Politics

In a major move to amend Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, the Senate Committee on the Review of the Constitution will consider proposals for the creation of new states, local government autonomy, and other wide-ranging reforms at its upcoming zonal public hearings scheduled for July 4 and 5, 2025. The committee, chaired by Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, announced that a total of 31 proposals seeking the creation of new states have been submitted. These proposals will be discussed alongside other constitutional amendment bills during the two-day hearings taking place simultaneously in Lagos (South-West), Enugu (South-East), Ikot Ekpene (South-South), Jos (North-Central), Maiduguri (North-East), and Kano (North-West). In a statement released by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the committee reaffirmed its commitment to citizen engagement on key constitutional matters. According to Mudashir, state creation requests have come from across the six geopolitical zones, including the South-West, South-South, North-Central, North-East, North-West, and South-East. Read Also: Tinubu Hands over ECOWAS Leadership to Sierra Leone’s President Bio The hearings will also focus on critical issues such as local government autonomy, state police, electoral and judicial reforms, fiscal federalism, and inclusive governance. Among the proposals is a bill seeking to entrench local governments as a constitutionally recognized tier of government with guaranteed tenure, as well as another aimed at establishing an independent National Local Government Electoral Commission (NALGEC) to conduct local government elections. Security is another major theme, with bills proposing the creation of state police forces and state security councils to oversee internal security at the sub-national level. In the area of fiscal reforms, the committee will consider bills aimed at empowering the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission to enforce remittance compliance and streamline the revenue allocation process. One proposal seeks to introduce constitutional timelines within which presidents and governors must present appropriation bills to the National or State Assemblies. Efforts to promote gender inclusion are also on the agenda, with a bill proposing additional legislative seats for women in both national and state assemblies. Similarly, proposals have been submitted to establish national, state, and local government councils of traditional rulers to reinforce the role of traditional institutions in governance. Read Also: Barau Jibrin’s Two Years as Deputy Senate President: A Chronicle of Impact Electoral reform features prominently, including bills to legalize independent candidacy at all levels of election and enable Nigerians in the diaspora to vote during general elections. More than 20 proposals on judicial reforms are also under review, with a focus on timelines for delivering judgments and expanding the jurisdiction of election tribunals. Some proposals also aim to devolve certain powers by transferring responsibilities such as labour and shipping from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list, allowing both federal and state governments to legislate on them. The committee has urged Nigerians to take full advantage of the public hearings by participating actively in the process. According to Mudashir, this phase of the constitutional review represents a crucial opportunity for the people to help shape the structure and direction of the nation’s governance framework.  

In a significant political realignment, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), marking what many observers consider a major breakthrough for the ruling party in the South-South region.The landmark event, held at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo, drew a crowd of supporters and political heavyweights from across the country. It was presided over by the National Chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CON, with Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Speaking at the occasion, Dr. Ganduje described Governor Eno’s defection as a transition “from national political isolation to political relevance.” He noted that the movement of South-South governors into the APC signaled widespread acceptance of President Tinubu’s policies and a growing belief in the inclusive nature of his leadership. Related: APC’s Rising Star: The Woman Ganduje Trusted with the Future “This movement reflects the expanding embrace of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which is clearly resonating across regions,” Ganduje declared. The Vice President echoed this sentiment, saying, “We welcome Governor Umo Eno with open arms. His decision to join the APC speaks volumes about the confidence Nigerians have in the current leadership and the progressive vision of our party.” Governor Eno, addressing the gathering, said his defection was driven by the desire to align with a government that prioritizes national development and genuine federal collaboration. “I am committed to bringing Akwa Ibom closer to the center. I believe this move will unlock greater opportunities for our people,” he said. Read Also: APC: Tinubu’s 2027 running mate to be decided after party convention – National Secretary On hand to welcome Eno were key national figures, including the leadership of the National Assembly led by Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Also in attendance were no fewer than 24 APC governors, including those of Cross River, Imo, Kwara, Kogi, Jigawa, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto, and Ondo States. Party Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, National Working Committee members, and other prominent APC stakeholders were also present, adding to the weight of the occasion. Governor Eno’s defection is being seen as a strategic gain for the APC in a region traditionally dominated by the opposition. With this move, the ruling party not only expands its influence but also positions itself for broader national consolidation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Photo News:

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West, has blamed Nigeria’s escalating security crisis on the collapse of leadership and governance at the Local Government level. He called for urgent reforms to empower grassroots authorities and restore security across affected regions. Dickson made the remarks on Monday following a phone call with Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, where over the weekend, dozens of residents were reportedly killed in fresh attacks. “I condoled with him, the government, and the good people of Benue State, as well as the families and loved ones of those who died in this dastardly massacre,” the senator stated in a Facebook post. Read Also: 2027: North-Central APC Forum Condemns Gombe Disruption, Backs Ganduje’s Leadership He described the killings as “almost at a genocidal proportion,” warning that the country is becoming dangerously numb to bloodshed. “We cannot be a nation where hundreds of our citizens are killed routinely on a daily basis,” he said. “We are gradually becoming so used to the bloodletting that it no longer makes news. This is abnormal. It is turning us into a nation of brutes and lawlessness, a failed state.” Dickson welcomed the federal deployment of security personnel to Benue, which Governor Alia confirmed during their conversation. He urged the state government to support security operations and engage the public in peace building efforts. Local Government collapse linked to insecurity The former Bayelsa governor emphasized that the weakness of the local government system remains a major factor in Nigeria’s security challenges. “At the base of our nation’s political system the Local Government areas, there is a lacuna: a gap in leadership and capacity to function, which is also affecting our national security,” he said. Dickson urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure full implementation of the Supreme Court ruling that mandates direct funding of Local Government Councils. He argued that empowering Council chairpersons to collaborate directly with Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and local security agents is crucial to effective governance and community safety. “The cooperation and understanding of governors must be obtained to ensure full autonomy, so council chairmen can take responsibility alongside DPOs and local officers who are familiar with the communities and their challenges,” he said. Citing his experience as governor from 2012 to 2020, Dickson said decentralizing security structures was key to managing conflict in Bayelsa and urged other states to adopt similar approaches. He also restated his support for state policing and stressed the importance of bipartisan cooperation in tackling insecurity. “As I have always maintained, issues of national security, the economy, and the protection of our national values and democracy know no political colour,” he said.

The North-Central All Progressives Congress (APC) Forum has strongly condemned the recent disruption of the APC North-East stakeholders’ meeting in Gombe State, where President Bola Tinubu was endorsed for a second term in 2027. In a statement issued Monday by the Forum’s Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, the group described the chaos allegedly triggered by the omission of Vice President Kashim Shettima’s name during the endorsement as “regrettable and unwarranted,” stressing that internal party disagreements should not lead to public disorder. The Forum expressed concern over the treatment of the APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who was reportedly whisked away under tight security due to the incident. It defended Ganduje’s neutrality, stating that the selection of a running mate remains the exclusive prerogative of the President, not the party chairman. Related: After Gombe Incident, Ganduje Reasserts Call for Political Decorum It further called on Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, to investigate the alleged involvement of non-state actors in the protest, warning that such precedents could undermine party unity and discipline. Citing figures from the 2023 elections, the Forum challenged claims of marginalisation by the North-East, noting that the North-Central delivered over 1.76 million votes for President Tinubu more than the North-East’s 933,000 votes. It urged the party to consider electoral performance in future political decisions. The group clarified that its position was not intended to ignite regional rivalry but to promote fairness and strategic thinking within the party. On the question of ticket configuration for 2027, the Forum said the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted in 2023 was a strategic move and may not apply again. Read Also: Photos: Tinubu Inaugurates Greater Abuja Water Project to Expand Clean Water Access Reaffirming its full support for President Tinubu’s re-election and Ganduje’s leadership, the Forum pledged to mobilize at least six million votes from the North-Central region in 2027. “We urge members to rise above personal grievances and focus on unity, discipline, and progress. Now is the time to build bridges, not burn them,” the statement read.