News

Reps Defer Debate On Constitution Amendment Report; As Senate Rejects 6yr Single Term …Grants States Power On Aviation, Railway

Published

13 years ago

July 17, 2013

A cross section of participants at the Civil Service week in Port Harcourt, yesterday

The House of Representatives yesterday in Abuja deferred the consideration of the 1999 Constitution amendment report today.
This resolution followed complaints by some members that they did not have copies of the report to be considered.
The ad hoc Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution presented their report to the House on July 4.
Earlier, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, advised members to avoid propagating their own interest against that of their constituents while considering the report.
Tambuwal said, “My advice is that we proceed with the wishes of the people. When it is time to vote, we should not vote against the wishes of our people.
“We should proceed with the wishes of the people and not that of some political leaders in our constituencies.”
He said that some Nigerians had advocated subjecting the amended constitution to a referendum, whereas the constitution had clearly spelt out ways it could be amended.
“The constitution has prescribed the procedure for amendment and we cannot go outside it.
The Senate by its voting on the alteration of some clauses in the Constitution of the Federal Republic, yesterday finally laid to rest the recommendation for a 6 -year single term for President, vice president and Governors and their deputies and voted massively against the clause.
Contrary to expectations the clause for autonomy for local governments, in spite of the support it enjoyed during the debate also failed to scale through as most senators voted against the alteration.
The change of the name from Nigeria police force to Nigeria Police Service also was scuttled by the senators just as their votes succeeded in saving NYSC from being scrapped.
Alteration of section 195 of the Constitution which provides for Separation of the office of the Attorney General, from the Minister of Justice’s position and same for the state attorney-general and the commissioner for Justice was also voted against.
However, the Senate by its voting was able to grant states legislative jurisdiction in the area of aviation, environment, healthcare, railways, and labour issues. As they were removed from Exclusive list to concurrents Prisons, public complaints, road safety and arbitration were retained in the Exclusive list.
The voting on the clauses which lasted for about five hours was a true indication of complexities in the exercise as it became very difficult for most of the clauses even those perceived as worthy of alteration (and could have scaled through by simple majority) to get the required two-third majority for any alteration.
The Senate session had 101 senators in attendance including the Senate President who is the presiding officer and who votes when only one vote is required to attain a particular decision
Amongst the recommended alterations, which failed to fly as the senators voted, were section 29. which sought to delete its subsection (4)(b) making marriage status enough qualification for renunciation of citizenship instead of only age of 18.
This clause, however stirred up drama as Senator Sani Ahmed Yerima (Zamfara) was quick to kick against it on the note that if altered it would go against dictates of Islam as Islamic marriage can be conducted at any age. Yerima, it would be recalled has been in the news and public discuss as the Senator who married a 13+year old girl (adjudged under-aged by civil society groups).
However, Yerima had it in his favour as those for the deletion of the claude got only 60 votes against the required 73 votes (2-3rd majority)
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Information, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe briefing Journalists after plenary explained that the Senate had only those clauses to vote on as those were the 30 clauses recommended by the Senate Committee on Constitution chaired by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekeremmadu.
Senator Abaribe noted that some of the popular issues as states creation could meet up with the requirements to be slated for voting.
On the recommendation for removal of immunity clause, Abaribe said the clause was not part of the senate debate and therefore, not amongst issues for voting.
The Senate is to hold a valedictory section for their late colleague.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi (Abuja)

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

4 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.