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The Supreme Court’s decision restoring key provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 has reopened a potentially consequential legal front for political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 general election, particularly those whose nominations, membership status or party primaries could be challenged on grounds of non-compliance with the law.

In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a seven-member panel of the apex court allowed the appeal filed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the Court of Appeal judgment that had voided Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7) and 84(2) of the Electoral Act. The Supreme Court held that the provisions were not inconsistent with the Constitution and restored the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court.

The ruling is significant because political parties have already conducted most of their primaries for the 2027 election. It means that requirements governing party membership registers and nomination procedures remain legally enforceable as parties move from the primary stage towards the general election.

At the centre of the judgment is the principle that parties cannot freely depart from the membership register submitted to INEC when conducting their primaries, congresses and conventions.

Section 77(5) provides that only members whose names are contained in the register submitted to INEC, at least 21 days before a primary, congress or convention, can vote or be voted for. Section 77(6) requires parties to use that submitted register for the exercise, while Section 77(7) prescribes a serious consequence for failure to submit the register within the stipulated period: the party cannot field a candidate for that election.

The immediate implication is that disputes over who was legitimately a member of a party at the relevant time, which register was used for a primary and whether the statutory deadline was observed could now become central to pre-election litigation.

This could particularly affect politicians who changed parties after their original party registers or primaries had been submitted to INEC, although the legal effect will depend on the specific facts and timing of each case.

The concern is already being raised around candidates produced by political alliances and factions that emerged after the formal party processes.

In Kwara, for instance, the nomination of Saliu Mustapha and other candidates associated with the Bukola Saraki-backed G15 alliance could attract scrutiny if their circumstances involve questions about when they became members of the sponsoring party, when their names entered the relevant register and whether the party complied with the statutory requirements.

Similar questions could arise around candidates produced through the Nyesom Wike-backed Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State and other states where politicians moved across party lines or entered new political arrangements after established party processes.

A new battlefield for 2027 litigation

The ruling could therefore shift the focus of 2027 electoral litigation from the broad question of whether the provisions are constitutional to the more factual question of whether individual parties complied with them.

Already, Nigeria’s elections are characterised by extensive pre-election litigation, with disputes over party membership, primaries, delegates, nomination and substitution frequently reaching the courts.

The restored provisions could add another layer.

Candidates who believe they were unlawfully excluded from a primary could challenge the process. Rival aspirants could question whether the correct membership register was used. Parties could face suits over whether their registers were submitted within the statutory timeframe. And candidates who emerged from disputed or factional processes could face challenges from opponents relying on the restored provisions.

For INEC, the judgment strengthens its statutory role in receiving and maintaining party membership registers and overseeing compliance with electoral requirements. It also gives the commission a clearer statutory basis for applying the consequences prescribed by Section 77(7).

For political parties, however, the ruling is a reminder that internal party processes now carry consequences beyond the parties themselves.

The central question heading into 2027 may therefore no longer simply be who won a party primary, but whether the person was legally entitled to participate in it, whether the correct register was used, whether the nomination method complied with the law and whether the sponsoring party satisfied all statutory requirements.

Ruling stirs confusion in Rivers

Rivers State politics looks completely fractured, and every single political ruling of the Supreme Court causes more fracture and greater confusion in the state, whether the case emanated from the state or not.

The latest ruling is on the electoral timetable by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Rivers State is totally fractured again, with confusion ruling the air.

Many claim the ruling has thrown out Ogundu Kingsley Chinda (OK Chinda), the guber arrowhead of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who was believed to have been single-handedly installed from his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) high position of Minority Leader at the National Assembly to pick the APC form and muscle everybody else out, including the sitting governor, to pick the ticket.

Many have quoted parts of the judgment to agree or disagree with Chinda.

What the Supreme Court said

The Supreme Court judgment on INEC’s appeal delivered in September 2026 upheld the appeal by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), setting aside lower rulings and affirming the constitutionality of Sections 77(5), 77(6), 77(7), and 84(2) of the Electoral Act governing party primaries and membership registers.

Appeal outcome

A seven-member panel led by Justice Adamu Jauro upheld INEC’s appeal, overturning previous interpretations that had challenged the commission’s regulatory authority.

· Statutory Validity: The apex court ruled that Sections 77 and 84 of the Electoral Act do not conflict with the 1999 Constitution, validating the statutory requirements surrounding membership registers and candidate nomination methods.

