by Samuel Akpan
Siminalayi Fubara, the suspended governor of Rivers state, has congratulated Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), on the confirment of an honorary doctorate by the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

Wike was bestowed with the honorary doctor of science (D.Sc) during the University of Port Harcourt’s 50th anniversary and 35th convocation ceremony held in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

In a congratulatory statement, Fubara described the honour as “well-deserved”, citing Wike’s legacy of service as a two-term governor and his current role as minister.

“This distinguished recognition is not only a celebration of your illustrious accomplishments, but a testament to your contributions to education, governance, and the betterment of society,” he said.
Fubara said Wike’s contributions have positively impacted countless lives and rekindled public confidence in leadership.
“It is only fitting that your alma mater honours you for your outstanding dedication and the strategic role you continue to play in shaping Nigeria’s future,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Wike said he always gives to the institution whenever he has the opportunity.
“You would recall that even though this university was established in 1975 as a conventional university, there was no law faculty in this university,” he said.
“So when I became a minister of state [for education during Goodluck Jonathan’s administration], I saw it as an opportunity for us to have a faculty of law.
“I’m glad the vice-chancellor said we have a law faculty today. I did not end at that, I said there must be a befitting faculty of law building, and I insisted, and today, we have that faculty of law.”
On June 26, Wike and Fubara said they have agreed to work together for the state’s peace.
They made the comment after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, alongside some members of the Rivers assembly.
TheCable had reported that Tinubu agreed to reinstate Fubara as the governor of the state — but with the condition that he would not seek re-election in 2027.
On March 18, Tinubu declared emergency rule in Rivers over the political crisis and instability in the state occasioned by the feud between Wike and Fubara.
The president suspended Fubara and Rivers assembly for an initial period of six months and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired vice-admiral, as the sole administrator.

