Kalabari Unites for Historic Coronation of Amanyanabo of the Source, As 16-Unit Committee Takes Charge

 .....Dabaye Amakiri Charges Members to Showcase Best of Kalabari Culture

The Amanyanabo of the Source, Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakr Dokubo-Asari, Dabaye Amakiri I, has inaugurated a 16-unit Coronation Central Planning Committee to coordinate preparations for his forthcoming Se Diye and Coronation ceremonies, slated for December 19, 2026.

The Amanyanabo inaugurated the committee on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at his Ipokuma residence in Degema Consulate, where he charged members to work collectively towards delivering a coronation that would reflect the rich cultural heritage, traditions and dignity of the Kalabari people.

The event brought together prominent Kalabari personalities, traditional stakeholders, professionals and other members of the committee, who have been assigned responsibilities covering various aspects of the coronation programme.

Da Amakiri Tubo disclosed that the committee was constituted to ensure effective planning and coordination of the various activities associated with the coronation.

Chief Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill is the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee, while Chief Dr. David T. Briggs and Chief Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji serve as Co-Chairmen.

Dr. Emi Iyalla is the Secretary, with Alabo Daerefa-a Christopher Braide serving as Assistant Secretary.

A statement signed and made available to news platforms by Alabo Daerefa-a Christopher

Braide Spokesman & Chief Press Secretary to the Amanyanabo of the Source (Elem Kalabari, Torusaramapiri).noted that the committee will coordinate activities across the three principal locations of Elem Kalabari, Buguma and Obuama, with specialized units assigned specific responsibilities for the successful execution of the programme.

The units include Media and Publicity; Culture and Coronation; Transport and Logistics; External Relations; Contact and Mobilization; Venue and Catering; Protocol and Access Control; Security; Accommodation; Finance; Souvenirs; Secretariat and Documentation; Boat Regatta; Kalabari Dancing; Environment and Works; and Medical Services.

A Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has also been constituted to complement the work of the Central Planning Committee.

The Media and Publicity Unit is chaired by Chief Prince Tonye T.J.T. Princewill, with Ib Dakoru as Vice Chairman. Members are Mustapha Wakama, Humphrey Onyanabo, Alabo Daerefa-a Braide, Isokariari Otonye Bob-Manuel, Alabo Wabiye Idoniboye-obu and Melford.

The Culture and Coronation Unit is chaired by Chief Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, with Chief Kingsley Kio Young-Jack as Secretary. Se Alabo Prefaa Otaji and Se Alabo Prince Dateme are members.

Chief Dr. David T. Briggs chairs the Transport and Logistics Unit, with Dennis Braide as Secretary and Emmanuel Horsfall and Opunabo Princewill as members.

The External Relations Unit is chaired by Pope Tarsoo Linus, with Alhaji Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sade (Sadauki Bauchi), Gary and Nasiru Danu as members.

Alhaji Abdulrahman Ibrahim Sade (Sadauki Bauchi) chairs the Contact and Mobilization Unit, with Pope Tarsoo Linus as Vice Chairman. Other members are Humphrey Onyanabo, Flora, Alabo Onimim Batubo, Hassan Mohammed Ndanusa, Yerima Shettima, Igo Aguma and Henry Wordu.

The Venue and Catering Unit has Boma assigned to Elem Kalabari and Buguma, Flora to Obuama and Degema, alongside Alabo Lawrence Danagogo.

Dr. Dawari George chairs the Protocol and Access Control Unit, with Barrister Joseph Charles Brown, Se Alabo Omonaa Amachree, Se Alabo Amakiri Flag Amachree, Dennis Braide and Orusoso Don Pedro as members.

The Security Unit is chaired by Alabo CP. (Rtd.) Dr. Selem Vincent Amachree, Esq., with Obiobraa

George ( Holy Mallam), HRH Otonye Williams (Ododo), Alabo Ibim Miame, Tomitamunoa Erekosima (Obio Akpor), Banimibo-ofori Harry, and the 3 Kalabari LGA Chairmen as members.

Dr. Emi Iyalla chairs Accommodation, with Hajiya Halima and Alhaji Orlu Onyekachi (Haram De Sweet) as members.

The Finance Unit is chaired by Stanley West, with Dr. Emi Iyalla as member, while Boma chairs the Souvenirs Unit, assisted by Crowther and Flora.

