The Nigerian Senate has approved the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, authorizing a total expenditure of ₦1.485 trillion for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

This decision followed the third reading of the bill on the Senate floor, after lawmakers reviewed the report submitted by the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during a Committee of Supply session.

The bill, as passed, permits the issuance of ₦1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State.

According to the approved breakdown, the budget allocates:

₦120.8 billion for debt servicing,

₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) spending, and

₦1.077 trillion for capital projects.

During deliberations, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) backed the passage of the bill but raised a concern about the extra ₦50 billion earmarked for settling outstanding pensions and gratuities.

He emphasized the need for more intensive oversight by the committee to ensure the funds are disbursed appropriately, stating that “the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.”

The legislation now awaits assent before implementation can begin.

Earlier in May 2025, President Bola Tinubu transmitted the Rivers State 2025 budget to the National Assembly, citing the suspension of the state House of Assembly as the reason for federal legislative intervention.

In his letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, President Tinubu noted that the budget proposal amounted to ₦1.481 trillion, emphasizing that the funds were designed to “revitalize key sectors” of the state’s economy.

President Tinubu also sent the same proposal to the House of Representatives, pointing out that the Supreme Court had nullified an earlier 2025 budget presentation made by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Following months of a deepening political crisis between Governor Fubara and a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, the President declared a state of emergency in the state on March 18, 2025.

To restore order and oversee governance, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) as sole administrator of the state.

Ibas was officially sworn in on March 19, 2025, and is expected to manage state affairs for an initial period of six months.

Hon. Chimaobi Sam Atu, representing Enugu North/South federal constituency in the house of Representatives has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The defection took place on Thursday in the floor of the House and was formally acknowledged during plenary after a letter from Hon. Atu was read by Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen.

Hon. Atu said his decision to dump the Labour Party was driven by the unrelenting internal crises within the party.

According to him, the turmoil and lack of strategic direction made it difficult for him to effectively serve his constituents.

“All of you have seen the crisis in the party and grass lack of direction. My interest is to serve my people in the most modest way I can,” Atu stated.

He further explained that his choice to join the ruling APC was influenced by recent efforts by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address longstanding concerns in the South East.

“Again, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated his commitment to Ndi Igbo with signing of the South East Development Commission and other significant projects,” he said.

As political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the 2027 general elections, President Bola Tinubu has dismissed the emerging coalition of opposition figures seeking to challenge his re-election bid, branding them as “political IDPs”,  internally displaced politicians.

Speaking during a one-day presidential visit to Nasarawa State on Wednesday, where he inaugurated several development projects, Tinubu urged his supporters to ignore what he described as distractions from the opposition.

“Just don’t pay them any attention. They are the political IDPs. Don’t give them a home. The hope is here,” the President stated.

His comments come amid reports that notable opposition figures, including 2023 PDP presidential candidate and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, are in talks to form a united front against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Despite the growing momentum behind this planned alliance, Tinubu downplayed the threat, suggesting the coalition would ultimately work against itself.

“They are in a coalition to unseat themselves,” he remarked.

During the visit, Tinubu also commended Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State for his strides in development, pledging continued federal support for the state’s progress.

“Sule is doing well. We will support whatever Governor Sule brings about to work harder for the prosperity and renaissance of Nasarawa State. That is what we stand for,” the President assured.

Governor Sule, in his address, urged the President to back full-scale oil and gas exploration in Obi Local Government Area, following the 2023 discovery of hydrocarbon reserves there.

“In 2023, there was an exploration well that was going on in the Obi Local Government Area of the state. There has been a discovery of hydrocarbon in excess of one billion,” he noted.

“We are asking you, Your Excellency, to ensure that they come back and drill the next exploration well, the appraisal well, and the development package so that we can start producing oil from that site,” Sule added.

He emphasized the economic potential of the discovery, stating, “We are telling you that this is the best for the country. We’ll become another Saudi Arabia if we have a deep onshore operation so that we can have integrated oil and gas facilities similar to what they have in Saudi Arabia so that we can do exploration, production, refining as well as gas and power production and be able to export finished products to other countries.”

Momentum behind the opposition coalition has been building steadily.

In May, Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, confirmed during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today that discussions were ongoing.

