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Reps Pledge Inclusive Constitution Review

Published

11 months ago

July 19, 2025

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…urge Nigerians to voice their demand

By Gloria Ikibah

The 10th House of Representatives has reiterated its commitment to a participatory constitution amendment process, and to speak with Nigerians, not for them.

Chairman, South-South Zonal Public Hearing, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, gave the assurance in Calabar, Cross River state while addressing stakeholders, civil society groups among others.

He called on citizens to submit memoranda and make oral presentations on critical national issues.

“We are your servants. We are very willing and happy that today, we are not going to speak for you. We are going to speak with you”, he assured.

The session is part of the ongoing constitutional review being undertaken by the 10th National Assembly, was aimed at collecting citizens’ inputs across 12 centres nationwide, two in each geopolitical zone.

Rep. Chinda who is the Minority Leader of the House, who brought greetings from the Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu (who chairs the House Committee on Constitution Review), drew attention to the committee’s neutrality, and stated that it holds no preconceived opinions on any of the over 50 constitutional amendment proposals currently under consideration.

“The only assurance we give you is that your requests will be received, will be heard, and will be treated.

“The committee has no opinion so far on any of the areas,” he said.

The committee’s approach, according to Chinda, emphasised orderliness, inclusiveness, and structured engagement.

“If we remain organized, we are likely to achieve the purpose for which we have left our homes for this place,” he noted.

He therefore urged participants to submit written memoranda to avoid duplication, especially in repeated demands such as state creation.

Chinda presented a compendium of over 60 amendment bills, already submitted by lawmakers, grouped under 13 thematic areas. These include:

Electoral Reforms: 12 bills targeting issues such as single-day elections, INEC appointments by the NJC, and the prevention of dual party-office holding.

Judicial Reforms: 21 bills seeking to restructure the appellate process, increase the number of justices, and ensure time-bound judicial transitions.

Legislative Reforms: Including a bill to transfer proclamation powers to the National Assembly Clerk and automatic swearing-in of elected lawmakers.

Inclusive Governance: Bills proposing reserved seats for women, youths, and persons with disabilities.

Security and Policing: Proposals to establish state police.

Devolution of Powers: 10 bills aimed at resource control, including moving minerals, water, and taxes to the concurrent list.

Traditional Institutions: A bill proposing formal constitutional recognition and advisory roles in governance and security.

Fiscal Reforms: Mandating publication of Auditor-General’s reports and fiscal accountability on borrowing.

Fundamental Human Rights: Bills that seek to abolish parading suspects and grant automatic legal force to ratified international human rights treaties.

Citizenship and Indigeneship: Including a proposal for citizenship by investment and gender-equal citizenship rights.

Local Government Autonomy: 12 bills aimed at full financial and political independence for local governments.

State and Local Government Creation: Dozens of bills and new requests are already being reviewed.

“We are aware that several requests will also come from this zone. We urge that these are submitted in a coordinated manner, and we will ensure they are transmitted to the full House,” the Minority Leader said.

Referencing constitutional expert Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Chinda underscored the significance of the Constitution as the foundation of governance.

Chinda reiterated the importance of civic responsibility and decorum in democratic participation.

“It is the constitution that creates the organs of government and clothes them with their powers, and it is that document that we are here to alter today.

“Democracy is a government that comes with a lot of responsibility,” he said.

He thanked Cross River State for hosting the event and is hopeful that participants would leave happy and satisfied.

With the House committing to transparency, neutrality, and public input, all eyes now turn to whether these public hearings will translate into meaningful constitutional reforms, or fade into another cycle of unfulfilled national expectations.

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INEC extends PVCs collection in Ekiti for 72hours

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2026

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekiti State Office, on Thursday announced the extension of the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been extended from Friday, 12th June to Sunday, 14th June 2026.

The was contained in a statement by the state Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Bunmi Omoseyindemi in Ado Ekiti

The statement read: “The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ekiti State Office, wishes to inform all registered voters in the State that the ongoing collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) has been extended from Friday, 12th June to Sunday, 14th June 2026

“The extension is intended to provide an additional opportunity for eligible voters who are yet to collect their PVCs to do so before the Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 20th June 2026.

“Collection of PVCs will continue at the designated Local Government Area Offices of the Commission during official hours. Voters are advised to collect their PVCs personally, as collection by proxy will not be permitted.
INEC urges all registered voters who have not collected their PVCs to take advantage of this extension, as the PVC remains the only means of identification for voting on Election Day.

“The Commission remains committed to ensuring that every eligible voter is given the opportunity to participate in the electoral process.”

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Trump Stops Scheduled Bombings Against Iran

Published

2 hours ago

June 11, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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US President Donald Trump on Thursday said he was calling off strikes on Iran and flagged the signing of a possible deal with Tehran after top-level talks.

“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have… cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” Trump said on his Truth Social network.
“Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly,” he added.

Iran Warns Of ‘Endless Quagmire’

Iran had warned Washington on Thursday that it risked wading into an “endless quagmire” of war and soaring energy prices, after Trump vowed to launch a new round of airstrikes and to seize an island oil terminal.

Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the Americans, parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, issued his stark warning after the two sides exchanged overnight fire and Trump threatened that US forces would hit “VERY HARD TONIGHT”.

“Wrong strategies and impulsive decisions will reset the entire board for the worse, explode energy infrastructure and markets and create an endless quagmire that you will be stuck in for years,” Ghalibaf said.
The war, which began on February 28 with a wave of US-Israeli strikes on Iran, was paused under an April truce, but efforts to hammer out a permanent end to the fighting have since stalled.

US forces have also, since the ceasefire, hit radar arrays and disabled Iranian ships, and Tehran has maintained a chokehold on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

“At some point in the not too distant future, we will be taking Kharg Island, and other oil infrastructure points, and assume total control of their Oil and Gas Markets, much like we have with Venezuela,” Trump said, in a post on his own social media platform, referring to a Gulf island that hosts Iran’s biggest oil export terminal.

General Ali Abdollahi, head of the Iranian military’s central headquarters, warned that “if the United States once again seeks to carry out attacks against heroic Iran, it would receive a harsher response than before, and the flames of war, in addition to creating insecurity in the region, will become more widespread and far-reaching”.
The conflict has destabilised oil and gas prices, fuelling inflation and fears of recession in many economies.

On Thursday, the World Bank lowered its global growth forecast to its lowest level since the coronavirus pandemic, predicting it would drop to 2.5 percent in 2026, from 2.9 percent last year.

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Akpodiete Hails Rt. Hon. Fred Agbedi on Appointment as House Minority Leader

Published

3 hours ago

June 11, 2026

EMMANUEL AGAJI

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Hon. Dr. Olotu Akpodiete JP, who’s vying for the Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives, has sent his congratulations to Rt. Hon. Frederick Agbedi. Agbedi’s new role as Minority Leader was announced today during plenary by Speaker Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.

Dr. Akpodiete said Agbedi’s emergence shows the trust and confidence his colleagues have in him. He described the new Minority Leader as dependable, strong-willed, and a politician of principle who acts on conviction rather than convenience.

Rt. Hon. Agbedi represents Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State. Before this appointment, he led the PDP Caucus in the House and also served as Bayelsa PDP chairman. He remains a committed PDP member and believes the party has a vital role as a strong opposition.

Akpodiete said he’s confident Agbedi will use his experience, competence and character to serve the House, the legislature, and Nigerians well.

Signed:
Hon. Dr. Olotu Akpodiete JP
House of Representatives Candidate Hopeful
Ughelli North, South and Udu Federal Constituency