Politics
Re-Instatment Of Council Chairmen: Matters Arising
Political activities in the 11 local government areas, of Rivers State, whose chairmen were suspended from office by the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, had within the past few weeks been riddled with intrigues, suspense and a climax that had further heated the polity.
The affected LGAs, are still wearing an ominous political cloud. There are also indications that most of the returning helmsmen are still pondering, and may not just gloss over the perceived excesses of their deputies during their brief suspension from office.
Angered by the daring effrontery of some of the vice chairmen, who in a jifty dislogded the political structures on ground before the political pitfall, most of the re-instated chairmen are tightening their political knots.
The political scene in most of the affected LGAs is also suggestive of visible pall of apprehension, among the power players. Bearing the brunt of perceived insorbordination, most of the re-instated chairmen, seem more cautious in the review of their relationships with their deputies.
The Chairman of Ahoada East Local Government, Casidy Ikegbidi, was the first among his re-instated colleagues to yield to the anticipated reactions and predictions of pundits.
On resumption of office, boss sacked all political appointees engaged by his Vice, Britain Ewoh, while serving as Acting Chairman. He also revoked all contracts awarded by the acting chairman.
The AHELGA boss did not attach the sacking of the engaged political appointees and revocation of contracts to any specific excuse. He only “urged the workers and political office holders to brace up for the new era of leadership”, and assured that he would work with them to develop the area.
The Ahoada East chairman’s action, shortly on resumption of office is startling of what is heard in some of the affected LGAs. The Political rumour mill is already awash with tales of impending poltical ‘lockhorn’ between the key players.
As put by a Port Harcourt-based analyst, Dr. Steve Wodu “the action of the Chairman of Ahoada East LGA, should be no surprise to anyone, it should be expected in most of the other affected LGAs; it shows that vested interest is the hub of Nigerian politics, and it undermines the will of the people as expressed at the polls”.
He cautioned that the growing disagreement between most council chairmen and their deputies was a “plausible, tactical political flaw” which could lead to “lack of development focus and a protracted political tussle if not properly addressed.
Corroborating Mr. Wodu’s view, another political analyst, Comrade Lekia Christian said , “a replay of the Ahoada East chairman’s action should not be entirely ruled out in the other 10 affected LGAs, as most of the council chairmen who have lost faith in the loyalty of their Vice may stop at nothing to smoothen their political ride”.
He said the suspended chairmen considered the actions of the deputies during their brief romance with full executive powers as betrayal, as some of their actions were to forestall their political backlash of losing the popularity and political control to the deputies.
Investigation also revealed that the sudden elevation of the Vice Chairmen of affected LGAs, as Acting Chairmen, compounded the brewing crisis of mutual distrust between them and their chairmen with political sentiments piling up in most of the councils, political analysts forsee a crisis of impeachment looming ahead in the councils.
In Ahoada East LGA, which is glaringly in the political spotlight, the councillors are said to be divided as those loyal to the chairman and his vice repeatedly are already pitted against themselves.
A top council source, revealed that the development at it stands, ‘may cause a disruption in the smooth running of the affairs of the council”.
The source, however, expressed hope that the council will get over its present challenges soon.
A Port Harcourt based Legal practitioner, Barrister, Kio George, described the suspension of the 11 council chairmen and swearing in of their deputies by the Governor, as a “prelude to a battered relationship between the duo”.
According to Kio, “the manner of operations and governance at the LG level had always placed vice chairmen on a passive level of participation, and as such the opportunity to test full scale executive power was provided within the period of suspension”. He added that the development had drawn a battleline between most chairmen and their deputies. He however called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to ensure that activities in the affected LGAs, do not drift into full scale political crisis.
Ironically, while the acting chairmen were already consolidating their sudden elevation and romance with full executive powers, they were also interceptws by a sudden reversal of the order to status qo by the Governor.
However, not all the vice chairmen seem to have betrayed such passionate obsession to succeeding their bosses.
In Port Harcourt City Local Government, it was obvious that for unfathomable reasons, the vice chairman, reluctantly assumed power, as she was sworn in about a week after her colleagues has assumed duties and revelling in the ‘new found power’, perhaps, ignoring the prying eyes of political agents and gold diggers.
It could be recalled that during the period of suspension of the bosses, the acting chairmen of Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Ahoada West and some others, had existing bodies and political structures in their various councils.
