Politics
Wike Restates Commitment To Peace
Last weekend in Government House ended in a mourning
note after the governor Chief Nyesom Wike attended the burial rites and obsequies of late second republic House of Representatives member, Hon. Ovundu Nsirim in Rumueme, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
Before attending the burial, the governor had visited the site of the burnt Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office at Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area. Chief Wike described the arson as the handiwork of those who want to scuttle the re-run elections, since they were not prepared.
On the same Saturday in the evening, the governor attended a dinner nght and fund raising organized by the umbrella socio-cultural group, Ogbakor Ikwerre, USA chapter, at the Presidential Hotel. At the dinner, Chief Wike called for direct foreign investing in the state. As far as he was concerned, the state is safe and conducive for investors to do business.
Last Monday witnessed the commencement of the 2016 Annual Conference of Magistrates Association in the State. Governor Wike, at the event, urged judicial officers to play by the rules, so that they can address issues of low quality and poor output in the system. Wike reminded them that they are the bedrock of an effective judicial system and therefore should discharge their duties fearlessly.
The magistrates were later hosted at a state banquet attended by Governor Wike and other top government functionaries.
Following the news of the postponement of the re-run elections slated for July 30, 2016 by INEC, the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo in a statement on Tuesday, said the development was in confirmation of Governor Wike’s assertion when he visited Bori. At a campaign rally at Okehi in Etche Local Government Area he reaffirmed that neither INEC nor the APC were ready for the conduct of the elections.
Last Wednesday, the Governor attended the People Democratic Party (PDP) Rivers West Senatorial District Rally at Degema Town in Degema Local Government Area. He thanked the mammoth crowd of supporters that attended and used the rally to explain why he attended a Peace Meeting summoned by the Inspector-General of Police and the Director of State Security at Abuja.
Governor Wike explained that he attended the rally because peace and stability of Rivers State was above party or personal interest.
Last Thursday, the governor played host to the Management team of the federal owned University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH). The team was led by its Chief Medical Director, Prof. Aaron Ojule. After an address by Prof. Ojule commending the governor and listing areas of assistance, Governor Wike promised that, among other requests, the State Government would take up the completion of the repair of the hospital’s access road and the abandoned Doctors’ quarters.
The governor, on the same day, played host to the Managing Director of SAIPEM Nigeria Limited, Mr. Guido Daloisio. He assured the SAIPEM boss of state’s partnership in the development of manpower and growth of the oil industry. Assuring him of conducive business environment, the Rivers State Chief Executive hinted that by next year Government will harmonise the tax system and reduce duplication to encourage investors.
Friday last week was busy for the governor. Returning from Abuja he went straight to inaugurate three board. The are the State Universal Basic Education Board, newly established Private Hospital Fund Management Committee and the State Petroleum Task Force.
He specifically mandated the Petroleum Taskforce to ensure all-round availability of petroleum products and avoid touting. He tasked the Private Hospital Fund Committee to be prudent and ensure hospitals at the local centres are incorporated in the scheme. For the Universal Basic Education Board, he tasked them to ensure the reform and improvement in Basic Education.
Last Saturday the governor hosted Editors under the Nigeria Guild of Editors. He took them round to visit project sites and wished them a successful conference in the state.
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.
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