Politics
Wike Bags Silverbird, The Sun Awards
Nigerians again celebrated the Rivers State Governor, Chief NyesomWike over the weekend as he lifted two major national awards.
Wike was enthroned as the Silverbird Man of the Year 2017 on Friday, while on Saturday, he was also celebrated as The Sun Governor of the Year.
The events which took place at Eko Hotels in Lagos was witnessed by the creame-de-lacreame of the Nigerian society.
Former Vice President, AtikuAbubakar who presented the Silverbird award to Wike described him as a worthy leader who is laying the right foundation for the rapid development of Rivers State.
Atiku who was excited by the honour said: “ I have witnessed virtually all administrations in Rivers State. I have not seen an administration that has done so much within a short time as that of Governor Wike”, adding that the feat is a remarkable achievement which he finds difficult to locate in any part of the country.
Chairman of Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce, said Wike emerged the Silverbird Man of the Year on the strength of votes by the people and his focus on the development of the state though delivery of meaningful projects and programmes.
In his response, the Rivers State Governor said: “Today, I am much honored to receive this award because it represents the very ideals that sustain my interest in public service.”
He said his commitment has been to promote, defend and advance the best interest of the state.
On the Sun Governor of the Year Award, the Governor restated his commitment to the development of the state and unity of Nigeria and promised to serve the state and win more accolades.
He thanked The Sun Publishing Limited for finding him worthy to win the award back to back and dedicated the award to the people of Rivers State and his wife.
Former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Ghali Umar Na’abba last Wednesday, described Wike as a clear example of the leader Nigeria needs for her rapaid development.
Na’abba who stated while commissioning the Edeoha-Ikata-Ochigba Road in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State declared: “Nigeria needs politicians like Governor Wike. With this kind of posture, one day, you will become the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Should you declare for the Presidency one day, count on my support and that of those under me? What we need in this country is this kind of attitude. Attitude of friendship”.
Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Prince ChibudumNwuche noted that Wike is not just a politician but a statesman, explaining that the road that was commissioned was abandoned by former Governor of the State, ChibuikeAmaechi because of their political differences.
Wike assured that under his leadership there would be no politics of victimisation and urged all to join hands towards developing the state.
The clamour for Wike to run for a second term continued last week. The people of Rivers East Senatorial District endorsed him for another tenure in office, stressing that their move was premised on the strength of Wike’s superlative performance.
The event which took place Tuesday at General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Port Harcourt attracted such personalities as Senator George Thompson Sekibo, Sir Celestine Omehia, former Governor of the state, former NBA President, Chief Onueze Okocha (SAN) House of Representatives Member, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, Former Minister of Transport, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara amongst others in the eight local government areas that make up the Senatorial District.
A youth representative, Oraye St. Franklyn said Governor Wike has no option but to contest and further develop the state.
Another major event in Government House last week was the meeting of South-South PDP leaders which resolved to unite and ensure that the party forms the next Federal Government in 2019.
Wike said PDP leaders will do everything possible to ensure that the party emerges victorious in 2019 and stressed the need for free and fair election that would enable Nigerians determine their future.
He urged PDP leaders to remain focused as they have the duty to salvage the country and set it on the part of growth.
PDP National Chairman, Prince UcheSecondus said Nigeria has collapsed with the Presidential Villa in ruins, hence it has become imperative to salvage the country in 2019.
Prominent members of the party from the six states that make up the zone attended the meeting.
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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