Politics

Democracy Taking Stronger Roots In Nigeria – Dekor

Published

4 years ago

June 20, 2022

Twenty – nine years after the June 12, 1993 General Elections, adjudged the freest and fairest in Nigeria, was anulled by the military junta of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, stakeholders believe that enough lessons had been learnt from that sordid political experience which has evidently shaped the very spirit and character of political transition in the country.
Without any pretence, Nigerians acknowledge the effects of that singular political decision on democratic transition in the country, and are more cautious against such political tendencies.
Key stakeholders and political players are of the view that lessons from the June 12 debacle had forestalled such instances of abridgement of the civic rights of Nigerians, as the populace is more adaptable to the rules of popular democracy and more vigilant over their civic responsibilities, while the ruling class is also awakening to how to use power without abusing it.
In the candid postulation and opinion of Rt Hon Dumnamene Dekor, member representing Khana/ Gokana Federal Constituency in the National Assembly on the chequered political development of Nigeria, Democracy is getting more consolidated and rooted in the country and should be protected.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt recently, Hon Dekor, a former Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, said the June 12 experience has become a focal point of sober reasoning in terms of democratic transition and political governance in Nigeria.
According to Dekor, Nigerians learnt great lessons from June 12 and came out of the experience with a resolute stance on populist participation in the process of governance as the sustainable foundation of the nation’s political growth.
”Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria, there is no better option for the development of the country than democracy. What we need to do is to tailor our democracy towards our needs. There is the need to strengthen our democratic institutions. Every society passes through challenging moments to get more strengthened. Nigeria has come of age to tackle its inherent socio-economic and political challenges. I’m happy over the reforms that are going on in the country. Today-we have an INEC that is prepared. There is hope for a brighter prospect of democratic experience where the people will play active roles; where the people will be able to exercise their statutory mandate and trust the outcome of the process”, he said.
Commenting further on citizenship awareness and participation in the democratic process, Hon Dekor said there was need for massive voter education of the populace by relevant agencies such as the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Media, Civil Society Organisations, among others to rouse the people from their apathy and mobilise them against accepting seasonal political tokens from politicians in exchange of their liberty.
He observed that the visibility of the key mobilisation agency, the NOA, has been dismal and urged the agency to be proactive in the discharge of its statutory function.
“The bulk of the country’s population reside in the rural areas and there’s need for effective mobilisation for them to key into the stream of political activities. The NOA, the major agency vested with this responsibility is not doing enough in this regard. The impact of the agency has not been felt in recent times. Particularly, now we are in a political transition, they need to wake up to their responsibilities by embarking on massive campaigns and orientation of the people to participate in the process of political governance”, he pointed out.
Speaking on the just concluded party primaries across the country, Hon Dekor who is a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said the process so far has been interesting but there was need for more improvement to address some clearly identified lapses.
Using PDP primaries as a case study, he said at the state level, particularly in Rivers State, the party has remained focused and united in building concensus because of its formidable leadership.
However, at the national level, he noted a deviation from the letters of the constitution of the party which centres on zoning as a yardstick of balancing power equations.
Hon Dekor was also deeply concerned about the minority question in Nigeria. He said Nigeria as a federation of component units should respond to the imperatives of justice by devolving powers to the component units and not operate on a behemoth called federal government which is highly centralised.
“One of the greatest challenges of nation building is the minority question. The minorities in Nigeria have not been treated fairly despite their enormous contributions to the economic development of the country. Issues concerning the development of the minorities are treated with negligible attention.
“For example, the issue of soot emission in Rivers State which has caused grave environmental and health challenges has not unnerved the Federal Ministry of Environment, despite all the overtures of the Rivers State Government to get their attention to the malaise. This is unfair.
“There’s need for fiscal federalism and devolution of powers to the federating units. The centralised federal structure in operation is inimical to national development and growth as the minorities are always slighted in the distribution of the common wealth of the nation to which they are the major contributors”, the seasoned legislator said.
The federal lawmaker applauded Governor Nyesom Wike over his bold stride to challenge institutional flaws in the Nigerian federation as exemplified in the issue of Value Added Tax, (VAT) and other imbalances and usurpation of the fundamental rights of the states.
He said Rivers State should not only be seen as a political bride to be used to achieve vested political interests but should as well be given commensurate honour in terms of the state’s contributions to the economic development of the country.
In his assessment of the potency of the Legislative arm of government in Nigeria within the past years of the country’s democratic evolution, Hon Dekor said that Nigeria’s legislature has made remarkable improvement so far.
He explained that the Legislative arm of government had been the major victim of military dictatorship in Nigeria as they were always suspended and decreed out of existence while the Judiciary always existed as the defense forces assumed executive leadership.
According him such disbandment of the Legislature amounted to the total callapse of democracy, as the Legislature was the true repository of representative democracy.
He, however, expressed hope that years of uninterrupted democratic rule in the country have reinvigorated the legislative arm of government to play it’s statutory lawmaking role, noting that good governance thrives on effective and efficient legislative practices.
Hon Dekor identified external and extraneous influences as a major hindrance to the evolution of an independent parliament and recommended that leadership of the legislative arm of government be allowed to evolve internally without undue interference.
Asked his assessment of the Ogoni Clean Up Project by the Federal Government, the federal lawmaker who is the Chairman, House Committee on Host Communities in the House of Representatives said he would be able to make a formal comment on the state of the Ogoni clean- up venture after the exercise of the oversight function of the committee which would commence soon.
Commenting on the role of the Local Government as the closest tier of government to the people, he noted that the local councils owed the people a duty to ensure security and development of the local communities.
He commended the Chairmen of Khana and Gokana LGAs for their developmental strides within one year in office, particularly in the areas of security, youth empowerment and infrastructural development.
Hon. Dekor urged Local Government chairmen across the state not to rest on their oars but be proactive in dispensing governance to the rural areas and stimulating robust rural economies.
Hon. Dekor, who is seen as a man of intense grassroots involvement is the candidate of the PDP for a second term to represent the Khana /Gokana Federal Constituency in next year’s general elections.
He believes that his achievements and endearing attributes would earn him the mandate of the people for another legislative tenure.