by Simon Kolawole
After what seems to be a long lull, the hydra-headed campaign for “true federalism” via a brand-new constitution is back in full swing. It’s been a while, really. The Patriots, a group of eminent Nigerians, says it is working on a draft constitution for the country. The group criticised the 1999 Constitution, saying it was “written by the military” without consultation with “the people” and that it “entrenches an overly centralised system of governance, stifles federalism, and fails to reflect Nigeria’s ethnic and regional diversity”. The Patriots attributed “systemic issues like insecurity, youth unemployment, poor public services, weak institutions, and resource control disputes” to constitutional deficiencies.
There are two matters of interest to me here. The first is the falsehood that has been perpetrated for decades that the military wrote the 1999 Constitution. This has been so repeated that it is now taken as the fact and not the fiction — or the brazen exaggeration — that it is. I was a full-grown adult in 1999. I will never buy the lie. To keep repeating the fiction that the military wrote the constitution and did not consult Nigerians is pure desperation to win an argument. Two, I remain of the opinion that although there is nothing wrong with seeking to improve the constitution — Americans have amended theirs 27 times since 1798 — there is still absolutely no substitute for good governance.
I have said again and again and again — and will continue to say this until I draw my last breath — that the military did not write the 1999 Constitution. While people can be telling me stories and fables about political developments in Nigeria before I was born, I was old enough to be a father when the 1999 Constitution was produced and I will continue to counter the false narratives around it. Anyone who is genuinely interested in history should take the pains of comparing the 1979 and 1999 constitutions. They are available on the internet. They can also google the history of the drafting processes before joining the bandwagon of those singing “military wrote the constitution”.
First, the context. When Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar became head of state in June 1998 after the death of Gen Sani Abacha, transition to democracy was topmost on national agenda but there was no constitution to guide the process. What system of government would we choose? Would it be presidential, parliamentary or a hybrid? That is a key question that only a constitution can answer. Abacha was yet to enact the 1995 Constitution which was written by the conference he set up in 1994/95. The conference, made up of a mix of appointed and elected Nigerians, was boycotted by the Yoruba mainstream politicians who were still fighting for June 12 and Bashorun MKO Abiola.
The first thing the military does after taking power is to suspend aspects of the constitution that may impede their dictatorship. They rule by decrees. Whenever they embark on a transition programme, they kickstart the process of producing a new constitution that will become fully operational when they hand over to a democratically elected government. The Murtala/Obasanjo regime left us with the 1979 Constitution. Gen Ibrahim Babangida used the 1989 Constitution to conduct his ill-fated transition programme. Abacha never allowed us to see the 1995 Constitution. He rolled out decrees to do his own transition and had done only council and legislative elections by the time he died.
That was the situation the Abdulsalami found himself in 1998. He had options. One was to set up another constitutional conference and spend a much longer time in office to produce a new constitution. You start the process usually by conducting elections to elect some members into a constitutional conference. The conference will usually sit for more than one year. Their report will be subjected to further public debate and fine-tuning. It could take two years to complete the process. Abdulsalami’s second option was to adopt the 1995 Constitution, derided as “Abacha Constitution” by June 12 activists. Nigeria had already been crippled for five years because of the June 12 crisis.
Guess what would have happened if Abdulsalami had adopted the “Abacha Constitution”? You guessed right. To avoid the awkward situation and the inevitable Afenifere/NADECO backlash, Abdulsalami set up a 25-member Constitution Debate Co-ordinating Committee (CDCC). It was chaired by the late Justice Niki Tobi, then a Court of Appeal judge. Read it again. I didn’t say Maj-General Niki Tobi. His deputy was the late Dr Suleiman Kumo, a law teacher at the Ahmadu Bello University. Not Brig-General Suleiman Kumo. The committee was inaugurated by Abdulsalami on November 11, 1998. It was mandated to co-ordinate national debate on the 1995 Draft Constitution.
I recall that the CDCC held hearings across the country. Tobi supervised the zonal debates in Benin, Enugu, Jos, Port Harcourt and Maiduguri, while Kumo co-ordinated Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Lagos and Sokoto. In Enugu, the late Prof Ben Nwabueze, a constitutional expert, sent a memo as secretary-general of Mkpoko Igbo. He proposed that Nigeria should be a federation of six regions instead of 36 states, suggesting the names and capitals as Eastern (Enugu); Western (Ibadan); Central (Jos); North-Eastern (Maiduguri); and North-Western (Kaduna). He said the capital of the Southern Region should be mutually agreed upon, obviously as he had somehow moved Port Harcourt to the Eastern Region.
Nwabueze, who later co-founded The Patriots, supported the creation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), which was not in the 1979 Constitution but provided for in the 1995 draft. It must be noted that the highly respected professor of law served as secretary-general of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo between 1978 and 2004. In Port Harcourt, individuals who spoke or submitted memos included Dr Clement Isong, former governor of the CBN, who led the Ibibio Elders Council; the Movement for the Survival of Eastern Nigeria and Niger Delta Indigenes (MOSENNDI); the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers; Prof Chitoro Achinenwu; Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye; and Dr Gesiye S. Angaye.
In Ibadan, the Modakeke community, represented by Mr Abiodun Sowande, a lawyer, wanted the Land Use Act retained. In Sokoto, Prof Ibrahim Mukoshy of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, opposed power rotation. He said he was speaking on behalf of the people of Sokoto state. In Lagos, the Group for True Federalism (GTF) demanded a return to regionalism and “true federalism”. Mallam Garba Shehu (yes, you know him) made submissions on freedom of the press, saying the constitution needed to be stronger on the issue. He was once president of the Nigerian Guild of Editors. Nigerians in the US met in Washington, DC to make their own input. These are facts!
