Politics

The National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review has endorsed the creation of an additional state in Nigeria’s South-East region — a decision aimed at addressing long-standing demands for fairness and equity in the country’s geopolitical structure. If approved, the South-East will join the South-South, South-West, North-Central, and North-East zones in having six states each. Currently, the region comprises five: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. The resolution emerged during a two-day retreat held in Lagos on Saturday, where members of the committee deliberated on 55 proposals for new states across the country. The session was chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, while the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, served as co-chair. Related: Barau Jibrin Reaffirms Tinubu’s Commitment to Quality Healthcare, Inspects Seven Projects at AKTH In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the committee said the recommendation was made “in the spirit of fairness and equity,” calling on the Federal Government to ensure the establishment of one more state for the South-East. Kalu, who has consistently championed the cause, described the development as “a step towards giving the people of the region a stronger sense of belonging in the Nigerian federation.” A statement released by the committee’s media unit confirmed that lawmakers voted unanimously in favor of the motion. “Following deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) moved the motion for the creation of the new state, which was seconded by Hon. Ibrahim Isiaka (Ifo/Ewekoro, Ogun State). The motion received unanimous support and was adopted,” the statement read. The committee also constituted a sub-committee to review other requests for new states and local government areas across all six geopolitical zones. According to the communiqué, 278 proposals were submitted for consideration. Read Also: Even Out of Office, Ganduje Remains the Soul of APC — Party Loyalist Speaking at the closing session, Senator Jibrin urged lawmakers to sustain the momentum by engaging colleagues in both chambers and at the state level to ensure the success of the proposal when it reaches the voting stage. “We need to strengthen what we have started so that all parts of the country will key into this process. By the time we get to the actual voting, we should already have the buy-in of all stakeholders—from both chambers and the State Houses of Assembly,” he said.

Fresh pressure is mounting on former President Goodluck Jonathan to shelve his rumoured plan to contest the presidency in the 2027 general elections, as prominent figures in the Niger Delta intensify efforts to persuade him to instead support the re-election of President Bola Tinubu. Findings by The PUNCH revealed that ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, is leading the regional movement urging Jonathan to drop his alleged presidential ambition and rally behind President Tinubu’s second-term bid. It was gathered that Tompolo, accompanied by top associates including the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Kestin Pondi, and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, Joshua Maciver, paid a private visit to Jonathan at his Otuoke residence in Bayelsa State on October 16. Read Also: Ganduje’s Era: The Golden Years of Infrastructure in Kano APC Hits Back at Daily Trust, Labels Editorial “Biased and Reckless” Kukah Warns Against Labeling Nigeria a Country of Concern, Cites Tinubu’s Inclusive Leadership The meeting, which reportedly lasted several hours, was Tompolo’s first public appearance in nearly a decade—signifying the importance of his mission. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting that discussions centred on peace and security in the Niger Delta, multiple sources disclosed that the visit was primarily political. According to reliable sources, Tompolo’s visit aimed to discourage Jonathan from running for president and to convince him to support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. A close associate of the former president confirmed that the meeting indeed took place, stating, “Niger Delta stakeholders believe President Tinubu has done a lot for the region—the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the university approved for Ogoniland, and other projects. The consensus is that the region should back his second term.” The source added that Jonathan had been considering the idea of contesting before the meeting. Members of Tompolo’s camp described the visit as “historic,” noting that it underscored the seriousness of the message delivered to the former president. Tompolo, who has remained a strong supporter of President Tinubu, currently oversees the multibillion-naira pipeline surveillance contract and leads a grassroots mobilisation group known as the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, aimed at promoting Tinubu’s re-election across the Niger Delta. Further reports suggest that Tompolo told Jonathan that the sentiment among Niger Deltans does not favour his return to power. He reportedly urged the former president to take a cue from his wife, Patience Jonathan, and Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, who are said to have aligned with Tinubu’s re-election efforts. “Tompolo told him point-blank that most Niger Deltans prefer Tinubu to continue till 2031,” a source said. Jonathan, according to insiders, listened attentively and thanked Tompolo for his frankness, promising to reflect on the advice before making any political decisions. While Jonathan later told journalists that their discussion focused on peace and stability in the Niger Delta, sources insist that the political angle dominated the talks as regional elites increasingly tilt towards Tinubu’s re-election.

Former Minister of Special Duties under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, SAN, has emerged as the consensus chairmanship candidate ahead of next month’s National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, announced the decision of PDP stakeholders to settle on Turaki at about 10:45 p.m. in Abuja on Wednesday night. He said the Senior Advocate of Nigeria emerged after extensive consultations among PDP Northern stakeholders. Read Also: APC Consolidates Strength Across Nigeria Ahead of 2027 Elections Among those present at the stakeholders’ meeting where the decision was reached were the incumbent PDP National Chairman, Umar Damagum; Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal; former Information Minister, Prof. Jerry Gana; Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Kaduna State Governors, Ibrahim Shekarau and Ahmed Makarfi; and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, among others. Reports indicate that Turaki was formally adopted by PDP Northern stakeholders who met in Abuja on Wednesday night, October 22, 2025. The PDP had earlier retained the chairmanship position in the North, later micro-zoning it to the North-West region. Turaki, who hails from Kebbi State, was adopted as part of a wider consensus arrangement aimed at ensuring unity within the party ahead of the convention. The meeting also deliberated on other positions zoned to the region, including those of National Organising Secretary, Treasurer, and National Youth Leader, among others.