Politics
Which Is Better : Should Nigeria Continue Operating Military Imposed Constitution or Formulate New Democratic Constitution ?
The theme of the summit is: “Actualising a constitutional democracy that works for all in Nigeria.”

• Olusegun Obasanjo and Emeka Anyaoku
Former Commonwealth Secretary- General, Chief Emeka Anyaoku and ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, shared perspectives on whether or not Nigeria should have a new constitution.
They spoke in Abuja, yesterday , during the opening of a three-day emergency national constitutional summit organised by a group of eminent Nigerians operating under the umbrella of the Patriots.
The theme of the summit is: “Actualising a constitutional democracy that works for all in Nigeria.”
While Anyaoku believes Nigeria needs a new, pluralistic Constitution, Obasanjo said that no such document is perfect and that it is the operators that matter.
Anyaoku dismissed the 1999 Constitution, currently in operation, as a military imposition.
The Chair of the Patriots believes that the country’s pluralistic nature requires a new constitution.To Anyaoku, the present 36 federating units have proven incapable of driving development, adding that 65 years after independence, Nigeria has become the world capital of poverty.
He said: “Nigeria is a pluralistic country, and like all successful pluralistic countries around the world, for its stability and maximal development, its constitution must address its problems.
“Second, it must address its pluralism by being formulated by elected representatives of its diverse people.
“Our present 1999 Constitution, as amended, is not such a constitution. It was not democratically formulated.
“It was instead imposed on the country through a decree by the military administration.
“And the governance system derived from it is not only non-inclusive, but also induces over-expectation of the nation’s resources on administration rather than on capital development.
“As a result, what we see is our nation’s need for a new constitution.
“There is the need for a new constitution, but this is a matter to be made by the people of our country.”
He called for “a constitution that would be in sync with the Constitution of the United States, a constitution of successful pluralistic countries around the world”.
Anyaoku added: “To those who say that the fate of a country depends primarily on its leadership, I say that the Constitution from which the system of governance is derived largely determines the character of the people who get elected or appointed to govern the country from the three arms of the government.”
On the other hands, Obasanjo said said that Nigeria doesn’t need a new constitution but rather needs the right operators of the constitution.
Represented by the Secretary-General of Eminent Patriots, Mr Olawale Okunniyi, the former President agreed that while a constitution must reflect the history, the constituents and the aspirations of a people, “no constitution is perfect.”
Obasanjo said: “From my experience in operating our constitution, I will be the first to point out some areas that need amendment.
However, for me, no constitution can ever be regarded as perfect.
“But whatever the strength or weakness of a constitution, the most important issue, to my understanding and experience, is the operators of the constitution.
“The best constitution can be perverted and distorted by the operators, and we have experienced that all over Africa, Nigeria is not exempt.
“I am more concerned about the operators of the constitution to lead in good governance and promotion of welfare and wellbeing of the citizenry.“No matter what you do to the Nigerian constitution, if the operators of the constitution, for the past one decade and a half, remain unchanged and continue in the same manner, the welfare and wellbeing of Nigerians will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of selfishness.”
Politics
Wike Reveals What’s Trying to Correct in PDP Ahead of November Convention
Chief Dan Orbih is the National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-south. If they don’t agree, that is another round of crisis. Two, the south-east congress which produced Chief Ali Odefa as the National Vice Chairman cannot stand because the court had affirmed that Odefa is no longer a member of the party.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has handed new conditions for the proposed national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ultimately for the overall peace of the party
Wike, in a media chat insisted that he had not left the PDP, and that for the crises tearing the party into shreds to end, the resolutions at the south-south zonal congress that was held in Calabar must be upheld before the PDP convention scheduled for November.
“If they want another round of crisis, so be it. That congress moved that Chief Dan Orbih emerged as the National Vice Chairman South-south of the party.
The court allowed it for then congress to hold and the congress was held. The so called acting National Chairman of the Party went and wrote a letter to INEC.
“The congress was held on Saturday on the 15th and he went and wrote a letter on the 8th, for example, that the Congress had been postponed.
Chief Dan Orbih is the National Vice Chairman of PDP, South-south. If they don’t agree, that is another round of crisis. Two, the south-east congress which produced Chief Ali Odefa as the National Vice Chairman cannot stand because the court had affirmed that Odefa is no longer a member of the party.
“That is what I told the people that I cannot allow impunity and will fight it until they correct it.
There is time for them to resolve before we talk of convention. If it is not resolved that is invitation to crisis.”
Politics
JUST IN: Dino Melaye dumps PDP

A former lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the party’s inability to rescue Nigeria from what he described as “prevailing political cankerworms”.
Melaye, a former senator for Kogi West, made this known today via a post on his official X handle, where he shared a signed resignation letter addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 1, Aiyetoro Gbede, Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State.
In the letter dated July 4, 2025, Melaye said the decision became “imperative due to the lack of potency and capacity by the party to deliver the Nigerian people from the prevailing political cankerworms that have eaten deeply into the fabric of our dear nation”.
The 2023 governorship candidate of the PDP stated that after careful reflection on the state of the party, he could no longer, in good conscience, participate in its activities or support its agenda.
“In view of the above, please consider this as my formal withdrawal from the party and all its activities at all levels with immediate effect,” the letter read.
Melaye also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve under the PDP during his period of membership.
His resignation adds to the growing wave of political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
News
Okpebholo Cracks Down on Adviser Over Unapproved Fundraising

The Governor of Edo State, Monday Okpebholo, has suspended his Special Adviser on Oil and Gas, Felix Osemwengie Isere, for alleged unauthorised fundraising over an upcoming oil and has summit in the state.
The suspension was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Ikhilor, on Tuesday in Benin.
The SSG said the governor also announced the immediate halt of the planned summit, scheduled to begin on August 7.
“Due to the breach, the proposed summit is suspended, and Isere is directed to refund all monies collected from donors for the event.
“Prospective donors are hereby advised to stop all dealings with the suspended adviser,” Ikhilor said.
(NAN)
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