Politics
Rep Queries North’s 80% Oil Bloc Ownership …Charges N’Delta On Resource Control
As the controversy over call for new revenue formula rages, Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Customs, Hon Kingsley Chinda says there is no basis for such review.
According to him, Northerners, who are agitating for the upward review in their favour, own between 75% and 80% of the country’s oil blocs as against Niger Deltans’ less than three per cent ownership.
Hon Chinda said rather than increasing the allocation to the North, any such review of the country’s revenue formula should be in favour of the Niger Delta region that produces the oil and viewed the position of the North as a ‘wake-up call’ for resource control.
Speaking with The Tide recently in Abuja, Chinda, who represents Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency, called for a reversal of the ownership of the oil blocs in the country, describing the North’s dominance as injustice, which, he said, is ‘unacceptable; questioning why Niger Deltans should continue to receive ‘13% derivation and 87% deprivation’ till date.
Chinda picked holes in the North’s argument that Niger Delta states benefit more from oil, saying “facts revealed that individually, non-Niger Deltans enjoy more of the resource from oil, as a list of owners of oil blocs in the country reveals about 75-80% from the North and less than three percent from the Niger Delta.
“This is completely unacceptable and must be reversed now that the issue of revenue derivation has been brought to the fore front by the North themselves.
“I will say that it (the North’s call for review of the revenue formula) is a wake up call on the South-South, particularly the Niger Delta, that we ought to claim our constitutional, and, infact, natural right to resource.
“It’s a call to conscientise us what we must ask at this point is: “Why accept 13% derivation and 87% deprivation?
“It must be noted too that the constitution did not state that derivation should be 13% but that it should be a minimum of 13%. Why must we accept the minimum? It would be 100% which is the maximum. I will therefore call on all oil-producing states to see this as an opportunity to redress the economic anomaly that exists in our polity”, he said.
said this in Abuja while inaugurating the Advisory Council of Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation and the call was supported by t he North’s socio-cultural organization, the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF).
On the “current reality”, China said what is the current reality? The Geese that lays the golden egg is neglected and impoverished and is gradually dying, we need to heal it. “I call for an intellectual struggle to unshackle the Niger Delta from the Nigerian bondage, our people are living in penury, our cities are degraded. It is becoming clearer that we don’t have a Nigerian nation but a marriage of convenience between various nations”.
Justus Awaji, Abuja
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.