News
Constitution amendment: Regional govt tops 56 memoranda to N’Assembly
Nigerians are calling for a return to the regional system of government, also known as the parliamentary system.
This demand emerged during the National Assembly’s consideration of memoranda submitted by the public as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.
Among the 56 memoranda received, prominent issues include regional government, unicameral legislature, local government autonomy, state police, gender equality bills, and the inclusion of traditional rulers in the constitution.
In total, 474 clauses have been submitted for consideration, according to the Senate Committee on Constitutional Amendment.
A majority of the proponents advocating regional government come from southern Nigeria.
This call gained momentum following the release of a draft document by Dr. Akin Fapohunda titled, “A Bill for an Act to Substitute the Annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a New Governance Model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
The proposed bill suggests a new governance model, which would be codified as “The Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.”
One of the memoranda, submitted by the Kwara South Consultative Forum, supports the reintroduction of regional government.
It reads, “We demand the reintroduction of the regional constitution as it was before 1988 and propose the reversal of the bicameral legislature to a regional Assembly.”
Similarly, in its submission, the All Middle Belt Youth Forum advocated a return to the parliamentary system and recommended discarding the current geopolitical zones.
It proposed the adoption of the 2014 National CONFAB report, which suggests the creation of new zones, including North-West, North-East, Middle Belt East, Middle Belt West, South-West, Mid-West, South-East, and South-South.
The EGI Professors and Academic Doctors Forum also backed the call to revert to a parliamentary system.
In their memorandum, they stated: “We fully support power devolution from the centre to the community level. The current federal structure is too centralised, and resources are often misallocated.”
The Okun Development Association echoed these sentiments, recommending the restructuring of the central government and the current six geopolitical zones into federating units, operating as regions with their own constitutions.
The association canvassed that:“Each region should control its economy and government, contributing to the running of the federation.”
Likewise, the Ijaw National Congress and Bayelsa State Elders Council supported the call for regionalism. Their submission advocates the establishment of 10 regions, including the Northwestern, Upper Northern, North Central, North East, Middle Belt, Western, Mid-Western, Niger Delta, Eastern, and Eastern Delta Regions.
Their proposed amendments suggest that each region should have the authority to create lower tiers of government and control its resources, with regions paying taxes to the federal government.
In contrast, the Southern Kaduna People’s Union called for Nigeria to remain a federation but recommended the creation of eight geopolitical zones, including Middle Belt West and East.
During a recent constitution amendment retreat organised by the committee in Kano State, lawmakers expressed varying opinions on the push for regional government, highlighting the ongoing debate about the future of Nigeria’s governance structure.
The Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasised that such a major shift in governance would require extensive consultation and political consensus.
He explained, “There are some decisions that the executive cannot simply draft and send as a bill to the National Assembly. Moving towards a regional form of government is not something that can be accomplished by a single bill, whether sponsored by a parliament member or the executive.
“This isn’t a matter to be decided through a public hearing alone.”
He added, “Whether or not to return to regional governance is a topic for debate, but it’s not something that can be resolved through legislative action without a broader consensus.”
Similarly, former Deputy Senate Leader and Bauchi Central lawmaker, Senator Abdul Ningi, expressed strong opposition to a return to regional government.
He remarked, “My senatorial district will be satisfied independently within Nigeria if that’s what it takes. I’ve heard many advocate for regional government or federalism, but the current constitution remains the supreme law of the land. Only members of the National Assembly are mandated to amend it.”
Ningi questioned the legitimacy of individuals or groups who claim to represent ethnic interests without a clear mandate, saying, “At what point were they authorised to represent these ethnic groups?
“The National Assembly is the only body given the mandate to review and amend the constitution.”
Ningi also criticised the regional government structure of the past, particularly how it functioned in northern Nigeria.
“My constituency did not benefit from the regional government system of the First Republic, which was based in Kaduna. We are not going back there.
“As far as regional government is concerned, my constituency, my people aren’t for it.
“For us, it’s the Nigerian federation or nothing. What we need is reform, including fiscal federalism, but not a return to regionalism.”
Senator Muntari Dandutse, representing Katsina South, echoed the same sentiments, stating that Nigeria’s focus should be on good governance, not regionalism.
He added, “Every region in this country is blessed with natural resources, but the problem has always been management.
“What we need is responsible leadership and fair access to resources. Nigeria has immense potential, but without serious and determined governance, we won’t move forward.”
On the other hand, Senator Fatai Buhari, representing Oyo North, supported the idea of regional government. He argued that regionalism allowed for better resource management and accountability in the past.
“During the First Republic, each region was able to harness its resources effectively. The North had groundnuts, and the Southwest had cocoa. If we make the central government less attractive, we can reduce corruption because people will focus on governance within their regions,” Buhari said.
He emphasised that regionalism would create a system where “people watch their team,” ensuring greater accountability at the local level.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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