Agbakoba to lawmakers: Nigeria doesn't need additional state - Newstrends
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Agbakoba to lawmakers: Nigeria doesn’t need additional state

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Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Olisa Agbakoba

Agbakoba to lawmakers: Nigeria doesn’t need additional state

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr Olisa Agbakoba, has faulted agitation for state creation in the South-East by a senator and some House of Representatives members representing the region, describing the proposal as a misplaced priority.

Agbakoba, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), expressed the view in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

The House of Representatives recently passed for second reading, a bill seeking the creation of Etiti State out of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states from the South-East geopolitical zone.

The bill was sponsored by Rep Godwin Ogah, Rep Miriam Onuoha, Rep Kama Nkemkama, Rep Princess Nnabuife and Rep Anayo Onwuegbu.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Ogah (LP, Abia) said the establishment of Etiti State was not just a matter of administrative convenience, but a step towards ensuring balanced regional development and effective governance.

The lawmaker said the bill was a response to the aspirations of the people of a very important region to the country and aligned with the principles of equity and inclusivity enshrined in the country’s democratic idea.

Similarly, some lawmakers and stakeholders have also called for the creation of Anioma State from states in the South-South and South East regions.

One of those leading the call, Sen.Ned Nwoko (PDP-Delta North) said the creation of Anioma State would correct what he described as the marginalisation of South East geo-political zone.

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According to him, if Anioma State is created, it would increase the population of the South East and increase the land mass as well as the resource base of the region.

Reacting, Agbakoba said Nigeria does not presently need more states.

According to him, instead, lawmakers and other political stakeholders should be concerned about restructuring Nigeria into a regional government to reflect the real diversity of the country.

He added that he was not in support of an additional state because most of the 36 states are economically unviable, insolvent and not capable of bringing about infrastructural development and even paying the proposed minimum wage.

“State creation at this present harsh economic will, no doubt, lead to increase in the number of National Assembly members, ministers, local governments, and others, which would further increase the cost of governance in the country.

“This is coming at a time when most Nigerians are starving due to rise in the food prices. Insurgents, bandits and terrorists are abducting people for ransom in other states of the country.

“Therefore, the National Assembly should, instead, return the country to regionalism by collapsing the 36 states into six to eight regions or geopolitical zones, each of which will have a leader.

“This means that the present Nigeria 1999 Constitution would be amended or a new one written to accommodate this proposal.

“This is because making a new constitution for Nigeria has become an overriding imperative based on the fact that new political realities and conundrums have cropped up in the country,” Agbakoba said.

Agbakoba, a human rights activist, said the only way to resolve the socio-economic and political problems was to amend the 1999 constitution to pave the way for a regional system of government.

He said regional governments were once successfully run with Chief Obafemi Awolowo in charge of the South West, Chief Michael Okpara in charge of South East and Ahmadu Bello in the North.

Agbakoba said since Nigeria left the modernity of regionalism, the states had been unviable, apart from Lagos and Rivers.

Agbakoba said though the impulse to create a sixth state in the South-East was for the purpose of balance, but that the greater good of Nigeria would be felt if regionalism is given a chance.
Agbakoba said the regional system of government would enable the unviable states to come together and become stronger.
He said an average person from the South East would support an additional state in the region, but that anyone who could see the big picture could tell that creation of additional states would not guarantee development.

“This agitation will arise because it is on the basis of the number of states that federal allocation flows.

“So the fact that the South-East has five states means to them that they are losing revenue and that is a one point of view and also an emotional point of their agitation.

“However, a pragmatic developmental point of view, which I go for, is that even if you create a sixth state in the South-East to give them a sense of belonging, will this new state in addition to the 36 states take us towards the path of development?

“Will it reverse the hunger, insecurity, poverty and unemployment in the land? Absolutely not.

“We need to do away from state creation to regional system of government,” he said.

Agbakoba to lawmakers: Nigeria doesn’t need additional state

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Despite Tegbe’s 72-Hour Promise, Nigerians Still Battle Power Outages

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Despite Tegbe's 72-Hour Promise, Nigerians Still Battle Power Outages
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe

Despite Tegbe’s 72-Hour Promise, Nigerians Still Battle Power Outages

Nigeria’s electricity generation has risen to 4,020.41 megawatts (MW), up from about 3,500MW, but the improvement has yet to translate into reliable power supply for households and businesses across the country.