· Dismissal of Opposition Suits: Separate appeals filed by the Youth Party and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) against INEC’s framework were dismissed by the court.

· Cost Award: The Supreme Court awarded N2 million in costs against the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) in the primary appeal

The bottom line of the ruling is that INEC had the right to issue deadlines, and they remain valid. By this, parties that obeyed the timetable are protected.

Those who think Ok Chinda is okay with the SC ruling have called attention to the fact that INEC has since published a list of candidates including Chinda’s name. By this, it can only take a court case to remove his name.

A political commentator, Iwor Romgbo, said, ‘For anyone asking whether a published candidate can simply be disqualified, the answer is: not by mere allegations. Under the current electoral framework, a challenge to a candidate’s qualification or emergence through a party primary must be pursued through the appropriate legal process. It is primarily a matter for pre-election litigation by the appropriate aspirant, subject to the specific facts and grounds of the case.

‘So, unless there is a competent court judgment affecting a candidate’s nomination or qualification, a name published by INEC remains on the ballot.

His current status, however, is subject to several ongoing court processes, as reports indicate that while his name has been published, ongoing legal and electoral discussions surrounding party registers and compliance with the Electoral Act have emerged regarding the candidate’s documentation status.

His detractors argue that the Supreme Court Judgment had implications for OK Chinda’s candidacy. One source said: ‘Based on the latest Supreme Court ruling, O.K. Chinda is looking at a disqualification because he supposedly registered as an APC member on April 23, 2026. Sources claim he joined the party a few days after the party had already submitted its membership register to INEC.

‘By the Supreme Court’s recent judgment, O.K. Chinda risks losing his APC governorship ticket should the party’s leadership want to abide by the Supreme Court judgment and if truly he joined APC after the party had submitted its register to INEC.’

Another political commentator said anyone who wants to deceive themselves can go ahead and do so, but if Nigeria were a country of laws, O.K. Chinda’s candidacy of the APC has no legs to stand because it falls short of section 77 subsection 4 of the Electoral Act 2026 signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 18 February 2026.

‘The aforementioned section mandated all parties to submit their membership register not later than 21 days before the commencement of their primaries. It then means that if the APC that conducted its first primaries on Saturday, 16 May 2026, had waited for the last day to submit their register to INEC, they submitted it on April 25 2026, while OK Chinda registered two days later (see his membership slip below dated 27/4/2026). That is to say that OK Chinda’s name was not in the register submitted to INEC.

‘Having realised the mistake he made with that candidacy in a bid to block Governor Fubara from getting the ticket, not with any competent person from RIPCO who were already registered members, but someone from his ethnicity, he ensured that he made two other governorship candidates from his ethnicity, governorship candidates of the PDP and the Labour, should the law catch up with OK Chinda post-election.

‘With that, he came out to tell his supporters that he has not ‘anointed’ any of the candidates, evoking the confusion that has enveloped his supporters, many of whom have stopped posting ‘Rivers will be Ok’, unlike in 2022 when Wike did not make any mistakes and there was no need for pussyfooting, and many of us who believed in him started selling the candidacy of Sim Fubara after he emerged as the Rivers State PDP Governorship Candidate on Thursday, 25 May 2022. That’s it, and that’s all. No saccharine, no sugar, no spice.’

Alwell Ene, another political commentator, said only lawyers can say if Ok Chinda was ok or not because the Supreme Court-endorsed timetable means that Chinda did not meet up the submission date if they are to count from the start of all primaries, but would be ok if they are to start from guber primaries only.

Some others argued that Chinda’s matter may be beyond meeting the submission deadline for the APC register to INEC, but the issue is his proper resignation from the PDP before qualifying to pick up the nomination form from the APC. The source further pointed out that Chinda’s last salary as Minority Leader may be raised to confirm if he left properly because he is being accused of staying on as Minority Leader and also joining the APC within the same material time.

The problem may be that the case would need to be a pre-election case. Only those who contested with him in the primaries can qualify to raise it in court, but where would they get such persons to come to court?

Did the Supreme Court rule on APC factions?