“Well, you and I know that there have been ongoing discussions between Atiku Abubakar and some opposition leaders: Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai,” Ibe said.

“Yes, it’s out there in the open. Discussion is still ongoing, and at the end of that discussion, they will come out with a position and the direction that we’re going to follow based on the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.”

Further fueling the coalition movement, a new political party, the All Democratic Alliance (ADA), led by a former Senate President David Mark, recently submitted its registration application to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The party is backed by the National Opposition Coalition Group (NOCG), which includes former Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio on Tuesday formally welcomed Senator Neda Imasuen into the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the senator’s defection from the Labour Party.

Imasuen, who represents Edo South Senatorial District and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions, announced his defection in a letter addressed to the Senate President.

The letter was read during plenary.

In the correspondence, Imasuen attributed his decision to the leadership crisis plaguing the Labour Party, adding that the move followed consultations with his constituents and political allies in Edo South.

He explained that aligning with the APC would allow him to better serve his constituents and support the policy agenda of the current federal administration.

Following the reading of the letter, Akpabio extended a warm welcome to the senator, inviting him to approach the chair in a symbolic gesture marking his new affiliation.

“Distinguished Senator Neda Imasuen, you shall no longer ‘Labour’ in vain. Your defection has been well documented. You may now graciously move to your new party. Kindly approach the chair for a handshake,” Akpabio said.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also congratulated Imasuen on his decision and urged him to play an active role in strengthening both the APC and national governance.

Imasuen’s defection adds to a wave of political realignments taking place in the National Assembly as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 general elections.

Several lawmakers have recently left their parties, particularly the Labour Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid internal disputes and shifting political calculations.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed that it has received 110 applications from various political associations, including the Obidient Movement, seeking official registration as political parties.

Speaking during the second regular consultative meeting with media executives held at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, addressed recent speculation surrounding the Commission’s handling of the applications.

“Clearly, one of the topical issues on election administration in our country today is the status of the letters of intent we received from associations seeking registration as political parties amidst partisan insinuations in some quarters that the Commission is equivocating on the matter in a manner that compromises our independence,” Yakubu stated.

“Nothing can be further from the truth,” he emphasized, noting that such claims echo similar accusations made in 2013. “Nigerians may recall that the same unfounded accusation was made under similar circumstances in 2013, that the Commission was not keen on the proposed merger of political parties because INEC had ‘merged with the ruling party’ at the time.”

The INEC boss pointed out that under the current leadership, the Commission has demonstrated consistency in its approach to political party registration.

“For the record, the present Commission registered the largest number of political parties in Nigeria strictly following the provision of the electoral legal framework. For the 2019 General Election, there were 91 political parties and 73 presidential candidates,” he said.

He added that post-election, INEC acted within the law to streamline the number of political parties.

“After the election, the Commission also deregistered over 70 political parties as provided by law,” Yakubu said.

Reaffirming INEC’s neutrality and commitment to transparency, he assured the public that the Commission would continue to follow legal procedures in processing the applications.

“We wish to reassure Nigerians that under the current situation, we will continue to be guided by law and act with fairness to all associations seeking registration as political parties,” he said.

“We will treat all requests fairly, irrespective of the status of their promoters, be they ordinary or prominent citizens. Nigerians will be fully briefed on the actions taken by the Commission every step of the way.”

As of Monday, June 23, 2025, Yakubu revealed, INEC had received formal letters of intent from 110 associations, though six of the most recent submissions had not yet been formally acknowledged.

“We are diligently processing the requests in line with the procedure outlined in the law, as well as our Regulations and Guidelines,” he said.

“We have acknowledged all requests received so far, except six of them received recently, which will be done before the end of the week.”

He further encouraged those interested in forming political parties to consult INEC’s publicly available documentation.

“For emphasis, I wish to inform Nigerians, particularly those interested in registering new political parties, that the handbook containing the Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties 2022 is already available on the Commission’s website.”

President Bola Tinubu is expected to formally sign four crucial tax-related bills into law today, marking a significant overhaul of Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue administration system.

According to a statement issued yesterday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the legislative reforms are designed to reshape the country’s tax environment.

He described them as “transformative steps that will transform Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.”

The four bills, Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, recently cleared the National Assembly following what Onanuga said were “extensive consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.”

