Politics
“High Cost Of Governance, Recipe For Under Dev”
Rivers State was created on May 27, 1967 by a military Decree and by 1996, Bayelsa State was carved out of it. However, agitation for the creation of Rivers State predated Nigeria’s independence from Britain in 1960. During the Colonial period. Britain signed many treaties of protection with the chiefs of many coastal communities.
Some of these chiefs had hoped that with Nigeria’s independence, the treaties of protection they signed with Britain would also lapse and thus, they would become independent states. The 1958 constitutional conference which affirmed Nigerian nationhood dashed that hope, but agreed on some measures to allay the fears of the ethnic minorities in this area.
Between 1941 and 1952, an organization known as the izo Rivers People’s League had agitted for the creation of a distinct Rivers Province in 1953, another body called the Council of Rivers Chief People Conference in 1956. The leaders of this organization cooperated with the Calabar Ogaja Rivers (COR) State Movement formed in Uyo in December 1953, but later broke away to press their own case before the Willink commission.
To allay the fears of the minorities under the dominant ethnic groups within the Nigerian nationhood, the British made one import and concession by setting up a Commission headed by Sir Henry Willink to look into the misgivings of the ethnic minorities. The Willink Commission recommended the establishment of the Niger Delta Development Board (NDDB) to address the problem of underdevelopment of the area.
Surprisingly that board did not meet the aspirations of the people and thus, some people attempted to take the extra-legal means to achieve their goal. In February 1966, Isaac Boro, Sam Owonaro and Nottingham Dick with their supporters proclaimed a “Delta Peoples Republic.” Federal and Eastern Nigeria Governments brought this rebellion to an abrupt end. On May 27, 1967, Rivers State was among the twelve States created by the Gen Yakubu Gowon Regime.
The cries of political marginalization, environmental degradation and economic pauperization continued among the Ijaws, such that the Old Ijaw province was carved out of Rivers State as a distinct Bayelsa State in 1996 by the Abacha led military government of Nigeria.
The cries of political marginalization, environmental degradation and economic pauperization continued among the Ijaws, such that the Old Ijaw province was carved out of Rivers State as a distinct Bayelsa State in 1996 by the Abacha led military government of Nigeria.
But after the civilians took power in 1999, through a democratic process, Rivers State has not been able to meet those aspirations it suppose to have met after many years of civilian rules in the state.
Baring his mind on Nigeria’s Democracy, the leader of the Movement for the survival of Ogoni people, (MOSOP), Mr. Ledum Mitee, said in some aspect the country may have done as much as it would have done, in terms of freedom of speech, people can express themselves, press relatively free and delections were done and not military exerting force against everybody, even in terms of human rights, we have gone a step ahead but, still believed that in terms of translating the devidends and benefits that democracy offers the ordinary people, I’m not sure that we have gotten there yet. There were times that people living in the Diobu area use to turn the tap and water runs in their various yards, but today that is not the case, people now use pure water or sink a borehole, that is not good enough for a country like Nigeria. The public schools were not in good shapes until few years. The schools then looked like museum that have been abandoned for ages, thanks for the efforts of this government in Rivers State with the edifice that could be point to that there is still public schools.
Apart from the social amenities which has been absent even before the democratic process in the country, Mitee said, the government have not looked at the Agriculture and way of empowering the young ones. They have not explored enough Agriculture. The country have not reach where it supposed to reach in terms of farming, but unfortunately, the nation was still depending on the people who are toiling on their own pace, and we are getting nothing for it, and that adds to the poverty. In the past Rivers State Government use to have produce board, this board guarantee price. We also use to have palm plantations, rubber plantations but I think, since oil came, we completely dealt deathblow to all those things, our children who are growing up do not know what palm plantations are and why they even exited.
In terms of industry, the country, lendership open floodgatefor all sort of goods from every where, and so industries are completely dead, come and think of what had happened to Michelin some years ago, the company used to offer jobs to people and this was because they could produce tires and people could buy, and the company offered jobs for some thousands of people because they could do tyres and prople would buy them and it offered employments to a lots of people. Trans Amadi use to bubble of activities and several people were employed in various companies at Trans Amadi now the economy has sunk to the level, the factories have all gone and churches have taken over as a means of employment, he said.
He noted that one of the causes of the do or die politics in Nigeria is the lucrative nature and the high stake of the political offices, explaining that society have no longer value for professionals and role modes.