In all, the CDCC received over 400 memoranda. Submitting its final report to the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC), Nigeria’s highest ruling body, in December 1998, Tobi said: “In the light of the memoranda and the oral presentations on the 1995 Draft Constitution, it is clear that Nigerians basically opt for the 1979 Constitution with relevant amendments. The common denominator in the mouths of Nigerians is the 1979 Constitution with relevant amendments. They have copiously given their reasons for their choice… So, we have recommended to the Provisional Ruling Council the adoption of the 1979 Constitution, with relevant amendments from the 1995 Draft Constitution.”
Thereafter, the text of the draft 1999 Constitution was published in a dozen national newspapers for Nigerians to read. In my estimation, the 1999 Constitution consists of more than 95 percent of the 1979 Constitution. The variations were minimal, mostly to reflect the prevailing realities — such as the number of states, local governments, change in name of some executive bodies, and addition of those that did not exist as at 1979. Most importantly, the 13 percent derivation payable to oil-producing states was adapted from the “Abacha Constitution” written by the 1994/95 constitutional conference. All things considered, the 1999 Constitution is a duplication of the 1979 Constitution.
And so what? Was the 1979 Constitution itself not also written by the military? This is also another falsehood and propaganda being desperately sold to the public just to win an argument. The 1979 Constitution was produced by an elected Constituent Assembly which sat in 1977/78 to debate, clause by clause, the document drafted by distinguished Nigerians, led by Chief FRA Williams. In Nigeria’s history, no draft has been more robustly debated than the 1979 Constitution. The military was later accused of smuggling the Land Use Act and the NYSC into it, but I wouldn’t know if that is what caused “insecurity, youth unemployment, poor public services, and weak institutions”.
If I may, the same 1979 Constitution was what the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande “used” to turn the fortune of Lagos state around in just a little over four years. If you have never heard or read about the indelible strides of Jakande, you are free to believe the story that it is constitution that develops a society. In truth, the 1979 Constitution did not provide for “true” federalism and “fiscal” federalism (as defined by the agitators of today). There was no 13 percent oil derivation. There was no resource control. There was no regionalism. But Lagos state had the most important driver of development: a competent and patriotic governor whose sole motivation and desire was the progress of the citizens.
My second point on the renewed debate is that there is nothing wrong with seeking a better constitution. As I have already noted, the US has amended its constitution 27 times. No constitution is perfect. Even Americans are still trying to deal with the grey lines after President Donald Trump rolled out a series of executive orders to deal with contemporary issues. The Nigerian constitution has been amended four times since 1999 and there are ongoing moves at further changes. There is, therefore, nothing unheard of in amending a constitution. But even then, no constitution is drafted by citizens. All constitutions are drafted by a few individuals and thereafter debated clause by clause.
But this begs the question: does a perfect “true federalism constitution” automatically deliver good governance? China and Singapore conquered poverty without adopting federalism. They run a centralised system. The Federation of Malaysia is safe without state police. The Federation of Mexico does not have resource control but is still not our mate in development indices. I know the constitution is a critical document that spells out the rules of engagement and can engender the progress of a society, but the UK and Israel developed strong institutions and strong economies without a written constitution. That means we are still missing the real import of good leadership.
AND FOUR OTHER THINGS…
BUHARI’S SHOES
The shocking death of former President Muhammadu Buhari (I still can’t come to terms with it) has opened up an intense struggle to inherit his followers ahead of the 2027 elections. He had an utterly devout fan base (agreed, mainly in the Muslim part of the north), regularly commanding 12 million votes without having to share rice and naira. Not many Nigerian politicians, living or dead, enjoyed this love. But Buhari did not groom any successor. Perhaps, the love of the talakawas was customised for him and could neither be transferred nor inherited. Nonetheless, I expect politicians to use his name hoping that it will do magic among his fanbase. My guess is that it won’t work. Observing…
PETER NON GRATA
Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo state caused quite a stir recently when he asked Mr Peter Obi not to come to the state without first informing him — “for security reasons”. Obi had visited the state and donated N15 million to a project, after which there was a reported violence that claimed three lives. Okpebholo said: “This message is for the man who claims he has no shishi. Obi must not come to Edo without security clearance.” Despite widespread criticism, he stuck to his guns, repeating his proclamation that Obi must get authorisation. Even if he means well for Obi (assuming he truly wants to protect him), I find his choice of words obnoxious and provocative. Reckless.
OUT OF ORDER
Is it me or do many court judgments these days increasingly — and maybe deliberately — sound ambiguous? The Supreme Court pronouncements on the leadership crises in the PDP and LP left me wondering what exactly the justices meant by “internal party affair”. The parties could not resolve their disputes internally and asked for judicial interpretation of their constitutions. The justices instead threw things back at them. How does that deliver justice? The same thing has repeated itself in the Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan case. Instead of issuing an outright, consequential order, Justice Binta Nyako said she “believes” the senate “should” recall her from suspension. Believe?
NO COMMENT
Nigeria used to rebase its GDP regularly until 1990. We resumed in 2014, accounting for new entries such as Nollywood and telecoms. The rebased GDP shot Nigeria’s economy to Africa’s No 1 and the newly formed APC described it as a “public relations gimmick” by the PDP-led government. Eleven years on, the GDP has been rebased under the APC-led government. The ADC — made up mostly of former APC members — has described it as “economic cosmetics”. History always repeats itself. I, therefore, predict that if ADC wins in 2027 and the economy is rebased in 2035, its former members, who may have formed ABC by 2034, will describe it as “economic crinkum-crankum”. Hahahaha…

