Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has renewed calls for the creation of an additional state in the South East, a move he says would correct the long-standing imbalance in Nigeria’s geopolitical structure.

He also championed the establishment of state police and the adoption of a rotational presidency system as part of the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Mbah made these remarks on Thursday while receiving the Senate Committee on Constitution Amendment at the Government House in Enugu.

The committee was in the state for a courtesy visit ahead of the South East regional public hearing on constitutional reforms, scheduled to hold at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

“One that excites us most is the idea of state policing. We have advocated ardently that there is need for states to create state police services, just as you have the federal police, but with defined jurisdictions and operational parameters,” the governor said.

“We think that this is overdue and there could not be better time for that given the fragilities we have in our various communities. The state police will be a truly welcome development in our Constitution.”

Highlighting perceived regional inequalities, Mbah stressed that the South East remains the only geopolitical zone with just five states, while others have six or more.

“The South East suffers injustice. The fact that across the different geopolitical zones, the South East is the only one with five states. So that is also what we believe will be corrected in this process of amendment,” he added.

He also backed the idea of a rotational presidency to ensure a more inclusive governance structure in the country.

“Of course, the idea of rotational presidency is important too. We think that, that obviously would provide South East and every other region a chance at the presidency,” he stated.

“So, these are areas we believe are commendable and we will be presenting our position formally in the hearing tomorrow and the subsequent days.”

In his earlier remarks, Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi, the Senate Deputy Chief Whip and leader of the delegation, emphasized that the constitution review exercise was an opportunity for the South East to voice long-standing grievances.

“It goes without saying that the 1999 constitution has received a lot of criticism from Nigerians, including that it is the product of military dictatorship and, as such, does not represent the interest of all the segments that make up Nigeria,” Nwebonyi said.

“As a result of these criticisms, there is a need to alter the constitution from time to time.”

He expressed hope that the forum would allow the South East to address perceived injustices in the current structure.

“We pray that this engagement will afford us the people of South East the opportunity to right some wrongs as a result of the position of the 1999 constitution, which we the people of South East are crying foul that we are being marginalised in so many areas, particularly as it relates to the number of states, juxtaposing same with other geopolitical zones of Nigeria,” he added.

Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has directed the Senate to reinstate Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from her duties representing Kogi Central.

Delivering the judgement, Justice Nyako ruled that the six-month suspension imposed on the senator was excessive, stating that it violated both her rights and the representation of her constituents.

“Since lawmakers have a total of 181 days to sit in every legislative cycle, the six-month suspension handed to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was equivalent to pushing her away from her responsibilities to her constituents for approximately 180 days,” the court said.

The judge also criticized the Senate’s internal frameworks, particularly Chapter 8 of its Standing Rules and Section 14 of the Legislative Houses, Powers, and Privileges Act, stating that they were “overreaching.”

In her ruling, Justice Nyako acknowledged that Senate President Godswill Akpabio had acted within his authority when he denied Senator Natasha the opportunity to speak, as she was not seated in the chair assigned to her.

The court said Akpoti-Uduaghan must “apologise to the Senate.”

The judgment emphasized that although the legislature has the power to discipline its members, such punishment must not be so harsh as to effectively deny constituents their right to representation.

“It held that though the Senate has the power to punish any of its members who err, such sanction must not be excessive to deprive the constituents of their right to be represented.”

Justice Nyako also dismissed Senator Akpabio’s argument that the judiciary had no authority to intervene in what he claimed was an internal matter of the Senate.

“Justice Nyako equally dismissed Akpabio’s contention that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit, which he said bordered on an internal affair of the Senate.”

Earlier in the same case, the court had ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated an earlier order which barred parties from making public comments about the matter.

As a result, the judge imposed a ₦5 million fine on her and directed her to publish an apology within seven days in two national newspapers.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is also currently facing separate legal battles over alleged cybercrime and defamation.

Former Rivers State governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has affirmed his commitment to honoring Nigeria’s informal regional power-sharing arrangement and pledged to serve only a single term if elected president in 2027.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Amaechi was clear about his stance when asked about his term length.

“Of course. I told you. You know that I speak my mind,” he responded to questions about whether he would serve only one term under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“If I won’t do more than four years, I would say that. If I were to do more than four years, I would say I would do more than four,” he added, underscoring his openness and transparency.

Amaechi reiterated his belief in the unwritten regional rotational presidency “the way Nigeria is, you must keep to that agreement—unwritten agreement—that says South eight years, North eight years.”

The former minister explained that he had previously advocated for power to return to the North in 2015, emphasizing that breaking the rotational agreement would cause instability.

“I led the fight against the PDP government. Why? Because there was an agreement that the government at that time would spend four years. But after four years, the government reneged on it, and I said no, that would be unfair.”

“That will be instability at its peak because the North will react. So, the best thing to do is what? It is to support a northern candidate to continue the balance of power.”

He then turned his attention to the South: “Just like I will be among those saying to the North that the South must be allowed to complete its tenure. If the South is not allowed to complete its tenure, then I have made a mistake in supporting it.”

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fined Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, the sum of ₦5 million for contempt of court.

