News

S’South Group Writes Tinubu, Seeks Executive Order On 13% Derivation Fund

Published

1 hour ago

February 27, 2026

A socio-political group in the South-South, the Niger Delta Civil Society Forum, has written an open letter to President Bola Tinubu, raising constitutional concerns over what it described as the illegal and unconstitutional implementation of the 13 per cent Derivation Fund in the country.

In the open letter, signed by its Coordinator, Ezekiel Kagbala, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri, yesterday, the forum warned that “the prevailing practice undermines the supremacy of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and continues to shortchange oil-producing communities of the Niger Delta.”

While noting that it was “compelled to speak out in the spirit of patriotism, constitutionalism, and justice,” the forum maintained that “oil and gas matters are expressly listed under Item 39 of the Exclusive Legislative List in Part I of the Second Schedule to the Constitution, covering mines and minerals, including oilfields, oil mining, geological surveys, and natural gas.”

The forum appealed to Tinubu to, “without further delay, issue an Executive Order to correct the alleged anomalies by ensuring lawful administration of the 13% Derivation Fund.”

This, it stated, should include the establishment of a 13% Derivation Fund Board in each oil- and gas-producing state and the constitution of a Presidential Monitoring Committee to guarantee transparency, accountability, and strict constitutional compliance.

“This appeal is not political; it is constitutional. It is not adversarial; it is corrective,” the forum said, reiterating that “continued unconstitutional handling of the Derivation Fund undermines the rule of law and deprives host communities of the justice the Constitution guarantees them.”

The open letter added, “By the doctrine of separation of powers, only the Federal Government, acting through the President, has jurisdiction over matters on the Exclusive Legislative List.

“State governors and state assemblies lack constitutional authority to legislate on, administer, or appropriate funds derived from oil and gas resources.

“Yet, for over thirty years, governors of oil- and gas-producing states and their state assemblies have exercised control over derivation funds.”

The forum described the ongoing practice as “persistent constitutional overreach and illegality.”

It cited Section 162(2) of the 1999 Constitution, which provides that the principle of derivation shall be “not less than thirteen per cent of the revenue accruing to the Federation Account from any natural resources.”

The forum argued that under the derivation principle, the 13% Derivation Fund is a first-line charge on the Federation Account, constitutionally set aside before the remaining 87 per cent is shared among the Federal, State, and Local Governments.

“In law and practice, first-line charges are paid directly to beneficiaries. The Federal Government is a second-line charge, states third-line, and local governments fourth-line,” the forum explained.

It added, “The current practice of handing the 13% Derivation Fund to state governors to administer has no constitutional foundation and undermines transparency, accountability, and the intent of the Constitution.”

The forum recalled that when Chief Wellington Okrika, popularly known as “Mr. 13 Per Cent,” spearheaded the historic struggle for the derivation principle, state governors were not part of that agitation.

According to the NDCSF, no compensation or formal recognition was ever accorded to Chief Okrika, despite his central role in advancing the derivation principle from which oil-producing states now benefit.

“The present mindless abuse of the derivation principle by political actors who neither fought for it nor respect its constitutional foundations is unjust, morally troubling, and capable of attracting international intervention if allowed to continue unchecked,” the forum posited.

To further support its position, the NDCSF referenced constitutional precedents. It recalled that under President Shehu Shagari, when derivation stood at 1.5 per cent, the funds were not disbursed to governors but managed through presidential oversight and monitoring structures.

Similarly, the forum noted that when General Ibrahim Babangida increased derivation to 3 per cent, he established OMPADEC to centrally administer the funds, in recognition of oil and gas being on the Exclusive Legislative List.

“These actions respected constitutional boundaries and provided clear models for lawful and transparent administration,” the letter stated.

The NDCSF expressed concern over what it described as persistent silence by federal authorities despite repeated submissions of documents and constitutional references on the matter.

Concluding, the group said it trusts in Tinubu’s commitment to constitutionalism and reform and expressed hope for decisive action that will finally align the implementation of the 13% Derivation Fund with the letter and spirit of the Constitution.

News

Amend Constitution To Accommodate State Police, Tinubu Tells Senators

Published

31 minutes 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.