According to him, “you see somebody whom have no qualifications but as soon as he becomes a councilor, he earns more than a professor and Medical Doctor who have spent years of learning. “So, we have averted the value of society. If I may ask who are the people who are as role modes now in society, would you think of a medical doctor who have spent about 8 years in the university, trying to do the little that can save lives, or would you think of a university professor, who have gone through all the years learning, no one thinks of them as role models any longer, we are thinking of how to be councilors or politicians. Some even apply to be a political thugs, because that is what is obtainable.
He also said the cause of running governance in Nigeria is also expensive, stressing that it has also contributed to the underdevelopment of the nation. “If you take a look at the amount the legislators are taking, you would be surprise at the cost of governance. If there is a reduction in those areas, there would be sufficient money to handle social security, government can pay every person N10,000 monthly, if even the person has no job. This would make them not to engage in criminal activities. It happens in other countries, I believe that if all these combinations are put in place, we can now say we are geting the real benefits of democracy.
Stressing further, Mitee said government can as well buy jobs for its youth, adding that some countries do it.
He noted that the idea was to secure future for the coming generations but regretted that Nigeria is not thinking towards that direction and does not give attentions to its youths a situation he said was not a welcome development.
He said as Governor Chibuike Amaechi is about to commence the second phase of his administration, he should consolidate on what he has done in the past four years and try to connect the people with what had happened instead, “He has built schools, he should get teachers, not only getting teachers but also putting the system on check through supervision.” This, he said would help create a system that would work and punish the bad eggs.
According to him, “You can put such edifices’ and then have some class of people who would ruin the good job that he has started.
He advised, Amaechi to be thinking more of a legacy, “By now he should have settled those he owed last section. This is his last lap and the time that he owes himself a legacy. It is something that they would remember him of long after people have forgotten who built roads.
On the conduct of the last general elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the MOSOP leader noted he was not sure we are there yet but said, “you do not expect a leap from zero to hero just one night,” He noted that the problem does not lie on the INEC, but the mentality and attitude of the people to what is being done. In this respect, we could look at the self imposed urgency we gave ourselves, after the 2007 elections. Late Musa Yar’Adua acknowledged that the 2007 elections was not good enough and proposed for an electoral reforms, but regretted that nothing started until few months to the elections, so I think to build on what had happened 2011 election we should start now to amend any area that needs amendment in the electoral law and not to wait till the next election before thinking of having a law. “We give ourselves imposed urgency and I think it is not too good.”
Mr Okonkwo made the announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on yesterday, expressing gratitude for what he called Alhaji Abubakar’s show of faith in him.
“I give God all the glory for being appointed by His Excellency Atiku Abubakar as his spokesperson. I thank His Excellency for the immense confidence reposed in me,” Mr Okonkwo said.
The politician credited Alhaji Abubakar with championing dialogue over conflict within party ranks.
He noted that the former vice president favours conversation and compromise when party associates raise genuine worries, rather than dismissing their concerns.
“Rather than take offence at associates for expressing genuine reservations about any action taken, His Excellency always opts for dialogue and compromise that engender solutions to problems,” Mr Okonkwo stated.
According to him, recent talks with Alhaji Abubakar and other ADC leaders tackled worries about South-East political representation within the limits of the Electoral Act, 2026, and the current political climate. He said the discussions produced guarantees for the region’s interests despite existing constraints.
Mr Okonkwo also acknowledged the work of Dr. Kashim Imam; former ADC National Chairman, Ralphs Nwosu; Ekene Onwuka, Alhaji Abubakar’s Senior Special Assistant on Special Duties, in preparing the party for next year’s elections. He thanked his loved ones and supporters for their support and prayers.
“I still covet your prayers for wisdom, courage, provision and protection needed to carry out this challenging responsibility, which will usher in a glorious and great Nigeria,” he added.
The appointment arrives weeks after Mr Okonkwo publicly attacked the ADC’s pick for running mate in 2027. He’d warned that choosing a vice-presidential candidate from the South-South would worsen what he sees as political neglect of the South-East, a region without a president or vice president since 1999.
Despite Mr Okonkwo’s objections, the ADC later announced former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, as Alhaji Abubakar’s running mate following the ex-vice president’s clinching of the party’s presidential nomination.
The Senate has defended the passage of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) (State Police) Bill, 2026, saying the proposed creation of state police is driven by national consensus and the country’s security needs rather than political considerations.
The Red Chamber passed the bill last Wednesday after more than two-thirds of senators voted in support.