The importance of accurate knowledge of God as the foundation for acceptable worship was a central theme at the 10th session of the Regional Convention of Jehovah’s Witnesses, held in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, Delta State.

Delivering a key address, Brother Alfred Okpolokpo stressed that true worship must be based on critical thinking and an honest examination of Bible truths. Citing Romans 12:1, he explained that Christians can determine whether their worship aligns with God’s will by using their “power of reason” to evaluate whether their beliefs are grounded in scriptural truth.

He challenged attendees to look beyond family traditions, material benefits, or personal preferences when choosing a religion, urging them instead to examine whether their faith teaches and lives by God’s high moral standards as outlined in the Bible.

Brother Okpolokpo warned that not all religious teachings about God can be true, emphasizing that for centuries, many have distorted biblical teachings to control others or for financial gain.

Also speaking, Brother Jonathan Ojom, a congregation overseer, highlighted the visible evidence of pure worship in the lives of those who practice it. He noted that the world would be a better place if more people worshipped the true God in a way that meets His standards.

The convention, themed “Pure Worship”, featured Bible-based drama presentations and a baptism ceremony, underscoring the commitment of participants to uphold clean and principled worship in their daily lives.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

Ahiazu Mbaise, Imo State – July 25, 2025

The High Court of Mbaise Judicial Division, sitting in Ahiazu Mbaise, has issued an interim injunction stopping a proposed parallel National Convention of the Neo Black Movement (NBM) of Africa, originally set to take place in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, on July 26, 2025.

Presiding over the matter, Honourable Justice Mike Onyekachi granted the restraining order on Friday following an ex-parte motion filed by the Registered Trustees of NBM of Africa, alongside Chief Olorogun Ese Kakor and Ikechi Opara, the organization’s Mbaise Zonal Coordinator.

The court order restrains seven defendants—Bemigho Eyeoyibo, Akeem Zibiri, Barr. Isimeme Jesse Iriogbe, Hope Aliyu, Dr. Anthony Orunkoya (a.k.a. Tony Masaka), the State Security Services (SSS), and the Nigeria Police Force—from organizing, attending, or supporting the disputed convention in any capacity. The injunction also covers any similar gathering that may be planned elsewhere in Nigeria, pending the hearing of a motion for interlocutory injunction.

Justice Onyekachi emphasized that the defendants, including their agents and affiliates, must cease all preparations or participation in the scheduled event, adding that the SSS and the Nigeria Police are mandated to enforce the court’s directive.