News

We’ve Made Significant Strides In Health Sector -Fubara

Published

37 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that his administration has made significant strides in the health sector in the past two and a half years.

Fubara, who stated this on Tuesday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, listed some of his notable achievements to include the revamping of health facilities, the establishment of the health insurance scheme and the employment of over 2,000 health workers to boost the manpower and efficiency of the sector.

The governor further disclosed that the administration has revived and expanded several abandoned health facilities, including the Zonal Hospitals in Bori, Omoku, Ahoada, and Degema.

He explained that the Ahoada Zonal Hospital is a 105-bed secondary facility that has capacity to cater for the health needs of the people in its catchment area.

In addition to the Zonal Hospitals, Fubara stated that his administration has also paid very close attention to the Primary Healthcare Centres across the state to ensure that citizens of Rivers State, especially those in the rural areas, have easy access to healthcare within their communities.

According to him, the administration approved the remodeling of 153 primary healthcare centers across the State to ensure their functionality.

“As an administration, we are very passionate about the health of every citizen and resident of Rivers State. When we realised that many people have been under stress as a result of economic hardship, we decided to introduce mental health services at the primary healthcare level. We are not just catering for those down with the common diseases such as malaria fever, we want to ensure that our people get the right attention to their mental health at the right time.

“At the tertiary level, we have also revamped the Intensive Care Unit of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and provided it with modern equipment, including monitors, ventilators, and scanners. Most of these innovations are massive and unprecedented,” he said.

On staff welfare, Fubara also disclosed that he approved the promotions for over 400 staff of the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and recruited an additional 500 staff.

In the same vein, the governor said the number of scholarships for indigenes of Rivers State studying at the PAMO University of Medical Sciences has been increased from one hundred 100 to 150 under his watch.

News

APC Unveils Committees For 2026 National Convention …As Fubara Assists In Election Appeal Committee

Published

37 minutes ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced the composition of sub-committees for its 2026 National Convention, setting the stage for what it described as a transparent, credible and well-coordinated exercise.

This was contained in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, and obtained by The Tide, yesterday.

The party said the committees would drive critical operational, administrative, electoral, logistics, security and programme components to ensure a seamless convention.

To oversee the screening of aspirants, the party appointed Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Abayomi Oyebanji, as Chairman of the Aspirants’ Screening Committee, alongside Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, as Co-Chairman, and former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, as Vice Chairman.

For the Screening Appeal Committee, Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, will serve as Chairman, with Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, as Co-Chairman and APC former National Chairman, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as Vice Chairman.

The Election Committee will be chaired by former Katsina State Governor, Aminu Bello Masari, while former Senate President, Anyim Pius Anyim, will serve as Co-Chairman. Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, and Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, are Vice Chairmen.

Governor Agbu Kefas will head the Election Appeal Committee, assisted by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as Co-Chairman and Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, as Vice Chairman.

The Venue Committee will be chaired by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, with Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, as Co-Chairman. Minister of Works, David Umahi, and former Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, will serve as Vice Chairmen.

On security arrangements, retired Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Gwabin Musa, will chair the Security Committee, alongside Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, as Co-Chairman and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as Vice Chairman.

The Finance Committee will be led by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, with Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as Co-Chairman and Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun, as Vice Chairman.

For media engagement, Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, will chair the Media and Publicity Committee, supported by Minister of Information and National Orientation, Muhammed Idris Malagi, and Senator I. D. Gyang.

The Ceremonial, Programme and Events Committee will be chaired by Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, with Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, as Co-Chairman and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as Vice Chairman.

Other key committees include Delegates’ Accreditation chaired by Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum; Protocol led by Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu; Accommodation and Transportation chaired by David Umahi; Entertainment and Welfare headed by Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; Convention Legacy and Rapporteur chaired by Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq; Legal Advisory led by Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi; Medical and Emergency Response chaired by Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris; and Secretariat/Technical Support headed by Hon. Mustapha Dawaki Bala.

The party through the statement, urged all committee members to discharge their duties diligently and in strict compliance with its constitution and approved guidelines, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening internal democracy and consolidating its progressive ideals through a credible 2026 National Convention.