Editorial
Release Rivers’ $1.1bn Now
If the recent judgement of a Federal High Court in Abuja, ordering the Federal Government to pay both Rivers and Akwa Ibom States a total sum of $3.3 billion is anything to go by, Rivers State will soon be well-heeled and perhaps secure more funds for infrastructural development by a whopping $1.1 billion (N456,899,206,755.68 billion at an exchange rate of N409.94 per dollar).
The court, in a judgement delivered by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, specifically ordered that $1,114,551,610 be paid to Rivers State, while another sum of $2,258,411,586 be reimbursed Akwa Ibom State, being the amount they separately claimed against the Federal Government as share that ought to accrue to them from $62 billion recovered from oil companies. The court also awarded a post-judgement interest of 10 per cent in favour of the plaintiffs until the final liquidation of the judgement.
The money is entitlements of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, based on the subsisting decision of the Supreme Court over production sharing contracts arising from the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts. Taiwo delivered the judgement in Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/174/2021 filed by the Attorneys-General of both states against the Attorney-General of the Federation.
Recall that in 2016, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States, through their Attorneys -General, had sued the Federal Government at the Supreme Court, seeking a declaration that there is a statutory obligation imposed on the Defendant pursuant to Section 16(1) of the Deep Offshore Inland Basin Production Sharing Act, Cap.D3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, to adjust the share of the Federation in the additional revenue accruing under the Production Sharing Contracts, if the price of crude oil at any time exceeds $20.00 per barrel.
Hence, the states had asked the court to declare that the failure of the Defendant to accordingly adjust the share of the Federal Government in the additional revenue in the Production Sharing Contracts, following the increase of the price of crude oil above 20.00 per barrel in real terms, constitutes a breach of the said Section 16 (1) of the Deep Offshore and Inland Basin Production Sharing Contracts Act, and has, therefore, affected the total revenue accruing to the Federation, and consequently, the total statutory allocation accruing to the Plaintiffs.
We feel ecstatically delighted at this historic judgement and commend the court for its courage in deciding the matter in the way it has gone. Specifically, we congratulate the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, on this impressive victory and his audacity in instituting the suit with his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Mr Emmanuel Udom, first at the Supreme Court, and then the Federal High Court.
Beyond the legal victory, it is hoped that President Muhammadu Buhari will graciously accept the court’s decision and act as quickly as possible. Such a response will showcase him as the democrat he has always professed to be. Besides, it will promote the rule of law and encourage many other leaders who are consistently prone to disobeying court judgements to desist from the awkward practice.
Following the judgement of the Supreme Court and in compliance with the Attorney- General of the Federation’s advice, the Defendant constituted a body to determine the respective liabilities including the amount due to oil mineral producing states as derivation proceeds. The report of that body stated among others that Rivers and Akwa Ibom States were entitled to $1,114,551,610.00 and $2,258,411,586.00, respectively, as derivation proceeds.
However, the Attorney-General, without recourse to the governments of Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, unilaterally claimed to have settled with International Oil Companies (IOCs). We reject this move to manipulate the judgement of the court by the federal authorities. This is unacceptable. The court has already ruled on the matter and anything short of that cannot stand.
If the money is promptly released, Governor Wike, known to always intervene and fix many federal projects in the state, particularly roads and building of flyovers on federal roads, will certainly utilise the funds for that objective. From the Port Harcourt-Owerri Federal Road, Port Harcourt-Aba Road, Port Harcourt-Refinery-Onne Road to Federal roads within the City of Port Harcourt: Ikwerre, Azikiwe, among others, the evidence abound. These funds running into billions of naira could have been applied to other clutching needs and concerns of the state.
It is heartwarming that this good news has come when the state is in dire need of finance to satisfy her craving for more essential and developmental projects. Consequently, a better way to utilise the money is to set out a proper plan and procedures to effectively manage it. Indeed, the government and people of the state will be better off if there is a coherent blueprint detailing how the funds should be handled to procure tangible benefits to everyone.
Since there has always been a need to enhance the lives of Rivers people and alleviate poverty in the state, we are strong on the view that the money, when released, could be used for infrastructural projects. The state is in dire need of both hard and soft projects such as proper transport systems, power generation, security, agricultural development, education, workers’ welfare, pensions and gratuities, human capital development, health care, among others. Investing in these areas will create better and longer-term value.
Known for prudently managing the financial resources of the state, it is not in question that the governor has demonstrated that good governance is feasible where there is the political will to do so. There could not be a better way of satisfying the yearnings of the Rivers people and silencing political detractors than the governor’s landmark achievements in the state through key and economically viable projects. There is a need for Wike to lay a good foundation by completing all other viable and people-oriented inherited projects from his predecessors so that his successor would have a smooth sail in governance.
