June 12: Nigeria needs total restructuring — Pat Utomi

Published

2 weeks ago

June 12, 2025

A political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, has called for the restructuring of Nigeria before the 2027 general election.

Utomi made this appeal while speaking at the June 12: Annual Democracy Day National Dialogue in Ikeja on Thursday.

Ekwutosblog reports that the programme, which was organised by the June 12 Pro-Democracy Movement of Nigeria, is themed: ‘Democracy Without a Democratic Constitution: Which Way for Nigeria?’

According to Utomi, Nigeria’s democracy would be strengthened with total restructuring. “The agitation for total restructuring through will stabilize and advance democracy in the country.

“This is because the present democracy is not the type of democracy Chief Abiola sacrificed his life for,” he said.

The political economist stated further that the present political and economic structure of the country, and “the unworkable 1999 constitution” were a big challenge for democracy.

He urged all Nigerians to accept restructuring as a vehicle for deepening democracy and strengthening the country.

According to him, President Bola Tinubu would win the confidence of the electorate if he listened to the agitations of Afenifere, Ohanaeze and other ethnic groups on restructuring.

Utomi urged Nigerians to guard democracy jealously and be wary of anti-democracy forces and their agents in the country.

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Rivers crisis: Governor Fubara speaks after meeting with Tinubu, Wike

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed optimism that the meeting between him, President Bola Tinubu and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, will restore peace to the state.

Ekwutosblog earlier reported that President Tinubu, on Thursday night, met with the two warring politicians over the lingering crisis in the state.

According to reports, the President was able to put an end to the face-off between Fubara and his former boss.

Addressing journalists shortly after the meeting, Fubara said what the state needs to progress is peace, emphasizing that with the agreement reached at the meeting, the needed peace has finally returned.

He said, “For me, it’s very important that this day has come.

“What we need for the progress of Rivers State is peace, and by the special grace of God, this night, with the help of Mr. President and the agreement of the leaders of the state, peace has returned to Rivers State.

“We will do everything within our power to ensure that we sustain it this time around.”

Politics

Wike: Four conditions to be met before Tinubu reinstates Fubara – Report

Published

2 hours ago

June 27, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

President Bola Tinubu has agreed to reinstate the suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Ekwutosblog reported that the resolution of the crisis came during a meeting between Tinubu and the aggrieved parties at the Presidential Villa, Abuja late last night.

However, The Cable reported that Fubara’s reinstatement is to come with four conditions.

According to the report: Fubara will be reinstated to complete his four-year tenure but must not seek a second term in 2027

Also, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike would be allowed to nominate all the local government chairpersons across the 23 local governments in the state.

Fubara was said to have agreed to pay all outstanding allowances and entitlements owed to the 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister. The lawmakers were before now suspended from the state assembly.

In addition to the above, the lawmakers will not initiate any impeachment proceedings against the governor when reinstated by Tinubu.

Politics

Imo: Reps seek FG’s intervention over devastating erosion in Ideato federal constituency

Published

1 day ago

June 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The House of Representatives on Thursday declared Ideato North and South Federal Constituency of Imo state as an erosion and road disaster zone, calling for urgent intervention from Federal Government and relevant agencies intervention to save Ideato from total collapse.

The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Rep. Ikenga Ugochinyere, who solicited for the House intervention.

Leading the debate, Rep. Ugochinyere noted that Section 14(2b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) stated that the primary purpose of Government is to protect the lives and properties of the Citizens.

He also noted the devastating impact of the gully erosion and road disaster in Ideato Federal Constituency, affecting over thirty-two communities including Umueshi, Amanator, Urualla, Isiekenesi, Isiokpo, Umuaghobe,Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Arondizuogu, Akokwa, Umumaisiaku, Umuobom and surrounding areas.

He expressed concerns that these Communities in Ideato North/South Federal Constituency are currently facing gully erosion and road infrastructure collapse , threatening their lives and access to essential services like healthcare, education, trade and road infrastructures.

Rep. Ugochinyere said: “The House is alarmed that the gully erosion and road infrastructure collapse has worsened, destroying homes, farmlands, causing total road collapse, in Umueshi-Amanator-Isiekenesi road, particularly the Urualla gigantic erosion sites 1, 2, and 3, which is currently threatening to sink the heart of Urualla and Afor Urualla, Umueshi, Amanator, Isiekenesi, Isiokpo, Umuaghobe, Ozuomee, Obodoukwu, Arondizuogu, Akokwa, Umumaisiaku communities and Umuobom Bridge; Recalls that Ideato land is home to influential national figures and patriots like Mbaonu Ojike, K.O. Mbadiwe, Elochukwu Njaka,Collins Obi, Ferdinand Anaghara, and Maduakor, hence the need for urgent intervention to preserve their ancestral heritage.

“The House commends the Federal Government’s previous intervention at the Umuchima gully erosion site, which has been taken over by the Imo State Government.

“The House is aware that the erosion has destroyed lives and properties and if nothing is done urgently to curb the menace more lives and properties will be lost,” he stressed.

Adopting the motion unanimously, the House therefore urged Federal Government to declare Ideato Federal Constituency an erosion and road disaster zone, and take drastic steps to curtail gully erosion and road collapse in the communities in Ideato North/South Federal Constituency.

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Ministries of Works, Environment, Ecological Fund Office, Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), and the South East Development Commission (SEDC) to embark on immediate intervention, rehabilitate, reconstruct and remedial works on the Umueshi Amanator- Isiekenesi gully erosion and collapsed Road, Urualla gigantic gully erosion sites 1, 2, and 3, Afor Urualla communities, Isiokpo gully erosion, Umuaghobe , Umumaisiaku, Akpulu, Akokwa, Obodoukwu and Arondizuogu gully erosion and collapsed road, and the sinking Bridge in umuobom.

The lawmakers further urged Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and to provide relief materials for the displaced victims of the gully erosion in Ideato North/South Federal Constituency, Imo State.

To this end, the House mandated the joint Committees on Works, Emergency and Disaster Preparedness, Environment Ecological Fund, South-East Development Commission (SEDC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to ensure compliance and report within four weeks for further legislative action.