Politics
Amaechi Tasks Contractor On Road Project
Activities in Government House Iast week began with the solidarity visit of Ekinigbo Council of Chiefs to the Chief of Staff Government House, Sir Tony Okocha.
Led by Chief Kinikanwo Chinda, the traditional rulers from Apara Clan told Sir Okocha that had visited to show him their support, and to encourage him in his good works in the state.
Chief Chinda described the Chief of staff to Governor Amaechi as a lover of people and his community and prayed God to give him the strength to continue to discharge his onerous responsibilities creditably.
Later in his remarks, Sir Okocha commended the chiefs saying that their presence would embolden him in the quest to develop the state.
Using the visit to explain the causes of the political crisis besetting the state, Sir Okocha regretted that some individuals who are bent in pursing their selfish interest ploted to truncate the Amaechi led administration, because of its resolve not to share the resources of the state.
“The truth of the matter is that there was an attempt to annihilate the wishes of the people”, as he cited the ceding of oil wells belonging to the state to a sister state.
He equally condemned remarks credited to Chief Nyesom Wike stating Governor Amaechi has so far shown maturity but warned the citizenry to be wary of those whom he said do not have the interest of the people at heart.
On Tuesday, the Rivers State Strategic Empowerment Committee concluded its biometric data capture of beneficiaries cutting across the 23 local government area.
Chairman of the Committee, Rev. Minabi Dagogo-Jack told newsmen that the beneficiaries of the biometric capture scheme were to ascertain their names and lodge them into the computer, since they would not be paid by cash.
He added, “These names we have, we are trying to be sure that they cover the various family units in all ward in the LGA… the governor has stressed that families of those who hold political positions should not be included in this scheme but rather it should be the less privileged who should benefit from it.”
Last week Tuesday in Government House, wife of Rivers State governor and founder of Economic Support Initiative (ESI) Dame Judith Amaechi feted International Women – Intercessory for Churches and Nations.
The group was led by Dr. Laide Okafor and Mrs Muriel Graham-Douglas.
Governor Chibuike Amaechi returned to the state on Wednesday to attend to state matters. He conducted some unscheduled visits to ongoing projects, especially the Woji/Akpajo Bye-pass, and urged the contractor to put in more effort to deliver the job.
On Friday, Governor Amaechi swore in new Special Adviser on Pollution Matters, Hon. Johnwill Obed to replace Ofon, Boma Iyaye.
He told the new SA, “let me congratulate you on this your appointment and hope that you will be able to discharge your responsibilities. You are an old hand in governance and was in the House also. I know you will be able to assist government to deliver its goals not only in Ogu Bolo, but also in the state”.
Governor Amaechi attended the wedding service of Ela Umasam Okowa and Zosa Dienye at St. Nicholas Anglican Church Aluu, near University of Port Harcourt on Saturday.
The Rivers State Chief Executive enjoined the people to be calm and pray for the government saying that the administration is poised to transform the state despite distractions.
Amaechi used the service to assure the people of Aluu the completion of their road after the rains, and fulfilling of his pledge to build a new convocation centre Uniport, as he congratulated the new couple.
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.
