Politics
Amaechi Lambasts Politicians Over Resources Wastage
Last week began in Government House with the inauguration by Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi of an eight-man judicial panel headed by Justice Biobele Georgewill to investigate the remote and real causes of the crisis that rocked the state between 9th and 10th of July, 2013.
The Committee has nine terms of reference, which include to investigate and ascertain the remote and immediate causes of the crisis at the Rivers State House of Assembly, investigate and ascertain the number of persons injured or threatened with injury.
Later on, Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Wogu Boms defended government’s action stating that , “as government and acting existing laws, we asked the judiciary to look into it based on the prison Judicial Commission on Inquiry …. As contained in Cap 30 laws of Rivers State.” He was represented by the State Deputy Governor, Engr Tele Ikuru.
On Tuesday, four Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors from the North paid a solidarity visit to Amaechi led by Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Babangida Aliyu, the governors defied Anti-Amaechi protesters at the Airport to visit the State.
After a closed door meeting with Amaechi, the governors who include, Sule Lamido of Jigawa, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano and Murtala Nyako of Adamawa issued a statement in which they accused the Nigeria Police of taking side in the political crisis in Rivers State.
The statement added, “we join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy. We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and – strengthen our democracy”.
On Wednesday, Governor Amaechi declared open a two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty reduction summit jointly organized by New Partnership for Africa Development (NEPAD) and the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) in Government House, Port Harcourt.
Amaechi lambasted politicians for wasting resources pointing out that “some of our politicians don’t even have any development agenda”.
“How many of us know that unskilled labour has the greatest percentage of criminals in our society,” he queried.
Earlier, the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Mr. George Feyii in his welcome address said some could be traced to poverty, stating that, the state government has development programme that deals with how to empower the people and make them self-reliant, urging Rivers people to take advantage of the opportunity.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the governor on NEPAD, Dr. Tex Wariboko assured the people of the State and participants that the two-day event would, evolve workable strategies and framework that would give birth to a coherent poverty reduction policy.
On Thursday, Governor Amaechi played host to the former President of Costa Rica, Jose Figures, who was the key-note Speaker at the two-day Wealth Creation and Poverty Reduction Summit held in Government House. In his address, the former Costa Rican President called for a new economic model that will encourage creativity and innovation among the youths.
Figures and Amaechi identified innovation as the sure part to poverty eradication and job creation, considering Nigeria’s abundant natural resources. However, Amaechi left the Summit midway to receive eight governors from Ekiti, Osun, Ogun Zamfara, Imo, Oyo, Lagos and Nassarawa States who paid a solidarity visit to him.
Led by Ekiti governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the governors, after a closed door meeting, addressed the press during which they condemned the Police, and urged all parties to sheath their swords.
Fayemi further called on Amaechi to officially meet with and brief the President on the State of Security in Rivers State, reasoning that a President has the moral authority to look into the crisis as Chief Security Officer of the country.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi played host to the Director-General of Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), Dr. Asishana Okauru and other officials of the forms Secretariat, who went on a project tour before leaving state.
The Senate yesterday received the 2026-2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper from President Bola Tinubu, marking the formal launch of the 2026 federal budget cycle.
In a letter addressed to the upper chamber, Tinubu said the submission complies with statutory requirements and sets out the fiscal parameters that will guide the preparation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
He explained that the MTEF/FSP outlines the macroeconomic assumptions, revenue projections, and spending priorities that will shape Nigeria’s fiscal direction over the next three years.
The letter was read during plenary by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC, Kano North), who urged lawmakers to expedite consideration of the document.
“It is with pleasure that I forward the 2026 to 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper for the kind consideration and approval of the Senate.
“The 2026 to 2028 MTEF and FSP were approved during the Federal Executive Council meeting of December 3, 2025, and the 2026 budget of the Federal Government will be prepared based on the parameters and fiscal assumptions therein,” the President stated.
Last week, the Federal Executive Council approved the fiscal projections, pegging the oil benchmark price at $64.85 per barrel and adopting a budget exchange rate of ?1,512/$1 for 2026—figures expected to significantly shape revenue forecasts and expenditure planning.
After reading the President’s letter, Jibrin referred the document to the Senate Committee on Finance, chaired by Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East), with a directive to submit its report by Wednesday, December 17.
The Senate adjourned shortly after to allow committees to commence scrutiny of the fiscal framework and continue the ongoing screening of ambassadorial nominees.
Tinubu’s communication to the Senate came less than 24 hours after he transmitted the same MTEF/FSP documents to the leadership of the House of Representatives.
The letter was read on the House floor by the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, who also urged timely legislative action as required by law.
The MTEF and FSP are statutory instruments mandated by the Fiscal Responsibility Act and serve as the blueprint for Nigeria’s annual budgets.
They outline the government’s fiscal stance, macroeconomic assumptions, revenue frameworks, projected deficits, and sectoral priorities over a three-year period.
The Tide reports that approval by the National Assembly is a prerequisite for the executive to present the Appropriation Bill for the next fiscal year.
In a statement on Saturday, the former Senate Leader stated that the allocation of nominees across states and geopolitical zones falls short of the constitutional requirement for fair representation in the composition of the Federal Government.
The ex-Senate Whip warned that allowing the list to pass could deepen ethnic suspicion at a time when the administration should be consolidating national unity.
He highlighted disparities in the spread of nominees, noting that while some states have three or four slots, others have none. He also cited the inclusion of Senator Adamu Garba Talba from Yobe, who reportedly died in July.
“The entire North-East states have seven nominees in the list. Further checks revealed that the South-West geo-political zone has 15 nominees, while North-West and South-East have 13 and 9, respectively.
“North-Central region has 10 nominees in the list of career and non-career ambassadorial nominee while South-South parades 12 nominees,” Senator Ndume said.
According to him, such imbalances could heighten tensions and undermine Section 14(3) of the Constitution.
“My sincere appeal to President Tinubu is to withdraw this list. At this critical juncture in his administration, he should avoid missteps that could undermine national unity and foster ethnic distrust.
“I know him to be a cosmopolitan leader who is at home with every segment and stakeholder in the country. He should withdraw that list and present a fresh set of nominees that will align with the spirit of the Constitution on the Federal Character Principle,” Senator Ndume added.
He accused the legislators of undermining the sanctity of the legislature and acting as instruments of destabilization.
“The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have, by their actions since they assumed office, shown that they are political puppets and a clog in the wheels of democratic progress,” Comrade Ememobong stated, adding that “They will go down in history as enemies of democracy and those who made mockery of the legislature.”
“So the easiest way to describe their action is a defection from APC to APC,” he said.
Comrade Ememobong announced that the party would deploy constitutional provisions to reclaim its mandate from those who have “ignobly and surreptitiously” abandoned the platform on which they were elected.
“Consequently, the PDP will take legal steps to activate the provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999 as amended) to recover the mandate gained under the banner of our party which these people have now switched to another platform,” he said.
He urged party members in Rivers State to remain calm and steadfast.
“We urge all party members in Rivers State to remain faithful and resolute, as efforts are underway to rebuild the party along the path of inclusiveness, fairness and equity,” Comrade Ememobong assured.
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