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BREAKING: Minister of Works, David Umahi responds to Atiku over Lagos-Calabar Costal Road contract, says the contract followed due process

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1 year ago

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, in a note, said the 700-kilometre, 10-lane Lagos-Calabar highway was conceived as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction plus Financing (EPC+F) project.

– Umahi said the model (EPC+F) entails part-funding by the Federal Government.

– Umahi said the approval process went through the Bureau of Public Procurement (BBP) after consideration by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) as prescribed by law.

– Umahi added that the project is an unsolicited bid on EPC+F.

– Umahi explained that under this model, the investor provides all designs, part of the financing and construction while the Federal Government provides the counterpart funding.

– Umahi revealed that the ministry received such a bid, worked on it and sent it to BPP.

– Umahi added that the BPP worked on it according to the Procurement Act and came up with a price slightly lower than the ministry’s price and even lower than the cost of similar projects awarded five years ago like the Bodo-Bonny project.

– Umahi said BPP issued a certificate of no objection on the project to the Ministry of Works in line with the Procurement Act.

– Umahi added that the Ministry of Works took the certificate of no objection to FEC and FEC debated and approved it.

– Umahi also cleared the air on the Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report, saying that preliminary approval was issued in December 2023 by the Ministry of Environment and renewed in January.

– Umahi said the ESIA certification is progressive and they have a certified ESIA to start the project.

– Umahi added that they redesigned the route to put a human face to the decision and to minimise demolition of permanent infrastructure.

– Umahi said the process of ESIA involves constant stakeholders’ engagement of which many have taken place and he even participated in two in Lagos.

– Umahi maintained that the removal of properties along the route is subject to the rule of law and clarified that only property owners with proven titles will receive compensation.

– Umahi said shanties and those with property within the 250-meter shoreline setback without a Federal government title would not be compensated as it is a legal matter.

– Umahi added that the committee is not in charge of ramp or anything else but to verify those to be paid compensation, authenticate and pay. He said where there is a title problem, it will need a presidential waiver for such to be paid.

– @ThisIsAdemuyiwa (X)

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Politics

BREAKING: Professor Mahmood Yakubu Hands Over to May Agbamuche-Mbu as INEC Acting Chairman’s

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3 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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In a significant leadership transition, Professor Mahmood Yakubu has formally handed over the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who will serve as the Acting National Chairman. The handover ceremony took place at the INEC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Professor Yakubu, who has been at the helm of INEC since 2015, expressed gratitude to Nigerians, INEC staff, and development partners for their support during his tenure.

He noted that the Commission had recorded significant progress in electoral transparency, technology adoption, and institutional reforms. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu, in her acceptance speech, pledged to continue building on the foundation laid by Professor Yakubu, ensuring transparency, impartiality, and commitment to credible elections.

The transition comes as INEC prepares for several off-cycle governorship elections and the 2027 general elections. Mrs. Agbamuche-Mbu’s experience and institutional knowledge are expected to ensure a seamless process. President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate a substantive INEC Chairman in the coming weeks, subject to confirmation by the Senate.

Professor Mahmood Yakubu’s tenure as INEC Chairman has been marked by significant electoral reforms, including the introduction of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal. He has overseen two general elections in 2019 and 2023, introducing innovations amid criticisms of technical glitches and electoral integrity issues.

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Kenneth Okonkwo Elected to ADC National Working Committee

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3 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Veteran Nollywood actor and politician Kenneth Okonkwo has been elected into the National Working Committee of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as National Ex-Officio by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). This appointment is seen as a testament to his dedication and leadership skills.

Date: October 7, 2025
Position: National Ex-Officio, National Working Committee of ADC
Electing Body: National Executive Committee (NEC) of ADC

Kenneth Okonkwo is a renowned Nollywood actor, lawyer, and public affairs analyst.

He recently resigned from the Labour Party, citing internal crises and lack of effective leadership. Okonkwo was a key figure in the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential campaign and has been an outspoken advocate for good governance and transparency in Nigeria.

Okonkwo’s appointment to the ADC National Working Committee is expected to strengthen the party’s national appeal and contribute to its mission of promoting good governance and people-oriented leadership.

The ADC has been positioning itself as a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and Okonkwo’s is seen as a significant boost to the party’s leadership.

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BREAKING: Tinubu Set To Announce Prof Amupitan, Dino Melaye’s Kinsman And Lawyer For 10 Years, As Next INEC Chairman

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4 hours ago

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October 7, 2025

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Ekwutosblog learned that to formalise the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday.

Barring any last-minute changes, President Bola Tinubu is expected to nominate Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu as the National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) following his 10-year tenure across two terms.

Ekwutosblog learned that to formalize the appointment, the President has scheduled a meeting of the Council of State for this Thursday. Amupitan is both a kinsman and longtime legal counsel for Senator Dino Melaye.

On September 26, 2025, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that Amupitan had emerged as the likely candidate to succeed Yakubu as the INEC National Chairman.

Previously, Ekwutosblog exclusively reported that President Tinubu had directed Yakubu to proceed on leave ahead of the expiration of his tenure.

Sources described the move as a response to what they termed Yakubu’s “last-minute betrayal” of the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that appointed him.

Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma reportedly met with President Tinubu shortly after the president returned from a 12-day working vacation, alleging that Yakubu’s efforts to register new political parties toward the end of his tenure had disrupted Tinubu’s preparations for a second term.

Sources told SaharaReporters that the governor also claimed that Yakubu was covertly supporting a candidate in the Imo State governorship election.

Following this briefing, Tinubu reportedly requested that Yakubu suspend all official duties and proceed on terminal leave.

Yakubu was first appointed INEC Chairman on October 21, 2015, by then-President Muhammadu Buhari, succeeding acting chairperson Amina Zakari. Following Senate confirmation on October 29, 2015, he was sworn in on November 9, 2015.

After completing his first term in November 2020, Yakubu was nominated for a second and final term by President Buhari, confirmed by the Senate, and sworn in on December 1, 2020.

“Tinubu is shopping for Prof. Yakubu’s replacement, and Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan is likely to be the next INEC Chairman,” a top government source told SaharaReporters in September.

 

Amupitan’s Profile

Amupitan is a legal scholar and administrator with over 34 years of academic and professional experience. A native of Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he is married to Dr. (Mrs.) Yemisi Amupitan, and together they are blessed with four children.

Amupitan began his academic journey at the University of Jos in 1989 as an Assistant Lecturer. He steadily rose through the academic ranks, becoming a Reader in 2003 and a Professor of Law in 2008.

Over the years, he has held several key administrative positions, including Head of Department of Public Law, Dean of the Faculty of Law, Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors, and a member of the University’s Governing Council.

He has also served on the Governing Councils of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and the Council of Legal Education. Today, he serves as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos.

In December 2023, Professor Amupitan was inaugurated as the second Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University (JABU), thereby affording him affiliation with the school.

According to records online, he obtained his Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Jos in 1987 and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988 after completing the Barrister at Law program at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.

He went on to earn a Master of Law degree in 1993 and a Ph.D. in Law in 2007, both from the University of Jos. In recognition of his achievements in the legal profession, he was conferred with the prestigious title of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in 2014.

His areas of specialisation include the Law of Evidence, Corporate Governance, Corporate Law, and Privatisation Law.

Amupitan has contributed to research, focusing on the legal frameworks for privatisation, reform of electoral laws, and reforms in petroleum and corporate governance laws.

He is an active member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and the National Association of Law Teachers.

 

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