The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reserved its judgment on an appeal filed by Rivers State Governor, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, challenging a Federal High Court ruling that halted the release of monthly allocations to the state.

The appeal seeks to overturn the October 30 judgment that ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to stop disbursing federal allocations to Rivers State, citing constitutional violations by Governor Fubara related to the state’s budget presentation.

The dispute stems from a ruling by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, who found that Governor Fubara’s budget presentation to a faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly—loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike—was unconstitutional. She ordered the suspension of allocations to the state until the governor presented the budget to the full House of Assembly, which includes 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike.

Fubara’s legal team argued that the judgment was erroneous, as the faction of the Assembly in question no longer had legal standing due to the alleged defection of the legislators from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

During the appeal hearing, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Hamma Barka, listened to submissions from both sides and reserved judgment for a later date.

The case has attracted significant attention, as it concerns the constitutional validity of the governor’s actions and the legal procedure for allocating federal funds to states.

Meanwhile, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) clarified that, despite the court order, the October 2024 federal allocation had been shared among all 36 states, including Rivers.

However, the OAGF explained that while the allocations had been made, the funds would not be credited to state accounts until the Central Bank completes its processing.

This delay in disbursement follows the court’s intervention, with the OAGF indicating it would comply with the legal instructions as they come.

The clarification came after the October 30 ruling from the Federal High Court, which temporarily blocked further disbursements to Rivers State.

In a statement, the OAGF reiterated its commitment to adhering to all court rulings but emphasized that the legal status of the disbursements remains uncertain pending the resolution of the appeal.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) has once again reached out to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, inviting him to consider seeking re-election on its platform in the 2027 gubernatorial poll.

The state chairman of the party, Sunny Wokekoro, stated this during a meeting at the party’s secretariat in Port Harcourt on Saturday.

He stated that the PDP had lost its relevance in Nigerian politics, making it an unviable option for any politician with integrity.

Wokekoro suggested that Fubara, along with others, should consider the APP as a platform for future political ambitions.

“I was a founding member of the PDP. I started as a G-34 coordinator in Port Harcourt, but the recent developments in the party show that the PDP no longer holds any moral value for any serious politician. It is time for good leaders to seek new political homes, and the APP is the place for those who seek to change the narrative in Rivers State.”

The Southeast Development Youth Stakeholders Forum (SEDYSF), a coalition of youth groups from Nigeria’s southeastern region, has called on President Bola Tinubu to appoint Senator Rochas Okorocha as Chairman of the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC).

In a statement issued at a press conference in Abuja, SEDYSF leaders, including President Comrade John Uba and Secretary Ambassador Ugokwe Ugokwe, endorsed Okorocha as the ideal candidate to lead the commission tasked with driving development in the region.

They praised his extensive experience in public service, leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the growth of the Southeast.

“Senator Okorocha is the right leader to steer the SEDC towards transforming the region. With his vast political experience and dedication to progress, he can effectively address the challenges of the Southeast, including economic disparities, infrastructure gaps, and social injustice.”

The youth group highlighted the region’s potential, including its abundant resources, skilled workforce, and rich cultural heritage, but stressed that strategic leadership was necessary to unlock its full potential.

“The Southeast faces serious challenges, but with Okorocha’s leadership, we are confident that the region can overcome them,” Ugokwe added.

SEDYSF also praised the creation of the Southeast Development Commission, calling it a significant achievement that would foster regional growth.

“We commend President Tinubu and the National Assembly for establishing the commission, a landmark step in promoting national unity and regional progress,” said Ugokwe.

The youth group acknowledged Okorocha’s contributions as a former governor of Imo State and his role in the founding of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They credited him with effective leadership and transformative initiatives that benefited his state and the country as a whole.

“Okorocha’s tenure as governor was marked by remarkable infrastructure development, educational reforms, and youth empowerment. His leadership style demonstrated his ability to deliver results and drive change.”

SEDYSF expressed confidence that Okorocha would bring strategic vision and leadership to the SEDC, helping the region attract investment, address key challenges, and promote overall development.

