Politics
PDP Crisis Deepens As Orbih Appoints CTC Excos For Bayelsa, Edo
The leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a new phase as the the Chief Dan Orbih-led South-South Zonal Working Committee appointed its zonal Secretary, George Turnah and Hon. Nosa Ogieva as caretaker committee Chairmen for the Bayelsa and Edo States chapters of the party.
In a statement by the zonal spokesman of the party, Prince Etim Isong, the party noted that the decision to appoint caretakers for the two States was taken during a meeting held at the Zonal Secretariat in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
Prince Isong noted that the interim committees will function for three (3) months, beginning from Tuesday, 22nd April, 2025.
The statement reads in part, “The decision to set up Caretaker Committees for both States follows the dissolution of the State Working Committee of Bayelsa State and the Caretaker Committee in Edo State on account of various acts of gross misconduct by the dissolved executives which are in clear breach of the party’s Constitution.
“Another reason was the poor performance and woeful outing by the party in Edo State at the last governorship election, and the poor handling of internal crisis rocking the party in both States.
“The Zonal Working Committee took these decisions in the best interest of the party after a careful review of the activities of the party in both States in line with the Constitution of the party as amended in 2017, particularly Articles 10(1),(f),(g),(k), and (4) as well as Articles 26(2),(a), 27(2)(a&b), 58(1),(a),(c),(i),(j), and 59(1)(f)”.
The party’s image maker stated that the Zonal Working Committee believes that the move will strengthen the party’s foundation and ensure effective leadership in the two States.
Others appointed as caretaker committee members for both states include Bayelsa: Tony Gabriel, Deputy Chairman; Ebilade Ekerefe, Secretary; Didi Ebiekake Werilaghebofa, Vice Chairman, Central.
Also appointed were Andy Majors, Vice Chairman, East; Evelyn Bolouebi Odi, Vice Chairman, West; Biobelemoye Igoniwari, Treasurer; and Barrister Awudumapu Agorodi, Esq, Legal Adviser.
They also include, Erepagamo Eke-Spiff, Financial Secretary; Amain Oyeintariperedei, Auditor; Derri Alasuote Wright, Publicity Secretary; Christian Koffah Akuraku, Organizing Secretary; Ato Alfreda, Woman Leader as well as Nicholas Eferebo as Youth Leader.
In Edo State those appointed alongside Nosa Ogieva as Chairman included Chief Sunny Okomayin, Deputy Chairman; Hillary Otsu, Secretary; Nosa Iseleomon, Vice Chairman, South; Ehisota Oriakhi, Vice Chairman, Central; Richard Ehimigbai, Vice Chairman, North and Mrs. Tes Sorae, Woman Leader.
Others were Benjamin Ehinlebodiaye, Treasurer; Emma Akhaba, Auditor; Daniel Okojie, Organising Secretary; Bob-Manuel Umoru, Publicity Secretary; and Barrister William Umoru – Legal Adviser.
They also included Moses Izobo, Financial Secretary; and Destiny Oreye as Youth Leader.
In the same vein, the statement from the zonal secretariat of the party quoted the National Vice Chairman, South-South, Chief Orbih, as having stressed the need for unity and discipline within the party.
He tasked the newly appointed party leaders to pursue genuine reconciliation among members in order to foster the cohesion necessary for repositioning the party for future political success in both States.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa
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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