The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has strongly condemned Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2025 Appropriations Bill to a faction of the Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, who is loyal to the governor.

This criticism came during the House’s plenary session on Tuesday, where the House’s Judicial Committee, headed by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol, presented a Court of Appeal ruling affirming the legitimacy of the Assembly and the Speakership of Martin Amaewhule.

The deputy speaker condemned the governor for disregarding the court’s decision.

Several lawmakers voiced their displeasure over the governor’s actions, with one, Smart Adoki, suggesting that the matter be forwarded to security agencies for further investigation and action.

Speaker Amaewhule expressed concern over the governor’s consistent defiance of legal authority, emphasizing that such actions undermine the rule of law.

On Monday, Governor Fubara had presented the 2025 budget proposal of ₦1.1 trillion to the Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Assembly, touting it as a continuation of the progress made under the 2024 budget.

He highlighted key achievements, particularly in economic growth and revenue generation, under the ₦800 billion 2024 budget.

Dr. Chike Obidigbo, an elder statesman, has called on President Bola Tinubu to initiate a meeting with ethnic nationalities to revisit the amalgamation document that united Nigeria, asserting that it expired in 2014.

In his New Year message titled “Criticality of Urgent Ethnic Nationalities’ Conference and National Referendum,” Obidigbo emphasized the need for a national dialogue, as he believes the forced merger of Nigeria’s ethnic groups by the British colonial rulers has led to ongoing political instability.

Obidigbo noted that the British colonialists did not seek the consent of Nigeria’s ethnic nationalities before merging the various regions into one country.

He pointed out that, while the British left a provision in the 1914 agreement for a potential review after a century, it was clear that the amalgamation has not yielded the desired results.

“From 1914 to 2014, Nigeria’s political landscape has remained unstable, and the country has seen numerous forms of governance including parliamentary systems, military rule, and presidential democracy, yet it remains politically fractured,” Obidigbo stated.

The elder statesman proposed that Nigeria urgently needs a referendum to assess whether it should continue as a unified nation.

“Calls for separation from major ethnic groups like the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba have intensified. The time has come for ethnic nationalities to come together and resolve the way forward,” he said, adding that such a referendum could address the current restiveness in the country and prevent further violence, particularly in the north, middle-belt, and other regions.

Obidigbo also argued that the ongoing efforts by the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution have failed to address the root causes of Nigeria’s political instability, which he attributes to the lopsided political structure inherited from the amalgamation of the northern and southern protectorates.

Instead, he suggested that a national referendum could provide a more effective solution.

Looking ahead to 2025, Obidigbo emphasized the significance of the year, which will mark the second anniversary of the controversial 2023 general elections.

He called on President Tinubu to take the bold step of revisiting Nigeria’s political structure in a way that addresses the historical, cultural, and political imbalances that have contributed to the country’s instability.

He further criticized the way political power has been distributed in recent years, specifically referencing the South West’s control over the presidency following the 2023 elections.

Obidigbo expressed disappointment that while the South East played a significant role in the formation and support of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was overlooked in favor of other regions in the party’s presidential race.

“The lack of respect for the contributions of the South East to the development of the PDP and the country is evident,” Obidigbo said.

He also lamented the lack of unity and political leadership within the South East, with many politicians failing to prioritize the collective good of the region.

“The political leadership in the South East must learn to put aside personal interests and focus on the greater good of the people,” he added.

Obidigbo also expressed concern over the delay in the takeoff of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which he believes could have been a significant development project for the region.

He noted that political infighting within the region had delayed the screening of SEDC members and hindered progress.

Obidigbo reiterated the need for urgent national reconciliation and restructuring, stressing that only through honest dialogue and a national referendum could Nigeria move forward as a stable and united nation.

Tension has gripped the administrative headquarters of Etsako East Local Government Area (LGA), Agenebode, in Edo State, following the theft of the legislative mace from the local council chamber on Tuesday.

The incident has raised concerns about a potential political crisis, with allegations that the stolen mace was intended to facilitate an impeachment plot against the council chairman, Benedicta Attoh.

The theft occurred amidst growing unrest within the local government, with 10 councillors publicly reaffirming their support for Attoh.

Sources suggest that the act of stealing the mace is linked to an attempt to impeach her, stoking fears of an impending disruption of democratic proceedings.

Ibrahim Afoso, the Majority Leader of the legislative arm, strongly condemned the theft, calling the perpetrators “democratic assassins.”

Afoso reiterated the council’s support for Attoh, emphasizing that any impeachment efforts would not succeed, as they did not come from the duly elected councillors.

