, overpasses and underpasses were being constructed to address complex traffic, environmental and engineering challenges along the corridor.

The Minister said some parts of the alignment had to be redesigned to accommodate existing and planned rail, road and industrial infrastructure, particularly around the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport axis. He stressed that the objective was to develop an integrated transportation system rather than an isolated road project. On the Ondo State axis, Umahi explained that the alignment was redesigned in some locations because of difficult terrain, deep pits and challenging subsoil conditions. He said the redesign was aimed at ensuring durability, safety and cost-effectiveness, with substantial filling and ground improvement works ongoing in some areas.

The Minister further disclosed that President Tinubu had directed that the continuation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway be aligned with the existing East-West Road in parts of the Niger Delta area.

He described the decision as a strategic engineering intervention that would address the increasing impact of flooding and climate change on the vital infrastructure. According to him, critical sections of the East-West Road would be raised to accommodate present and anticipated flood levels and ensure the continued functionality of the strategic route.

Umahi also dwelled on the importance of the Construction of the Benin City Bypass and other sections of the littoral corridor in reducing congestion and improving movement across the South-South zone.

On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Minister said the project was designed to establish a major economic corridor linking Ilelah in Sokoto State with Badagry in Lagos State. He noted that various sections of the highway were at different stages of construction, with significant progress recorded across the Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Ogun and Badagry axes, while those of Niger and Kwara States are commencing soon.

Umahi said the strategic importance of the project is beyond road construction, noting that the corridor would unlock agricultural, industrial, tourism and other economic opportunities. He added that the Federal Government was exploring opportunities for complementary investments, including agriculture, housing, tourism and other economic activities along the major infrastructure corridors.

Speaking on the third legacy project, the ancient Trans-Saharan Route, Engr. Umahi explained that it was designed to strengthen connectivity between the coastal axis and the northern parts of the country, thereby facilitating the movement of people, goods and services across the South-South, South East and North Central geopolitical zones.

He disclosed that substantial progress had been recorded on the initial sections, while additional sections had been approved to make the corridor more economically viable and attractive to potential financiers.

On the fourth legacy project, the Minister said the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri single carriageway is being expanded as a major northern connectivity route. He explained that the scope had been extended to cover an additional spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State, with design and procurement processes ongoing.

Responding to questions from journalists on the number of completed projects, the Minister listed several major road and bridge projects completed or ready for commissioning across the country. Among the projects, he mentioned Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, the Kaduna-Pambeguwa Road, the Lafia Bypass, the Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridges along the Opobo Channel, among many others.

He also listed the completed first lot of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Gombe-Potiskum rehabilitation project, sections of the Azare road linking Jigawa and Bauchi, the five-span Ampoha Bridge, the 23-kilometre, 23-span flyover project at Ekpoma-Benin axis, and a three-span, 75-metre dualised bridge structure.

Umahi further disclosed that several sections of the Lagos-Badagry and Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Shagamu-Ore corridors had been completed, while other sections were at advanced stages of completion.

He assured journalists that the Ministry was updating its compendium of completed and ongoing projects. “We have quite a lot of projects. We have completed projects and we have ongoing projects. We are updating the compendium and it will be made available on the Ministry’s website and circulated to the public,” he assured.

The Minister reiterated the Federal Ministry of Works’ increasing adoption of concrete pavement on major highways, saying the need for greater durability and reduced maintenance costs is driving the policy.

According to him, the Ministry is developing infrastructure that would serve Nigerians for several decades and provide better value for public resources. He reiterated that concrete pavement provides longer durability guarantees, when properly designed and constructed, compared with the recurring maintenance challenges associated with conventional asphalt pavement.

Addressing questions concerning the procurement process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi explained that the Ministry followed an applicable procurement framework. He said the special procurement approach was necessitated by the unique engineering requirements of constructing a major highway through a difficult coastal terrain.
According to him, the Ministry identified the need for a contractor with a proven track record in executing similar coastal infrastructure and subsequently made a recommendation to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). He disclosed that the BPP reviewed the recommendation and gave its clearance, while the Federal Executive Council remained the final approving authority.

Umahi said the Ministry subjected the contractor’s bid to scrutiny by comparing proposed rates with prevailing market prices for materials and other inputs. He stressed that both indigenous and expatriate contractors were subjected to the same pricing and evaluation principles.