Prince Dateme chairs the Secretariat and Documentation Unit, with Humphrey Onyanabo as Co-Chairman and Isokariari Otonye Bob-Manuel as Secretary.

Chief Lucky Brown chairs the Boat Regatta Unit. Members are Alabo Daogigo Amachree, Alabo Ikien Okorosa, Dr. Adikibia Boyle, Opunabo Princewill, Sokeipriye Numbere, Endurance Henry and Alabo Adikiba Zeinas.

Sokeipriye Numbere chairs the Kalabari Dancing Unit, with Ibiso George as member.

The Environment and Works Unit is chaired by Songo Festus LongJohn (Adekunle), with Adokiye Princewill, Obelema Isokariari and Biokpomabo Princewill as members.

Dr. Opubo Idoniboye-obu chairs the Medical Services Unit, with Alabo Dr. Ebi Robinson as member.

The Local Organizing Committee is headed by Amb. Sobomabo Jackrich (Egberipapa) as Chairman, with Alabo JackLloyd Thomas as Vice Chairman and Alabo Wabiye Idoniboye-obu as Secretary.

Giving the terms of reference for the 16-Unit Committee, the Central Planning Committee has established clear guidelines to ensure effective coordination, accountability and collaboration among the various units.

Each unit, as constituted, comprises a Chairman, Secretary and members, with the Chairman responsible for the effective performance of the unit.

All units are to report directly to the Central Planning Committee, which in turn reports to the Palace of the Amanyanabo of the Source, Dabaye Amakiri I.

Each unit is expected to submit its detailed work plan and budget within seven days of its appointment for review and approval by the Central Planning Committee.

No unit is to incur expenditure or make any financial commitment without prior written approval of the Central Planning Committee.

The units are also required to submit weekly progress reports to the Central Planning Committee.

The committee further directed that all units should collaborate where their responsibilities overlap to ensure harmony and avoid duplication, particularly in activities involving Elem Kalabari, Buguma and Obuama.

 

 

 

Nigeria Customs Service ‌‌‍Others Renew commitment on Blue Economy Agenda

By Bon Peters

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it would continue to sustain efforts towards blocking revenue leakages while enhancing trade facilitation at Nigerian ports.

Comptroller Mohammed Aliyu Alkali, Customs Area Controller, Onne, Area11 Customs Command Rivers state, stated this Wednesday in Port Harcourt the Rivers state Capital at a seminar to commemorate the 2026 World Maritime Day organized by Business and Maritime Writers Association of Nigeria (BUMWAN).

With the theme, “Nigerian ports and Bonded Terminals,  Impacts of Nigeria Customs Service and stakeholders in the Blue Economy, the seminar examined ways of advancing the Blue Economy agenda of the Federal Government.

Represented by Asst. Comptroller Nasir Lirwan, Aliyu said that the NCS has remained critical to the success and growth of the Blue Economy especially, considering its mandate in the non-oil revenue generation sector of the country.

According to him, the Onne command has also domesticated various strategies aimed at promoting effective risk management and stakeholders’ engagements.

The measure he emphasized also largely contributed to effective port operations.

Highlighting on the importance of Bonded Terminals on cargo operation, Alkali identified Bonded Terminals as backbones of the Blue Economy.

“Six years ago, there were only about six operational Bonded Terminals at the Onne command but presently due to the business friendly policies of the Comptroller General Bashir Adeniyi, MFR, PhD over 20 operational Bonded Terminals have been created here in Onne.

He added “This indeed indicates that Bonded Terminals are no longer alternatives but indispensable partners in a seamless cargo clearance and Blue Economy agenda.

“Bonded Terminals have become critical for ports decongestion, constant cargo delivery, employment generation and enhanced revenue collection,” he said.

Alkali, also commended BUWAN for timely and effective reportage of the Ports and Bonded Terminals saying the effort had significantly strengthened public awareness.

Also speaking, Dr. Caleb Ajagba, Chief-of-staff, Abia State Government House urged the NCS to go beyond revenue collection, and step up actions towards strengthening its role in trade facilitation.

Represented  by chief Nwaka Inem, Special Adviser to Abia state Governor on Trade, Commerce and Industry Ajagba lamented impacts of poor cargo operations on the end user.

“Delays from overstretched bureaucratic bottlenecks, multiple charges, congestion and uncertainties in cargo clearance has continued to increase cost of doing business which in turn affects the ordinary Nigerian consumer.