The development comes amid growing frustration over prolonged power outages, particularly in Lagos and other states, despite assurances by the Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, that electricity supply would improve within 48 to 72 hours.

Data from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) showed that generation increased on Monday, November 9, 2026, following disruptions linked to maintenance at the Egbin Power Station, gas supply constraints and damage to critical transmission infrastructure.

The increase followed the Federal Government’s intervention to restore damaged transmission infrastructure and return affected generating units to operation. However, electricity consumers continued to report inadequate supply, highlighting the gap between improved generation figures and the actual amount of electricity reaching homes and businesses.

According to the reported figures, electricity generation reached a peak of 4,253.6MW on Sunday before standing at 4,020.41MW on Monday. The Afam VI power plant contributed the largest share at 519MW, followed by the Shiroro hydroelectric plant with 445MW and the Azura-Edo plant with 438MW.

However, the Egbin Power Station, which has an installed capacity of 1,320MW, was generating only 108MW at the time of the reported assessment.

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The combined electricity allocation to the 11 distribution companies (DisCos) stood at approximately 3,195MW by late Monday afternoon, with Abuja DisCo receiving 581MW, Ikeja Electric 467MW and Eko Electricity Distribution Company 458MW.

The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, had earlier attributed the worsening electricity situation to planned maintenance at the Egbin Power Station, inadequate gas supply to some thermal power plants and the vandalism of critical transmission infrastructure.

In an update issued on Friday, November 6, Tegbe explained that maintenance activities and gas supply constraints had reduced the volume of electricity available on the national grid, forcing operators to introduce load shedding in some areas.

He also disclosed that the vandalism of key transmission lines had restricted alternative routes for delivering electricity, particularly to Lagos.

The minister subsequently apologised to Nigerians over the disruptions, acknowledging the difficulties experienced by households, businesses and public institutions.

He said the government was working with generating companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), NISO and electricity distribution companies to restore affected facilities and improve supply.

Tegbe had promised that the first affected generating units would return to operation within 48 to 72 hours, while repairs to damaged transmission infrastructure would be accelerated.

In a further update on Monday, the minister announced that the vandalised Benin-Egbin 330-kilovolt transmission line had been repaired and returned to service.

According to him, the restoration increased electricity supply to the Lagos electricity complex to more than 1,000MW, bringing it back to the level recorded before the disruption.

Tegbe said electricity had been restored to several previously affected areas in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory, although some locations were still awaiting full restoration.

He also disclosed that the government was working to repair another important transmission route, the Osogbo-Ikeja West 330kV line, which has reportedly remained out of service for about 18 months.

The line could deliver an additional 400MW to Lagos when restored. However, about six transmission towers along the route have been vandalised, making repairs difficult because of the swampy terrain.

The minister said the government expected the restoration work to be completed by the end of November.

Despite the recent disruptions, Tegbe has expressed confidence that Nigeria could achieve more stable electricity supply within the next three to five years.

He said the Federal Government was considering a proposed $2 billion east-west super grid designed to strengthen the country’s transmission infrastructure and increase its capacity to 19,000MW.

The proposed project is expected to connect several locations, including Funtua, Gwagwalada, Ikot Ekpene, Benin, Epe and Ilorin.

Tegbe said the government had commenced the procurement process and expected the project to improve the resilience of the national electricity network.

He also stressed the need to address longstanding infrastructure problems, noting that some electricity equipment was between 40 and 50 years old.

Meanwhile, he maintained that the government was working to improve electricity supply through better coordination among generation, transmission and distribution operators.

The latest development highlights the continuing challenges in Nigeria’s electricity sector, where improvements in generation do not automatically guarantee adequate supply to consumers because of limitations in transmission and distribution infrastructure.

For millions of Nigerians, the major concern remains whether the increased generation figures and government interventions will translate into more consistent electricity supply.