Darlington Nwauju weighs in:

Darlington Nwauju, publicity secretary of the Emeka Beke faction of the APC, responding to inquiries, said the arguments on the ground should not be about Rivers APC executives. It’s about Kingsley Chinda and the rest. ‘And like I said, it will be taken on a case-by-case basis. Some registered before he did, others registered soon after, etc.

‘The SC has reinforced the INEC rules, so all that is required to nail him would be to further prove that between 23 April and the day he participated in the APC primaries, he still had something to do with House Minority leadership.’

On OK Chinda, he said: ‘I don’t know how those who want the court to help them disqualify him can succeed because APC will help him clean up his records and INEC will readily acquiesce. So, I don’t see anything blocking him.’

Many immediately recalled how a Wike aide was exposed for accessing INEC’s backend. Now, they say, it is becoming clear what they went to clean up.

Did the Supreme Court rule on the APC exco matter as rumoured afresh over the two factions and the two court rulings nullifying the Wike-backed Tony Okocha faction?

Nwauju said: ‘I don’t know where they are getting their stories from. After the May 29th Appeal Court decision, which Okocha and his crew lost, they refused to appeal further. So, I don’t know which Supreme Court and who took the matter to the apex court. But such stories will trend because, of course, you know people want to get rid of Wike and his shenanigans.

Conclusion:

Confusion will continue to rule the political waves of Rivers State even if Fubara claims they have reconciled. Many have also claimed that Fubara is saying he would stay on till November 2026 because of his six-month suspension, which they dub unconstitutional. Fubara is in the UN and has not issued any statement on politics.

This shows how much rumours now rule Rivers State, and the level of confusion in the political life of the oil-rich state. These things affect investment confidence and set back the hand of economic development.

After four days of thought-provoking conversations, bold ideas, and meaningful connections, the curtains have fallen on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE) of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), leaving thousands of HR professionals with a renewed commitment to create measurable value and lasting impact in their organisations.

The conference brought together over 4,000 physical delegates and over 1,000 virtual delegates from across Nigeria and beyond, reinforcing its position as Africa’s largest gathering of human resource professionals.

Delivering his closing remarks, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, the President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, reflected on the journey of the conference and the significance of the conversations that shaped the event.

‘We came, we learned, we networked, and we connected,’ he said, capturing the essence of a conference that brought together business leaders, HR professionals, policymakers, academics, and global experts around the theme, ‘Repositioning for Value and Impact.’

Mallam Gobir noted that while the conference sessions had come to an end, the real work was only beginning.

‘The real conference begins when we return to our boardrooms, leadership teams and organisations. What we have learned here must be translated into action, measurable value and lasting impact,’ he charged.

According to him, the conference succeeded in providing delegates with more than just knowledge.

‘This conference has given us knowledge and memories to take home. The challenge before us now is to ensure that the lessons learned become catalysts for transformation in our workplaces and institutions,’ he said.

Expressing appreciation to participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and partners, the CIPM President acknowledged the vital role delegates played in making the event a success.

‘There is no conference without the people, and you all brought this one to life. We are grateful to every delegate who travelled from different parts of Nigeria and the world in search of knowledge, collaboration and professional growth,’ he added.

Throughout the conference, delegates engaged in insightful discussions on some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of people management, including human-centred leadership, public sector transformation, organisational performance, governance, workforce productivity, artificial intelligence, human capability, HR standards, career development and the evolving expectations of business leaders from the HR profession.

A major highlight of the conference was the announcement of a growing international recognition of CIPM and its commitment to advancing global standards in people management.

Mallam Gobir noted that the Institute continues to deepen its global footprint through mutual recognition and strategic partnerships with leading professional bodies, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), Chartered Professionals in Human Resources (CPHR), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the World Federation of People Management Associations (WFPMA).

He described the partnerships as a testament to the growing influence of Nigerian HR professionals on the global stage and a reflection of CIPM’s commitment to ensuring that its members remain globally competitive.

In another significant announcement, the CIPM President revealed that the Third African Human Resource Summit will be held alongside the 59th International Conference and Exhibition (ICE 2027) next year, a development expected to further strengthen collaboration among HR practitioners across the continent and consolidate Africa’s voice in the global people management ecosystem.

The conference featured an impressive lineup of renowned speakers, business executives, public sector leaders and HR thought leaders who challenged participants to rethink conventional approaches to people management and embrace innovation, data-driven decision-making and value creation.