“Your objective should be geared towards creating an efficient and digitalized system which promotes timeliness for legitimate trade and prompt termination of illegal and non complaint transactions,” he said.

Ajagba also pledged readiness of the Alex Otti led administration to strengthen partnerships with the NCS and other critical stakeholders with a view to promoting trans-border trade in the state.

“Abia State is open for collaboration and the Alex Otti led administration is consistently focused on improving infrastructure, ease of doing business, industrialization and investment promotion,” he added

Similarly, Mr. Matthias Odo, Commander, NDLEA, Onne port command, also pledged agency’s commitment to a drug-free society and called for collaboration from stakeholders and well meaning Nigerians.

Represented by his Deputy DC Kingsley Effiong, Odo emphasized that intelligence gathering was crucial for efficient local and trans-boarder drug tracking operations.

“I want you to understand that no business can thrive in an environment that is not drug-free, that is why we must continue dismantling drug cartels,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Peter Ihejirika, BUMWAN President, thanked participants and stakeholders for further enlightening the public on innovations geared towards improving ports operations.

lhejirika on behalf of the group promised to deepen media partnership with stakeholders and ports operators while also calling for their cooperation.

“Journalists are your friends, we are not spies, avail us information whenever we need them as failure to do so may give room for speculations,” he said.

Operators of bonded terminals, NAFDAC and other stakeholders also attended the seminar.

All set for 20th Coronation anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom

 Programme of events for the 20th Anniversary of His Royal Majesty, Orhue 1, Orodje of Okpe Kingdom

 

Friday, November 13, 2026

Prayer to be led by Okpe Christian Assembly

Venue: Udogun Hall, Orerokpe

Time: 11:00 am

 

Press Briefing by Okakuro Mike Affe, JP, The Unu-Okpe of Okpe Kingdom

Venue: Dafinone Hall, Orodje Palace, Orerokpe

Time: 2:00 pm

 

Saturday, November 14, 2026

His Royal Majesty’s Golf Tournament

Venue: Sapele Athletes Club, Sapele

Time: 8:30 am

Prize/Awards

Time: 3.30pm

 

Monday, November 16, 2026

Chieftaincy seminar for would-be Ekakuro and Ehonvwore

Venue: Dafinone Hall, Orodje Palace, Orerokpe

Time: 11:00 am

 

Tuesday, November 17, 2026

Command Performance

Titled: The Yoke

Venue: Udogun Hall, Orerokpe

Time: 11:00 am

 

Awards to distinguished Okpe sons and daughters

Venue: Udogun Hall, Orerokpe

Time: 3:00pm

 

Wednesday, November 18, 2026

Football competition finals

Venue: Sapele Township Stadium

Time 11:00 am

 

Float/cultural displays by the 13 districts

Venue: Sapele Township Stadium

 

Thursday, November 19, 2026

Conferment of chieftaincy titles

Venue: Udogun Hall, Orerokpe

Time: 10:00am

 

Friday, November 20, 2026

Conferment of chieftaincy titles

Venue: Udogun Hall, Orerokpe

Time: 10:00am

 

Saturday, November 21, 2026

Grand Finale

Venue: Orodje Palace Pavilion, Orerokpe

Time: 11:00 am

 

Sunday, November 22, 2026

Thanksgiving

Venue: St William Catholic Church, Orerokpe

Time:11:00 am

 

Tuesday, November 24, 2026

Homage by newly conferred Ekakuro and Ehonvwore

 

Wednesday, November 25, 2026

Homage by the four ruling houses and others

Planning Committe

 

 

Compt Balogun Bows Out At FOU Zone C, as Acting Comptroller Dadaniya Takes Over

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Federal Operations Unit Zone 'C' Owerri, has witnessed a change of batton as a result of the retirement of Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun (Retd) who has equally handed over the mantle of leadership to the newly appointed acting Comptroller, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Farouk Nadaniya.

 

This was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available Tuesday, to our media platform by the Command's Public Relations officer Chief Superintendent of Customs 

R NCHE in Owerri, the Imo state Capital.

 

 

The statement noted that the handing-over ceremony took place at the unit's Headquarters on Friday, 25th September 2026, in Owerri, Imo State as the newly appointed Acting Comptroller was received by the officers and men of the unit, which was followed by an introduction of the unit heads. 