Additionally, the court granted the plaintiffs permission to serve legal documents, including the injunction, through substituted means—specifically by publishing the orders in a national newspaper to ensure adequate notice to all parties.

The matter has been adjourned to July 30, 2025, for hearing of the substantive motion.

The ruling marks a significant development in the internal leadership crisis facing the NBM of Africa, a Pan-African socio-cultural movement currently facing  internal divisions.

Youths from the Ndokwa Federal Constituency of Delta State have broken their silence on the recent attack on the state’s Commissioner for Youth Development, Barrister Trakiriowei Harry Thankgod, offering insight into what triggered the incident.

The commissioner was reportedly assaulted by protesting youths during a visit to Kwale, where he had gone in an attempt to de-escalate mounting tensions and assure the community that the state government would address their demands. Despite his intervention efforts, the youths turned on him, physically assaulting him and vandalizing his official vehicle, a Toyota Lexus SUV. Witnesses said the vehicle’s windshield, side mirrors, brake lights, reverse lights, fenders, and front bumper were damaged during the confrontation.

Speaking exclusively to our correspondent in Kwale, in what marks their first public reaction since the incident, the aggrieved youths—who requested anonymity—accused the Delta State Government of longstanding neglect. They described the attack as a direct consequence of government failure to address basic infrastructural and social needs in Ndokwa communities.

According to the youths, the region suffers from chronic underdevelopment, including poor road networks, lack of potable water, inadequate healthcare facilities, absence of electricity, and collapsing educational infrastructure.

“Before we took this step, we exhausted all avenues for peaceful dialogue. We wrote letters, held meetings, and made appeals, but our cries were ignored,” one of the protesters said.

“As a people who value justice, fairness, and sincerity, we were cautious and patient. But our patience has limits.”

The youths decried the condition of primary and secondary schools in the area, describing them as dilapidated and unsafe for learning. They said many schools have blown-off roofs, lack desks and chairs, and force students to sit on bare floors.

“There is no pipe-borne water in our communities. The roads leading to and from the oil-producing areas are riddled with potholes and are virtually impassable,” another protester added.

As part of their protest, the youths from Ndokwa East and Ndokwa West local government areas blocked major roads, including the Kwale–Asaba–Ughelli highway, effectively cutting off vehicular movement for several hours.

Following the attack, police operatives dispatched to the scene rescued the commissioner and restored order.

Confirming the incident, the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Bright Edafe, disclosed that several individuals have been arrested and are currently being questioned at the State Police Command Headquarters in Asaba. Those in custody include:

• Nkenchor Kingsley (alias Akwe)
• Ufuoma Franklin (alias Heryland)
• Izah Felix
• Adoh Stanley
• Ijika Grant
• Otuya Okechukwu
• Onwugbolu Benjamin (alias Benbestik)
• Sylvanus Ossai
• Okuepusu Christopher
• Aniashak Detai
• Enete Precious Azubike
• Endurance Eromosele
• Frank West
• Aniogue Chinedu
• Hon. Friday Osanebe
• And several other unnamed persons believed to have acted in concert with them.

Superintendent Edafe confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and those found culpable will be charged accordingly.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr 

Niger Delta youth leader and security advocate, Comrade Efe Feludu O’Kwakpovwe, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to expedite the renewal and expansion of the pipeline surveillance contract with Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL).

In a statement issued in Warri, Delta State, O’Kwakpovwe stressed that renewing Tantita’s contract is essential to consolidating recent successes in curbing oil theft and vandalism in the region.

“I join millions of Niger Delta youths in urging President Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, and NNPCL leadership to reject divisive calls to dismantle the current contract structure. The Tantita contract should not only be renewed but expanded to cover more areas to prevent security lapses and halt the resurgence of illegal oil bunkering,” he said.

Reject Ethnic Division, Promote Synergy

O’Kwakpovwe cautioned against ethnic or political agendas that seek to undermine the efforts of Tantita Security Services. He urged sponsored individuals and groups to channel their energies toward constructive collaboration for the region’s security and development..

