Politics

Opposition Emerges Over Proposal For Anioma State Creation

Published

7 months ago

June 21, 2024

A proposal by Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta north senatorial district in the National Assembly for the creation of Anioma State has elicited division within the district.

He had revealed during an interactive session with indigenes of Anioma in Abuja last week, that creating Anioma state is not just about increasing the number of states but about ensuring fair representation and resource allocation for the South East.

According to him, the creation of Anioma State is both urgent and compelling, promising to present a bill for the creation of Anioma state.

In a swift reaction to the proposal, the Ukwuani people which is among the nine local government areas of Delta north region in the state, popularly referred to as Anioma, disagreed with the senator.

In a statement on the issue, the Ukwuani people under the aegis of VOTAbanum, said they had been strange bedfellows with the people of Anioma and preferred to hobnob with the Urhobo, Isoko, Itsekiri ethnic nationalities than the people of Aniocha and Oshimili.

The statement was jointly signed by VOTAbanum, Chairman, Abel Emah-Iyesele; Secretary and Dr. Mike Akpati; Hon. Aneke Efemeni, Bar. Sam Chukuji, members.

They said it is a well and thoroughly considered view and opinion of the generality of Ukwuani people that Anioma is not an expression of the people of the zone.

“Before the proposal by Senator Ned Nwoko to rekindle the campaign for the establishment of Anioma State, the Ukwuani nation had already conveyed their stance in 2021 through the Ndokwa Neku Union (NNU), the leading socio-cultural organization of the Ukwuani people, in a report presented by the Adhoc Committee on States Creation and Geopolitical Zones Arrangements.

“Ukwuani had never been a part of the defunct Benin Province where Aniocha, Oshimili and Ika were integral constituents. Ukwuani congenially had been part and parcel of the original Delta province where we still share more robust cultural affinity.

“Ukwuani nation relates more comfortably and mutually with the people of the core Delta Province as against Aniocha, Oshimili, and Ika of the Benin Province. Though tongues may differ, and surely they do, the Ukwuani nation finds unity in diversity best within our Delta province enclave.

“The positions enumerated and enunciated above, is the considered views and strong belief that the Ukwuani nation will be comfortable and better of placed among the comity of states with the original core Delta province peoples, that is — the Urhobo, Isoko, Itshekiri, and Ijaw ethnic nationalities.

“With the comparative advantage Ukwuani has, Ukwuani nation can request for an Ukwuani state. We have the natural resources, population, land mass and human capital needs in abundance to make a nation state.

“We, the entire Ukwuani people are strongly and vehemently opposed to the creation of Anioma state without recourse to factors such as capital location, LGA distribution, placement of government facilities” the statement said.

Politics

2027: Youth Group Urges Seyi Tinubu to Contest Governorship

Published

2 hours ago

January 24, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Adenike Lawal
The Southern Youth Movement (SYM), has called on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to run for Lagos State Governor in the 2027 elections.
The appeal was made on January 24, 2025, in a statement by the group’s National President, High Chief Promise Lawuru.
SYM highlighted Seyi Tinubu’s qualifications, emphasizing his deep connection to Lagos and his ability to meet constitutional requirements.
The group vowed to mobilize support across southern Nigeria, advocating for increased youth participation in governance.
“Seyi Tinubu is qualified to be governor in all ramifications,” the statement read.
The group dismissed age as a barrier, praising Seyi’s digital expertise and potential to address Lagos’ contemporary challenges.
They urged Lagosians to assess Seyi’s capabilities independently of his family ties, noting his contributions to youth inclusion in governance, including appointments of young leaders in key national positions.
SYM reaffirmed their mission to support capable youth leaders across southern Nigeria while collaborating with elder statesmen for mentorship.
“Youths with capable hands shall take center stage in governance come 2027 and beyond,” they declared.

News

Shetimma, Atiku, Obi, Kwankwaso, Others to Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future

Published

20 hours ago

January 23, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Our Correspondent

A two-day citizen-led national conference to address challenges threatening Nigeria’s democracy will begin on Monday in Abuja.

The event, themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” will feature prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, former military head of state General Abdulsalami Abubakar, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and NNPP’s Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

Other stakeholders, such as APC National Chairman Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, are also expected.

Organized by a coalition of civil society groups, including the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD) and the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), the conference aims to strengthen governance, address electoral malpractices, and restore public trust.

Dr. Otive Igbuzor, the chief organizer, highlighted the urgent need to tackle Nigeria’s democratic flaws, including weakened institutions, corruption, and declining civic engagement, despite 25 years of uninterrupted civilian rule.

The conference will include a keynote address by Ghana’s former Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, and a presentation by Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim on challenges and prospects for the 2027 elections.

Igbuzor emphasized that the conference seeks to mobilize citizens, reform political parties, and build partnerships for democratic renewal, with the ultimate goal of fostering a resilient, inclusive, and accountable democratic system.

News

NASS Summons Ministers Over FG’s Commitment to Economic Diversification

Published

3 days ago

January 21, 2025

Samson Adeyanju

By Ade Iyamoye

The National Assembly has summoned the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, to address concerns over the Federal Government’s efforts to diversify the economy from its reliance on crude oil revenues.

The Senate and House of Representatives Joint Committees on Solid Minerals expressed dissatisfaction with the meager N9 billion allocated to the Ministry of Solid Minerals in the 2025 budget, despite earlier promises of substantial funding.

Minister of Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, while defending his ministry’s budget on Monday, described his struggle to secure better funding.

He revealed that initial budgetary provisions for the ministry stood at a paltry N5 billion, which was only marginally increased to N9 billion after intense lobbying.

Responding to lawmakers’ queries on why his close ties to President Bola Tinubu had not translated into better funding for the sector, Alake maintained that the president was committed to economic diversification, citing the inclusion of the sector in Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

However, he declined to divulge details of his discussions with the president.

Joint committee co-chairs Senator Ekong Samson and Honourable Gaza Jonathan criticized the budget allocation, highlighting its inadequacy to support solid minerals development, a critical pillar for economic diversification.

Samson emphasized the need for strategic investment in the sector, comparing Nigeria’s situation with other economies where solid minerals play a vital role.

The committees deferred the ministry’s budget defense until the summoned officials provide further explanations today.