 

In his address, the retired Comptroller Bishir Abdullahi Balogun thanked the officers and men of the unit for their unalloyed support throughout his tenure stating that "retirement awaits every officer of the service" even as he further advised that officers should prepare for their retirement as soon as they joined the service.

 

He charged officers to be diligent in their various areas of duty, as he mentioned numerous achievements recorded during his tenure which he attributed to teamwork while urging the officers of the unit to extend their unwavering support to the new acting comptroller.

 

Speaking while taking over, the Acting Comptroller, Farouk Nadaniya praised Allah, the beneficent, the most merciful, for His infinite grace and guidance to assume what he described as an important responsibility.

 

He also expressed his profound gratitude to the comptroller-general of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, PhD and his management team for finding him worthy of the responsibility to serve in that capacity.

 

The new acting Comptroller maintained that his assumption of office was not merely a change of leadership, but a renewed call to service, responsibility and accountability.

 

He further portrayed the strategic importance of federal operations unit (FOU) ‘C’ and its critical role in advancing the mandate of the service through effective anti-smuggling operations, revenue protection, facilitation of legitimate trades and national security in line with the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act. 2023.

 

 Acting comptroller Nadaniya charged officers to remain firm, professional and uncompromising in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities, even as he commended the leadership of the unit for its achievements so far, which he said did not happen by chance but through the result of sacrifice, professionalism, teamwork, courage and commitment to duty of his predecessor, (Retd) Comptroller BA Balogun and officers who have contributed to the progress of the unit.

 

 He encouraged the patrol team leaders to remain disciplined, professional, vigilant and accountable while seeking their maximum co-operation and support on the implementation of the strategic vision of the Comptroller General of Customs particularly in the areas of modernization, efficiency, compliance and improved customs procedures.

 

Bon Peters,

in Port Harcourt, Rivers State

 

Traditional Rulership and Politics: Neutrality or Partisanship

By Prof Igho Natufe

 

 

As has been argued elsewhere, traditional rulership is incongruous with a republican political system.

 

The search for a role for traditional rulers in the governance of Nigeria has been elusive, notwithstanding the promises of each succeeding government – civilian and military – to carve a role for them in the Constitution. Towards this end, the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida established a Political Bureau to inter alia, “review Nigeria’s political history and identify the basic problems which have led to our failure in the past and suggest ways of resolving and coping with these problems.”

 

The Political Bureau, chaired by S. J. Cookey, included some prominent academics as members.

 

It is ironic that traditional rulers, who held exclusive powers in their respective kingdoms before the intrusion of British colonial rule, would now be pleading for a role in post-colonial Nigeria. Even under British rule, their role had significantly diminished from that of their imperious past. They found themselves as tools of the British indirect rule system. Their “subjects”, the anti-colonial nationalists gradually began to doubt the relevance of their role.

 

As noted by Obafemi Awolowo: “There is a mutual distrust verging on antagonism between the educated few and the Chiefs in Nigeria. The latter fear that the former are out to oust them from their privileged positions.” This feeling of “mutual distrust” continues to underline the relations between traditional rulers and Nigerian political leaders. Even when a role was carved for them in the various houses of chiefs in the respective regions in 1954-January 1966, they were at the mercy of politicians who decided when and how to dispose of them as dictated by political expediency. This trend has continued in the 4th Republic.

 

The Political Bureau recognized the significance of traditional rulership in Nigeria’s political system, a view which was accepted by the Ibrahim Babangida military Government, 

 

But it proposed contending options vis-à-vis traditional rulership that need to be grappled with. The Political Bureau submitted the following options:- i. ”outright abolition of the institution”: ii “co-optation in government”; iii “democratization to conform with process of modern government”; iv “maintenance of status quo”; and v “the determination of their relevance and future by the people.”

 

It was the view of the Political Bureau that “traditional rulers should have no specific role to play in government beyond the local government level, where they have relevance.” The Political Bureau “also agreed that it is a misnomer, considering the scope and character of the contemporary Nigerian state to call them traditional ‘rulers’”.

 

Therefore, the Political Bureau reasoned that it “will make no sense to install in the political system, people whose primary qualifications is ascribed to status at a time when the people are demanding a truly democratic polity.”

 

Even though the Political Bureau recommended that “traditional rulers should have no specific role to play in government beyond the local government level, where they have relevance”, the concluding section of its recommendations is more telling when it declared: “They possess no special qualities to enable them to be used in enriching the political system or instilling moral rectitude in public life.”

