Headlines
OPC Condemns Opeyemi Bamidele’s for Saying Regionalism Will Give Easterners Biafra
Foremost Yoruba socio-cultural organization,the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has condemned the position of the Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele on regionalism, saying the lawmaker has lost the trust of the people he’s representing.
Recall that Senator Bamidele had at the National Assembly hearing on constitutional review rejected the bill to return Nigeria to regionalism saying if the lawmakers should allow regional system in Nigeria, it would automatically give the Easterners Biafra
The Publicity Secretary of the OPC, Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, in a press statement on Tuesday noted that it’s unfortunate that Bamidele who was once a respected activist had also clamoured for a national conference to address the fundamental issues of restructuring in this country suddenly changed and became a centralist- minded person that is now rejecting the bill to return Nigeria to regionalism.
Oguntimehin said the lawmaker has failed to realize all the advantages inherent in regionalism, stating that Regionalism will allow cohesion, healthy competition and regional autonomy.
“It’ll enhance regional and internal security among the regions.
“Even a country with over 10 million people with such a multi-ethnic composition like Nigeria must have a federating unit that allows regional autonomy, regardless of the name you wish to call it, either regions or provinces. That is the normal thing all over the world.
“For instance, 50 states in the U.S are like a region. Also Ghana, a prominent country in Africa with a population of less than sixty million has a region. Even South Africa allows its provinces to develop at their own pace.
“It’s unfortunate that a man of Opeyemi Bamidele’s position, background and antecedents decided to go against the position of many Nigerians and selfishly narrow his thinking to play politics with such a sensitive issue and also believing that regionalism may later in the future give a particular ethnic nationality a country as he was referencing the Eastern region with the Biafra.
“He didn’t even see the wisdom in looking beyond his nose to see the possibilities and importance of regionalism as a potential tool for a successful federating unit.
“I wondered how an activist, a former student union leader, a Senate leader like him with a history of activism suddenly showed how political position and power can easily change his person.
“As far as we’re concerned, OPC condemns his position in totality and it’s unfortunate that he’s one of the representatives in Yoruba land.
“However, we urge him to change his views and position on this because as a foremost Yoruba socio-cultural organization, OPC is monitoring the events in the parliament and history will always judge whoever that goes against the wishes of Nigeria and Nigerians.
“I remember in the beginning of the OPC’s struggle, Senator Bamidele was one of the activists that was at the vanguard of the call for a national conference. He stood by the people then and now like a chameleon he suddenly changed.
“Let it be said that the only way Nigeria can move forward as a nation is to embrace regionalism where the regions develop at their own pace.
“Let it should also be said that for those whose position was that if we have regionalism, the central government will be weakened. That is not true, because the issue of the percentage of the resources to be allocated to the government at the centre will be addressed between the regions.”
Source: Independent
Headlines
US Threatens to Withhold 50% of Aid to Nigeria over Lapses in Security, Civilian Protection and Accountability
The United States is considering to withhold 50 per cent of its aid to Nigeria under a new legislative proposal that ties continued support to measurable progress on security, civilian protection, and accountability.
The U.S. House Appropriations Committee approved the measure as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programmes appropriations bill, reflecting growing concern in Washington over persistent violence in Africa’s most populous nation.
The broader bill allocates about $47.32 billion for foreign aid and diplomacy, a reduction of roughly six per cent from the previous year.
If enacted, the proposal would require the Secretary of State to certify that Nigeria is taking “effective steps” to address insecurity, protect civilians, and prosecute perpetrators before half of the allocated aid can be released.
Lawmakers linked the conditions to continued attacks by militant groups and violence affecting vulnerable communities.
The legislation also directs Nigerian authorities to prioritise support for victims, particularly internally displaced persons, and to facilitate the safe return and reconstruction of affected communities.
It calls for investigations and prosecutions tied to armed groups.
In addition, Nigeria would be required to match U.S. funding for supported programmes, effectively introducing a dollar-for-dollar framework that could increase pressure on government finances.
A committee statement said the bill aims to “hold foreign governments accountable for persecuting people of faith”, adding that assistance to Nigeria would remain restricted until “measurable actions are taken” to protect vulnerable populations.
The proposal also places Nigeria under heightened congressional scrutiny, requiring the U.S. administration to notify Congress at least 15 days before any funds are disbursed.
The bill, however, is yet to become law and must still pass both chambers of Congress and be signed by the U.S. president.
Nigeria has previously rejected claims that violence in the country is driven by religious persecution, arguing instead that insecurity reflects a complex mix of terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts.
Nonetheless, the proposed measure signals a shift toward stricter U.S. oversight of foreign assistance and could reshape bilateral relations if approved.
Headlines
Peter Obi Weeps for Nigerian Workers, Says Minimum Wage Can no Longer Guarantee Modest Living
A frontline presidential aspirant on the platform of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi, has regretted that the minimum wage can no longer guarantee a most modest standard of living in Nigeria.
In a post on his X handle on Friday to mark Workers’ Day, the former Governor of Anambra State said this has happened as inflation, rising food prices, transportation costs, and economic hardship continue to erode the value of honest work.
He said no nation can truly develop beyond the strength, productivity, and wellbeing of its workforce, stressing that the progress of any society rests on the quality of its human capital, the skill of its people, and the commitment of its workers.
‘When workers suffer, the nation suffers. When workers are empowered, the nation prospers,” he noted.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections said a productive nation must be built on justice, fairness, and respect for labour, adding that “it is the Nigeria we must work together to achieve.”
Obi said through democratic participation, the Nigerian workers have the power to shape governance and determine the future direction of the nation.
He, therefore, urged Nigerian workers to recognise the strength they hold collectively.
“But beyond their labour, workers also possess another powerful tool, their voice and their vote.
“They owe it to themselves, their children, and future generations to support and demand leadership built on competence, character, capacity, credibility, and compassion. By refusing to reward failure, corruption, ethnic division, and bad governance, they can help build a nation where hard work is respected and rewarded with dignity.
“With the support and participation of Nigerian workers, a new Nigeria is possible,” said Obi.
He saluted workers across the world, especially Nigerian workers whose daily sacrifices continue to sustain our families, communities, institutions, and national economy in the face of severe hardship and uncertainty.
The Supreme Court has vacated the order of the Court of Appeal which barred the recognition of David Mark as the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
The apex court on Thursday held that the preservative order by the Court of Appeal was in bad faith, unnecessary, unwarranted and improper.
In a unanimous judgment of the Supreme Court, Justice Mohammed Lawal Garba held that the Court of Appeal ought not to have made such order because it was not sought by any of the parties in the matter.
The Court of Appeal had issued an order of status quo antem bellum upon which the ADC exco under David Mark was de-recognized by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
With the vacation of the order, David Mark and the other national officers are to be recognized as ADC leaders by the electoral body.