But the former acting chairman and Vice Chairman of Akuku Toru LGA, Stanley Benibo said his decisions were a continuation of his boss’s agenda, which was based on wide consultation with the people. Benibo added that his decision had no personal under- current.
The debates generated by the suspension and eventual re-instatement of 11 council chairmen, in Rivers State have also opened new vistas, in the realm of local government administration, especially in role playing, among the key players in the councils.
This had led to the inclusion of new clauses in the Rivers State Local Government Amendment Bill recently passed to law by the Rivers State House of Assembly. According to the House Leader, Hon. Chidi Lloyd while contributing to the bill before its passage, “the new clause is to stretch the specificity of role to avoid its tendencies of usurpation”. Another critical area of concern raised by analysts, is over the constitutional requirements and procedure to sack a local government chairman. If anything, the unfolding political activities in the affected LGAs have sent a signal to others over the necessary vigilance expected of chairmen in response to Governance and other constitutional duties.
Taneh Beemene
Senate has again approved a three-month extension implementation period for capital component of the 2025 Appropriation Act from June 30 to Sept 30.
This followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senate Chief Whip, Mohammed Monguno (APC- Borno) at plenary yesterday.
Monguno, moving the motion, said the extension became necessary given the unutilsed substantial funds released to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for implementation of projects under the 2025 budget.
According to him, delays caused by procurement processes, project implementation challenges and administrative procedures had slowed the execution of several critical government projects.
Monguno said many strategic projects across key sectors of the economy were already at advanced stages of completion and required additional time for execution, certification and payment.
“Failure to extend the implementation period of the 2025 Appropriation Act may result in the abandonment of critical projects, the wastage of already committed public resources and the disruption of ongoing government interventions,” he said.
He argued that some allocations contained in the budget might not be accommodated in subsequent appropriation cycles if the implementation window expired.
This, he said would create funding gaps and ultimately undermine development objectives.
He said that extending the validity period of the budget would improve budget performance, facilitate the efficient utilisation of released funds and support economic growth.
“Granting a further extension of the implementation period is in the national interest and will ensure value for money in public expenditure,” he said.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Sen. Solomon Adeola (APC-Ogun), supporting the motion, explained that the extension was specifically targeted at the capital component of the budget.
According to him, when President Bola Tinubu presented the 2025 budget to the National Assembly, there is an understanding that 30 per cent of the budget implementation will be completed by March 31, while the remaining 70 per cent will be rolled into the 2026 budget.
Adeola said that the implementation timeline was not fully achieved, prompting the National Assembly to earlier extend the budget’s lifespan to June 30.
“While we were passing the 2026 budget, due to the non-implementation of that promise, we were forced to extend the budget to June 30,” he said.
He said although payments had commenced, significant obligations remained outstanding.
“There is a need to extend this budget beyond June 30 to September 30, by then, we are hopeful that the outstanding 30 per cent will have been paid in full, while implementation of the components transferred to the 2026 budget can commence.”
Adeola urged senators to support the extension to ensure proper implementation of projects and prevent disruptions to government programmes.
Sen.Victor Umeh (NDC-Anambra), who seconded the motion cited the need to sustain the execution of projects captured under the 2025 Appropriation Act.
“In view of the need to sustain the continued execution of the projects covered in the 2025 Appropriation Act, as amended, I hereby second the motion,” Umeh said.
Following deliberations, Senate President Akpabio put the proposal to a voice vote and it was overwhelmingly adopted by the lawmakers..
Akpabio in his remarks said the decision was necessary to prevent interruptions in payments and project execution.
“The payment would have stopped halfway if this was not done,” he said.
The Senate President commended the Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and other lawmakers involved in handling the matter.
He directed that the Senate’s resolution be transmitted to the executive for implementation.
“Accordingly, the resolution of the Senate is being communicated to the Executive that the 2025 Appropriation Act has been extended to Sept 30.
The National Assembly had earlier extended the implementation period of the 2025 budget to June 30, following delays in the release and utilisation of capital funds.
Senate, thereafter, adjourned plenary to July 7.
The member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State, Frederick Agbedi, yesterday emerged as the new Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
Agbedi’s emergence follows the resignation of former Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda of Rivers State, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress, creating a vacuum in the leadership structure of the opposition caucus in the Green Chamber.
His nomination was contained in a letter transmitted to the Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, by the minority caucus during plenary, yesterday.
