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Passage Of PIGB Excites Rivers Stakeholders
The passage of the first lap of the much-awaited Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), last Thursday by the Senate has been described as an exciting development by some stakeholders who spoke on the issue, yesterday, in Port Harcourt.
Youth of oil-rich Niger Delta region said the passage has proved that the present Senate, unlike the previous ones, consider the interest of Nigerians.
Speaking under the umbrella of the Niger Delta Youth Coalition (NDYC), the youth said, “though the action of the Upper Chambers has been long awaited”, but added that this will speed up chains of positive actions by players in the petroleum industry.
National Co-ordinator, NDYC, Prince Emmanuel Ogba, commended the Dr Bukola Saraki-led Senate for its action, and appealed to the House of Representatives to compliment the Senate by also passing the bill, just as he urged the National Assembly to speed up the passage of the next aspects of the bill.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Foundation for the Conservation of the Earth (FOCONE), Patrick Chiekwe, said the passage of the bill would give legal impetus to issues of environmental degradation caused by oil spill.
Chiekwe lauded the Senate, and noted that the delay in the passage of the bill had negatively affected the socio-economic life of the people in oil producing communities.
The executive director said oil producing communities which had suffered so much as a result of pollution and marginalization in the petroleum sector were eager to see the passage of other aspects of the bill, particularly the lap that would address the issue of 10 per cent equity share for oil producing communities.
Speaking in similar manner, a public affairs analyst, Mr. Bon Obilor said, “at least, we can see some positive changes. We can see progress and signs that those in the National Assembly are feeling the pulse of the people”.
He said the delay in the passage of the bill has held back so much investments, which investors had moved to other African nations.
“Petroleum is the life-wire of the nation; so, one had expected that such a legal framework would have been treated as a mark of urgency and priority. But unfortunately, it had to be delayed for over a decade because of misguided interest”, he said, and commended the Bukola-led Senate for making a change.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Industry Governance Bill (PIGB), was finally passed last Thursday, during plenary by the Senate, 12 years after its introduction as the ‘Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).
The passage followed the final consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate’s Joint Committee on Petroleum, Upstream, Downstream and Gas
The bill, which was introduced by Sen. Tayo Alasoadura (Ondo Central) in the Eight Senate, to establish a legal framework for the creation of a more efficient, transparent, competitive and internationalized petroleum industry.
The PIGB also seeks to create a conducive business environment for the operations of the petroleum industry and overhaul the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).
The passage of the bill remains a landmark achievement of the Eight Senate as the lawmakers broke the jinx that many believed had beset the National Assembly’s efforts to reform the oil industry.
The bill has been a very controversial one with allegations of the resolve of some stakeholders who felt the bill, when signed into law, will negatively affect their corrupt businesses, fighting headlong against its passage.
The Seventh Senate under the leadership of Senator David Mark, almost recorded successful passage of the bill, but controversies over multiple or different versions of the bill marred the progress and scuttled ascent of former president, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, to the bill.
According to industry analysts, Nigeria has, over the past eight years, lost over $120 billion in withheld or diverted investment due to the inability to pass the PIGB.
President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, who presided over the plenary, congratulated the senators for resisting all forces that worked against the bill for years, and finally passed it.
His words: “Senate’s action today culminates some 12 long years of legislative attempts to reform the petroleum sector. Now, we are a step closer to bringing better governance and transparency to Nigeria’s most important economic sector.
“Now, there is no question that the political will exists to reform the petroleum industry. The passage of the PIGB will go a long way to restore investor confidence in a sector that has great potential to be more efficient and competitive on the world petroleum market,” he said.
Saraki noted that when the PIGB is finally enforced, Nigerians would enjoy more impact of the oil resources.
“The importance and impact of this bill can never be overstated. Nigerians are ever closer to reaping the full benefits of our nation’s natural wealth.
“This means there will be greater revenue for government to invest in economic diversification, job creation, hospitals, schools and roads,” he said
It would be recalled that the House of Representatives recently completed the second reading of the PIGB, with its leadership indicating their intent to move the bill through the legislative process as efficiently as they can.