Presiding over the case on Friday, Justice Binta Nyako ruled that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan violated a court order by publishing a satirical apology on her Facebook page on April 27, 2025, directed at Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The judgment came during a hearing on a suit filed by Akpoti-Uduaghan challenging her suspension from the Senate.

Justice Nyako began the proceedings by addressing a contempt application brought forward by Akpabio.

In his application, the Senate President contended that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Facebook post breached a prior court order, which barred all parties involved from making public statements or social media posts related to the case.

In response, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team argued that the controversial post had no connection to the suspension issue.

Instead, they claimed it addressed a separate matter involving allegations of sexual harassment against Akpabio.

However, Justice Nyako disagreed. After reviewing both the post and the materials submitted by the third respondent (Akpabio), she concluded that the post was indeed tied to the ongoing suspension case and thus constituted contempt of court.

The judge ruled:

“I am satisfied that it was linked to the suspension matter before the court,”
and subsequently found the senator guilty.

Federal lawmaker, Leke Abejide, who represents the Yagba East/Yagba West/Mopamuro Federal Constituency in Kogi State, has declared that the newly formed opposition coalition aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will not succeed.

Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Abejide disclosed that he is the main financier of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party under which he currently serves in the National Assembly.

Despite his current affiliation, the lawmaker acknowledged the possibility of defecting to the APC in the future, suggesting that political decisions are often shaped by changing circumstances.

Abejide also criticized the opposition alliance reportedly spearheaded by former Senate President David Mark, predicting that the coalition’s efforts to unseat the APC would be unsuccessful.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that it has received 12 additional applications from groups seeking registration as political parties, increasing the total number of applications to 122.

This update was made public in a statement released on Thursday by Sam Olumekun, the National Commissioner and Chairman of the Information and Voter Education Committee.

He disclosed that the new submissions were received as of Wednesday, July 2, 2025, following an earlier batch of 110 applications announced on June 23.

Olumekun assured the public that all applications are being handled with transparency and in line with existing laws and guidelines.

“The Commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants,” he said.

Providing further context, the Commission explained:
“On Monday last week (23rd June 2025), the Commission announced that it had received applications from 110 associations seeking registration as political parties. We also assured Nigerians that we will be giving regular updates on the matter. The Commission is processing these applications transparently and in fairness to all applicants.”

The Commission also confirmed that updated information about the latest applications, including names, acronyms, contact addresses, and details of interim leadership, has been uploaded to INEC’s official platforms for public access.

“Meanwhile, the Commission has since received 12 more applications for registration as political parties as of yesterday, Wednesday 2nd July 2025, bringing the total number of applications to 122.”

“The list of the new applications by names of associations, their acronyms, addresses, and interim Chairmen and Secretaries has been uploaded to our website and other platforms for public information.”

“We will respond to these applicants in line with the Electoral Act and Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022.”

Olumekun also noted a development involving one of the applying associations, which had to replace its interim Secretary following a defection to another group.

“However, the Commission notes that one association has already changed its interim Secretary as a result of defection to another association.”

“To facilitate the consideration of these applications, the Commission appeals to associations to maintain consistency in their proposed leadership and addresses so that they do not, by their own actions, cause a delay in the timely consideration of their applications.”

Beyond party registration updates, INEC also announced the release of Supplementary Regulations and Guidelines related to the review of election results.

These new rules provide clearer procedures and timelines for evaluating any result that may have been declared under duress or in violation of electoral laws.

According to Olumekun, the update is based on provisions in the Electoral Act 2022, specifically Section 65, which empowers INEC to reverse compromised declarations or returns.

“The provision to Section 65 of the Electoral Act 2022 empowers the Commission to review declarations and returns in elections that are not made voluntarily or are done contrary to the law, regulations, and guidelines for the election,” he said.

He further noted that ambiguities around the section had led to various interpretations, prompting INEC to clarify the process.

“Consequently, there have been many interpretations of Section 65 of the Electoral Act, making it necessary for the Commission to use its powers under the law to issue Regulations, Guidelines, or Manuals for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of the Act and for its administration.”

He added that the Commission has now finalized and released Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.

“Clear procedures and timelines have now been provided, the details of which are contained in Supplementary No. 1 to the main Regulations and Guidelines for the Conduct of Elections 2022.”

“As approved by the Commission, the supplementary regulations and guidelines have been uploaded to the Commission’s website and other platforms for public information,” he concluded.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly defended his children’s right to own land in Nigeria, asserting that they are fully entitled as citizens to do so—provided legal procedures are followed.

Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike responded to recent allegations suggesting he allocated 2,082 hectares of land in the Maitama and Asokoro districts of Abuja to one of his sons.

Addressing the claim directly, the former Rivers State governor stated:
“Assuming, though not conceding, my children applied for land. Are they not citizens? Are they Ghanaians? Even if they applied, are they not entitled because I’m a minister?”

Wike emphasized that his children, being Nigerians, should not be denied their rights simply because of his political position.

He strongly denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the accusations as baseless.

He further claimed the allegations were politically motivated and traced their origins to Adamawa State.

“First, calculate land in Maitama and Asokoro and tell me where you’d get 2000 hectares of land. And I know where it is coming from. It is from Adamawa state. I am aware,” Wike said.

The minister also alleged that a particular individual was behind a deliberate smear campaign aimed at discrediting his leadership in the FCT.