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PDP loses as tribunal sacks Ugochinyere Imo from reps, excludes him from rerun election
Hon. Ugochinyere Imo, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ideato North/South federal constituency of Imo state has been sacked by the Imo Sate National and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.
In a unanimous decision on Sunday, a three-member panel of the tribunal which conducted its proceedings in Nasarawa State, held that Ugochinyere, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was not validly nominated by the his party to contest the Ideato North/South Federal Constituency election that held on February 25.
Consequently, it ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to within 90 days, conduct a supplementary election in the constituency.
The tribunal, in its lead judgement that was delivered by its Chairman, Justice Anthony Olotu Akpovi, specifically directed the electoral body to conduct the supplementary poll in 55 polling units where elections did not hold on February 25.
It held that the PDP and its candidate should be excluded from the supplementary election.
The judgement followed a petition that was lodged before the tribunal by candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr. Abazu Chika Benson.
Cited as 1st to 5th respondents in the petition marked: EPT/IM/HR/10/2023, were; INEC, Ugochinyere, PDP, candidate of the Labour Party, Obi Paschal Chigozie and his party, the LP.
It will be recalled that INEC had declared the PDP candidate, Ugochinyere, as winner of the election with a total of 13, 026 votes.
Whereas the candidate of the LP, Chigozie, came second with 5,696 votes, the petitioner who was sponsored by the APC, came third with a total of 2, 368 votes.
Dissatisfied with the outcome of the election, the APC candidate filed a petition wherein he contended that Ugochinyere was not qualified to participate in the House of Reps contest.
The petitioner, among other things, argued that all the votes that were credited to the PDP candidate, amounted to wasted votes.
He told the tribunal that contrary to the express provision of the Electoral Act, the PDP, conducted its primary election in a venue that was outside the constituency.
In its judgement, the tribunal stressed that documentary and oral evidence that was laid before it, established that the primary election the PDP conducted on May 25, 2022, which produced Ugochinyere as its candidate, was held at Aladinma Shopping Mall, a location that was outside Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.
Relying on the provision of section 84 (5) (c)of the Electoral Act 2022, the tribunal held that PDP’s primary election was invalid.
It held that a valid candidate could not have emerged from an invalid primary election.
“Failure of the 3rd respondent (PDP) to abide by the sacrosanct provision of the Electoral Act invalidated its sponsorship of the 2nd respondent,” Justice Akpovi held.
The tribunal maintained that for a primary election to be valid, it must be done in compliance with section 29 (1) of the Electoral Act.
It held that in view of the fact that Ugochinyere was not validly nominated, he was, therefore, not qualified as at the time the House of Reps election held.
More so, the tribunal held that owing to the principle of margin of lead, candidate of the LP, Chigozie, could but be declared the winner of the seat, since INEC admitted that it could not hold election in 55 polling units in the constituency, owing to activities of unknown gunmen.
It, therefore, directed INEC to conduct supplementary poll in the remaining polling units with a the parties participating, except the PDP.
Other members of the panel that concurred with the lead judgement, were; Justices Usman Kudu and Ibrahim Mohammed.
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Festus Keyamo, SAN, Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has been formally inducted into the revered league of Honorary Fellows of the Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA)—a distinguished circle that has, over the past six decades, admitted only a select group of eminent Nigerians.
The prestigious honour, conferred by the Institute, places the Aviation Minister among an elite class that includes former Presidents; Chief Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor of Niger State, among other national figures recognised for their exceptional contributions to nation-building. With this induction, Keyamo becomes only the 16th Honorary Fellow in the 60-year history of the NIA.
In a citation, the Nigerian Institute of Architects described Keyamo’s induction as a testament to his national impact, visionary leadership, and enduring commitment to infrastructural excellence.
In his remarks at the conferment ceremony, the Dean of the College of Fellows, who represented the NIA President, emphasised that the Honorary Fellowship is reserved strictly for individuals who have demonstrated uncommon excellence, service, and achievement. He praised Keyamo for his transformative role in modernising Nigeria’s aviation landscape—an achievement that has significantly enhanced the architectural and infrastructural fabric of the sector.
He noted that the Minister’s visionary leadership has catalysed the renewal of airport infrastructure, promoted world-class design standards, and strengthened the interface between aviation development and national architecture.
“His efforts in repositioning the aviation industry reflect a deep understanding of functional design, structural aesthetics, and sustainable infrastructure—principles that lie at the heart of architecture,” the Dean said.
In his acceptance speech, the Honourable Minister expressed profound gratitude to the Institute for the rare honour, describing it as both humbling and inspiring. He highlighted the importance of cultural identity in national development, stressing that architecture and urban planning must reflect the soul of the people.
“In our urban development, we must integrate our culture into our town planning,” he stated. “Our spaces must tell our stories. Our buildings must reflect who we are. This is the essence of nationhood, and it is a philosophy I intend to continually champion, especially as we reimagine Nigeria’s aviation ecosystem.”
A statement by Tunde Moshood,
Special Adviser On Media and Communications to the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, had it that Keyamo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to developing aviation infrastructure that embodies innovation, resilience, and cultural relevance while supporting Nigeria’s broader economic transformation.
The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has explained why it recently honoured the Director General/CEO, of the Nigerian Metrological Agency (NiMet), Prof. Charles Anosike with its Mentorship Award of Excellence.
Anosike was given the award on October 23rd at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago Iwoyin, Ogun State during a youth mentorship conference organized by NANS.
In a statement issued Monday, October 28, 2025, NANS said the NiMet DG was honoured for consistently demonstrating exemplary leadership, humility, and generational impact in his service to Nigeria’s youth and emerging entrepreneurs.
Titled ‘Statement by the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) on the Presentation of Mentorship Award to the Director General of NiMet,’ it stated that the mentorship Anosike has provided to thousands of young Nigerians has paved the way for fresh ideas, empowered individuals, and anchored many on the path of excellence.
According to the statement which was signed by Comrade Adeyemi Samson, NANS National Public Relations Officer- “Young people who have had the privilege of working with him testify to his clear-sighted guidance, rare simplicity of approach, and genuine concern for their personal and professional development. His readiness to extend a helping hand, provide encouragement, and share insights has made a lasting difference.
“In his capacity as a distinguished professor, a man of dignity and repute, and a public servant committed to transformation, Professor Anosike embodies the very essence of mentorship that NANS strives to promote among Nigerian students and youths.
“By this award, NANS affirms its deep respect for Professor Anosike’s consistent efforts in nation-building, youth capacity development, and entrepreneurship support. We are delighted to honor him today and look forward to the many further achievements that will follow from his mentorship and service.
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