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Yoruba, Igbo, Other Ethnic Nationalities Should Be Able To Exit ‘Freely’ From Nigeria – Proposal Before National Assembly Says

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Yoruba, Igbo, Other Ethnic Nationalities Should Be Able To Exit ‘Freely’ From Nigeria – Proposal Before National Assembly Says
June 1, 2024
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The private bill was titled, “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

Every ethnic nationality and people in Nigeria will have an unconditional right to self-determination, the promoter of a trending draft “bill” seeking a return to the regional system of government, Dr Akin Fapohunda, has proposed.

The private bill was titled, “A Bill for an Act to substitute the annexure to Decree 24 of 1999 with a new governance model for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the full proposal obtained by SaharaReporters on Saturday, Fapohunda also suggested the scrapping of the presidential system of government, reintroduction of the parliamentary system, return to unicameral legislature, as well as provision for self-determination by any section of the country which desires so.

It read, “Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has an unconditional right to self-determination within here delineated territories.

“The sovereignty, powers and authority to formulate the articles of association towards any reform of the Central Federal Government of Nigeria, at any other time shall lie jointly and severally with all the ethnic nationalities occupying their respective territories.

“Every Ethnic Nationality and People in Nigeria has the right to a full measure of self-government which includes the right to establish institutions of government in the territory that it inhabits and to equitable representation in the Federal and Regional Governments.

“A “Ethnic Nationality or People” for the purpose of this Constitution, is a group of people who have or share large measure of a common culture or similar customs, mutual intelligibility of language, belief in a common or related identities, a common psychological make-up, and who inhabit an identifiable, predominantly contiguous territory.”

The bill promoter added that the 36 states of the federation should be scrapped and Nigeria should be returned to regional system.

Part of the draft Bill seen by SaharaReporters on Friday had partly read, “PART I – Preliminaries: WHEREAS Nigeria, its Peoples and Government have been governed under Decree 24 of 1999 that was handed down by the then Military Government without the express consent of the people despite the preamble of “We the people.”

“WHEREAS the said Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as Amended) is not autochthonous as it does not evolve from the deliberations and consensus of the Nigerian People.

“WHEREAS the Peoples of Nigeria now desire and effectively demand for a change to a Constitution based on Federal/Regional System of Government.

“WHEREAS the Federal and Regional governments are to operate within the provisions of this Constitution, it is within the discretion of the ethnic blocs within the States that constitutes a given region to aggregate or disaggregate as Provinces, Divisions and Districts, while being in control of their affairs without let or hindrance at whatever level of governance.

“Whereas the 1999 Constitution as amended is a schedule of a military decree now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly for which the National Assembly have the powers to amend and/or abrogate as expedient.

“Whereas the National Assembly where so necessary and expedient can invoke the doctrine of necessity to resolve any point of law for the good governance of the country Nigeria.”

On PART 11 – Substitution Clause, the drafters proposed that the National Assembly shall invoke its inherent powers to expunge the schedule attached to decree 24 of 1999 often referred to as 1999 Constitution as amended from the decree, which “is now deemed to be an Act of the National Assembly to which the National Assembly have the powers to so do and replace same with a new governance model for Nigeria effective not later than October 1, 2024.”

“This amendment is subject to a yes or no vote in a Referendum by the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” it proposed.

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Boko Haram attack mourners in Borno, seven dead, several injured

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April 29, 2025

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A deadly attack on mourners in Kopl Village, located in Chibok Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, has left at least seven people dead and many others with gunshot wounds.

The attack occurred at around 6 p.m. on Monday, when suspected Boko Haram terrorists ambushed a group of mourners who had gathered to offer final prayers for a loved one who passed away last week.

The assailants reportedly stormed the gathering, opening fire on the mourners, who were caught off guard in the midst of their solemn ceremony. Hon. Modu Mustapha, Chairman of the Chibok LGA, confirmed the attack and stated that those injured in the assault were evacuated to Mubi General Hospital in nearby Adamawa State for medical treatment.