 

Despite Tegbe’s 72-Hour Promise, Nigerians Still Battle Power Outages

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Edo APC Chieftain Hacked to Death by Son Over Alleged Prophecy

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Julius Bello, popularly known as De Lord Ogata
Edo APC Chieftain Hacked to Death by Son Over Alleged Prophecy

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Edo State, Julius Bello, popularly known as De Lord Ogata, has reportedly been hacked to death by his son following claims that a prophet blamed him for the younger man’s financial struggles.

Bello, who was the APC Ward Three Chairman in Fugar, Etsako Central Local Government Area, was allegedly attacked with a sledgehammer by his son, identified as Irobudo, on Sunday, November 8, 2026.

The incident reportedly occurred shortly after the suspect returned from Lagos over the weekend.

According to reports, the suspect struck his father on the head with the weapon, inflicting fatal injuries.

Family sources linked the attack to an alleged prophecy that reportedly portrayed Bello as being spiritually responsible for his son’s prolonged poverty and inability to make financial progress.

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The claims were said to have fuelled resentment against the deceased before the fatal attack. However, the alleged prophecy and its connection to the killing have not been independently verified, and the police have not established it as the motive.

The Edo State Police Command confirmed the killing and said an investigation had commenced.

The command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem, disclosed that the suspect was still at large as of Monday, November 9, while police operatives were working to apprehend him.

According to the police, investigations would establish the circumstances surrounding the killing and the events that preceded the attack.

The incident has thrown Bello’s family and residents of Fugar into mourning, particularly because the suspected attacker is his own son.

The killing has also raised concerns about the potential consequences of unverified spiritual accusations when they fuel suspicion, hostility and violence within families.

The police investigation is expected to establish the full circumstances of the incident, determine the motive and bring the suspect to justice.

Edo APC Chieftain Hacked to Death by Son Over Alleged Prophecy

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INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Begins Cleanup Ahead of 2027 Elections

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2027 Elections: INEC Reveals Why Pantami, Adebutu, Others Were Excluded

INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Begins Cleanup Ahead of 2027 Elections

 

ABUJA, Nigeria – The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has commenced the removal of questionable records from Nigeria’s preliminary Register of Voters after its biometric verification system flagged 268 entries over suspected artificial intelligence-generated photographs and other irregularities.

The development comes amid growing public concerns over the credibility of the voters’ register ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the discovery of suspicious photographs, duplicate registrations and names of deceased persons in the preliminary database.

INEC’s Director of Information and Communication Technology, Lawrence Bayode, disclosed the development during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, explaining that the commission’s Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) had identified 268 records requiring further examination.

Bayode said the commission had begun reviewing the affected entries and removing those confirmed to be irregular.

He also explained that some registration officers allegedly exploited their authorised access to introduce questionable records into the database.

According to him, some of the irregularities involved the misuse of a special registration option designed for persons with disabilities who have incomplete or missing fingers.

However, the INEC official clarified that not every photograph enhanced with artificial intelligence would lead to the exclusion of the affected voter.

He distinguished between genuine photographs improved with AI-powered applications on mobile phones and images generated entirely by artificial intelligence, stressing that only confirmed fraudulent images would be removed.

The controversy followed INEC’s publication of its preliminary Register of Voters online on October 26, which triggered public outrage after screenshots showing suspicious photographs and other questionable entries circulated on social media.

Some of the disputed records reportedly included entries from parts of Edo State, prompting questions about the commission’s registration and verification procedures.

INEC Chairman, Professor Joash Amupitan, subsequently confirmed that the commission was examining the questionable records and would take corrective action based on verified findings.

The commission has maintained that the preliminary register is not the final certified document, explaining that the verification and public scrutiny exercises are intended to identify inaccuracies and irregularities before certification.

INEC has scheduled December 15, 2026, for the certification of the final Register of Voters after completing the necessary verification, adjudication and data-cleanup processes.

The commission has also encouraged Nigerians to participate in scrutinising the register and report suspicious entries to help safeguard the credibility of the electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

INEC Flags 268 Voter Records Over AI-Generated Photos, Begins Cleanup Ahead of 2027 Elections

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