Politics
Black Soot: Wike Identifies Cause
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has faulted the approach of security agencies in destroying illegal refineries, noting that the method they apply results in escalating the black soot rain, constituting health hazards and destroying the environment.
The governor stated this Friday during a special appearance on Channels Television Live interview programme at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Wike said report by the technical committee set up by the state government to investigate the black soot problem indicated that the development was largely a product of the unwholesome destruction of illegal refineries by security agencies.
The governor who regretted that it is not within the purview of state government to control the security agencies, revealed that state authorities had formally approached the Federal Government to help resolve the challenges, without any assistance from that quarter.
Wike said: “We have prioritised this issue, but we cannot stop the security agencies. There must be a refined way of stopping the oil criminals, without damaging the environment.
The Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose has likened Wike to the Biblical Daniel.
Governor Fayose stated this while commissioning some key road projects executed by Wike in Trans-Amadi, an economic zone in the state.
The Ekiti State Governor said: “Commissioning has become an attitude for Governor Wike. Everyday, there is a road project. I commend him for transforming the state”.
The projects that were commissioned were the reconstructed High Street, rehabilitated Prof Okujagu Street and Danjuma Drive off Peter Odili Road.
Wike said he would remain focused in transforming the state because of the passion he has for the state.
The Rivers State Governor who also flagged off the Isiodu Road in Emohua Local Government Area last Saturday announced that he would sign the state Neighbourhood Watch Bill into Law this week.
He said the bill was aimed at boosting security by providing intelligence and needed information to security agencies in Rivers State.
Wike said that, when it becomes operational, the Neighbourhood Watch Initiative will also create employment opportunities for youths in the state.
Another event that dominated activities last week in Government House was the 2018 International Women’s Day celebration.
The event which took off last Sunday with Special Church Service came to a climax on 8th March as thousands of Rivers women from all parts of the state converged at Alfred Diete-Spiff (Civic Centre) Complex.
While delivering the keynote address, wife of Rivers State Governor, Hon Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike called for economic empowerment of women at all levels.
She also called on parents to give equal opportunities to male and female children to enable the girl child strive to her highest possible level of development.
In his speech, Governor Wike promised to fulfill all promises made by his administration to Rivers women.
Wike who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, commended Rivers women for their strong support to his government and urged them to sustain the tempo.
Another event was the flag-off of the Egbelu Road in Rumuodara, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area last Thursday.
At the event, the Governor stated that though he was not aware of the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Rivers State as Federal Government was yet to inform him, Buharis visit he said, cannot revive APC in the state.
“Maybe the President is coming to make sure that he will improve the fortunes of the APC that is dead in Rivers State.
“Apart from Jesus Christ, we don’t know of anyone who had risen a dead thing. APC is a dead party in Rivers State. No matter how you fast and pray, it will never wake up”, the Governor said.
Chris Oluoh
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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