While the initial death toll stands at seven, Mustapha warned that the number of casualties may rise as search-and-rescue operations continue. Local authorities are conducting a mass burial on Tuesday for those who perished in the attack.

This incident comes barely seven hours after another brutal assault on commuters along the Gamboru Ngala-Kala Balge Road. Dozens of motorists and passengers lost their lives, and several others sustained injuries when their vehicles were caught in an explosion triggered by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by suspected terrorists.

Senator Ali Ndume, representing Southern Borno Senatorial District, condemned the escalating violence in the region, calling the situation “pathetic and beyond human imagination.” He shared his grief over the loss of over ten vigilantes killed in an ambush between Hawul LGA of Borno and Garkida town in Adamawa State.

“The suffering of my people is unimaginable,” Ndume said. “In the last month alone, over 100 people have been killed in coordinated attacks across Sabon Gari, Izge, Kirawa, Pulka, Damboa, Chibok, Askira Uba, and numerous other communities. These attacks are relentless.”

Authorities have vowed to continue their efforts to combat the insurgents and bring an end to the terror that has gripped the northern part of Nigeria for years.

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Canadians snub Trump annexation call, elect Mark Carney as prime minister

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April 29, 2025

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Mark Carney
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Canadians have ignored the President of the United States of America’s annexation call, as Mark Carney, a Liberal, has been elected as prime minister of the country, according to the projections of the national broadcaster CBC/Radio Canada.

Carney beat his opposite, Pierre Poilievre of the Conservative Party, to emerge the winner in one of the country’s most consequential elections in decades.

However, it’s still not clear if his Liberal party will win the 172 seats needed for an outright majority in parliament. The full results will not be available until late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning.

The vote was widely seen as a decision about which candidate could best handle President Trump, who helped spark a wave of nationalism across Canada by threatening to annexe Canada and placing stiff tariffs on the country.

The 60-year-old Carney had a career in investment banking before becoming the governor of the Bank of England during the Brexit turmoil and the head of the Bank of Canada during the 2008 economic downturn.

Carney had never held political office before being named leader of the Liberal Party in March.

His background in finance and his seemingly unflappable demeanour helped convince voters he was the candidate that could best tackle Trump and his sometimes erratic policies.
Carney’s victory comes amid President Trump’s call for the annexation of Canada by the US.

On Monday, Trump repeated his call for Canada to be the 51st US state.

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‘Governors don’t win elections, people do’ – El-Rufai rubbishes defection wave

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April 29, 2025

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Former governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State [Facebook]
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El-Rufai’s comments serve as a direct challenge to the assumption that political elite alignments automatically shift electoral outcomes, thereby reinforcing the SDP’s grassroots campaign message.

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has downplayed the political significance of recent high-profile defections, insisting that electoral victories in Nigeria are determined by the people, not by governors, presidents, or political godfathers.

Speaking to journalists in Kano State, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) chieftain stated that political movements by elite politicians have limited influence on grassroots voting outcomes.

“As far as I’m concerned, the defection of high-profile politicians is not the issue,” El-Rufai said.

“These defections are good for headlines and to sell newspapers, but politically on the ground, if you don’t have the people, your profile means nothing.”

His comments follow the defections of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and former PDP vice-presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reports also suggest that more governors and lawmakers may soon follow.

El-Rufai emphasised that real political power lies with the electorate.

“We want to return politics to the people, not to godfathers or so-called high-profile politicians.

“A governor has only one vote. Nigerians have millions. If the people say no, it’s over,” he said.

He pointed to his own experience as Kaduna State governor as evidence that incumbents don’t always carry the day.

“I fought hard to deliver the president in my state, but I lost,” he admitted. “Governors don’t determine election results — the people do.”

El-Rufai’s comments serve as a direct challenge to the assumption that political elite alignments automatically shift electoral outcomes, thereby reinforcing the SDP’s grassroots campaign message.

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