 

This was a very serious indictment of traditional rulers. To put it bluntly, as opined by the Political Bureau, traditional rulers are of no use to Nigeria’s political system. What are the implications of “co-optation in government”? How do you “democratize” traditional rulers to make them “conform to the process of modern government”? What processes are there for the “people” to determine the “relevance and future” of traditional rulers? These vital gaps in the work of the Political Bureau need to be addressed by Nigerians as they contemplate a role for their traditional rulers. 

 

On September 10, 2026, the Forum of Urhobo Traditional Rulers (Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo) adopted Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori “as the sole candidate of the Urhobo Nation for the 2027 governorship election”. If the “monarchs remained strictly apolitical”, as claimed by HRM Dr. Monday Obukohwo Whiskey, Udurhie I, Ovie of Idjerhe Kingdom and Spokesman of the Ukoko R’Ivie R’Urhobo, their endorsement of “Rt. Hon. Sheriff Francis Oborevwori, as the sole candidate of the Urhobo Nation for the 2027 governorship election” and their subsequent decree that “no other Urhobo governorship aspirant will be received or given royal blessings by traditional rulers in Urhobo land” is an unashamed mockery of the concept of apolitical.

 

In his essay entitled “If Nigeria is not divided, we will never have any sense in the North”, Mohammed Bello Doka had this to say about traditional rulers. “The traditional rulers are glorified cultural dancers with big turbans and zero real authority”. He continued: “The traditional rulers … even though powerless, they are led by greed. They have sold their titles & respect for cash & their influence on government appointments. The common man no longer bows to them. They have lost respect because they never earned it through service”. This characterization of traditional rulers can be said to apply to scores of traditional rulers in Southern Nigeria, including Delta State.

 

In January 2026, Governor Rt. Hon. Francis Oborevwori gifted “60 brand new Prados and five Land Cruisers” to traditional rulers in Delta State. He referred to the traditional rulers as “tools of service”, emphasizing that traditional rulers are “vital intermediaries between government and the people at the grassroots”. There is a conceptual congruity between Governor Oborevwori’s categorization of traditional rulers as “tools of service” and their status as tools of the British indirect rule system   

 

In appreciation of the gifts, the Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers and the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue l, “assured the governor of the traditional institution’s unwavering support for his administration”.

 

In underlining the “assurance” of the traditional rulers’ “unwavering support for” Governor Oborevwori, as stated by HRM Orhue l, the “tools of service” responded accordingly at their gathering at the Palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom. Is there any correlation between the “gifts of 65 brand new SUVs to the traditional rulers” in January 2026 and the declaration of the Urhobo Kings in September 2026? Is this a mere coincidence or a quid pro quo?

 

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State recently “advised traditional rulers to steer clear of politics and embrace all political actors without bias, warning that any of them found engaging in politics would be treated as a politician”.

 

This warning applies to traditional rulers across Nigeria, including Delta State.

 

Thus, the Urhobo Traditional Rulers are urged to reverse their ill-advised “declaration” in order to protect the sanctity of their respective thrones. This “declaration” has brought grave disrepute to their respective thrones and dishonour to their HRM titles. Otherwise, they should be prepared to be “treated as politicians” with all the consequences attached to electioneering campaigns.

 

Of particular concern to Okpe Union, the mouth-piece of the Okpe Nation is the role of our revered Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, HRM Orhue l, in the gathering of the Urhobo Traditional Rulers. By doing so, he has wrongly subsumed Okpe ethnicity under an Urhobo appellation, which is diametrically opposed to historical facts as well as to his own stated position affirming Okpe as a distinct ethnic nationality. It is instructive to note the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom’s Keynote Address at the 3rd AGM of the Okpe Union of North America where he succinctly declared:

 

“Okpe is a unique ethnic nationality. It has distinctive roots in ancient history, tradition, culture, customs and language.”

 

He added: “Our people are rooted in migration from the Bini Kingdom. This historical experience is similar to most other ethnic nationalities of the Western Niger Delta. Of all these nationalities however, Okpe History, language, tradition, and culture are closer to those of Bini which form part of the Edo group of languages.”

 

Furthermore, a study by Udogun Okpe, the supreme organ for the traditional administration of the Okpe Kingdom, stated emphatically that “Okpe is indubitably known to be a distinct and autonomous Kingdom, an ethnic entity from its beginning. The people and their language are distinct and are named after their progenitor, Okpe, whose four sons founded the present day Okpe Kingdom”.