By: Taneh Beemene

Politics

Senate Urges Tinubu To Sack CAC Boss

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The Senate yesterday urged President Bola Tinubu to remove the Registrar-General of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Hussaini Magaji, over what lawmakers described as a persistent refusal to appear before its Committee on Finance.

The resolution followed a motion raised by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu during a session where members of the President’s economic team were present for engagement with the committee.

Tension rose at the commencement of the meeting when agency heads were introduced and senators observed the absence of the CAC Registrar-General, who had been invited to account for the commission’s activities, particularly on revenue matters.

Moving the motion, Kalu expressed anger over what he termed repeated disregard for legislative oversight, accusing the CAC boss of consistently avoiding invitations to appear before the committee.

He said, “Since I came to the Senate, this CAC man has always given excuses that he is in the Villa or going to London. He is not above the law. This man is not coming to the Senate. Look at the ministers of finance and budget. They are both here. We summoned them and they came.

“But this man thinks he’s bigger than the Senate. We’re not going to take that rubbish again. He had refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee. We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.

“I move a motion that the man should be reported to Mr President and ask for immediate removal because we cannot continue with him. Is that what we’re doing here? He should come and give us an account of what he had done.”

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, corroborated the concerns, pointing to unresolved discrepancies in the reconciliation of the commission’s revenues.

He noted that despite several invitations, the registrar-general had failed to show up to address the issues raised by senators.

“The registrar-general of the Corporate Affairs Commission has refused on so many occasions to honour the calls, invitations or summons of this most important committee.

“There are only about three committees that are in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Committee of Finance is one of those committees. Sections 88, and 89 have given us these powers.

“And as registrar-general, we have issues with the reconciliation of their revenue. Anytime he is invited, he will give us one reason or another, and he will send junior officers to come and talk to the Senate. That cannot be accepted,” he said.

In a further show of frustration, Senator Adams Oshiomhole proposed that the Senate escalate the matter by withholding approval of the CAC’s 2026 budget pending the registrar-general’s personal appearance before the committee.

Oshiomhole also suggested that the commission be restrained from spending its internally generated revenue without prior approval of the national assembly.

“This senate should decline to appropriate anything in the 2026 budget until we are satisfied that he has accounted for previous money and spending properly.

“And should he spend money that is not appropriated, he should be heading to Kuje prison,” Oshiomhole said.

The motion urging the President to remove the CAC Registrar-General was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted.

The development underscores renewed assertiveness by the Senate in exercising its constitutional oversight functions, particularly over revenue-generating agencies.

The Corporate Affairs Commission, which regulates companies and business registrations in Nigeria, is a key contributor to non-oil revenue, making accountability and transparency central to its operations.

News

Amend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu has appealed to the leadership of the 10th Senate to amend the constitution to provide a legal framework for the establishment of State Police to tackle insecurity nationwide.

President Tinubu made the appeal during an interfaith breakfast with senators at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, yesterday.

The president said that the creation of State Police has become urgent to address Nigeria’s evolving security challenges, strengthen grassroots policing, and enhance states’ capacity to respond swiftly to threats within their jurisdictions.

