Abuja
Senate Vows To Correct Structural Imbalance In Constitution
Senate Vows To Correct Structural Imbalance In Constitution
Senate vows to correct structural imbalance in constitution. The Senate committee on the 1999 Constitutional Review has promised far-reaching constitutional reforms to correct long-standing structural imbalance in the federation and deepen Nigeria’s democracy
The Senate committee on the 1999 Constitutional Review has promised far-reaching constitutional reforms to correct long-standing structural imbalance in the federation and deepen Nigeria’s democracy.
Senator Jibrin Barau, the chairman of the committee, made the pledge at the South-West Zonal Public Hearing on the 1999 Constitution Review in Lagos on Friday.
A public hearing is taking place simultaneously across Nigeria’s six geo-political zones.
It is taking place in Enugu, Kano, Jos, Ikeja, Ikot-Ekpene (Cross River) and Maiduguri.
Mr Barau, represented by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senate majority leader, said the review was important since some fundamental issues remained unresolved.
The deputy Senate president said that the National Assembly had a duty to address citizens’ calls for amendment of the constitution.
According to him, in response to growing demands, the 10th Senate constituted the 1999 Constitution Review Committee to address citizens’ calls for amendments to the constitution.
“We have received hundreds of memoranda addressing key issues that were not resolved by previous amendments, mainly due to a lack of national consensus and evolving dynamics of modern governance.
“Key issues which need to be addressed include electoral reforms and adjudication; judicial reforms focused on case management and administration; enhancements to local government administration,” he said.
The senator listed the other issues to include the involvement of the traditional institution in contemporary governance, and ensuring gender equity and inclusion in governance.
“Others are the devolution and distribution of power, the structure of our federation, and concerns related to security and policing,” he said.
Mr Barau said that the issues had continued to dominate public discourse, with many Nigerians advocating a legislative action to address them.
Mr Barau urged stakeholders present at the public hearing to see their participation as a contribution to the advancement of democratic practices and shaping of national destiny.
He said the committee’s mandate was to foster a broad national consensus rather than echo the voice of a powerful minority.
Senate
Abiola Akiode-Afolabi, speaking on behalf of civil society organisations, called for a deliberate policy to implement the 35 per cent affirmative action for women in government.
Ms Akiode-Afolabi, the executive director of the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Center, said there was a need to implement the affirmative action.
She urged the Bola Tinubu administration to assent to the National Gender Policy to agree on the 35 per cent affirmative action.
The event was attended by stakeholders from the South-West geo-political zone.
They include Lagos deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat, senators, members of civil society organisations, traditional leaders and community leaders.
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.
TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.
In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.
Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.
Peter Obi
He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.
“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.
“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.
Tinubu
According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.
It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.
The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.
Police
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026
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