Many delegates described the conference as one of the most impactful editions in recent years. They praised the quality of the speakers, the relevance of the sessions and the diverse networking opportunities that enabled meaningful exchanges among professionals from different industries and countries.

As delegates departed Abuja with fresh insights, new partnerships and renewed inspiration, the closing message remained clear: the success of the conference will not be measured by the number of sessions held or contacts exchanged, but by the value created and the impact delivered in workplaces, organisations and communities.

With the curtains drawn on the 58th International Conference and Exhibition, CIPM has once again reinforced its position as the leading voice of people management in Africa, leaving participants with a renewed commitment to reposition themselves and their organisations for greater value, relevance and impact in an increasingly dynamic world of work.

What most persons know is that when one is bitten by a mad dog, he soon begins to bark and soon die.

Now, Barinade Beke Fakae, a renowned researcher and veterinary parasitologist, says there is a window of hope. Fakae was the vice chancellor of the then University of Science and Technology (UST, now Rivers State University, RSU), and one of Nigeria’s foremost researchers.

Fakae said in the week that rabies sits at the intersection of animal health, human health, and environmental conditions.

He was a keynote speaker at the World Rabies Day 2026 marked in Port Harcourt by the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), with the theme: Stronger Together.

A background shows that rabies is a fatal viral disease that attacks the central nervous system and is spread through the saliva of infected animals. Its spread is said to be through animal bites or scratches of an infected animal. Dogs stand out as major carrier worldwide, followed by bats, raccoons, skunks, and foxes. In rural Africa, dogs are feared for rabies.

Deeper studies indicate that the virus ‘Travels slowly along your nerves from the wound to your brain’

What most Nigerians know is that the victim is barking like mad dog, but researchers say it begins with flu-like signs such as fever, headache, fatigue, and tingling or itching at the bite site.

Advanced stages show neurological signs such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and hydrophobia (fear of water due to painful throat spasms).

What is known is that once clinical symptoms appear, rabies is nearly 100% fatal, but veterinarians know about prevention and treatment beginning with immediate wound care such as washing the bite or scratch thoroughly with soap and water for at least 15 minutes. They also talk about post-exposure prophylaxis such as seeking emergency medical care immediately to receive a series of rabies vaccines and, if needed, human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) before symptoms start.

Hunt for the expert:

The Rivers State chapter of the NVMA searched for and found the professor of veterinary parasitology, Fakae, to lead in the discourse for 2026.

Gloria Daminabo and Chigoziri Peace Mbor lead the association, while Ibitoye Timothy is the chairman of the 2026 World Rabies Day event. In their letter to Fakae, they said the theme was complemented by their chosen sub- theme, ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives.’

They said this sub-theme highlights the critical reality that their collective efforts were the most effective tool in the fight against rabies.

‘By unifying our diverse expertise through a ‘One Health’ approach, we can, more effectively, prevent the spread of this disease and, ultimately, save lives within our communities.’

They recognized Fakae’s leadership and extensive experience in the study which they said uniquely qualified him to guide the year’s discussion on the vital importance of professional synergy in achieving public health goals.

Fakae opens the gate of knowledge:

Fakae, who admitted that they were all united by a shared purpose, perfectly encapsulated in this year’s global theme, said these were not just inspiring words; ‘They represent the fundamental blueprint for eradicating one of the oldest and deadliest zoonotic diseases known to humanity.’

Rabies: A preventable tragedy

Declaring rabies as a preventable tragedy, Fakae said rabies remained one of the oldest and most feared zoonotic diseases known to humanity.

‘It remains a stark and unforgiving disease. ‘Once clinical symptoms appear, it is almost 100% fatal. Yet, paradoxically, it is also 100% preventable.’

He said the tragedy of rabies is not a lack of scientific understanding or the absence of a cure-there has been effective animal and human vaccines for over a century. ‘The tragedy lies in the gaps within our healthcare delivery, the silos in which our professions sometimes operate, and the lack of awareness at the community level.

How 21,000 victims die yearly in Africa

He declared: ‘Across Africa, an estimated 21,000 people die annually from rabies-most of them children. In Nigeria, dog-mediated rabies continues to pose a significant threat, especially in underserved communities where access to veterinary care, vaccines, and public health education is limited.

