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Updated: South-South leaders meet FG delegation, insist on restructuring for peace, development
… want NNPC subsidiaries’ head offices relocated to N’Delta
South-South governors and other leaders from the geopolitical zone met in Port Harcourt on Tueday with a presidential delegation led by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
To guarantee peace, security and stability in the region and by extension the country, the leaders demanded true federalism through restructuring.
They also requested the relocation of the headquarters of all subsidiaries of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to the region.
They also demanded the immediate privatisation of the nation’s refineries to make them functional and boost the economy of the region.
The leaders stated that the country was not at peace with itself and that things were not really working.
Chairman of the South-South Governors Forum and Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, presented the position of the zone during its stakeholders’ meeting with the presidential delegation.
The meeting, earlier slated to hold on November 17, was cancelled at the last minute on the excuse that the FG’s delegation had to attend an emergency meeting of the National Security Council presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, in Abuja on the same day.
Okowa told the presidential delegation that the region was committed to restructuring the country to guarantee “true federalism” and devolution of powers to the states to create and manage their own police and security architecture under a federal structure.
They requested the immediate implementation of the consent judgment entered in the Supreme Court Suit No: SC/964/2016 to enable the South-south gets its share of $55 billion shortfall of collection on deep offshore and inland basin production sharing contracts.
“True federalism’ guided by the principle of derivation, revenue sharing and control of resources by each state of the federation as it was the case in the first republic is what we want,” Okowa said.
According to him, the geopolitical zone desires a federation where its constituent units are constitutionally empowered to create their own structures like local government areas, manage their elections and control their judiciary.
He said, “We are all aware of the huge endowment of this country. As such, it is imperative to stress that with a little bit of efforts, imagination, hard work, sacrifice and leadership, every state of the federation as of today, has the ability and capability to contribute to the national purse. This should be encouraged rather than the whole country depending substantially on a region of the country.
“What is worse and even more painful in this ugly situation is the deliberate lack of understanding, empathy and the uncompromising attitudes of some Nigerians, who have refused to understand the challenges of the South-South region of the country, especially, the degradation of the environment and our waters. As a result, most of the demands of the region have remained unattended to while the resources of the region have been used continually to develop other parts of the country.”
The governors called for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the region’s major seaports in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri to enhance the economic development of the region.
They demanded that the two refineries in Port Harcourt and Warri should be privatised.
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, urged the leaders of the region to avail themselves of the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution by the National Assembly since most of the issues contained in their demands are constitutional matters.
Gambari said the meeting was in response to the President’s mandate that the presidential delegation comprising all the ministers from the region to visit and consult the representatives of the people regarding the recent #EndSARS protest.
He lauded the governors for their quick response and actions in addressing the #EndSARS crisis.
Those who attended the meeting were Governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa) and Godwin Obaseki (Edo).
Others were Minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio; Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Power, Mr. Goddy Jeddy- Agba; Minister of State for Niger Delta, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN); Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, and Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
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US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
Several United States lawmakers have raised fresh alarm over alleged Christian persecution and genocide in Nigeria, urging diplomatic intervention, policy action, and international attention to the country’s ongoing security crisis.
Republican Representative Riley Moore highlighted violence by armed groups, including Boko Haram and Fulani militias, which have displaced hundreds of thousands of Christians, particularly in Benue State. Moore described the attacks as “genocidal” and has called for stronger U.S. engagement to protect vulnerable communities.
In Congress, lawmakers have introduced resolutions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria, with some pushing to designate the country as a “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, a U.S. foreign policy measure that could trigger sanctions and diplomatic pressure. Supporters argue the move is necessary to compel Nigeria to strengthen security, while critics caution that such a designation could strain U.S.–Nigeria relations.
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The Federal Government of Nigeria has dismissed the genocide narrative as propaganda and misinformation, noting that Nigeria’s security challenges affect both Christian and Muslim communities. Abuja has also hired U.S.-based lobbyists to communicate its security efforts and clarify that the violence is linked to terrorism and communal conflict, not targeted religious extermination.
Religious and civil society voices remain divided. Some emphasise the real threat to Christian communities, while others warn that framing the situation as genocide oversimplifies Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, and communal violence.
As debate intensifies, the controversy continues to influence international perceptions, diplomatic relations, and discussions on religious freedom and security policy in Nigeria.
US Lawmakers Raise Fresh Alarm Over Alleged Christian Genocide in Nigeria
News
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo met privately with ex-military ruler General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida at Babangida’s residence in Minna, Niger State, in a closed-door meeting that has sparked widespread speculation about potential political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The meeting, which lasted about 30 minutes, drew attention as both leaders emerged as key elder statesmen whose counsel and influence are often sought by Nigeria’s political elite. Neither Obasanjo nor Babangida spoke to journalists after the session, and no official statement was released, fueling discussions about behind-the-scenes strategic planning and coalition-building for 2027.
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Political analysts note that such high-profile consultations are common ahead of major elections, as party leaders, former presidents, and influential figures explore alliances, policy priorities, and national governance strategies. Observers also link this meeting to recent PDP and APC elder consultations, signaling continued efforts by senior politicians to shape the electoral landscape.
The rendezvous underscores Obasanjo’s continuing role as a political kingmaker, leveraging his network and experience to influence party strategies, candidate selection, and national discourse. With the 2027 elections approaching, similar closed-door meetings among Nigeria’s top political figures are expected to intensify in the coming months.
Obasanjo Holds Secret Meeting With Babangida Amid 2027 Election Speculations
News
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
There has been widespread anger in Borno State after the All Progressives Congress (APC) omitted Vice‑President Kashim Shettima from the official banner at the party’s North‑East zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in Maiduguri. The banner, which featured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the five APC governors from the region, and the party’s National Legal Adviser, conspicuously left out Shettima, a native of Borno State.
The omission prompted immediate backlash from party leaders, including Abdulkarim Lawan, Speaker of the Borno State House of Assembly, who described it as “provocative and unfair,” stressing that it was inappropriate to sideline a senior party official in his home state. The speaker recalled a similar controversy at an APC event in Gombe State last year, highlighting persistent sensitivities within the party’s North‑East faction.
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- ADC, Obidient Movement Unite with Ex‑APC Leader to Challenge APC in 2027
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Attendees of the Maiduguri hearing, convened to discuss proposed constitutional amendments, expressed support for Lawan’s remarks, with loud applause and calls for the Vice‑President’s recognition. In response, the APC Deputy National Chairman dismissed the exclusion as an oversight by organisers, insisting there was no intention to diminish Shettima’s status and affirming that the hearing’s focus remained on party reforms rather than politics.
The incident comes amid speculation about internal APC dynamics ahead of the 2027 general elections, including questions around representation and leadership within the North‑East. Analysts note that repeated omissions of Shettima at high-profile events could fuel perceptions of internal rifts and affect party cohesion in the region.
Outrage in Borno as APC Excludes VP Shettima’s Photo at North‑East Zonal Hearing
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