Particularly troubling is the reported targeting of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, who play a vital role in Nigeria’s electoral process. Many serve far from home and undertake sensitive assignments at polling units and other electoral locations. As civilians, they should not be exposed to intimidation, abduction or violence without adequate protection. If election workers are vulnerable, the safety of other officials, observers and voters cannot be guaranteed.
Nigeria’s electoral history offers painful lessons. Human Rights Watch reported in Nigeria’s Post-Election Violence, published in May 2011, that more than 800 people died in the violence following the 2011 general elections. NYSC members serving as electoral officials were among the victims. This tragedy underscores the deadly consequences of political tension, incitement and disputed outcomes. Nigeria must act on the latest warning before another preventable disaster occurs.
INEC deserves recognition for uncovering the alleged plot, while the DSS and other security agencies merit commendation for their reported assistance. However, arrests are only the beginning. Investigators must establish the suspects’ identities, motives, networks and intended targets, ensuring that evidence is admissible in court. The process must remain impartial and free from political interference. Credible public updates are also necessary, provided they do not compromise investigations or operational security.
The authorities must adopt a comprehensive, intelligence-led security strategy for 2027. INEC’s proposed security conference should produce practical measures developed in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), the police, the DSS and other relevant agencies. Threat assessments should guide personnel deployment, secure transportation, emergency communications, evacuation procedures and rapid response. Protection must extend beyond polling day to the distribution of sensitive materials, collation centres and the safe return of ad hoc personnel.
Those who provide intelligence must also be protected from retaliation. Confidential reporting channels and appropriate safeguards should be established for informants and others assisting investigations. Equally, security deployments must not intimidate voters or facilitate political repression. Personnel should act professionally, impartially and proportionately, within the law. Clear mechanisms for reporting misconduct and investigating abuses are essential to maintaining public confidence.
The threat also highlights broader concerns about trust in the electoral system. The European Union Election Observation Mission’s June 2023 final report identified shortcomings in transparency and operational implementation during Nigeria’s 2023 general elections, alongside concerns about the legal framework and electoral dispute resolution. Credible elections require more than security; they depend on transparent procedures, accountable officials and consistent enforcement of electoral laws. INEC must demonstrate measurable progress in addressing previously identified weaknesses.
Voter apathy presents another challenge. INEC’s published figures indicate that approximately 25 million people voted in the 2023 presidential election, out of about 93.5 million registered voters, a turnout of roughly 26.7 per cent. Although insecurity is not the sole cause of low participation, threats against electoral personnel can heighten public anxiety and discourage voters from exercising their franchise. INEC should strengthen civic education, improve polling accessibility and communicate procedures clearly. Political parties, civil society and the media must promote peaceful participation and reject electoral intimidation.
Misinformation and manipulated digital content pose additional risks. False reports, fabricated announcements and deepfake videos can inflame tensions, impersonate officials and mislead voters. INEC should establish a well-resourced, rapid-response communication system supported by verified digital channels and timely public statements. Collaboration with credible media organisations and fact-checkers would help counter falsehoods without suppressing legitimate criticism. Clear, consistent communication is indispensable, as administrative confusion and delayed explanations often allow rumours to spread.
Electoral integrity must also begin within INEC itself. The chairman’s warning against partisanship, negligence, extortion and ethical misconduct deserves serious attention. Security measures cannot compensate for officials who abuse their positions or disregard established procedures. INEC should strengthen staff training, ensure transparent recruitment and deployment, provide secure channels for reporting misconduct and enforce disciplinary rules consistently. Allegations of bribery and political interference must be investigated regardless of rank, while ad hoc personnel should receive adequate briefing, support and prompt payment.
The legal framework also requires clarity and consistent enforcement. INEC should explain the precise provisions and applicability of Section 26 of the Electoral Act 2026, including the obligations of electoral officials and security personnel, and publish authoritative guidance on neutrality and professional conduct. Complaints by opposition parties that they have been prevented from campaigning in certain states must likewise be investigated impartially. Any established violations should attract appropriate corrective action. Electoral fairness requires not only impartial polling officials but also lawful campaigning, access to competing viewpoints and freedom from intimidation.
The alleged plot against INEC’s ad hoc personnel is a warning against complacency ahead of the 2027 general election. Governments, security agencies, INEC, political parties and civil society must work together to prevent violence, punish misconduct and protect citizens’ participation. The commission should communicate its security priorities, maintain accessible threat-reporting channels and provide periodic updates on preparedness. Nigeria’s democracy cannot be safeguarded by assurances alone; it requires demonstrable preparation, impartial law enforcement and an unwavering commitment to free, fair and credible elections.