He stated, “We stand firmly with the council chairman, Hon. Benedicta Attoh. She is the legitimate Executive Chairman of Etsako East Local Government Council, and any impeachment attempt from any source is illegitimate.”

Afoso also called for the immediate return of the stolen mace and urged security agencies to investigate the crime.

He reassured the public, saying, “We are committed to safeguarding democracy, and we will not allow lawlessness to prevail in this council.”

This incident comes at a time of heightened political tension in Edo State following the recent suspension of the chairmen and vice-chairmen of all 18 local government councils by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

Observers fear the mace theft could further destabilize the local government and deepen the ongoing political crisis.

At the time of reporting, efforts to reach Governor Okpebholo’s office for a comment on the incident were unsuccessful.

Amb. Umar Damagum, the Acting National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has responded to Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s recent remark that the PDP is dead, suggesting that Kwankwaso should be grateful to the party for the political status he currently enjoys.

Damagum’s response came after Kwankwaso’s statement in an interview with the Hausa Service of the BBC on Monday.

In a counter-interview aired on Tuesday, Damagum stated that despite the internal challenges faced by the PDP, it was the party that nurtured Kwankwaso and contributed significantly to his political success.

While expressing hope that Kwankwaso would reconsider his stance and return to the party, Damagum highlighted that the PDP’s popularity had not diminished despite his departure in 2015.

He said, “The PDP nurtured him (Kwankwaso) and contributed to his political success. Even though he left the party in 2015, it did not die, and it has continued to thrive.”

Damagum pointed out that Kwankwaso’s exit had not impacted the PDP’s influence, noting, “If the party survived his departure back then, why would anyone think it is irrelevant now?”

He also questioned the impact of Kwankwaso’s shift to other political platforms, remarking that the PDP remained the only party capable of consistently winning elections, even when not in power.

“How many states has he won with his new party?” Damagum asked, asserting that the facts were clear about the PDP’s strength and resilience.

Damagum further emphasized the PDP’s longstanding presence, stating, “For over two decades, the PDP has maintained its identity, producing governors and lawmakers across the country.”

He also reminded Kwankwaso that even if four parties merged without the PDP, they would still fail to win elections, pointing to the history of such alliances that did not yield success.

Acknowledging that some of Kwankwaso’s criticisms of the party’s challenges were valid, Damagum reflected on his own limited powers as the Deputy National Chairman (North) at the time, but noted that the PDP had made efforts to resolve those issues, though they were unsuccessful.

“We still believe that Kwankwaso should return to the PDP, as the party played a significant role in shaping him into the leader he is today,” Damagum said, reaffirming the party’s hope for his return.

Damagum also expressed his understanding of Kwankwaso’s frustrations but warned that achieving his aspirations would be challenging outside the PDP.

He assured that the party would continue to support its members and provide an open and transparent platform for competition, adding, “Whoever emerges as the party’s candidate will receive our full support.”

“We will reach out to him soon,” Damagum concluded.

“The PDP is a party that ensures its members thrive, and we remain committed to addressing the challenges Nigerians face under the current administration.”

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has refuted claims that he threatened President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his comments were meant to be constructive critiques of policies he believes could negatively impact Nigerians.

This clarification came after the Presidency called for a retraction of Mohammed’s alleged “threat,” which followed his remark, “We will show President Tinubu our true colour.” The Presidency had described the comment as divisive and unbecoming of a leader.

Speaking during a Christmas event with the Christian community, Governor Mohammed criticized President Tinubu’s proposed tax reforms, arguing that they could be harmful to northern Nigeria.

“If you ignore the cries of the people, you are inviting anarchy. These reforms are not helping northern Nigeria,” he stated.

In a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, Governor Mohammed insisted that his words had been misinterpreted and were intended as a warning about the negative effects of tax policies that may not be equitable or considerate of all regions.

“It is misleading to interpret Governor Bala Mohammed’s sincere warning about the potential dangers of poorly implemented policies as a threat to the Presidency,” the statement read.

Governor Mohammed reiterated his respect for the office of the President, stressing that he had no intention of issuing threats or engaging in antagonistic rhetoric.

He emphasized his desire for cooperation with the federal government to tackle the country’s challenges and work toward national development.

“We call on the Federal Government to prioritize open dialogue and inclusivity in addressing national issues,” the statement continued.

“Governor Bala Mohammed remains committed to collaborating with the Presidency to ensure Nigeria’s growth and prosperity.”