Politics
‘Jonathan Instituted True Democracy In Nigeria’
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan instituted true democratic order in Nigeria through the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
This was the assertion of a law teacher and legal practitioner, Mr. Chukwuma A. J. Chinwo during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.
According to Mr. Chinwo, the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC , won the electios because of the then President’s deliberate decision not to interfere with the electoral process, regretting however that the APC has so far failed to build on the gain of that exercise.
He said that the social, political and economic crisis facing the country at the moment were attributed to the current administration’s inability to be humble enough to acknowledge the strengths of previous administrations and taking useful tips from them to forge a more enduring democratic culture and a better cohesive country.
According to the constitutional lawyer the issues facing the country today were general to all developing societies, noting however, that the method of handling the issues by the present government in power was the one creating the problem.
That in itself, he said, was a direct derivative of the inexperience of those handling the affairs of the country at the moment.
“We must face the truth, the majority of those who lead the federal government today are learning the ropes,” he said, adding that “this government should have been humble enough to appreciate the strengths of past governments, to understand how they managed crisis and adopted those things that are good and bring in their own ideas, if they have. But most unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari came in with the idea that everything was bad”.
The law teacher with the Rivers State University, RSU, submitted that even though many perceived former President Goodluck Jonathan as a weak leader, he had the strength to establish a strong and independent electoral system for the benefit of the country.
“I have heard people who argue that he was a weak President. But we need a weak leader to establish strong institutions. And he achieved that,” the constitutional lawyer noted, adding that the country had lost a lot because the present administration led by the APC had refused to build on that foundation.
“If this government had built on that, we could have achieved a lot of things but unfortunately, they did not build on that. So the government is stating a fresh. In starting a fresh, you’re going to hurt many people’, he said, adding that “they have hurt several people and not knowing how to address issues, have made those people think that you have the attitude of ‘go to hell”.
Going forward, Mr. Chinwo advised the federal government to “re organised its way of handling things for the good of Nigeria”.
Opaka Dokubo
Politics
Senate Receives Tinubu’s 2026-2028 MTEF/FSP For Approval
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.
Politics
Withdraw Ambassadorial List, It Lacks Federal Character, Ndume Tells Tinubu
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.
Politics
PDP Vows Legal Action Against Rivers Lawmakers Over Defection
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.
-
Politics2 days agoSenate Receives Tinubu’s 2026-2028 MTEF/FSP For Approval
-
News1 day agoRSG Lists Key Areas of 2026 Budget
-
News1 day agoDangote Unveils N100bn Education Fund For Nigerian Students
-
News1 day agoTinubu Opens Bodo-Bonny Road …Fubara Expresses Gratitude
-
News1 day ago
Nigeria Tops Countries Ignoring Judgements -ECOWAS Court
-
Featured1 day agoFubara Restates Commitment To Peace, Development …Commissions 10.7km Egbeda–Omerelu Road
-
Sports1 day agoNew W.White Cup: GSS Elekahia Emerged Champions
-
News2 days ago
FG Launches Africa’s First Gas Trading Market, Licenses JEX
