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Ex-envoy faults senate for rejecting clamour for brand new constitution

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A former Nigerian envoy, Dr Nnamdi Onochie, has criticised members of the Senate for rejecting calls for lawmakers to push for the writing of a brand new constitution for the country.

Speaking in an interview with NAN in Abuja on Wednesday, Onochie stated that members of the senate should rise up as statesmen and support the writing of a new constitution for Nigeria.

He re-stated, however, that any new constitution must ensure that Nigeria remained as one indivisible entity.

Some Nigerians have been clamouring for the nation to fashion out a new constitution altogether, instead of merely amending some sections of the document.

They argue that a brand new constitution would put Nigeria on course for a new beginning against the backdrop of intractable problems in the country.

Nigeria’s current constitution, known popularly as the 1979 Constitution has been criticised for its lop-sided provisions and for not taking cognisance of Nigeria’s heterogeneous structure.

The constitution was put in place by the military, which had dominated the politics of the West African country from the late 1960s to the late 90s.

On June 3, the Senate at a public hearing on the review of the constitution in Abuja, declared that although a completely new constitution to replace the current one was desirable, the extant law does not support the writing of a brand new one.

The development has generated intense heat in a nation that has been contending with various problems, including terror, banditry, insurgency and endless calls for break up by some groups.

“The people of Nigeria will be eternally grateful to any government or lawmaker, who will make Nigeria to have a new constitution. As a PDP 2023 presidential aspirant, I will work assiduously to achieve this if voted into power.

“The voting by the Senate on June 3, rejecting a new people’s constitution needs to be reversed.

“The 1999 Constitution (as amended) does not stop the Senate from voting to authorize re-writing of the current constitution through a Nigerian Peoples Assembly set up through an Executive or Legislative Bill passed by the National Assembly.

“Then the adoption of even the 2014 Constitutional Conference recommendations can be implemented by the Federal Government,’’ said the out-spoken Onochie, who has been campaigning for the founding of a new Nigeria, built on equity, justice, equality and fair play.

On the ongoing twitter controversy, Onochie, a former Nigerian envoy to Algeria and Philippines, pleaded that government should lift its sanction on Twitter and consolidate policies that would unite and sustain Nigeria’s indivisibility.

“Nigeria is a sovereign and powerful country and it is wrong to get into situations like reversing government policies, due to external and even internal pressures.

“Good governance pays off when the sensitivities of the governed is speedily attended to,’’ said Onochie. (NAN)

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Politics

Akpabio Dispels Impeachment Plot Rumors, Says He’s Still in Charge

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Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has dismissed rumors of an alleged plot to impeach him, describing the news as “fake” and AI-generated. Akpabio addressed the issue during Wednesday’s plenary, following reports that operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS) had surrounded the National Assembly due to the supposed plan to unseat him.

Akpabio assured the Senate that its leadership remains stable, emphasizing that there is no truth to the impeachment speculations, which he labeled as a “mirage.” He expressed concern over the growing spread of fake news in the media, jokingly suggesting that the matter be referred to the Senate Committee on Police Affairs.

The Senate President referred the issue to the Committee on Special Duties for further investigation, with a report expected within 24 hours. Akpabio has faced recurring impeachment rumors since the 10th Senate was inaugurated in June 2023.

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Ogun PDP Caretaker Committee Inaugurates New Executive Committee

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The Ogun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially inaugurated its newly elected executive committee, led by Abayomi Tella, who will guide the party for the next four years.

During the inauguration, Dada Awoleye, chairman of the caretaker committee, presented the certificate of return to Tella and urged the new executives to focus on securing the party’s victory in the upcoming local government elections on November 16. Awoleye emphasized that this executive committee represents the legitimate leadership of the party in Ogun State and called for efforts to reconcile disgruntled members, highlighting that the party’s success hinges on unity.

In his acceptance speech, Tella expressed the commitment of the new executive to rejuvenate and reposition the party in preparation for the 2027 elections. He acknowledged the potential for differing interests within the party but stressed the importance of managing those differences effectively.

Tella stated, “We’ve started managing our interests, and it is crucial for the party’s progress.”

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Edo Guber: PDP Faces Criticism Over iREV Results, Dismisses Allegations

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Over three weeks after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Senator Monday Okpebholo as Governor-Elect in Edo State, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its candidate, Asue Ighodalo, are facing backlash from a pro-democracy group. The Initiative for Democratic Advancement and Free Speech accused the PDP of relying on media propaganda instead of accepting the election results.

Patrick Osaigbovo, the group’s Executive Director, criticized the PDP’s focus on INEC’s Results Viewing Portal (iREV), claiming the party is trying to undermine state institutions. He noted that the PDP failed to engage voters directly and instead relied on external sentiments and media appearances.

Osaigbovo further alleged that the PDP prematurely released results from its “Situation Room” during the election, aiming to sway public opinion. He emphasized that INEC guidelines stipulate that results should be uploaded to the iREV after voting ends.

In response, the PDP Campaign Council’s Deputy Director-General, Reverend Olu Martins, dismissed the accusations as baseless and unsubstantiated, adding that election observers had deemed the process fair at the polling units. The PDP maintains that the election results should be scrutinized to improve Nigeria’s electoral system.

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