NEWS
Constitution review: Senator Umeh decries marginalisation of South-East

A member of the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution, Senator Victor Umeh, has decried the marginalisation of the South-East geopolitical zone, describing Nigeria’s current constitutional framework as unjust, unbalanced and outdated.
Speaking during a constitutional engagement in Ebonyi State, Umeh delivered a passionate critique of Nigeria’s military-imposed constitution, warning that unless deliberate efforts are made to correct the inherited structural injustices, national unity and equity will remain elusive.
Umeh who represents Anambra Central Senatorial zone, stated that the first problem was that the constitution the country operate today was not produced through a democratic, civilian process.
“It was a military constitution, crafted by a government that imposed a structure which continues to disadvantage the South-East. The injustices are not abstract — they are measurable, visible and deeply entrenched,” he further stated.
Citing figures to drive home his point, the senator noted that the South-East remains the only region with just five states and a total of 95 local government areas (LGAs), compared to the North-West’s 186 LGAs, including 44 in Kano and 38 in Jigawa. The South-West and South-South boast 137 and over 100 LGAs, respectively.
“Federal appointments, resource distribution, and even national delegate voting during party primaries are all tied to state and LGA numbers. This imbalance is not just political — it affects our economic development and national relevance.”
Highlighting the skewed nature of ministerial appointments, he lamented that while some zones have up to eight ministers in the current administration, the South-East is limited to five due to its fewer states.
This, he said, is not a reflection of merit or competence, but of constitutional design rooted in inequality.
Umeh pointed to the 2014 National Conference as a turning point, where 492 delegates unanimously agreed that at least one additional state should be created for the South-East to bridge the gap.
“Even if no other new state is created in Nigeria, the Southeast deserves one more at the very least in the name of equity and national cohesion,” he said.
He also stressed how the current structure undermines South-East voices in national political processes.
“In national conventions of political parties, delegates are chosen from LGAs. With the fewest LGAs, we go in with the smallest voice. It’s a systemic suppression, and it cuts across every sphere of governance,” he noted.
Beyond political representation, Umeh advocated for deeper reforms, including decentralising the Nigerian Police Force.
“The current centralised policing structure is ineffective. It has failed to curb rising insecurity. State police is no longer a theoretical debate—it is a practical necessity. Even the Governors’ Forum is gradually embracing the idea,” added.
While acknowledging the uphill task of amending the constitution, Umeh said piecemeal efforts must not be abandoned.
“We have pushed for a new constitution, but if we can’t get that now, we must at least fix what we have. Eventually, the pressure of injustice will force a reckoning,” he said.
Appealing to the nation’s conscience, he said: “This is not a battle of strength. It’s about doing what is right. Injustice is an open wound; only the truth can heal it. Let us be guided by conscience and fairness so that Nigeria can become a truly united nation.”
NEWS
Nigerian celebrities react to president Buhari’s death

As Nigerian leaders continue to mourn the late President Muhammadu Buhari, many celebrities have also reacted to the news.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Muhammadu Buhari, Nigeria’s immediate past president, died in a London hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2025, after a prolonged illness.
Following the sad news, the Nigerian government declared seven days of mourning to honour the deceased’s legacy.
The declaration of mourning by the Federal Government sparked controversial tributes from Nigerians, including celebrities.
Reacting to the development, singer Eedris Abdulkareem attributed the negative comments against the late president to the consequences of his actions while alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
Also reacting to Buhari’s passing, celebrated Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Igboho, in a video shared on his Facebook page, stated, “The man that sent DSS to come and kill me in the middle of the night on July 4th 2021 has died today.”
Big Brother Naija reality show star Tacha berated Buhari’s critics on the X platform, noting that criticism cannot erase Buhari’s name from Nigeria’s history.
She wrote, “No matter your views, Muhammadu Buhari was a major part of Nigeria’s story. RIP.”
Actress Kate Henshaw, in a post on X, noted that life is vanity.
She wrote, “Nothing dey this life.”
Former Big Brother Naija housemate and actor Pere Egbi stated that the pain left behind by Buhari resulted in “bitterness and hate.”
While advising President Bola Tinubu to learn from Buhari’s administration, Pere urged him to address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
“May his soul rest in peace until resurrection morning. President Tinubu, as you reflect on your predecessor’s legacy, I appeal to your conscience: Nigeria is hurting. Millions are broken. Many have lost faith in political leaders because the pain left behind has fermented into bitterness and hate,” he stated.
Singer Portable, in a video on Instagram, said, “Make sure you do good. It’s Buhari that offends us, not Tinubu. Buhari died in London. May God rest his soul.”
Legendary fuji musician KWAM 1 sang Buhari’s praises in a video shared on his Instagram page and wished him “sleep well.”
NEWS
Naira appreciates massively against dollar ahead of public holiday to honour Buhari

The naira appreciated significantly against the United States dollar at the official foreign exchange market, beginning the week on a positive note ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday in honour of the late Nigerian former president, Muhammadu Buhari.
Exchange data from the Central Bank of Nigeria showed that the naira strengthened to N1,518.89 against the dollar on Monday, up from N1,530.26 traded at the close of business last Friday.
This means the naira firmed up substantially by N11.37 against the dollar compared to the N1,530.26 rate on Friday.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that, for the first time since last week, the naira is recording this margin of gain at the official market in a single day.
Meanwhile, the naira remained stable at the parallel (black) market on Monday, closing at N1,550 per dollar, the same rate as recorded last week.
The appreciation on the official market comes as the Nigerian government, through the National Bureau of Statistics, is expected to release the country’s inflation rate on Tuesday.
Earlier, the Central Bank of Nigeria fixed its Monetary Policy Committee meeting to decide on Nigeria’s interest rate for July 21 and 22, 2025.
NEWS
Buhari: ‘Show empathy If you want sympathy in death’ – Eedris Abdulkareem tells Nigerian leaders

Rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has stated that Nigerian leaders must share in the feelings of citizens if they want the public to sympathise with them in death.
The singer made this statement following the mixed reactions trailing the demise of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
OSUNDAILY NG reports that Buhari died on Sunday afternoon at a UK clinic after an alleged battle with leukaemia.
While his political allies are paying tribute to him, many Nigerians have been criticising and accusing him of various failings.
Addressing citizens in a post on his social media page, former senator, Shehu Sani, pleaded with the public to forgive Buhari his imperfections.
“A living man is still on trial and cannot judge the dead. Let the sleeping soul rest,” Sani said.
Reacting to the development in an Instagram post on Monday evening, Abdulkareem urged Nigerian politicians to show empathy while alive if they wish to receive sympathy in death.
“If you want sympathy in death, then you must show empathy when alive.
“Your legacies after life are consequences of your deeds. Innalilahi wa innalilahi rajuhun,” he wrote.
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