 

At a reception welcoming the First Lady, Senator Mrs. Remi Tinubu in Asaba, Delta State in late March 2025, in his capacity as the Chairman of the Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Orhue l, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, declared that “come 2027, we Deltans will vote for President Tinubu”. This was not the precursor of political misadventure by Delta State’s traditional rulers. During the campaign for the 2023 national elections, for example, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom’s renegade faction of the Okpe Union urged Okpe nationals to vote for “all” candidates of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This interference of the Palace in partisan politics was designed to scuttle the chances of other Okpe nationals in rival political parties: for example, Okakuro Ede Dafinone (of the All Progressive Congress –APC) and Barr. Ben Etanabene (of the Labour Party – LP), who won their elections to the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, despite the intrusion of the Palace.

 

A throne that campaigns for any political party or candidate automatically betrays the rest of the citizens of that given nationality. By so doing, the traditional ruler transforms his palace into a campaign headquarters for the said political party or candidate, a transformation which vitiates the sanctity of the throne. This is injurious to the reputation of the throne as the traditional ruler becomes a messenger, an errand man of the government. Prestige is lost, and the reputation of the kingdom is compromised.

 

No traditional ruler, including our Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, is in a position to assure political parties on how Deltans and Okpe nationals will vote in any election. We are in a democratic polity, and not in a dictatorial or an absolute monarchical system. Traditional rulers must stay out of politics or disrobe themselves from their kingships and join political parties of their choices. It is disingenuous of them to hide behind the sanctuary of their palaces and engage in partisan politics under a dubious claim of being “apolitical”. Deltans, including Okpe nationals, will vote their conscience and discard the diktat of traditional rulers. We call on Okpe nationals to vote for candidates of their choice like they did in 2023. The Will of the People must prevail over the dictatorial decree of any traditional ruler.

 

Prof. O. Igho Natufe, President General Of Okpe Union (Worldwide), Writes From Lagos

 

Omission: Orette Blames INEC

Names of some high-profile senatorial candidates in the January 16, 2027 elections have been omitted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

 

Although the reason for their omission is unknown, it is strongly believed that it would not be unconnected with administrative procedure.

 

The Delta South African Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Dr. Austin Orette, is however not happy and he told party faithful and journalists who gathered at Ozoro, headquarters of Isoko North Local Government Area on Thursday in clear terms.

 

“My concern with INEC is not simply that my name was omitted from a published candidate list. My concern is how such an omission could occur and what institutional safeguards exist to prevent a candidate's democratic rights from being affected by an administrative failure.”

 

Orette said he was baffled and felt sad at the news of the omission.

 

“My political party submitted my candidacy. Yet my name was subsequently omitted from the list published by INEC. That raises legitimate questions. Was my nomination properly received? Was the information submitted correctly? At what stage did the omission occur? What verification procedure was applied before the list was published? If the omission was an administrative error, what mechanism exists for identifying and correcting it promptly? These questions matter because the Electoral Act provides a specific framework for candidate nominations and publication. Section 29 deals with submission of candidate lists, while Section 32 requires the Commission to publish the names and addresses of candidates standing nominated. The Act also specifically provides a mechanism for a political party to notify the Commission if its candidate's name is missing from the published list.”

 

He stressed the need for the law and the established process to be applied correctly.

 

“INEC's own records demonstrate that candidate lists can subsequently be amended pursuant to court orders and corrections. Therefore, my position is straightforward: I am not asking INEC for a favour. I am asking for the law and the established process to be applied correctly. If there was an error, it should be identified and corrected through the proper procedure. If there was no error, INEC should explain clearly why my name was omitted despite my party's submission. And if anyone interfered unlawfully with the process, that matter should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. My grievance is therefore not merely personal. It is about protecting the integrity of the electoral process for every Nigerian candidate and voter. Today it may be my name. Tomorrow it could be someone else. INEC has a constitutional responsibility to organize, undertake and supervise elections to the Senate and other elective offices. It also has responsibilities relating to political parties and their operations. That responsibility demands institutional neutrality. An electoral umpire must not determine the political outcome. Its responsibility is to administer the rules so that the people can make the choice. The people of Delta South must therefore be able to trust that every qualified candidate who has fulfilled the legal requirements will receive fair treatment. The ballot belongs to the people. It must never become the property of an institution, a political godfather or an administrative process.”

