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Nigeria Indivisible 110 Years After Amalgamation – INEC Chair

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Eminent professor of history, Mahmood Yakubu, has said Nigeria will not disintegrate, despite its challenges.

Yakubu told those who regard the amalgamation of the Northern and the Southern protectorates in 1914 as an artificial contraption that will eventually snap to bury the thought.

He said it is not a miracle that Nigeria has remained indivisible 110 years after its amalgamation but by the determination of the diverse people to manage their heterogeneity.

Yakubu dismissed calls for divisions among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic nationalities, saying the country has maintained deep-rooted historical ties that have existed among various communities long before the amalgamation.

According to him, the notion of Nigeria as a united and indivisible entity is settled.

Yakubu, who is the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), spoke at the weekend in Kaduna during an international conference organised by Arewa House’s Department of History, Political Science, and Economics, alongside the Faculty of Law of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) in Zaria, Kaduna State in collaboration with the Pan-African Strategic and Policy Research Group in commemoration of Nigeria’s 110 years of amalgamation.

The event, with the theme: Making and Building of Nigeria: People, Places, Times, and Legacies from 1914 to 2024, brought together scholars from across the country to x-ray the past, the present and the future of Nigeria’s history.

Yakubu noted that Arewa House had consistently marked key historical milestones in Nigeria’s history, praising it for bringing scholars together to reflect on the nation’s journey in the past century and a decade.

He said: “The takeaway for me is the gathering of scholars from different parts of the country to mark the 110 years of Nigeria’s amalgamation. Arewa House has been noted for marking these kinds of historical milestones, and they have done so again.”

Addressing the ongoing debates about Nigeria’s unity, Yakubu said: “I have made peace with the fact that I am Nigerian. If some people think Nigeria is artificial, they should know that nations are always created in different ways and are consolidated over time. Tell me one nation that was put together by consensus? The fact that we are here over a century later is a plus for Nigeria.”

The INEC chairman noted that the people’s relationships and interactions predated British colonisation and the amalgamation of what is now called Nigeria.

According to him, these historical ties have only grown stronger and will continue to do so.

General Ishola Williams (retd.), who was represented by Dr. Asma’u Maikudi from Kaduna Polytechnic, stressed the need to prioritise history education across the country.

He advised that “Our Story” should be made a compulsory subject from kindergarten to tertiary institutions.

Williams said a good understanding of the past is essential for national development.

“Without a solid understanding of our history, we risk losing our direction as a nation. It is crucial to train more educators as ‘Ourstorians’ to teach our history comprehensively,” he said.

The retired Commandant of Army Signals and Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) called for the establishment of a Centre for Ourstory of Pre-Colonial Africa (COPreCA) at ABU and for Arewa House to serve as the National Institute for Ourstory of Nigeria.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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Your Second Coming Was A Chance To Avoid These Political Mistakes – Fayose To Fubara

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, says the second coming to office of the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, after the elapsing of the state of emergency should have made him better.

 

Fayose’s remarks come as the Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara as of January 8, 2026.

Speaking in an interview on ‘Politics Today’, a programme on Channels Television on Friday, Fayose said he was removed as governor and went to exile but became a better person upon his return.

Fayose said that President Bola Tinubu hates ingratitude just like any other person else does.

The former Ekiti governor also dismissed the claim that what is happening in Rivers state is politics taken too far.

According to him, the constitution provides rules of engagement for every politician, stressing that it is when one gets out of the rule that he begins to look for public sympathy.

“The coming back of Governor Fubara should have made him a better person .If you made a mistake the first time, the second time you are not supposed to go through that route.

“Politics is a power game. Nobody solves political game for you. With due respect, let me tell you. Fubara is the one enjoying the office of the governor of Rivers state. It’s not the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

“Some people are saying it’s about Tinubu’s election. No! Because Tinubu’s election will come first, don’t forget that. Both Wike and Fubara will all work for Tinubu. Two weeks after, there will be an election for Rivers state,” he said.

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