Politics
‘Wike’s Achievements, Unsurpassable’
A Commissioner of Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Mike Elechi says Governor NyesomWike’s achievements has surpassed all those that has held the affairs of the state.
Elechi, a retired permanent secretary in the state, in an interview with newsmen recently said the Governor deserved another tenure to deliver more projects for the state.
He commended the Governor for the judicious use of the state’s resources, saying his administration has spread and distributed amenities equitably in the state.
“Wike has done extremely well; we are talking of politics but not playing politics with the resources of the state. Looking at the governance of the state, in terms of security, in terms of well being, in this era of nepotism where people will appoint their people in positions, Wike has done well in state through spread of appointments.
“The Governor has done well more than any governor that has governed Rivers State, take it from me. And if politics is to distribute amenities equitably,Wike had done extremely very well without knowing that”, he said.
He said there is no local government in the state that has no presence of the present administration’s dividend of democracy “both in appointment and in distribution of amenities. If he indicates his interest and election has to go on casting of votes and votes count in Nigeria, Wike can go home and sleep, he is going to win election, anytime, any day in Rivers state”.
On whether Wike’s good governance was as a result of the mounting pressure from the opposition party in Rivers State, Elechi explained it could be as a result of the pressure of the opposition or that Wike wanted to come for second term and that it could also be that he is doing what he wants to do to improve the state of Rivers State through good governance.
But “when there is no opposition people might go home to relax, when there is no second tenure in mind people might also go home to relax and when somebody does not want to do something the way he wants to do it, he can also relax, but Wike is an achiever”, Elechi stated.
He continued: “Checking the Nigerian policy from where we are coming from that Wike has tried, and if Wike is given chance to govern the state without distractions from the opposition he could do more because there is still room for improvement”.
Elechi insisted that Wike stands in a good position to win with overwhelming majority in a free and fair governorship election in Rivers State any time, any day, though he has not indicated his interest in running a second term come 2019.
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.
-
Politics2 days agoSenate Receives Tinubu’s 2026-2028 MTEF/FSP For Approval
-
News2 days agoRSG Lists Key Areas of 2026 Budget
-
News2 days agoDangote Unveils N100bn Education Fund For Nigerian Students
-
News2 days agoTinubu Opens Bodo-Bonny Road …Fubara Expresses Gratitude
-
News2 days ago
Nigeria Tops Countries Ignoring Judgements -ECOWAS Court
-
Sports2 days agoNew W.White Cup: GSS Elekahia Emerged Champions
-
Sports2 days ago
Players Battle For Honours At PH International Polo Tourney
-
Featured2 days agoFubara Restates Commitment To Peace, Development …Commissions 10.7km Egbeda–Omerelu Road