In a statement issued yesterday by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele described the bill as “a child of necessity and not of political expediency as well as a product of national consensus and not of cynicism.”
The senate leader said the proposal to establish state police was a matter of urgent public importance that could not be delayed because of political interests, given the country’s security challenges.
He explained that the proposal did not originate recently but emerged from memoranda submitted to the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution.
According to him, the proposal underwent extensive consultations and rigorous scrutiny because of its sensitive nature.
Bamidele said the National Assembly consulted widely with the Executive, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, the leadership of the Nigeria Police and other stakeholders before passing the bill.
He added that during the public hearings conducted across the six geopolitical zones in July 2025, participants overwhelmingly supported the creation of state police.
“At each level of our consultation, nearly all stakeholders embraced the State Police Bill in the light of stark realities we are facing today,” he said.
The Senate leader noted that recommendations from the Nigeria Police contributed to the bill, particularly on accountability and oversight mechanisms aimed at preventing abuse of state police by political actors.
According to him, the police’s support for the proposal underscores its national significance in tackling insecurity at the state and local levels.
Bamidele also said the bill received broad bipartisan backing in both chambers of the National Assembly.
“Even though the APC is the majority, there are members of opposition parties — PDP, ADC, NDC and Labour Party — that exercised their discretion in favour of the Bill, mainly in the national interest and not on parochial basis.
“In the Senate, for instance, 84 out of 109 members voted clause by clause in support of the Bill. This accounted for 77.06 per cent approval at the Senate alone,” he said.
He argued that national security should transcend political affiliations, saying political actors in other countries often set aside partisan interests to support initiatives that strengthen security.
Bamidele called on opposition parties to contribute constructive ideas that would promote peace and stability, adding that they have a responsibility to offer alternatives that would strengthen the country.
“Even when they disagree on some grounds, they are under obligations to provide credible and useful ideas that can make our nation better and greater. Unfortunately, they have not passed this critical test of opposition democracy,” he said.
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to refer allegations of the diversion or non-accounting of over ?6.3 billion in constituency project funds to anti-corruption agencies for investigation and possible prosecution.
The group also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all diverted or unaccounted public funds are recovered and paid into the treasury.
In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed and released by Oluwadare, yesterday.
SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identities of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.
It gave the National Assembly seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would institute legal proceedings should the legislature fail to respond.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
It said, “The allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
“The Auditor-General identified numerous cases of payments into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not rendered, undocumented expenditures, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failures to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“According to the 2022 audited report, contained in pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the private account of some members of staff of the Council from the Constituency Projects Fund Account.
“There ‘was no evidence of the utilization of the funds and no explanations on the purpose for the payment of such amount into the individual accounts.”
SERAP added, “The Council (EHORECON) also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts of over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of Modern Abattoirs in Kebbi State and the supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa, and Headquarters Abuja.
“The money was to ‘produce bills of quantity, architectural design, structural design, mechanical design, and electrical designs for the contracts and supervision.’ But ‘the ‘items could not be found.’”
Altogether, SERAP said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report alleged EHORECON paid more than ?1.8 billion in constituency project funds through questionable transactions.
For the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, SERAP said the institution “in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youths in selected vocational areas in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youths in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youths and women in agro production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
“But the money was paid to the contractors without any document.’”
Other irregularities involving the college include another ?279.7 million in mobilisation fees allegedly paid without documentation, and more than ?629.4 million paid to unqualified contractors for various constituency projects without evidence of due process, contract advertisements or details of the contractors.
SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General’s report identified multiple financial irregularities involving the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over ?407 million allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without supporting documents, more than ?399 million paid to unqualified contractors, contracts allegedly inflated by over ?192 million, over ?279 million paid for projects not fully executed, ?50 million allegedly paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and more than ?83 million disbursed without the required documentation or approvals.
It also alleged that NAPTIP reportedly irregularly awarded contracts worth over ?21.8 million, paid more than ?176.8 million for logistics and consultancy services without supporting documents, and disbursed over ?89.6 million and ?4.4 million for projects that were allegedly not executed.
The report also alleged that NILDS failed to submit audited financial statements for 2012 to 2022, did not remit over ?15 million in stamp duties, and spent ?1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
SERAP said the report recommended the recovery of the affected funds and their remittance to the treasury.
It argued that corruption in constituency projects disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable Nigerians by diverting resources meant for public services and development.
It added that the National Assembly, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, should demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency project funds.
The organisation further argued that the allegations, if established, would amount to breaches of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.
