News
National Assembly Considers Bill Proposing Return Of Nigeria To Regional Government
A bill proposing a return to regional government in Nigeria is before the National Assembly and is expected to passed into law before October 1, 2024.
Part of the draft bill circulating on social media, seen by SaharaReporters is 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.”
Although the identities of the sponsors of the bill were yet to be ascertained, the Bill when passed would be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria New Governance Model for Nigeria Act 2024.
The sponsors of the Bill explained that the current Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not “autochthonous” as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian people.
According to the advocates, the constitution amendment would be subject to a “yes or no” vote in a referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Part of the draft Bill seen by SaharaReporters on Friday partly read:
“PART I – Preliminaries: WHEREAS Nigeria, its Peoples and Government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then Military Government without the express consent of the people despite the preamble of “We the people.”
“WHEREAS the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not autochthonous as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian People.
“WHEREAS the Peoples of Nigeria now desire and effectively demand for a change to a Constitution based on Federal/Regional System of Government.
“WHEREAS the Federal and Regional governments are to operate within the provisions of this Constitution, it is within the discretion of the ethnic blocs within the States that constitutes a given region to aggregate or disaggregate as Provinces, Divisions and Districts, while being in control of their affairs without let or hindrance at whatever level of governance.
“Whereas the 1999 Constitution as amended is a schedule of a military decree now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly for which the National Assembly have the powers to amend and/or abrogate as expedient.
“Whereas the National Assembly where so necessary and expedient can invoke the doctrine of necessity to resolve any point of law for the good governance of the country Nigeria.”
On PART 11 – Substitution Clause, the drafters proposed that the National Assembly shall invoke its inherent powers to expunge the schedule attached to decree 24 of 1999 often referred to as 1999 Constitution as amended from the decree, which “is now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly to which the National Assembly have the powers to so do and replace same with a new governance model for Nigeria effective not later than October 1, 2024.”
“This amendment is subject to a yes or no vote in a Referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it proposed.
On governance structure under PART III – Stipulations for Federal Administration, the sponsors proposed that: “(1) Nigeria shall be a Federation comprising of Regional Territories and a Federal Capital Territory and shall be a Republic to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“(2) The territorial jurisdiction of Nigeria shall comprise the territory of the Regional members of the Federation and its boundaries shall be as determined by international agreements
“3.2 Basis of the Federation: “(1) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has an unconditional right to self-determination within here delineated territories.
“(2) The sovereignty, powers and authority to formulate the articles of association towards any reform of the Central Federal Government of Nigeria, at any other time shall lie jointly and severally with all the ethnic nationalities occupying their respective territories.
“(3) Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has the right to a full measure of self-government which includes the right to establish institutions of government in the territory that it inhabits and to equitable representation in the Federal and Regional Governments.
“(4) A “Ethnic Nationality or People” for the purpose of this Constitution, is a group of people who have or share large measure of a common culture or similar customs, mutual intelligibility of language, belief in a common or related identities, a common psychological make-up, and who inhabit.”
News
CRP hails court verdict dismissing suit seeking to compel INEC to conduct fresh elections for Rivers 27 lawmakers
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A group under the aegies of Concerned Rivers People, CRP has hailed the judgement of Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court Abuja, which on Friday, dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh or by-election to replace the 27 Peoples Democratic Party members.
Reacting to the judgment via a statement, CRP’s Convener, Emmanuel Chibuzor on Saturday expressed satisfaction stating that the iron cast verdict has confirmed that judiciary is truly the bastion of true democracy.
“The suit in the first place was uncalled for as it lacked merit and the PDP had written to INEC confirming that the lawmakers were authentic members of the party.
Chibuzor explained that “we’re very sure that superior courts will not deviate from this line of verdict as the suit lacks what it takes.
“This judgement has further confirmed that the judiciary’s integrity is very much intact and the last hope of the common man.
“We’re in total agreement with the development from the court as the unnecessary witch hunting in Rivers State is uncalled for.
“Nigerians can breathe fresh air as one can go to court to seek Justice and get delivered from the shackles of slavery.
“The situation in our days reflects days of slavery perpetuated by just one man at the detriment of peace loving Rivers people.
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Nigeria Police Force has said its operatives have apprehended a “fake journalist” who claims to be a staff member of one of the leading television stations in Nigeria during the governorship election in Edo State on Saturday.
According to the police, the operatives also arrested “two key suspects who are members of the PDP, Emotingham Godspower (25) and Farawei Isaac (27), both from Ufunama community, Ovia Southwest Local Government Area, Edo state in a comprehensive operation.”
The was disclose by the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement made available to Channels Television.
“The suspects, connected to a larger network involving one “Atiku” and a kingpin known as “the boss”, were apprehended at a guest house in Ekpoma, where a substantial amount of cash and incriminating items were recovered,” the statement said.
The items recovered include a list of voters’ names with corresponding monetary values, a collection of pre-filled ballot papers, and a set of fake identification cards.
Adejobi further disclosed that another six suspects namely Suleiman Abdurahim, Fatima Yakubu, Yusuf Aminat 52 yrs, Salihu Lukman 54yrs, Safianu Saratu 32yrs were all arrested at Aibotse Secondary School, beside Meremu hotel, Auchi, for engaging in vote buying.
According to him, this group was found with a large sum of money, a cache of weapons and a detailed plan outlining strategies for voter intimidation.
“Our team’s meticulous planning and swift action have dealt a significant blow to those seeking to undermine and discredit the electoral process
“We remain vigilant and committed to ensuring a free, fair, and peaceful election. Investigations are ongoing, and updates will be provided as events unfold,” the statement added
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Independent National Electoral Commission has uploaded 90.33 percent of the results from the Edo governorship election to its Result Viewing Portal.
Results from 4,082 out of the 4,519 polling units where elections were held in the state have been successfully transmitted.
Earlier today, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Edo, Anugbum Onuoha, reassured the public during an interview on Arise Television that electronic transmission of results would proceed smoothly, barring any network disruptions.
“We have trained the operators for the BVAS. They are set. BVAS is to accredit the voters and to know the total number of voters that will vote at that level and that polling unit.
After that, the voters will start voting. At the end of the day, they will count the results, and it will be uploaded to our IReV,” he assured.
With more than 2.2 million permanent voter cards collected, candidates from various parties, including Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, and Olumide Akpata of the Labour Party, are competing for the governorship position.
The winner will succeed Governor Godwin Obaseki, who will leave Osadebe House on November 11 after completing two terms in office.
CRP hails court verdict dismissing suit seeking to compel INEC to conduct fresh elections for Rivers 27 lawmakers
EdoDecides2024: Police nab ‘fake Journalist’, ‘political thugs’
Edo poll: INEC uploads 90.33% of results on IREV
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
Meet Rare Gem 16 Years Old Chiaza, CEO of ‘RUN MARKET PLACE’
-
Politics17 hours agoEdo goes to poll to elect Obaseki’s successor
-
News16 hours agoAlleged Yahoo Boy Caught Tying Up Woman in Abuja Hotel Claims Innocence
-
Politics16 hours agoMutfwang debunks rumour of joining APC, affirms loyalty to PDP
-
News16 hours agoE-CMR: We’ll no longer stop vehicles to check papers
-
News16 hours agoEdo Poll: IGP Orders Restriction Of Movement On Roads, Waterways
-
News16 hours ago‘Fraudster’ Arrested After Murder Attempt On Hookup Girl In Abuja
-
News16 hours agoFG shuts Eko Bridge, ramps for 8-week repairs
-
News5 hours agoJust in: Akpata beaten in his polling unit