‘Rabies is not just a disease; it is a social and economic burden, a public health emergency, and a community tragedy that disproportionately affects the vulnerable.’

Harping on standing together, Fakae said this leads to the core of year’s message. ‘As the invitation letter rightly highlighted, our collective efforts are the most effective tool in this fight. We cannot achieve a rabies-free society if veterinarians operate independently of human medical doctors, or if public health officials work without engaging the communities they serve.

‘To save lives, we must embrace the ‘One Health’ approach. This strategy recognises that the health of people is inextricably linked to the health of animals and our shared environment.

‘The NVMA’s chosen sub-theme- ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives’-is a powerful reminder that rabies control is not the responsibility of veterinarians alone. It is a One Health challenge, requiring synergy among: Veterinarians, medical doctors, environmental health officers, public health agencies, community leaders, policymakers, and dog owners and the public.’

He reaffirmed that rabies sits at the intersection of animal health, human health, and environmental conditions; therefore, response must be integrated, collaborative, and sustained. ‘When we work in silos, rabies thrives. When we work together, rabies retreats.

‘When a veterinarian vaccinates a dog in a rural community, they are not just protecting an animal; they are safeguarding the child who plays with that dog.

‘When a doctor treats a bite wound and administers prompt post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), they are saving a life that might otherwise be lost to a preventable tragedy. When we pool our diverse expertise, share surveillance data, and conduct joint public awareness campaigns, we multiply our impact exponentially.’

He said the fight against rabies is not a sprint; ‘It is a relay race that requires seamless handoffs between veterinary services, human health services, and the community. Let this World Rabies Day serve as a renewed commitment to that synergy. Let us tear down professional silos, share our resources, and communicate effectively.’

Saving Lives Through Collective Action:

To truly save lives, he said, we must strengthen collaboration in the following critical areas: Mass Dog Vaccination: The most effective strategy for eliminating rabies is vaccinating at least 70% of the dog population. This requires coordinated campaigns, community mobilisation, and government support.

The next is public awareness and education. He said many rabies deaths occur because victims do not know what to do after a dog bite. He said public education-especially in schools and rural communities- is essential.

On strengthening surveillance and reporting, he said underreporting remains a major challenge. ‘We must improve diagnostic capacity, reporting systems, and inter-agency communication.’

On accessible post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), the expert said no Nigerian should die because they cannot access PEP. ‘We must advocate for availability, affordability, and timely administration.’

On responsible dog ownership, Fakae said rabies control begins at home. ‘Dog owners must vaccinate, restrain, and care for their animals responsibly.’

On policy and legislative support, Fakae said rabies elimination required enabling laws, budgetary allocation, and enforcement of dog vaccination regulations.

The Role of NVMA in Rivers State:

He charged the NVMA Rivers State Chapter which he said had shown commendable leadership by organizing, saying their commitment to public health, community engagement, and professional excellence embodies the spirit of ‘Stronger Together.’

‘Your invitation letter highlights the importance of professional synergy, and indeed, veterinarians are indispensable in the fight against rabies. But your strength is amplified when you collaborate with medical doctors, public health experts, and community stakeholders.’

He called for renewal of commitment and challenged all to renew their commitment to rabies elimination. He listed actions and said, ‘Let us strengthen partnerships across sectors, advocate for government investment, educate our communities, vaccinate our dogs, improve surveillance, support research and innovation, and above all, work together.’

This, he said, is because no single profession, agency, or individual can eliminate rabies alone. ‘But together, we can build a future where rabies is no longer a threat in Rivers State, in Nigeria, or anywhere in the world.’

In his conclusion, the professor made it clear that every life lost to rabies was a life that could have been saved. ‘Let us also remember that every rabies death is a systemic failure. But together, armed with the ‘One Health’ framework, we have the power to rewrite this narrative.

‘Let us pledge to work hand-in-hand to ensure that not a single life in Rivers State, or anywhere in Nigeria, is lost to rabies again. The theme ‘Stronger Together, Saving Lives’ is not just a slogan-it is a mandate. Let us rise to that mandate with unity, purpose, and unwavering commitment.’

Port Harcourt as capital of the South-South has come under attack for refuse all over the city. Hope, however, seems to surge back as the Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has indicated interest in the fight.

The real estate success strategist and major supporter of the Rivers State government has teamed up with Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) to improve the sanitation level of the Garden City.