“We believe he has the capacity to reposition the Southeast for prosperity,” the group said.

The forum also reiterated its support for President Tinubu’s administration, emphasizing its commitment to advancing national development.

“We are fully behind your leadership, Mr. President, and your policies that prioritize the welfare of Nigerians,” the statement concluded.

SEDYSF further commended Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, for his instrumental role in the creation of the Southeast Development Commission.

“Kalu has proven to be a true patriot with his tireless efforts for the Southeast,” Ugokwe said.

In closing, the youth group appealed to Okorocha to accept the responsibility of leading the SEDC if appointed by President Tinubu.

“We urge Senator Okorocha to heed this call to serve, as his leadership is essential to ensuring the SEDC achieves its mission of transforming the Southeast,” the group stated.

The Southeast Development Commission was recently signed into law to address the region’s socio-economic and infrastructural challenges.

The commission is tasked with coordinating and driving development initiatives across the southeastern states.

The House of Representatives Committee on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has recommended that the electoral body move its offices away from local government headquarters to more neutral and secure sites.

This recommendation followed a motion brought by Prof. Paul Nnamchi (LP – Enugu) which highlighted concerns over the risks posed by the current practice of housing INEC offices at local government headquarters.

The matter was subsequently referred to the House Committee on INEC for further consideration.

During a public hearing at the National Assembly, the committee chairman, Adebayo Balogun, emphasized the need for state governors to allocate land for INEC to build offices across the country.

Balogun stated: “There must be communication between INEC or the committee and the state governors to provide land. We must make this a priority. If we talk about it enough, it will happen.”

Balogun also acknowledged the need for public pressure to prompt action, thanking the motion’s sponsor for shedding light on the issue.

He noted that many lawmakers were unaware of the extent of the problem, even in urban areas such as Lagos.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, explained that over time, many INEC offices built in less developed areas had become surrounded by urbanization, creating security concerns.

He pointed to the example of the Abeokuta South office, which was relocated after security threats, including the risk of arson.

Yakubu further discussed the challenges of finding locations that balance accessibility and security.

He stressed that while offices must not be placed in densely built-up areas, they also cannot be too far from the public to ensure safety and smooth election operations.

He also mentioned that some offices, including the one in Abeokuta South, have already been moved to more secure locations.

Governors elected under the platform of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have issued a stern directive to the National Working Committee (NWC) led by Umar Damagum, urging them to convene the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting no later than February 2025.

The governors, who met recently to address the party’s ongoing challenges, expressed concern over the continuous postponements of the NEC meeting, which has been delayed since August.

The NEC meeting, which is expected to address crucial issues affecting the party, including the appointment of a permanent National Chairman to replace the suspended Iyorchia Ayu, has seen several postponements.

Originally scheduled for August 15, the meeting was pushed to October 24, then rescheduled to November 28, before being indefinitely delayed.

Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State, speaking on behalf of the PDP Governors’ Forum, issued the statement after the meeting.

He emphasized the governors’ commitment to unity within the party, saying, “The Forum acknowledges the concerns of Nigerians, party founders, elders, and members about the apparent divisions within the PDP. However, we remain steadfast in our resolve to ensure unity and cohesion within the party.”

The governors also noted their empathy for Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, whose wife’s passing led to the latest postponement of the NEC meeting.

Despite this, they advised the NWC to call for the NEC by February 2025, allowing time for consultations with key party stakeholders.

The period between November and February will be used to address critical issues, including leadership disputes and ongoing litigations.

The Forum also expressed concern about the economic hardships faced by Nigerians, which they attributed to the policies of the APC-led federal government.

The governors called on President Bola Tinubu to review his administration’s macroeconomic and fiscal policies to improve the welfare of the nation’s citizens.

Furthermore, the PDP governors vowed to continue pursuing policies aimed at alleviating the economic strain on Nigerians and ensuring progress and development within their states.

They also expressed disappointment over the outcomes of the Edo and Ondo State governorship elections, which were won by the APC, urging the judiciary to take action to protect Nigeria’s democracy.