 

The renowned medical doctor noted with sadness the preservation of opaque procedures.

 

“Where aspirants pay for nomination forms, the process must be transparent. Where primaries are conducted, results must be properly recorded. Where disputes arise, there must be credible mechanisms for resolution. The controversy surrounding the 2026 NDC primaries illustrates why internal party democracy matters. Senator Seriake Dickson publicly acknowledged irregularities surrounding aspects of the exercise and expressed sympathy to affected aspirants. The lesson is larger than one political party. A democracy cannot be stronger than the democratic culture of the organizations competing to control government. We cannot build a new Nigeria by changing political actors while preserving opaque procedures.”

 

He reiterated his intentions and motivation for entering into the political terrain.  

 

“This is where my candidacy must be different. I am not seeking a seat in the Senate simply to occupy an office or make speeches. I want to use the Senate to pursue specific institutional reforms with measurable outcomes. I will support reforms that strengthen the legal protection of candidates throughout the nomination and publication process. This should include: A transparent, auditable digital trail from party nomination to INEC publication, mandatory acknowledgement of candidate submissions by the electoral commission, a rapid correction mechanism where a candidate's name is wrongly omitted, clear responsibility for officials who negligently or unlawfully mishandle candidate information, stronger legal safeguards against arbitrary alteration or omission of candidates and improved public access to official nomination records. The objective is simple: No Nigerian should lose a democratic opportunity because of an unexplained administrative failure.”

 

Orette confessed that he had an enormous task before him.

 

“I will advocate stronger legislative scrutiny of electoral administration, including timely reporting on candidate-list changes, election preparation, procurement, logistics and the implementation of electoral reforms. Public institutions must be answerable to the public institutions constitutionally empowered to oversee them. I will support reforms that strengthen transparency in political-party primaries. Political parties should maintain verifiable records of nomination fees, accredited delegates, primary-election procedures, results, appeals and dispute-resolution processes. Citizens should not have to enter political contests blindly or rely solely on the goodwill of party officials. Citizens who expose wrongdoing should not become victims because they spoke up. I will support stronger statutory protection for whistleblowers and individuals who make good-faith reports of corruption, electoral malpractice and abuse of public authority.”

 

He promised stronger legislative measures against kidnapping, organized criminal networks, illegal arms trafficking and the financing of criminal enterprises.

 

“Security policy must also address the conditions that allow criminality to flourish—including youth unemployment, institutional weakness, poor intelligence coordination and the lack of economic opportunity. Delta South contributes enormously to Nigeria's economic life. Our communities should not remain trapped between enormous natural resources and inadequate infrastructure. My legislative agenda will focus on better protection and development of oil-producing communities, environmental remediation, improved roads and waterways, access to healthcare, youth employment and technical training, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, transparent utilisation of development funds and stronger oversight of agencies responsible for Niger Delta development.”

 

On the health sector, Orette promised legislation and budgetary priorities that strengthen primary healthcare, improve rural medical access, support healthcare workers and expand emergency medical services.

 

“As a medical doctor, I understand that healthcare is not merely a budgetary issue. It is a question of whether people live or die. Delta South should not require citizens to travel hundreds of kilometres for basic specialist care.”

 

He advised politicians not to treat young people as campaign crowds.

 

“They are the productive force of tomorrow. I will support policies that connect young Nigerians to vocational training, technology, entrepreneurship, agriculture, maritime opportunities and other sectors capable of creating sustainable employment. A young person with meaningful economic opportunity is less vulnerable to criminal recruitment and political manipulation.”

 

According to Orette, these are not promises of miracles but legislative priorities.

 

“The Senate cannot solve every problem in Nigeria by itself. But a senator can introduce bills, sponsor amendments, influence appropriations, conduct oversight, demand explanations from agencies and bring the concerns of constituents directly into national policy. That is the kind of representation I want to provide. Not representation by noise, but representation by substance. Not politics as personal entitlement, but public office as public service. The election before us is bigger than one candidate. It is about the standard we establish for representation. I ask the people of Delta South to examine every candidate carefully. Ask us what we intend to legislate. Ask us how we intend to use oversight powers. Ask us how we will protect the interests of our communities. Ask us what we will do about insecurity, unemployment, healthcare, infrastructure and environmental degradation. Ask us whether we are prepared to defend the rights of citizens when doing so is politically inconvenient. And then judge us by our answers.”