Most citizens have continued to cry out of rising refuse dumps across the Garden City as many beaches and play areas have been overtaken by refuse heaps and dumps.

Now, the Mayor of Housing and the RIWAMA authorities have agreed on construction of receptacles at strategic locations in the Garden City for the erection/construction of waste collection point to forestall the dumping of refuge on the roads.

At a meeting held on September 23, 2026 in Port Harcourt, it was agreed to get more refuse collection centres.

A statement that rang out of the meeting said as part of efforts to keep Port Harcourt clean and restore its Garden City status, the RIWAMA was to collaborate with the Mayor of Housing to build more standard refuse collection centres across the city.

According to a statement from the RIWAMA media unit, Ibimina Wokoma, the Managing Director of RIWAMA, received the Mayor of Housing and his team in his office in Port Harcourt.

The statement added that the meeting centred on constructing more collection centres to put an end to the growing trend of dumping refuse on road medians across Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City.

‘You will recall that RIWAMA has always maintained that road median dumping is an offence. The Agency has also deployed enforcement officers across the city, but many residents and informal waste workers have continued to ignore the warning’, the statement emphasized.

It was agreed that the available bins and receptacles were no longer enough to serve the growing population, following the rapid development and expansion happening across the state. ‘The planned construction of new standard centres is expected to address this.’

Speaking during the visit, China said he is passionate about restoring the beauty of Port Harcourt.

According to him, as part of his vision to project Rivers State as a top tourism destination in the world, there is every need to support the waste management system.

‘The rate at which people dump refuse on the middle of the road is alarming. We can create proper places where refuse can be dumped and evacuated as and when due, so that businesses can thrive and we can sustain a healthy environment,’ he said.

China, who is a leading entrepreneur in Africa, further disclosed that his new project, the Alesa Highlands Sustainable Green Smart City, would model the Garden City of a new dream, ‘Where waste segregation and recycling will be fully practiced.’

He promised that it would be one of the best estates to live in Nigeria, and also promised to support RIWAMA in its massive sensitization drive across the state.

Responding, Wokoma said RIWAMA has already built several receptacles across the city and was working to build more. He added that collaborations with private organizations and institutions like the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education have already produced some receptacles, while more were still ongoing.

He said the Agency welcomed such partnerships because waste management was everybody’s business and its effect touches all persons.

‘As the State Government is expanding the city with major infrastructure, there is more development, more people are coming in and more waste is being generated. So having good collaborations like this will go a long way in supporting government’s efforts,’ Wokoma said.

The first phase of the construction would commence in a few days and will spread across the city, the statement added.

Residents were advised to look out for the Green and Blue coloured RIWAMA waste collection points around major streets and desist from dumping refuse on the median.

Also in attendance were, Cosmos Okoro, RIWAMA Director of Administration and Human Resources; Harry S. Henry, Head, Media and Advocacy; Godwin Njoku who accompanied the Mayor of Housing.

With over two decades of studio practice, mastery of his craft and mentoring future artist, Chika Idu has truly paid his dues in the Nigerian visual art landscape.

The Delta State-born contemporary Nigerian artist is among the experimental artists, whose adventures with colours has seen the creation of some incredible pieces of art.

Idu, a gifted hand and multi-media artist, is one painter whose works are sought-after by collectors, galleries and even corporates across Nigeria and the world.

Idu, an experimental artist par excellence, has a very strong figurative and personal style, which is easily recognizable, which also traces his trajectory and stylistic development.

His technique is uniquely Idu as his works bear witness of the.

The technique, which has not been replicated, involves the exhaustive priming of his canvas, while commonplace in his studio are works characterised by heavy texture and hazy rendition technique, which he calls ‘light against visual distortion’.

Yet, Idu uses his art for advocay of sort. A lover of tranquil environment, children and nature, his broad oeuvre embraces themes such as social justice for women and children, safe environment, peace with nature, among others.

‘When you see a work by Chika Idu, you will easily know because it bears his unique signature,’ a follower confessed at an exhibition last year.

With all the above going for the Auchi Polytechnic-trained pianter, Idu is truly worth following. The sheer creative ingenuity he puts in all works is even lure for his followers.

The above is also top among the reasons to see Idu’s latest exhibition, which is ongoing in Lagos.

