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As Buhari et al, Sidestep Rivers…

Published

6 years ago

September 27, 2019

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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Fubara Reads Riot Act To New SSG, CoS …Warns Against Unauthorized Meetings

Published

3 days ago

February 27, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.

The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.

Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.

As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.

Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.

He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.

Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.

The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.

“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.

“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.

Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.

He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.

Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.

“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.

“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.

The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.

While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.

He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.

The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.

The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.

He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.

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Fubara Dissolves Rivers Executive Council

Published

2 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

The governor announced the cabinet dissolution yesterday in a statement titled ‘Government Special Announcement’, signed by his new Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.

Governor Fubara directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

He thanked the outgoing members of the State Executive Council for their service and wished them the best in their future endeavours.

The three-paragraph special announcement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.

“His Excellency, the Governor, has therefore directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.

“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”

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INEC Proposes N873.78bn For 2027 Elections, N171bn For 2026 Operations

Published

2 weeks ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the National Assembly that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, even as it seeks N171bn to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.

INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.

According to Amupitan, the N873.78bn election budget covers the full conduct of national polls in 2027.

An additional N171bn is needed to support INEC’s routine activities in 2026, including bye-elections and off-season elections, the commission stated.

The INEC boss said the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps seeking increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.

He explained that, although the details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the almost N1tn election budget is structured across five major components.

“N379.75bn is for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chief noted that the budget was prepared “in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.”

On the 2026 fiscal year, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of N140bn, stressing, however, that “INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn.”

The breakdown includes N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.

He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.

Amupitan also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical glitches.

Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.

He advocated that the envelope budgeting model should be set aside.

He urged the National Assembly to work with INEC’s financial proposal to avoid future instances of possible underfunding.

In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable the Commission to plan early enough for the 2027 general election.

The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.

The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support, warning INEC to be careful about promises it might be unable to keep.

He recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.

“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.

The N873.78bn proposed by INEC for next year’s general election is a significant increase from the N313.4bn released to the Commission by the Federal Government for the conduct of the 2023 general election.