 

He called on the good people of Delta South to support his senatorial ambition.

 

“I am offering myself to Delta South with a clear proposition: Give me the mandate, and I will take the concerns of our people into the Senate—not as a spectator, but as an active legislator and advocate for institutional reform and development. Nigeria does not need another generation of leaders who merely inherit broken systems and learn how to benefit from them. We need leaders prepared to repair them. We need institutions that work. We need electoral processes that citizens can trust. We need political parties that respect their own rules. We need security institutions capable of protecting communities. We need legislation that responds to the realities of ordinary Nigerians. And we need representatives who understand that a Senate seat is not a throne. It is a mandate. The people of Delta South deserve to know that their senator will be answerable to them. That is the standard I am setting for myself. I am asking you to join me—not merely in supporting a candidate, but in demanding a higher standard of representation. Let us make this election about what we will build, not merely who will occupy office. Let us demand institutions that work. Let us demand representation that delivers. Let us demand a Senate agenda that speaks directly to the realities of Delta South. And let us build a political culture in which no citizen is too small to matter and no public official is too powerful to answer legitimate questions. Nigeria has a long way to go. How far? I do not know. But I know where we must begin. We begin by restoring faith in the law. We continue by strengthening our institutions. And we move forward by electing representatives prepared to turn those principles into legislation, oversight and measurable action. That is the Nigeria I believe in. That is the Delta South I want to represent. And that is the work I am asking for your mandate to undertake.”

 

Orette further spoke on a new template for national existence

 

“We have a long way to go. How far? I do not know. What I know is that the Nigerian system is so deeply weakened that we must begin to imagine—and deliberately construct—a new template for our national existence. Our society has become accustomed to a level of impunity that should trouble every responsible citizen. Too often, people entrusted with public authority appear to forget that power is a trust and that public office carries obligations to truth, justice and good conduct. Institutions are weakened when those who control them begin to believe that they are stronger than the rules they are supposed to enforce. This mentality, so contrary to the principles of a civilized society, has become too familiar in Nigeria. We have created a political culture in which the word of the powerful can sometimes carry more weight than the law itself. That must change.”

 

He suggested same legal standards for everyone.

 

“In Nigeria, we have witnessed situations in which powerful individuals appear able to disregard rules while ordinary citizens bear the full weight of enforcement. A senator assaults a citizen in a public place—nothing happens. His subordinates assault a journalist—nothing happens. He returns to the Senate and participates in making laws against violence. What kind of society are we building when those who make laws can appear insulated from the standards they impose on others? For Nigeria to develop, the wealthy and politically influential must be subject to the same legal standards as everyone else. Privilege must carry responsibility. Office must carry consequences. Influence must never become immunity. One of Nigeria's most destructive political habits is the belief that status confers protection from consequences. The irony is that some people who disregard rules in Nigeria become extremely respectful of the law when they travel to countries where institutions are strong enough to enforce it. There, political connections cannot simply override procedure. There, public office does not automatically confer immunity. There, the law does not first ask whether a person is a senator, governor, businessman or ordinary citizen. That is the institutional culture we must build in Nigeria. A civilized country is not one where powerful people are worshipped. It is one where institutions are strong enough to restrain power.”

 

The Nigerian American family medicine physician and politician from Owhelogbo in Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State recollected the experience of former Senator Ike Ekweremadu.

 

“In 2023, a United Kingdom court convicted Ike Ekweremadu, Beatrice Ekweremadu and Obinna Obeta in connection with a proposed kidney donation. The case demonstrated that political status does not automatically place an individual beyond judicial process. Whatever one's political affiliation or personal view of the case, the institutional principle is clear: No public office should confer immunity from lawful process. Nigeria must reach the point where the same principle is unquestionable here. When powerful people violate rules without consequences, others learn that rules are negotiable. When corruption is tolerated, it becomes institutionalized. When institutions lose credibility, citizens lose confidence. And when citizens lose confidence in lawful institutions, society becomes increasingly vulnerable to disorder. Our security crisis makes this particularly urgent. Kidnapping, terrorism and organized criminality have destroyed lives and communities across Nigeria. Where credible evidence exists that individuals are sponsoring, financing, protecting or facilitating criminal activity, the appropriate authorities must investigate and prosecute where the evidence warrants it. No political position should provide a shield against legitimate investigation. The objective is not revenge. It is the restoration of order.”