News
S’South Group Writes Tinubu, Seeks Executive Order On 13% Derivation Fund
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.
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBE) has trained 1,000 newly recruited teachers with a view to raising standards in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.
The two-day orientation and capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt introduced the teachers to civil service rules, classroom management practices, and professional conduct expected of educators in the state.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, told the newly recruited teachers that teaching demands more than academic qualifications, and called for discipline, diligence, and a strong commitment to service.
He described teaching as a noble profession that is central to the development of the state.
The recruitment, he said, reflects the government’s investment in children and long-term development.
“Education is the foundation of societal progress, and basic education is where that foundation is laid,” Nwagor stated.
He urged the teachers to shape the values and character of pupils during their most formative years.
He pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education through training, resources, and an environment that allows teachers to perform effectively.
Nwagor directed RSUBEB to reject transfer requests from rural to urban schools, saying the newly employed teachers have an obligation to serve where they are posted and help strengthen education in those communities.
In his opening remarks, the RSUBEB Chairman, Hon. Sam Oge, explained that the recruitment process began in 2023 under the previous board, adding that after assuming office, he consulted widely and secured Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval to complete the exercise.
Oge said the selection was competitive, with 1,000 candidates chosen from more than 5,000 applicants, and urged the teachers to treat the opportunity seriously and avoid lobbying for reposting.
He directed the teachers to resume at their assigned schools immediately, saying request for reposting will not be entertained.
The former RSUBEB Chairman, Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, who delivered the keynote address, described the orientation as the teachers’ formal entry into the civil service.
He urged them to be creative, purposeful, and open to learning on the job.
Akah stressed that teachers have a role in restoring values lost to moral decline, and urged them to model national values and see their work as a calling with lasting impact on the society.
He thanked the State Government for approving the recruitment, noting that the exercise will improve access to quality basic education across the State.
Akujobi Amadi
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has disclosed that no fewer than 1.4 million members of the National Youth Service Corps will be deployed for the 2027 general elections.
The Chairman of the commission, Prof Joash Amupitan (SAN), made this known on Monday during a courtesy visit to the Director-General of the NYSC, Brig Gen Olakunle Nafiu, at the Yakubu Gowon House, headquarters of the scheme, in Abuja.
Amupitan, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser, Adedayo Oketola, described the meeting with the NYSC senior management team as more than a formal courtesy visit, saying it was also a mission of gratitude.
According to him, the NYSC remains a critical pillar in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He noted that corps members had participated in virtually every election cycle since 1999, stressing that, “INEC cannot conduct elections in Nigeria without the NYSC.
“As the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, I am honoured to discuss our collaborative efforts toward ensuring seamless and credible elections in Nigeria.
“You provide the heartbeat of our field operations. When we speak of election manpower, we are essentially speaking of corps members.
“They are the most dedicated, educated and patriotic election duty staff we have, and their presence at polling units brings a level of neutrality and public confidence that is irreplaceable.
“They form the backbone of our election processes, especially as ad hoc staff, whose dedication, discipline and patriotism are critical to the success of our elections,” he added.
Amupitan said institutional data from the 2023 general election showed the importance of the partnership between INEC and the NYSC.
He explained that INEC deployed about 1.2 million ad hoc staff for the 2023 elections, with over 70 per cent, nearly 850,000 personnel drawn from corps members and student volunteers.
Speaking on preparations for the 2027 elections, the INEC chairman said more than 1.4 million ad hoc staff would be engaged, with corps members making up the majority.
“For the 2027 general election, we will require 707,384 ad hoc staff for the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027.
“The same number will be needed for the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections on February 6, 2027, making a total of 1,414,768,” he said.
He added that INEC would also require 52,446 corps members for the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, as well as by-elections in Nasarawa, Enugu, Rivers, Ondo, Kebbi and Kano states.
Amupitan said corps members accounted for nearly 90 per cent of Registration Area Officers and Presiding Officers in many states during previous elections.
“These young Nigerians did not just facilitate voting; they protected the sanctity of the ballot in 176,846 polling units across some of the most difficult terrains in the country,” he said.
He further praised the corps members for their role in off-cycle elections, particularly the Anambra governorship election and the FCT Area Council polls.
According to him, their digital proficiency contributed significantly to the seamless operation of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
“In those exercises, it was the digital proficiency of corps members that ensured the seamless performance of our BVAS, proving they are the tech-savvy backbone of our modern democracy,” he added.
Amupitan acknowledged the sacrifices made by corps members during elections and assured that INEC would continue to work with the NYSC and security agencies to strengthen safety measures and welfare packages for them.
As the 2027 general election approaches, we are committed to ensuring adequate mobilisation and preparedness of NYSC members for this important national assignment,” he said.
He also noted that the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, scheduled for June 20 and August 15, respectively, alongside several by-elections, would serve as tests for innovations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding, Brig. Gen. Nafiu thanked INEC for its continued collaboration with the scheme.
He recalled that the Memorandum of Understanding between both organisations was signed in 2011 and had been periodically renewed.
Nafiu described corps members as credible, reliable and easily trainable manpower.
“The last batch of millennials will soon exit the scheme, leaving behind Gen Z corps members known for their digital savviness, which will benefit INEC,” he said.
He assured the commission of the NYSC’s continued support in both the 2027 general elections and upcoming off-cycle elections.
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