In the letter, the caucus announced that its members had reached a consensus on the replacement of vacant principal offices allocated to opposition parties in the House.
Abbas, while reading the letter said, “The election of the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, the minority members of the 10th Assembly hereby unanimously nominate the following members by consensus to fill the vacant positions of the minority in the parliament.
“Number one is the Minority Leader, Hon Frederick Agbedi.
“Number two is the position of minority whip, and the person they have endorsed is Hon Mansur Soro (APM, Bauchi).
“The last but not the least is my brother from the North-West, Hon Abdussamad Dasuki (ADC, Sokoko) for the position of Deputy Minority Leader.
“Honourable colleagues, today the body of principal officers is complete, and I want to seize this opportunity on behalf of the whole entire House to congratulate the three people and to wish them all the best in their new positions.”
With the development, Agbedi assumes the responsibility of coordinating opposition lawmakers in the House and articulating the position of minority parties on legislative matters before the chamber.
A ranking lawmaker and one of the longest-serving members of the House, Agbedi has represented Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency since 2011.
His appointment is expected to strengthen the voice of the opposition caucus at a time when defections and realignments continue to reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also announced was the emergence of Hon Mansur Soro of the Allied Peoples Movement as Minority Whip and Hon Abdussamad Dasuki of the African Democratic Congress as Deputy Minority Leader, completing the minority leadership structure in the 10th House.
Speaking after the announcement, Abbas congratulated the newly appointed principal officers and pledged the cooperation of the House leadership.
“The leadership of the House will work with them assiduously in ensuring that we achieve our legislative agenda objectives of this very important 10th Assembly,” he added.
The emergence of the new minority leadership comes amid recent changes to the House Rules governing the selection of principal officers. The amendments, which introduced fresh eligibility requirements, have generated debate within opposition ranks and influenced the contest for key leadership positions.
Shortly after the announcement, a lawmaker from Imo State who had been nominated for the position of Minority Leader last week, Ikenga Ugochinyere, formally withdrew from the race.
He cited the amended House Rules and the new eligibility criteria for principal officers as the basis for his decision.
The latest appointments are expected to restore stability within the opposition bloc following weeks of uncertainty triggered by Chinda’s defection and the subsequent scramble for leadership positions.
Political observers believe the new leadership team will face the immediate challenge of forging unity among lawmakers drawn from different opposition parties while providing effective legislative scrutiny of the executive and the ruling APC-dominated parliament.
For the PDP, which remains the largest opposition party in the House despite recent defections, Agbedi’s emergence is seen as a strategic move aimed at maintaining cohesion within the minority caucus and strengthening its influence in parliamentary proceedings.
In a letter titled, “An Open Letter to Former President Goodluck Jonathan,” the observer said Dr Jonathan should be careful not to allow himself to be drawn into partisan calculations driven by ambition rather than national interest.
He cautioned the former president against allowing himself to be used by what he described as desperate political interests.
“I believe this is the time to protect the good name and legacy you have built over the years. You should not allow yourself to be used by desperate political elements who may be more interested in their own ambitions than in the future of Nigeria,” the letter read.
The Social Commentator further warned Dr Jonathan to be wary of those advocating for his comeback, claiming many of them were previously opposed to his administration.
“Many of those calling for your return today were your antagonists, those who frustrated your government back then. You should be careful not to become a pawn in a game designed by others or else they will stain your white with their ‘roforofo’,” he said.
He maintained that Dr Jonathan’s legacy remains defined by his decision to concede defeat in 2015, which he described as a landmark moment in Nigeria’s democratic history.
“Your legacy was built through years of public service and your decision to put the country’s peace above personal ambition at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history. That legacy should not be put at risk because of the desperation of a few politicians,” he added.
Mr Adenuga also alleged that some of the promoters of Dr Jonathan’s return have lost credibility in the public space.
“The truth is that some of the people pushing you to contest have already damaged their own reputations. They should not be allowed to stain your legacy with their soiled hands. What they could not achieve on their own should not be pursued through your name and goodwill,” he stressed.
He concluded by urging the former president to remain above political manoeuvring and protect his place in history.
“History has been kind to you. Preserve that honour and remain above the political games of those who want to use your name for their own purposes,” he wrote.
Recall that former President Goodluck Jonathan recently emerged as the presidential candidate of the Kabiru Turaki-led Interim National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following a special convention held in Abuja, where delegates ratified his nomination ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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