In an adopted resolution, Senate on Tuesday affirmed of Aniocha North II State Constituency in Delta State, following a 2019 Supreme Court judgment that ordered the reinstatement of the constituency.

The resolution calls on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to implement the restoration in the next Delta State House of Assembly elections following the expiration of the current legislative term, in compliance with Section 115 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

The decision followed a motion by Senator Ned Nwoko (Delta North), who highlighted the prolonged legal battle initiated in 2014 by nine communities in Aniocha North Local Government Area. The towns—Idumuje-Unor, Idumuje-Ugboko, Nkwu-Nzu, Ugboba, Idumuogo, Ugbodu, Ubulubu, Anioma, and Ogodo—sought to reclaim their separate state constituency, which had been merged into a single constituency, Aniocha North, since 2004.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Asaba initially dismissed the case in 2014, the Court of Appeal in Benin City ruled in favor of the communities in November 2017, directing INEC to restore the constituency and conduct elections. INEC’s attempt to appeal was rejected by the Supreme Court in November 2019, which upheld the appellate court’s decision as final.

Despite INEC’s stakeholder engagement in November 2020 and a subsequent report to the National Assembly, the constituency remains unrecognized.

Senator Nwoko emphasized that the delay undermines the rule of law, disenfranchises voters, and denies the communities representation in the Delta State Assembly.

The Senate however, urged INEC to expedite the restoration process and requested the House of Representatives’ concurrence to fulfill constitutional requirements. The resolution stresses that the constituency’s revival should take effect in the next electoral cycle, ensuring compliance with legal and procedural frameworks.

The move addresses long standing grievances over political marginalization and reinforces judicial authority in electoral matters. Stakeholders await INEC’s action to rectify the anomaly and restore democratic representation for the affected communities.

The Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike today supervised the demolition of structures obstructing the construction of the Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri village in Katampe District, Abuja.

Addressing the press at the site, the Minister disclosed that the residents were duly served with eviction notices and clearly communicated the necessity of their cooperation with the government. He said this was vital for the contractor, Messrs CGC, to complete the road project and hand it over by the end of May.

He however regretted that the residents rejected government’s offer of compensation and pledge to facilitate their relocation, despite being granted one-week extension as requested by the village chief, thereby impeding work on the road project.

He said the road project was in the public’s overriding interest and not a case of acquiring land for private development, warning that the FCT Administration would not tolerate the sabotage of projects of public interest.
He said he was personally involved in the demolition exercise to send a message that it would no longer be business as usual.

According to the FCT Minister,” We served them with the eviction notice and we told them the need for them to cooperate with the government so that the contractor, CGC will be able to complete this road and then hand it over by May ending.

Speaking further, the Minister said, “The traditional ruler of course pleaded with us to give them one week. The money for compensation has been made available and we did also promise that in spite of that, we will still make available somewhere they can relocate.

“But with all these assurances, it did appear, from what I got in the report, that work is not going on. I informed the traditional ruler that this work has to go on and enough is enough. No government will fold its arms and allow people to sabotage a project for the interest of the public. It’s not as if anybody is coming to acquire land to build houses”.

Addressing concerns regarding the impact of the demolition on residents of the village and public perception, the Minister asserted that ample time had been provided for the residents to vacate. He stated that the government would not halt a crucial project for the sake of a few individuals, having granted them enough time and made funds available for compensation.

He said, “enough time has been given. Are we going to say because of a few people, government will not do their work? No. We have given them more than two, three months. I cannot fold my hands and say let the job stop. No. we will not do that”.

Speaking further, the Minister said, “We have promised to relocate them to another area and even the money for compensation has been given, but they said they will not accept, which means the job will not go on and we will not allow that”.

He reiterated the government’s commitment to relocating the affected residents and providing compensation and advised them to cooperate with the FCT Department of Resettlement and Compensation to finalize the modalities for their relocation.

Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has declared that no citizen of Kogi State should go to bed hungry under his watch as the Governor of the state.

In a statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah quoted Governor Ododo to have made the declaration at the official flag off of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) Food Outreach Programme in Lokoja on Monday.

Governor Ododo reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to food security, emphasizing that Kogi State will not only support the federal government’s intervention but also expand its own quarterly food distribution programme to reach more vulnerable households in the state.

He described the Food Outreach programme of the Renewed Hope Initiative as a “timely and compassionate” intervention that aligns with the vision of the Kogi State government to uplift citizens struggling with economic hardship.

Governor Ododo also reiterated his broader commitment to women and youth empowerment, noting that Kogi State has already surpassed the 35% affirmative action for women inclusion in government appointments and elective positions, adding that his administration will continue to implement economic policies that uplift its citizens.

He urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, assuring that Kogi State remains fully aligned with the federal government’s economic recovery and social welfare programmes.

On her part, Hajia Nana Shettima, Wife of the Vice President, who represented the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu at the event, emphasized the need for the food items to reach the intended beneficiaries.

She warned against reselling the supplies and encouraged recipients to utilize the support effectively to improve their well-being.

“This initiative is not just about food; it is about restoring dignity, giving hope, and providing relief to the most vulnerable among us,” she stated.

Shettima noted that the RHI Food Outreach Programme programme has already impacted citizens in multiple states, with plans for further expansion.

“Other components of the initiative include grants for People Living With Disabilities (PLWDs), climate change awareness programmes for students, and the ‘Flow with Confidence’ Initiative, which provides sanitary wears to young girls in rural areas to support school attendance,” she added.

Earlier, Kogi State First Lady and RHI State Coordinator, Hajia Safinat Usman Ododo, commended the First Lady’s intervention for her role in easing the hardships faced by the less privileged in the state.

She reiterated the dedication of Kogi women to national development efforts and pledged to collaborate with communities to address their needs effectively.

Spearheaded by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu to combat hunger and provide relief to vulnerable Nigerians, the Renewed Hope Initiative Food Outreach Programme is aimed at providing food interventions for vulnerable groups in communities across the states of the federation.

March 10th, 2025