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As Buhari et al, Sidestep Rivers…

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6 years ago

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According to the African proverb, when a child cries and points consistently at a bush, it is because either of, or both his mother and father may be found there. There has been a persistent outcry by Nyesom Wike, the Governor of the Rivers State over a spree of tacit marginalisation of the state in the political calculus of the Federal Government, whereby the state is sidestepped in the allocation of critical resources and development opportunities from the centre. The most recent was the instance of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approving the development of as much of N1.4 trillion worth of roads across the country, without even a kilometer assigned to Rivers State. Speaking during the commissioning of a project in Port Harcourt recently, Wike lamented over the situation and pointedly accused persons of Rivers State extraction who are leading lights in the Buhari administration of tacit sabotage of the state, by virtue of their seeming complacency at the situation.
On earlier occasions, he had lamented the failure or reluctance of the Federal Government to refund – as is statutorily provided for, the disbursements by the Rivers State Government on federal projects in the state. As a provision in the rules of engagement between the Federal Government and the states, when and if any state faces the imperative of maintaining a Federal Government project located within its territorial expanse and actually executes same, the former remains duty bound to refund the cost of such maintenance to the maintaining state.
This is a cardinal provision in the statutory template of inter relationship between the Federal Government and the 36 federating states under the principle of fiscal federalism. To accentuate the statutory foundation of this proviso, Mr Babatunde Fashola in his capacity as then Minister of Power, Works and Housing, during the first term of the Buhari administration, had informed Nigerians during a project tour in Enugu, that the Federal Government was in the process of raising bonds with which to refund states, their disbursements on federal roads. He had even added that the Federal Government had at that time even compiled such claims for further action. If Fashola’s clarification is to enjoy value beyond mere rhetoric, it evokes significant questions. Firstly is how factual was his statement? The second was whether the compilation of states’ claims was inclusive of all the states of the federation? And thirdly why was Wike lamenting and seems not to be heeded?
In the context of available records, Wike stands justified over his lament as all that he is crying over is for equity to prevail in the administration of the affairs of the country, so that no state should go begging cap in hand for what should ordinarily be its due. From his serial lament, it would seem that Rivers State may have been compelled to do just that. Tracing the relationship between the Federal and Rivers State governments, betrays a long period of neglect and patent denial of the state by the Federal Government, of its due dividends as a legitimately federating state.
However, even as Wike may be lamenting over the issue of denial of refund of funds to the state and denial of roads development in the state, his efforts in this regard qualify for amplification by the various political assets at the disposal of the state. The first level of such assets are the serving Senators and members of the House of Representatives who by statute enjoy the privileges of membership of the various committees of the National Assembly with powers of oversight on business of the Federal Government. Fortunately for the state, they are all of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which is the ruling party in the Rivers State. This factor more than justifies why their advocacy against the marginalisation of the state in any form, should not be shy. After all, the amplification of and advocacy on issues of concern to the state, and as had been raised so loudly and clearly by the governor, should constitute their primary assignment in the federal legislature. Ultimately too, their contributions in that respect remains the yardstick for measuring their respective performances in the federal legislature.
The next level of political assets for the state remains the Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA), which has the statutory responsibility of advocating the good of the state. So far, not much has been heard from that sector in terms of canvassing globally, the issues that bother the governor, and in respect of which he has been shouting at the roof tops. However, just in case the efforts of the RSHA may not have been appropriately captured by this piece, it is as result of such not being visible enough in the public domain. Just as a caveat, let it be stated that, any advocate that deploys feeble efforts in his or her enterprise, is not more impactful than a handsome young man who is winking at a beautiful girl in the dark. Only he knows what he is doing.
Following then is the big family of past holders of public offices, business leaders and traditional rulers who can still exercise one form of leverage or the other on the country’s leadership community especially at the federal level – if not formally, at least informally on those officials of Rivers State extraction. Their potency cannot be over- emphasised.
Hence, even as the governor may be lamenting the failure of Rivers State born operatives in the Buhari administration for failing to push the interests of the state in his ‘Rivers First’ agenda, their capacity for dragging the state back, may be over-rated. A solid rally of the respective political assets at the disposal of the state, will always prevail in reversing whatever losses the state may have suffered, or may still suffer, in the unrelenting spate of tacit and manifest sidestepping by various agents of the Federal Government.

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Rivers: Impeachment Moves Against Fubara, Deputy Hits Rock …As CJ Declines Setting Up Panel

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2 days ago

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January 23, 2026

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The impeachment moves against Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Ordu, by the Rivers State House of Assembly has suffered a setback following the refusal by the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Simeon C. Amadi, to set up a seven-man investigate panel to probe the governor and his deputy.

Justice Amadi hinged his decision on subsisting interim court injunctions and pending appeals.

Recall that the Assembly members had earlier requested the Chief Judge to set up a seven-man investigative panel to probe allegations of gross misconduct against Fubara and his deputy.

In a letter dated January 20, 2026, and addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Martins Amaewhule, the Chief Judge acknowledged receipt of two separate letters from the Assembly, both dated January 16, 2026, requesting the constitution of an investigative panel pursuant to Section 188(5) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

However, the State Chief Judge explained that his hands were tied by ongoing judicial proceedings directly connected to the impeachment process.

He disclosed that his office had been served with interim injunctions issued on January 16, 2026, arising from two separate suits challenging the actions of the House of Assembly.

The suits include Suit No. OYHC/6/CS/2026, filed by the Deputy Governor against the Speaker and 32 others, and Suit No. OYHC/7/CS/2026, instituted by Governor Fubara against the Speaker and 32 others.

According to him,  the interim injunctions expressly restrain him from “receiving, forwarding, considering and or howsoever acting on any request, resolution, articles of impeachment or other documents or communication from the 1st -27th and 31st Defendants for the purpose of constituting a panel to investigate the purported allegations of misconduct against the Claimant/Applicant for seven days.”

Justice Amadi stressed that obedience to court orders is non-negotiable in a constitutional democracy, regardless of personal opinions about such orders.

“Constitutionalism and the Rule of Law are the bedrock of democracy and all persons and authorities are expected to obey subsisting orders of court of competent jurisdiction, irrespective of perception of its regularity or otherwise,” he stated.

To further underscore his position, the Chief Judge cited judicial precedent, referring to the case of Hon. Dele Abiodun v. The Hon. Chief Judge of Kwara State & 3 Ors. (2007), in which the Chief Judge of Kwara State was faulted for proceeding to constitute a panel despite a subsisting court order restraining such action.

Quoting directly from the judgment, Justice Amadi recalled: “I liken the scenario created by the Chief Judge to the position of a chief priest and custodian of an oracle turning round to desecrate the oracle,” a passage he said highlights the sacred duty of judicial officers to uphold the law.

He added that the judiciary, as “the custodian and head of the judicial arm of the State, ought to abide by the laws of the State, nay the land…”

He further  noted that the Rivers State House of Assembly had already filed appeals against the interim injunctions at the Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt Division, with notices of appeal served on January 19 and 20, 2026.

“In view of the foregoing, my hand is fettered, as there are subsisting interim orders of injunction and appeal against the said orders.

“I am therefore legally disabled at this point, from exercising my duties under Section 188(5) of the Constitution in the instant,” the Chief Judge declared.

He concluded by expressing hope that “the Rt. Hon. Speaker and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will be magnanimous enough to appreciate the legal position of the matter.

 

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Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

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2 weeks ago

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January 9, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow  …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

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2 weeks ago

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January 9, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph,  Port Harcourt”, he said.

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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

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