He noted that a decentralised policing structure would complement existing federal security architecture and promote intelligence-led, community-focused law enforcement.

“We are facing terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. But we will never fail to make a right response to this cause. What I will ask for tonight is for you (Senators) to start thinking how best to amend the constitution to incorporate the State Police for us to secure our country, take over our forests from marauders, and free our children from fear,” he said.

The president commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Senate, saying that unity is needed to defeat terrorism and banditry in the country.

“It is a good thing that we are working in harmony, we are looking forward to a country that evolves, a country that takes care of its citizens and protects all.

Tinubu thanked the Senate for its unflinching support towards achieving various economic reforms of his administration, especially the fuel subsidy removal and tax reform policy.

“I have a lot of credit for bold reforms. Without your collaboration and inspiration, those reforms would not be possible. We are reformists together. What we gave up and what we stopped is monumental corruption in the subsidy system. We don’t want to participate in monumental corruption and arbitrage foreign exchange.

You don’t have to chase me for dollars; you could see what Nigeria is today. You should be proud, and I am glad you are. What we are enjoying is a stable economy, and prosperity is beckoning us. We need to work hard, and this attendance means a lot to me,” the president said.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended the president for hosting the leadership of the Senate to the Interfaith breaking of fast.

He commended President Tinubu for providing the visionary leadership the nation needs at this critical time, stating that the administration’s bold reforms have now brought more revenue to governors at the sub-national level for the development of critical infrastructure.

The Senate President prayed for the administration, and for the nation’s peace and prosperity.

Politics

FCT COUNCILS’ ELECTIONS: PDP WINS GWAGWALADA CHAIRMANSHIP AS APC SECURES AMAC, BWARI

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

Alhaji Mohammed Kasim, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship election in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Philip Akpeni, the Returning Officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), announced the results on Sunday morning.

Alhaji Kasim polled 22,165 votes to defeat Alhaji Yahaya Shehu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 17,788 votes.

Alhaji Biko Umar of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) scored 1, 687 to come in third place.

“I am the returning officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Gwagwalada chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026,” Akpeni said.

“That Mohammed Kasim of PDP, having certified the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected.”

In the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Maikalangu, the APC candidate, was declared the winner of the chairmanship poll with 40,295 votes.

Andrew Abue, the Collation Officer for AMAC, said Hon. Maikalangu, who is the incumbent AMAC chairman, was returned elected having scored the highest number of votes cast.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) came second with 12,109 votes, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) polled 3,398 votes.

According to Abue, the total number of valid votes in the chairmanship poll was 62,861, while the total votes cast stood at 65,197.

He added that the number of registered voters in AMAC was 837,338, while the total number of accredited voters was 65,676.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared Mr. Joshua Ishaku of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner of the Bwari Area Council Chairmanship election.

Announcing the result on Sunday in Bwari, the Returning Officer for the election, Prof. Mohammed Nurudeen, stated that Ishaku polled a total of 18,466 votes to emerge victorious in the February 21, 2026 poll.

“I am the Returning Officer for the 2026 FCT Area Council, Bwari chairmanship held on Feb. 21, 2026. That Joshua Ishaku, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected,” Nurudeen said.

According to the results declared, the candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) secured 4,254 votes, while the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) polled 3,515 votes to place second and third respectively.

The declaration adds to the series of results emerging from the 2026 FCT Area Council elections, as political parties assess their performance ahead of future contests.

INEC UPLOADS 2,602 OF 2,822 FCT CHAIRMANSHIP RESULTS ON IReV

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had uploaded 2,602 out of the 2,822 expected polling unit results from Saturday’s chairmanship elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as at 5:55am on Sunday, data retrieved from its Result Viewing Portal (IReV) showed.

According to The Tide source, the figure represents an overall upload rate of about 92.2 per cent across the six area councils of the territory.

A council-by-council breakdown indicates that Municipal Area Council recorded the highest number of submissions in absolute terms, with 1,309 of 1,401 polling unit results uploaded, representing 93.43 per cent.

In Gwagwalada Area Council, 330 of the expected 338 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 97.63 per cent — the highest upload rate among the six councils.

In Bwari Area Council, INEC uploaded 463 of 485 polling unit results, translating to 95.46 per cent.

In Abaji Area Council, 129 of 135 polling unit results had been uploaded as at 5:55am, representing 95.56 per cent.

In Kwali Area Council, 164 of the expected 201 polling unit results were available on the portal, representing 81.59 per cent.

In Kuje Area Council, 207 of 262 polling unit results had been uploaded, representing 79.01 per cent — the lowest rate among the six councils as at the time of review.