Titled ‘Pure Water’, the solo exhibition of paintings and powerful portraits, which is being presented by SMO Contemporary Art, opened to the public on September 5, 2026 and runs till November 30, 2026 at ARAMI, 6th and 7th Floor, MHQ Building, 5 Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

On display are some enthralling works from Idu’s creative juices. The exhibition explores ecology, history, migration, innocence and liberty through the faces of African women and children juxta-posed against submerged figures swimming in a pristine underwater world.

The works draw the viewer into an immersive natural world in which swimmers float and move with an apparent sense of intention, evoking a space of wonder and possibility.

The figures drift within a pristine ecosystem removed from the restrictions of the world above.

‘Pure Water’ introduces a critical and ironic reference to Idu’s aspiration for a balanced world, while the term also refers to the plastic ‘pure water’ drinking sachets, used to quench the thirst of millions of Nigerians within heavily populated and polluted city centers. These water sachets clog up the drains and waterways, becoming an environmental hazard, which affects people’s quality of life. In ‘Pure Water’, Idu’s figures and portraits draw attention to the environmental realities faced by urban and coastal communities, and advocates for ‘pure waters’.

His figures swim towards freedom despite all odds. Through the fluidity of their light speckled under-water reverie, Idu creates scenes of youthful innocence, where children have capacity for freedom and adventure, despite life’s uncertain currents and societal pressures.

Again, Idu wears his experimental cap, delving into multimedia at the exhibition with ‘From Shore to Studio’, a short film, showing the artist exploring and documenting coastal life, and working in his studio to create his masterpieces.

But taking a closer look at the works, Idu’s oil and acrylic paintings on canvas and delicate water colors on paper are a choreography of life. His portraits of children and women have a gaze, which defies all odds. Beneath the surface, where currents are built from layered palette-knife strokes, the water has a presence and energy of its own.

In the works, his unique style of impasto painting catches and refracts light in motion.

Idu’s characters, whether on land or in the sea, move with confidence and a sense of adventure.

In the works, Idu also considers the monuments and memorials he encountered on the island of Martinique when he visited the Caribbean, and commemorates those who were forcibly carried across the Atlantic Ocean.

His work references the violence of colonial histories and current global migration issues, and asks what liberty might look like and whether that freedom can be recovered.

Frank A.O Ugiomoh, a professor, and an independent scholar, expressed confidence in Idu and his solo outing observing the different histories, which are active at the same time in Idu’s water metaphor.

‘The bodies of those lost in the slave trade, today’s migrants, and Idu’s women and children are not the same, but each has a place in an ongoing story of movement, displacement, vulnerability, and the search for freedom,’ Ugiomoh, who recently retired from the University of Port Harcourt, said.

Speaking further, the retired professor noted that in the works, memory is not just looking back, but shapes how viewers see the present and imagine the future. ‘Idu’s figures and environments point towards a broader relationship between people and the natural world. Water and beauty coexist with an awareness of the environmental pressures faced within particularly coastal areas’.

On her part, Diana Nwandu, director, Arami, host of the exhibition, said, ‘From the rooftops of Arami, we have clear views of both the Atlantic Ocean as well as the Lagoon and waterways curving their way through the city of Lagos’.

‘We are delighted to showcase Chika Idu’s spectacular works within our restaurant. They celebrate nature and align with our values and aspirations for a safe and healthy environment.’

‘SMO has its roots in both art and film so this exhibition allows the viewer to be immersed in the natural world and also see the artist’s creative process,’ commented Sandra Mbanefo Obiago, founder and artistic director, SMO Contemporary Art.

‘It is important that art brings hope and inspiration to our lives, while also reminding us of the plight of humanity, and the need to advocate for the environment.’

The exhibition is still open until November 30, 2026 and ARAMI, the host, and SMO Contemporary Art, the curator, urge the public to vist the new fine dining restaurant at 6th and 7th Floor, MHQ Building, 5 Providence Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, to see and appreciate Idu in his creative beauty, while also enjoying the marriage if fine dining and fine art at the same time.

For Idu, whose works were on display at the inaugural exhibition of ARAMI tagged ‘Celebration’, which was also presented by SMO Contemporary Art, ‘Pure Water’ is a must-see exhibition as the works are products of his inner self, his passion and his creative ingenuity developed and mastered over the years.