By George Mgbeleke

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Federal Government to immediately clarify the contents of the recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States, citing sharply conflicting public descriptions of the agreement by both governments. While Abuja has presented the MoU as a technical, inclusive framework to strengthen health security and expand primary healthcare, the ADC notes that official statements from the United States introduce identity-based framing that may be in breach of Nigeria’s constitutional provisions on non-discrimination, as well as discretionary termination powers that subordinate Nigeria’s interests and raise serious questions about national sovereignty.

The full statement read:

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) calls on the Federal Government to urgently clarify the contents and implications of the recently signed health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigeria and the United States, following clearly conflicting public descriptions of the agreement issued by both governments.

While the Federal Government has presented the MoU as a technical and inclusive framework aimed at strengthening health security, expanding primary healthcare, and increasing domestic health financing, official statements released by the United States Embassy describe the same agreement in materially different terms. The U.S. characterisation introduces religious, identity-based framing, indicating that spending under the MoU should be targeted at health institutions backed by a particular religion only.

It is the ADC’s considered view that the Nigerian government should not enter into any agreement that is sectional or potentially inimical to Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to inclusion and national unity. We find it particularly curious that these troubling conditionalities, including those that grant the United States unilateral powers of termination, are conspicuously missing from the Federal Government’s public rendering of the agreement.

The ADC believes that this divergence is not a mere communications issue. Instead, it appears calculated to avoid public scrutiny, thereby raising fundamental questions about transparency, constitutional compliance, and Nigeria’s sovereignty. Nigerians are entitled to know which version of this agreement reflects the actual terms that were signed, and why such consequential differences exist between Abuja’s account and Washington’s.

The ADC affirms its support for foreign assistance and bilateral cooperation to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system, but insists that such partnerships must respect Nigeria’s diversity and must comply with our constitutional provisions prohibiting discrimination on the basis of religion or ethnicity.

For the avoidance of doubt, Section 42(1) states: “No citizen of Nigeria shall be discriminated against on the grounds of place of origin, sex, religion, or political opinion.” Similarly, Sections 15 and 17 impose a duty on the state to promote national integration, eliminate discrimination, and guarantee equality of rights and opportunities for all citizens.

Therefore, any international agreement, or public framing of such an agreement, that appears to introduce identity-based distinctions into the provision of public services raises serious constitutional and national cohesion concerns. We are particularly at a loss as to why the Nigerian Government would enter into such an agreement, especially considering that Nigeria is reportedly committing more resources under the arrangement.

The MoU states that the United States is expected to provide approximately two billion dollars in grant support over five years, while Nigeria has reportedly committed close to three billion dollars in domestic health financing over the same period. It is difficult to justify an arrangement in which Nigeria bears the larger financial burden, yet decisions regarding target beneficiaries and the discretion to pause or terminate cooperation appear to rest outside the country.
Healthcare is a core public good that must remain neutral, inclusive, and universally accessible. The injection of identity considerations into health financing or security-linked performance assessments risks politicising care delivery, undermining public trust, and exposing already vulnerable institutions and workers to avoidable tension and danger.

The ADC therefore calls on the Federal Government to come clean by publishing the full text of the signed MoU, including any annexes or accompanying instruments, and to clearly explain whether the identity-based and security-linked elements referenced by the United States form part of the agreement Nigeria actually signed or exist solely within foreign policy interpretations. Nigerians also deserve a clear explanation of how this agreement aligns with the Constitution and preserves Nigeria’s sovereign authority over its public policy choices.

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has admonished politicians in the state to prayerfully make decisions ahead of the 2027 elections, noting that power comes from God.

Governor Diri also urged them to eschew politics of bitterness and violence.

Speaking in his hometown, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area during the KOLGA Annual Day of Thanksgiving on Saturday, he advised people of the state not to allow politics to separate them.

Diri commended the KOLGA people for sustaining the annual event, noting that an attitude of appreciation attracts blessings.

He appreciated the other arms of government, the clergy, and people of the state for their support, urging them to be thankful to God at all times.

His words: “I thank God for a day like this that has been set aside legislatively to thank God. The more this local government area thanks God, the more it will be blessed.

“I call on other local government areas to emulate KOLGA because as governor, I want the blessings to spread across the state.

“This is a political year. Let our political class be reminded that power comes from God. Whatever position you desire, my admonition is go and pray; go and consult God. Use me as a point of contact.

“Let me also appreciate Apostle Zilly-Aggrey, the initiator of this event.
Whenever you recognise God, He never lets you down. That is why KOLGA and Bayelsa State will continue to grow from strength to strength because we always put God first.

“For us holding public offices, your service should be to the people. Do not be the only rich man in your community.

“Together we can acheive a lot. Let the bitterness and hatred be removed. If your brother is succeeding, support him. Let us open our hearts and love one another.”

In his welcome remarks, the KOLGA Chairman, Tariye Lelei, stated that people of the area were thankful to God for the achievements recorded.

He noted that the local government had become more accessible by road unlike in the past when most of the communities could only be reached by water.

In a sermorn, Presiding Overseer of the Royal House of Grace International Church, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, said KOLGA was blessed to have a governor that has transformed the local government and the state at large.

The renowned cleric hailed the state assembly and members of the state executive council for supporting the governor, saying development was a collective responsibility.

Present at the programme were the wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria and Justice Patience, leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Bubou, and other state legislators, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, and members of the state executive council.

Others were the State Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the All Progressives Congress, Barr. Dennis Otiotio, Executive Director, Social and Human Capital Development, South-South Development Commission, Engr. Preye Aganaba, local government chairmen as well as the Chairman, Bayelsa State Council of Traditional Rulers and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, King of Kolokuma Clan, HRM Onya Mozi Agara, other traditional rulers and top government officials.

By Owei David,Yenagoa

Elder T .K Ogoriba , a Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the survival of the Ijaw ethnic nationality of the Niger Delta(MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser-Wilhelm Ogoriba has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.

Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.

The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).

He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as president come February, 2026.

“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.

“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.

“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as president. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.

The Presidential hopeful who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.

He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.

Our correspondent reported that he came to pick presidential form amid wild jubilation by a tumultuous and unprecedented crowd of supporters and stakeholders.