Chris Oluoh & Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has inaugurated a special legal team to handle election petitions arising from last Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory.
This comes as the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
The Tide reports that the council elections were held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, across all six FCT area councils, including Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali.
Results announced so far by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) show that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won in Abaji, Kwali, AMAC, and Bwari Area Councils, while the PDP secured victory only in Gwagwalada.
In a statement issued yesterday by PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the party congratulated its candidates, who emerged winners in the chairmanship and councilor elections.
The opposition party acknowledged the victories, noting that the number of wins was lower than expected but significant given the alleged irregularities during the polls.
“We specifically congratulate the Chairman-elect of Gwagwalada Area Council, Mohammed Kasim, and the councillors who have been declared successful by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“This victory, though less in number than we anticipated, is particularly gladdening because it is against the background of unprecedented intimidation, high-powered money politics, and brazen executive brigandage,” the statement read.
Ememobong claimed that there are reports and video evidence indicating voter intimidation and unlawful conduct that influenced the outcome of the elections.
“Reports and video evidence abound where armed security personnel were used to cart away result sheets in polling units, intimidate voters, and unduly influence the outcome of the elections.”
To address complaints and litigations arising from the polls, he said the party has set up a legal team headed by its National Legal Adviser, Shafi Bara’u, Esq.
The statement urged candidates with legitimate grievances to contact the Legal Adviser promptly, as delays could jeopardise their chances in election petition cases.
“The incredible voter apathy in these polls is a direct response to the anti-people Electoral Act 2026, where the people have completely lost faith in the electoral outcomes from elections conducted under this Act.
“These Local Council polls may just be a foreshadowing of the forthcoming general elections in 2027 if changes are not urgently made,” the statement added.
The PDP called on the National Assembly and the President to take corrective action to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, will on Wednesday swear in Justice Joseph Oyewole as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The ceremony is scheduled to be held at 2pm at Courtroom Two of the Supreme Court complex in Abuja.
The court urged guests to adhere strictly to the court’s protocols and security measures.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Supreme Court’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Dr Festus Akande.
The court described Oyewole’s appointment as a step towards reinforcing the capacity of the apex court to deliver fair and timely judgments.
Recall that Oyewole was, until his elevation, a Justice of the Court of Appeal and Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division, and joins the apex court bench as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the judiciary.
The National Judicial Council recommended Oyewole for the position alongside 35 others for various judicial offices, following its 110th meeting held on January 13, 2026, and presided over by Justice Kekere-Ekun.
The statement partly read, “The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, will on Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, preside over the swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Joseph Olubunmi Kayode Oyewole, JCA.”
According to the statement, Oyewole served with distinction at the Court of Appeal and as Presiding Justice of the Enugu Division prior to his elevation.
“His appointment underscores the commitment of the Nigerian judiciary to upholding the rule of law, ensuring justice, and strengthening the bench with experienced and dedicated jurists. He brings a wealth of legal expertise and integrity to the apex court to further enhance its capacity to deliver fair and timely judgments,” the statement added.
The apex court further described the swearing-in as “another significant step in rejuvenating the judiciary and ensuring the continued delivery of justice in line with the highest standards of integrity, competence, and impartiality.”
The Supreme Court reiterated its commitment to justice, fairness and judicial independence for the benefit of Nigerians.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the sudden passage of Senator Barinada Mpigi, the Senator representing South East Senatorial District of Rivers State.
In a tribute to mourn the deceased, Governor Fubara described Mpigi as a brother, a consummate politician and one of the leading lights in Rivers State.
He said that Mpigi died at a critical time when his services were still needed by the people of Rivers State and prayed God Almighty to grant him eternal rest.
The governor commiserated with his immediate family, the Rivers South East Senatorial District and the Senate at large, asking them to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived a good life and impacted positively on the people.
Senator Mpigi died at the age of 64. Until his death, he was the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works.
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