“We put everybody on the same platform. We sent the proposals to the Bureau of Public Procurement. They reviewed it and where they felt that the rates went beyond their expected maxima, they called our attention to it, and we reviewed the rates accordingly,” he explained.

The Minister also disclosed that substantial progress had been recorded on the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, with all the sections completed except the Jere-Kaduna portion advancing steadily. He revealed that the Ministry is installing solar-powered lighting along the 375-kilometre Expressway to improve night visibility, thereby enhancing safety and security. He also said that the improved condition of the highway, alongside security interventions, was contributing to safer and more efficient movement along the corridor.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry had commenced an “Operation Rescue” on the Benin-Asaba Expressway following challenges associated with the road and its existing concession arrangement. He said the Federal Government had intervened to restore mobility, while plans were being developed for a comprehensive reconstruction of the entire alignment, using continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). He stressed that Nigerians should not continue to suffer because of unresolved contractual or concession-related issues.

The Minister, particularly, highlighted the Federal Government’s increased infrastructure investment in the South East, saying the Tinubu Administration had demonstrated a clear commitment to reintegrating the hitherto neglected zone into the national infrastructure development programme. He said several major road projects had either been approved, commenced, or completed by the present administration.
Umahi, who is from the zone, said it might not have the highest number of federal projects compared with other geopolitical zones, but it was no longer being left behind.

“We can’t continue to live in denial. What we have been crying for is being given. The people of the South East are being fully reintegrated into the national infrastructure development plan,” he emphasised.

He cited the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, the rehabilitation of the 1st Niger Bridge, ongoing construction of major Bypasses and other federal road projects in the zone as evidence of the administration’s commitment.

The Minister maintained that infrastructure development should be viewed from the perspective of national integration rather than regional politics. He stated that the Federal Government’s infrastructure agenda was intended to ensure that every part of Nigeria benefited from strategic investments in roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

On the Tax-Credit Scheme’s projects inherited from the previous administrations, Umahi explained that the Federal Government had taken proactive measures to address them, especially where private-sector partners were no longer able to sustain previously approved financing arrangements.

He warned contractors, who had received mobilisation or project funds but failed to deploy the funds on the work that the Ministry would take appropriate steps to recover such funds. He stressed that accountability, performance and value for money remained central to the Ministry’s project execution strategy.

The Minister also addressed the ongoing intervention on the First Niger Bridge, explaining that measures were being introduced to improve traffic management and protect the structural integrity of the bridge. He said the Ministry was installing appropriate traffic management infrastructure, CCTV cameras and other security measures at its Asaba and Onitsha ends. According to Umahi, the measures were necessary because bridges are designed primarily for dynamic as opposed to static loads, explaining that prolonged traffic gridlock can create additional structural and safety challenges. He said remedial works, repainting and other maintenance activities were also being undertaken to ensure the long-term usage of the structure.

Umahi further explained that the Federal Government’s road development strategy included environmental considerations, such as the planting of trees along major highways and the installation of solar-powered street lighting. He said the initiative would help improve visibility and the environment, provide shade, and contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions along major transport corridors.

The Minister also linked infrastructure development to the broader economic reforms of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration, saying improved roads and connectivity would support agricultural production, industrialisation, trade, commerce, tourism and investment. He maintained that the Federal Government’s infrastructure investments were part of a broader strategy to move economic growth from the macroeconomic level to the grassroots.

On the financing of the major legacy projects, Umahi assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had put mechanisms in place to ensure that the projects are adequately funded to completion.
He revealed that significant portions of the projects had been funded, while loan-financing arrangements were being implemented for the remaining components.

He noted that the administration was determined not to embark on projects without ensuring that there was a credible financing mechanism for their completion.
“We don’t start what we will not finish. And we will not finish what we have not started,” he stated.

The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to completing inherited projects, while simultaneously delivering new strategic infrastructure under the Tinubu Administration. He said the legacy projects were not merely road construction schemes but long-term investments designed to transform Nigeria’s economic landscape, improve connectivity, strengthen national integration and security, and create opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

In his closing remarks, the Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Mohammed Aminu Ahmed, FCNA, expressed appreciation to the Minister, members of the media, and all participants for attending. He commended the media for its continued partnership with the Ministry in informing Nigerians about government infrastructure projects and encouraged it to continue to provide constructive criticism on the Ministry’s activities.