“Tantita has engaged more youths from diverse ethnic backgrounds than any other security outfit in the Niger Delta. We must support organizations that create employment, promote peace, and enhance regional security in partnership with the Federal and State Governments,” he added.

Tantita’s Track Record of Success

According to O’Kwakpovwe, Tantita has fully complied with its contract terms, securing key oil-producing states including Delta, Ondo, Imo, Rivers, and parts of Bayelsa. The company, he said, has built trust among various ethnic groups and traditional institutions in these areas.

Reflecting on the state of the region before Tantita’s intervention, he noted that Nigeria’s oil production had collapsed to under 900,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of 2022, far below OPEC’s 1.8 million barrels per day quota. This downturn, he said, triggered economic setbacks, environmental damage, job losses, and heightened insecurity, as criminal syndicates thrived on illegal oil activities.

However, since September 2022, when NNPCL awarded the surveillance contract to Tantita—a company established by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo) and led by High Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi—the situation has dramatically improved. According to figures from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), crude oil production rose from 937,000 barrels per day in September 2022 to over 1.6 million barrels per day by June 2025, exceeding OPEC’s quota.

A Community-Driven Security Model

O’Kwakpovwe credited Tantita’s success to its community-driven model, combining advanced intelligence technology with the recruitment of youths from oil-producing communities. With support from traditional rulers and local leaders, these youths work in synergy with national security agencies to protect pipelines and oil facilities across mangroves, creeks, forests, and offshore areas.

Commendation for CSR and Youth Empowerment

The youth leader also lauded Tantita’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, describing the company as the only security firm actively investing in community development and youth empowerment across its operational areas.

O’Kwakpovwe, a petroleum engineer with over 15 years of industry experience, former National President of the National Association of Delta State Students (NADESSTU), and former National Secretary of the Urhobo National Youth Body, appealed to community leaders to resist attempts by selfish individuals and politicians to instigate disunity using ethnic or land ownership issues.

“We must unite across ethnic lines to foster peace, promote equal opportunity, and create a secure environment for investment. This is how we can restore the lost economic vibrancy of once-thriving hubs like Koko, Agbor, Sapele, Effurun, Warri, and Ughelli—the heartbeat of the old Midwest State,” he concluded.

By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr

The National Association of Seadogs, popularly known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has raised serious concern over the alarming surge of drug abuse and illicit trafficking in Asaba, Delta State, warning that the situation now poses a grave threat to public health and security.

In a strongly worded statement, the Capoon of the Vito Corsica Deck, covering Aniocha/Oshimili and Ika Federal Constituencies, Mr. Michael Chukwuma Nwaidei, expressed deep frustration at what he described as the complacency of the Delta State Government and its relevant agencies in addressing the growing drug menace, particularly among young people.

Nwaidei identified a notorious hotspot along Okpanam Road—by Alpha Bykees Petrol Station, near Sweet Spirit Hotels—where, according to him, young men openly trade in hard drugs, even in broad daylight.

“That particular junction has become a lawless zone,” he said. “Every day, these young boys run under the tunnel to collect drugs and then freely sell them opposite Alpha Bykees Petrol Station, near Playlearn School, and at the Midwifery Market junction. The brazen nature of these activities is disturbing.”

He lamented that despite repeated calls and reports to the authorities, no significant action has been taken to clamp down on the illegal drug trade, allowing the menace to thrive unchecked.

The Pyrates Confraternity warned that continued neglect of the problem could plunge the community deeper into crime, moral decay, and insecurity.

“Drug addiction not only destroys individuals but also breeds other dangerous social vices that can destabilize our society,” the statement read.

The group called on the Delta State Government and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately intensify surveillance and launch decisive enforcement operations in the identified drug hotspots.

“We appeal to the authorities to act swiftly and save our youths from this creeping epidemic before it spirals beyond control,” Nwaidei urged.