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Sign Electoral Act Amendment Bill Now, PDP Govs Urge Buhari …Seeks Probe To End Duplicity, Fictitious Subsidy On Fuel Consumption
Governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law immediately.
This appeal is one of the 9-point communique issued by the governors who met under the aegis of PDP Governors’ Forum, last Monday, at the Bayelsa State Government House in Yenagoa.
Reading the communique to journalists after the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the forum, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said the meeting reviewed the state of the nation and the readiness of the PDP to rescue the nation from All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule.
The PDP governors said that by not signing the Electoral Act Amendment Bill immediately, Buhari would be demonstrating that he was unwilling to give to Nigerians a reformed electoral framework.
“Waiting to run out the 30 days is yet another sign of unwillingness by Mr President to give Nigeria a reformed Electoral framework.
“If there are still misgivings on any aspect of the Bill Amendments may be introduced at a later stage.”
Again, the governors expressed displeasure on the issue of contaminated fuel that has been supplied to Nigerians.
They urged the Federal Government to bring the perpetrators to account.
“The governors frowned at the duplicity, inconsistency, insincerity of the APC-led Federal Government on the fuel subsidy regime, which has been badly and corruptly administered.
“The figures of consumption and ascribed to Nigerians appear fictitious and bloated. They called for proper investigation to be conducted on this matter.”
Also in the communique, the forum welcomed the court decision on Police Trust Fund deductions from the Federation Account.
They noted it as a suit at the instance of Rivers State, and urged the Federal Government to stop similar unconstitutional deductions from the Federation Account.
“In the same vein, the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission should expedite action on the new Revenue Allocation formula in such a way as to increase allocation to states and local government.”
The forum deplored the way and manner the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) was being run as an alternate government, which they described as a government within a government.
They said it was time to streamline the functions and processes of the CBN in order to make it become constitutionally compliant.
Again, the forum once again decried the opaque nature of NNPC operations.
They called for accountability and reconciliation of NNPC remittances into the federation account.
About the current phase of the Constitution Review exercise at the National Assembly, the forum urged the national lawmakers to revisit the issue of devolution of more powers to the states and local governments.
“This opportunity to rejig the framework for policing and securing Nigeria should not be missed. To this end, the forum would set up a panel of consultants to have a thorough look at the security architecture of Nigeria and make recommendations.
“The governors also urged the National Assembly to transfer some items from the Exclusive Legislative List to Concurrent List.”
The PDP governors were particularly delighted over the victory of their party winning 43 out of 62 councillorship positions in the Abuja Area Council election.
“In spite of improvements in the conduct of elections, the Gwagwalada and Abuja Area Council results show that manipulations are still possible.
“They urged Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to tighten all observed loopholes and further improve on the functioning of the BIVAS Machine for future elections.”
The PDP governors congratulated their colleague, Governor Douye Diri on his second anniversary in office.
They noted that he has made a positive difference for the people of Bayelsa State, and also thanked him for being such a gracious and wonderful host.
In attendance at the meeting were the Abia State Governor and Vice Chairman of the forum, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; Adamawa State Governor, Hon Ahmadu Fintiri; and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.
Others were Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri; Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom; Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa; and Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Also in attendance were Enugu State Governor, Hon Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Oyo State Governor, Engr OluseyiMakinde; and Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed.
President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.
Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.
He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.
“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.
He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.
The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”
Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.
He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.
“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.
The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.
Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.
Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.
Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.
Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.
He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.
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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare
The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.
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?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
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?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.
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?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.
?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.
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?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.
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The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.
Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.
According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.
The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.