Politics
Wike Assents To Two Bills
The Special award and dinner organised by Knights of
St. John International, Port Harcourt Grand Commandery of the Catholic Church opened activities last week in Government House. Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike attended the occasion held at the Presidential Hotel in honour of Justice Mary Odili, former first lady of the State.
Chief Wike while pouring encomiums on Justice Odili, expressed happiness that the body decided to host their activity in the state which to him was a clear indication that the state was safe and peaceful for business and tourists.
On the honour bestowed on the former first lady together with other personalities, including the State Police Commissioner, Chief Wike remarked that it was a call to greater service to the nation.
Last Monday, the State Governor played host to Muslim Community in the State. The visit of the muslim faithful was part of events to mark the Eid el-Kabir which commemorates the Supreme sacrifice made by Abraham as a mark of obedience to God.
A delegation of muslim clerics led by Alhaji Qasim Okachi commended the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises. He thanked the governor for sponsoring pilgrims on Hajj as a show of commitment to their religious advancement.
Responding, Chief Wike summoned on all Nigerians to work together to ensure peace and unity, and to pull the country out of its current economic downturn.
Consequently, a statement from the office of the deputy governor, Dr. Ipalibo harry-Banigo last Tuesday hailed the prudence exhibited by the Wike-led administration through fiscal policy of , “novariation”. Dr. Harry-Banigo observed that the policy has promoted speedy execution of jobs through judicious management of public-funds.
On the same Tuesday the governor hosted his kinsmen from Rumueprikom Kingdom in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area as part of Eid-El-Kabir celebrations. He reminded them that politics was not war, but a game of sports that embraced both the loser and the winner.
The State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) paid a solidarity visit to Governor Wike last Wednesday. The group was led by its Chairman, Bro. Felix Obuah, who is also the State Chairman of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). IPAC comprises of all registered political parties and they expressed a vote of confidence on the Wike-led administration.
But before hosting the IPAC members, the governor had earlier met with protesting community leaders, youth and women of Rumuola Community at the site undergoing construction for Port Harcourt Pleasure Park. He urged them to be calm and support the construction firm, Julius Berger to complete the project since they will benefit.
Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo congratulated former state governor, Sir Celestine Omehia on his 57th birthday. She described the erstwhile State Chief Executive as a team leader with exemplary conduct.
Rivers State First Lady, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike hosted members of the International Federation of Women Lawyers last Thursday. She used the visit to advocate for the domestication of the Violence Against Persons Probibition Act. Justice Wike also said the State needs a family court.
Last Friday, four suspended Commissioners and the Head of Service, including Special Assistant to the Governor on Lands were recalled from a four-week suspension slammed on them by the State Governor during the State Executive Council meeting a forthnight ago. He and the exco visited a new LNG site at Rumuji in Emohua LGA later in the day.
Shortly after, on the same Friday, the governor inaugurated the Rivers State Amnesty Programme Committee, which will oversee proper integration and rehabilitation of repentant cultists and militants in the state.
Last Saturday the State Chief Executive assented to two bills passed by the State Legislature. They are; Local Government Amendment No. 1 Law No 5 of 2016 and Rivers State Administration of Criminal Justice. No. 7 of 2015.
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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