Nigeria joined the world in commemorating the International Day of the Girl-Child on 11 March 2026, an observance dedicated to advancing girls’ rights and amplifying their voices. This year’s theme, “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights,” confronts a deep-rooted injustice and demands an end to sacrificing girls’ futures to prejudice and expediency.
The focus is child marriage, not as an unavoidable misfortune but as a preventable injustice. Though prevalent in many societies, the practice remains particularly troubling in parts of northern Nigeria, where it has become normalised. Reports of girls aged 10 to 13 being married off are disturbing. The controversy surrounding a Nigerian senator and former governor who married a 13-year-old girl further exposed the practice to global scrutiny, yet accountability at home appeared limited. When lawmakers disregard the law, society’s moral compass is compromised.
UNICEF’s statistics reveal the scale of the crisis. Globally, an estimated 650 million women and girls alive today were married before turning 18, while more than 12 million girls enter marriage annually before adulthood. In Nigeria, about 33 per cent of girls marry before 18 and 11 per cent before 15. The prevalence reportedly reaches 63 per cent in Jigawa and Zamfara States and 61 per cent in Sokoto and Katsina. These figures represent millions of childhoods interrupted and futures imperilled.
These statistics explain why the United Nations continues to campaign against child marriage and advocate investment in girls. The consequences are devastating. Girls whose bodies are not fully developed face increased risks of maternal death, obstetric fistula, sexually transmitted infections and psychological trauma. The economic cost is equally significant. A 2017 World Bank and International Centre for Research on Women Study estimated that ending child marriage could generate an additional $7.6 billion in earnings and productivity for Nigeria, as early marriage deprives girls of education, skills, and opportunities to contribute to national development.
Educating a woman benefits the entire society. As a mother, she often becomes her children’s first teacher and a vital influence on their character. An educated mother helps raise enlightened children, just as one candle can light many others without losing its flame. Denying women education undermines families and communities. To expect wisdom while deliberately withholding knowledge is to demand the impossible.
Several reasons are offered for marrying off young girls, including economic hardship, cultural practices and religious beliefs. In some households, daughters are treated as commodities, married early so that their bride price can finance their brothers’ education. While boys enter classrooms, their sisters are sent to matrimonial homes. This discriminatory practice is shortsighted, depriving the nation of half its human potential. A country cannot expect to run effectively after deliberately crippling one side of its capacity.
Beyond these justifications lies the entrenched belief that women ultimately belong in the kitchen, regardless of their education. This outdated notion is demonstrably false. Countries where women lead governments, businesses, research institutions and other sectors show what investment in female talent can achieve. Rwanda’s substantial female parliamentary representation is one example. Confining women to domestic roles limits not only their ambitions but also the nation’s progress.
A girl-child must not surrender her childhood to poverty or prejudice. Some traditions discourage women from attaining educational heights comparable to or greater than those of men, driven by the baseless fear that educated women will disrespect their husbands. Such thinking equates enlightenment with insubordination and empowerment with threat. This patriarchal mindset perpetuates inequality and keeps society trapped in backwardness.
Consequently, some parents consider educating their daughters a waste of resources, likening it to watering another man’s garden. This attitude is deeply misguided. Every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, grow and pursue her dreams. Early marriage mortgages her future, stifles her potential and traps her in circumstances she might otherwise overcome. No society can justify sacrificing a child’s prospects to outdated customs or immediate financial gain.
Ending child marriage must, therefore, go hand in hand with investing in girls’ education, safety and rights. Every girl should have the opportunity to realise her potential. This requires more than annual declarations, billboards, posters and seminars held in air-conditioned halls. Awareness without action is like a cloud without rain: promising, yet incapable of nourishing the ground.
The campaign must move beyond tokenism to practical intervention, particularly at the state level, where the problem is acute. Governments should formulate policies that protect girls and make education accessible. Scholarships, bursaries, conditional cash transfers, school feeding programmes and other incentives can help keep girls in school. When education is affordable and adequately supported, more girls can choose the classroom over the bridal chamber.
Civil society organisations, faith-based groups, and traditional institutions must intensify efforts to challenge child marriage and dismantle harmful beliefs disguised as religious or cultural obligations. Parents must also uphold their responsibility to protect and educate their daughters, despite economic pressures. A society that educates its girls invests in its future; one that marries them off in childhood mortgages that future at an incalculable cost.
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