He noted that once operational, these new laws would overhaul how taxes are administered in Nigeria, with far-reaching implications for the economy.

“They would significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” he explained.

The signing ceremony, which will take place at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, is expected to be witnessed by top-ranking government officials, including the Senate President, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate Majority Leader, House Majority Leader, as well as the Chairmen of the Senate and House Committees on Finance.

Other attendees include the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, and the Attorney General of the Federation, Onanuga added.

Among the four bills, the Nigeria Tax Bill—tagged the “Ease of Doing Business” legislation—seeks to streamline and consolidate the country’s fragmented tax statutes into a single, harmonized law.

Onanuga explained that “by reducing the multiplicity of taxes and eliminating duplication, the bill will enhance the ease of doing business, reduce taxpayer compliance burdens, and create a more predictable fiscal environment.”

The Nigeria Tax Administration Bill introduces a standardized legal and operational framework for tax collection across the federal, state, and local government levels, ensuring uniformity and consistency.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill repeals the existing Federal Inland Revenue Service Act.

It paves the way for a more autonomous and efficient national tax agency—the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS).

The bill spells out the NRS’s broader mandate, including its authority to collect non-tax revenues, and integrates provisions to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

The final piece of the legislative package, the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, proposes a comprehensive governance structure to promote collaboration among revenue authorities at all tiers of government.

It also creates new oversight institutions, such as a Tax Appeal Tribunal and an Office of the Tax Ombudsman, to strengthen dispute resolution and taxpayer rights.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the 2027 general elections will mark a significant shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, promising it “will not be business as usual.”

He made the statement during a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja with a delegation comprising North West opinion leaders, Kannywood stakeholders, and digital media influencers.

The delegation was led by Dr. Aslam Aliyu, a notable Zamfara politician and convener of the PAA 2027 New Media & Digital Communications Forum.

According to Daily Trust, Atiku who was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) presidential candidate in the last election, is actively engaged in coalition-building efforts with other opposition leaders to challenge and potentially unseat President Bola Tinubu in the next poll.

Atiku said the emerging coalition is a direct response to the growing demand for change among Nigerians, who he believes are deeply concerned about the state of the country.

“I told the visiting forum that the envisaged coalition is a deliberate effort to recover and rebuild Nigeria in line with the yearnings and aspirations of the people,” he said.

“I assured the forum that 2027 will not be business as usual.”

He urged members of the forum to remain dedicated to the mission, particularly in raising public awareness about the coalition’s goals and the importance of national renewal.

“I am aware of the pervasive level of insecurity and other challenges citizens are facing on a daily basis. Suffice it to say that we, in the coalition, have the individual and collective capacity to tackle them headlong,” Atiku added.

A wave of confusion has hit Nigeria’s political space as two separate political associations, both using the acronym ADA, have submitted applications for registration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The two entities, among a crowded field of 110 political associations seeking official party status, have sparked concerns about identity overlap and the potential for voter confusion in future elections.

One of the groups, All Democratic Alliance (ADA), is reportedly fronted by Chief Akin Ricketts.

Political analysts suggest this faction could be a “special purpose vehicle” being advanced by anti-Tinubu coalitions in preparation for the 2027 general elections.

This version of ADA appears on INEC’s provisional list as entry number 109.

Closely following it at number 110 is another group with the same acronym, Advanced Democratic Alliance, led by Alhaji Ahmadu Suleiman as its protem chairman, with Zipporah Pius Miracles listed as secretary.

Despite the identical shorthand, the two associations are entirely distinct in both leadership structure and operational base.

Ricketts’ All Democratic Alliance is headquartered at UAC Complex, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Central Business District, Abuja, while Suleiman’s Advanced Democratic Alliance maintains its office at Frandriance Close, off Aminu Kano Crescent, Wuse 2, Abuja.

The presence of two similarly named associations on INEC’s list has raised eyebrows in political circles, with many observers questioning how the electoral body will resolve potential issues related to branding and public recognition.

With the number of political associations applying for registration climbing to 110, INEC now faces a challenging task, not just in determining which groups meet the legal threshold for party registration, but also in ensuring each one maintains a unique identity and is distinguishable to the electorate.