General News
NIGERIAN ELDER STATESMEN CALL FOR COMPLETE CONSTITUTIONAL OVERHAUL
A gathering of Nigeria’s elder statesmen, legal luminaries, and political figures has delivered a scathing indictment of the country’s constitutional framework and political class at the opening of the National Constitutional Summit in Abuja. The summit, organised by The Patriots in conjunction with the Nigerian Political Summit Group, featured powerful speeches calling for a complete overhaul of the constitution, citing crippling insecurity, endemic poverty, and a flawed electoral process as direct consequences of the current system.
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief Femi Falana, directed his criticism at both the judiciary and the legislature for frustrating electoral reforms. “I wish to submit without any fear of contradiction that Nigerian courts are totally opposed to the introduction of any form of electronic voting,” Falana declared.
Falana recounted how the Supreme Court had previously ruled the use of card readers for accreditation as illegal and, more recently, deemed the use of BVAS machines and electronic transmission of results as “optional” rather than mandatory. “In the case of intellectual and identity, the Supreme Court said the use of device machines and transmission of reports electronically was optional for high-legal compulsion,” he lamented.
Falana expressed profound distrust in the current National Assembly to enact changes to the Electoral Act of 2022 to mandate these technologies. “The current set of legislators are very uncomfortable with the current electoral system that allows manipulation of accreditation of voters. And they are not willing to allow reports to be electronically transmitted so that the status quo can continue,” he said.
Falana also dismissed the National Assembly’s ongoing constitutional review process as a “sham,” describing their zonal public hearings as tokenistic. “The only way you can throw away the 1999 constitution is through a revolution,” he concluded.
However, former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, represented by Secretary General of Eminent Patriots of Nigeria, Olawale Okunniyi, offered a contrasting perspective, arguing that the character of the political operators was a more pressing issue than the constitution itself. “Whatever the strength or weakness of a Constitution, the most important issue to my own understanding and experience are the operators of the Constitution,” Obasanjo wrote.
Obasanjo delivered a sharp critique of the nation’s leadership over the past 15 years, saying, “No matter what you do to Nigerian Constitution, if the operators of the Nigerian Constitution for the past one decade and a half remain unchanged and continue in the same manner, the welfare and well-being of Nigerians will continue to be sacrificed on the altar of selfishness, self-centeredness, corruption, impunity, and total disregard of the Constitution, decency, morality, integrity and honesty.”
General News
Alue-Do Festival Assault: First Lady Oluremi Tinubu Condemns Attack on Women, Calls for Justice
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has strongly condemned the reported assault of women and girls during the Alue-Do Festival in Ozoro, Delta State, describing the incident as “horrific” and unacceptable.
Reacting to viral footage from Ozoro, the First Lady expressed outrage over scenes showing young girls being physically and sexually assaulted, as well as subjected to degrading treatment during what was meant to be a cultural celebration.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity, Mrs. Tinubu stressed that no tradition or custom should be used as justification for violating the dignity and rights of women and girls.
She commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police Force for making arrests in connection with the incident and urged authorities to ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice.
The First Lady also called on victims to seek immediate medical and psychological support, offering prayers for their healing, peace, and strength in the aftermath of the ordeal.
The incident has sparked widespread concern and renewed calls for stricter measures to protect women and girls during cultural and public events across the country.
General News
World Water Day 2026: Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Gender Equity Through Improved Water Access
The First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, has called for collective action to promote gender equality through improved access to water and sanitation, as the world marks World Water Day 2026.
In a message commemorating the day, Senator Tinubu highlighted this year’s theme, “Water and Gender,” alongside the campaign slogan, “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows,” emphasizing the strong link between water access and gender equity.
She noted that in many communities, women and girls bear the burden of sourcing water, often trekking long distances to streams, a situation that negatively impacts their education, health, and economic opportunities.
“When we ensure safe, clean, and accessible water, we do more than quench thirst; we open doors for girls to stay in school, for women to pursue livelihoods, and for families to live healthier lives,” she said.
The First Lady urged Nigerians to work together to ensure equitable access to water resources across the country, stressing that improved water systems can drive social and economic development.
She concluded by encouraging citizens to embrace the spirit of the global observance and reaffirm commitments toward building a more inclusive society.
“Let us work together to ensure that where water flows in Nigeria, equity truly grows,” she added.
World Water Day is observed annually on March 22 to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for sustainable management of water resources worldwide.
Fresh hostilities in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict intensified early Sunday, with Iran launching strikes near Israel’s main nuclear research centre, leaving dozens injured and raising fears of wider regional escalation.
According to reports, missiles hit areas close to the nuclear facility in Dimona and the southern city of Arad. Rescue services confirmed that nearly 70 people were injured in Arad alone, with several in serious condition and multiple residential buildings severely damaged.
The Israeli military said it had begun retaliatory strikes targeting locations in Tehran, further escalating the conflict, which has now entered its fourth week.
Iran warned that any attack on its energy facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on U.S. and Israeli infrastructure across the region. The threat followed a statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned that the United States could target Iranian power plants if Tehran fails to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours. Iranian authorities described such threats as provocative, vowing a firm response if carried out.
Saudi Arabia also confirmed that its air defence systems intercepted missiles and drones targeting its territory, including areas near key oil installations, with no casualties reported. In a separate incident, a projectile struck near a commercial vessel off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, causing an explosion but leaving the crew unharmed.
Iran’s state media reported that the death toll within the country has surpassed 1,500 since the conflict began, raising humanitarian concerns. Legal experts have also warned that targeting civilian infrastructure such as power plants could violate international law.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the situation as “a very difficult moment,” as emergency teams continued search-and-rescue operations in affected areas.
In Yemen, Iran-backed Houthi rebels warned they could join the conflict if attacks against Iran intensify, cautioning that further escalation could disrupt global energy supplies and economic stability.
Despite diplomatic signals, including a temporary U.S. move to ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments, there are no clear signs of de-escalation, with both sides continuing military operations. Analysts warn the conflict risks expanding into a broader regional war with significant global implications.