Politics
Wike Presents 2021 Budget To RSHA
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Wednesday , presented a budget of N448, 660, 773, 476 for 2021 fiscal year to the Rivers State House of Assembly for consideration.
Christened, “Budget of Recovery and Consolidation”, the budget is made up of N305,894,284.061, as Capital Expenditure, while N142,776,489,415 is earmarked as Recurrent Expenditure.
The Rivers State Chief Executive noted that the 2021 budget represented more than 20 per cent increase over the 2020 Revised Budget.
The Governor remarked that the capital budget would be deployed to advance economic growth and social progress by prioritising investments.
According to him, the sum of N82,957,295,248.81, has been provided for the provision of infrastructure, including roads, bridges and completion of flyover projects at Okoro-nu-Odo, Rumuola, Rumuogba, and Port Harcourt GRA junction.
He also assured that his administration would deliver the Ogoni- Andoni-Opobo Unity Road, the Eastern Bypass Dualisation, 6th and 7th flyover projects and the Wakama Road as well as all other ongoing rural road projects in our communities and local government areas across the state.
He regretted that economic challenges of COVID-19 pandemic clearly exposed the state’s vulnerability to food security, hence the sum of N16,107,080,000.00 would be spent on targeted investment in the agriculture value chain in a bid to create employment and enhance collective food security of the state.
Gov. Wike noted that the policy thrust for 2021 budget will be to accelerate economic recovery, drive growth and create opportunities for social progress, human capital development and tackle poverty, build first class infrastructures to accelerate our socio-economic development.
The Governor expressed optimism that measures in the budget would place the state on a stronger economic footing towards achieving the New Rivers Vission for a peaceful, secure, inclusive and prosperous society.
The Speaker, Ikuinyi Ibani, lauded the administration of Gov. Wike for its commitment towards transforming the economy of the state and ssured the Governor that the lawmakers would deligently consider and pass the budget so as to facilitate the continued development of the state.
Rivers State Executive Council, had last Monday, approved the over N448billion for 2021.
Also last week, Governor Wike received commendations for appointing a non-indigen as the Chief Judge of the state.
Justice Tinuade Akomolafe-Wilson made the commendation last Thursday during a valedictory court session held in her honour at the Court of Appeal in Benin City, capital of Edo State.
Narrating her experience, Akomolafe-Wilson regretted that despite being married to an Edo husband and having started her legal career in the former Mid-Western State in 2009 when there was an opening for her to be appointed to the Court of Appeal, it was scuttled because she hailed from Ekiti State.
“ This myopic definition of state of origin for a married woman, who has put in several years of loyal service in her husband’s state, can neither serve the ends of justice, nor promote national cohesion and unity”, she said while hailing the Rivers State Governor for being courageous to appoint a non-indigen of his state as Chief Judge of the state.
Within the week under review, Governor Wike joined other prominent political leaders across the country to honour late Madam Abigail Omojolagbe Amope Making, mother of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde at her funeral service held at the Cathedral of St Peter, Aremo, Ibadan.
In a similar vein, Gov Wike also eulogised late Chief Godwin Ngogo Alabraba, elder brother of the Chairman of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPHCDA), Chief Ferdinand Alabraba.
Wike who was in the funeral service held Saturday at St Paul’s Nyemoni Lutheran Cathedral, Abonnema in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, described the deceased as a well respected family and community leader and elder statesman, whose tenure as the Chairman of Abonnema Council of Chiefs was marked by peace and progress.
“ His death is a loss not only to his family and Abonnema community, but also to the entire Rivers State. We thank God for a life’s race well run, a long and eventful life well lived and worthy legacies left behind for us to remember him”, the Gov said.
By: Chris Oluoh
During a press conference held in Owerri, the coalition called the campaign a “dangerous and shameful display” designed to distract the public from the governor’s performance in office.
The CSOs directly linked the Greater Imo Initiative (GII) —the group that made the allegations on September 4, 2025—to Governor Uzodimma, describing the group as his “mouthpiece and attack dog.”
“Every word spoken against INEC was spoken on his behalf.
“By falsely alleging that Professor Yakubu has an alliance with Dr. Amadi to compromise the 2027 elections, Uzodimma has not only maligned a man of proven integrity but also assaulted the very foundation of our democracy”, said Dr Agbo Frederick, speaking for the coalition.
The coalition described Professor Yakubu as a “beacon of electoral professionalism” and called the attempt to soil his reputation “defamatory and a national security risk.”
They also defended Dr. Amadi, a “respected development scholar,” stating that the governor’s accusations were “laughable, desperate, and dangerous.”
The CSOs see the motive behind the campaign as an attempt to “silence the dissent, intimidate the opposition, and divert attention from the governor’s abysmal record in office.”
The coalition issued four key demands to Governor Uzodimma: An immediate retraction of the false and defamatory allegations against Professor Mahmood Yakubu and Dr. Chima Amadi.
- A public apology to both men within seven days, to be published in at least three national newspapers and broadcast on major television networks.
- An end to diversionary tactics and proxy propaganda.
- A renewed focus on governance, including addressing insecurity, unemployment, and poverty in Imo State.
The CSOs warned that failure to comply would force them to “review our position with a view to seeking legal redress from Governor Uzodimma for defamation, false accusation, and reckless endangerment of lives.”
“Governor Uzodimma must be reminded that he did not find himself in the seat of power to chase shadows.
“We call on all Nigerians to reject Uzodimma’s diversionary antics as they are nothing short of desperate plots by a government terrified of accountability”, the statement concluded.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC expressed concern that preventing the senator from resuming her legislative duties violates democratic principles and disenfranchises her constituents.
“The suspension, having been imposed by the Senate and not a court of law, has lapsed. Any further attempt to prevent her from resuming is therefore both illegal and morally indefensible,” Mallam Abdullahi said.
The party noted that denying Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan access to the chamber silences the voice of the people who elected her, adding that the withdrawal of her salary, aides, and office access during the suspension amounted to excessive punishment.
The ADC also criticised the Clerk of the National Assembly for declining to process her resumption on grounds that the matter was before the courts, arguing that the Clerk’s role was administrative, not judicial.
“Administrative caution must not translate into complicity. When the administrative machinery becomes hostage to political interests, the institution itself is diminished,” the party stated.
Highlighting that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan is one of only four women in the 109-member Senate, the ADC warned that the handling of the case sends a discouraging signal about gender inclusion in Nigerian politics.
“Any action that resembles gender intimidation of the few women in the Senate would only discourage women’s participation. Nigeria cannot claim to be a democracy while excluding half of its population from key decision-making spaces,” Mallam Abdullahi added.
The ADC insisted that Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan be allowed to resume her seat immediately, stressing that the matter was about more than one individual.
“What is at stake here is not just one Senate seat, but the integrity of our democracy itself,” the party said.
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