The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget for approval.

This development occurred during a session held at an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt, led by a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

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This ultimatum follows a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja, which overturned a Rivers State High Court decision that had prevented Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from acting as lawmakers.

Governor Fubara had initially presented an appropriation bill of approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to a House led by Edison Ehie, who later resigned to become the governor’s Chief of Staff.

The bill was deliberated upon, passed by the House loyal to Fubara, and signed into law by the governor.

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In an attempt to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu issued an eight-point resolution, one of which directed Governor Fubara to re-present the already passed 2024 budget to the Assembly led by Amaewhule.

During a plenary session on Monday, Amaewhule issued the ultimatum following a motion by House Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Dumle Mao, which was unanimously agreed upon by the members present.

Concurrently, the faction loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, conducted a parallel session where they screened and confirmed a Commissioner nominee for potential swearing-in.

The Amaewhule-led faction plans to formally communicate their decision to Governor Fubara through an official letter.

Hashimu Dungurawa, the Kano State Chairman of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has urged President Bola Tinubu to address the ongoing emirate crisis in Kano, warning that failure to do so could jeopardize his chances of re-election in 2027.

Speaking to the press at his Lugard House office on Sunday, Dungurawa expressed concern over the growing militarization in Kano and the negative impact the emirate dispute is having on the President’s reputation.

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Dungurawa said, “People are worried about how the emirate tussle is tarnishing his name while allowing those behind the conflict to move about freely. If the President thinks he can use the situation to his advantage in Kano, he will realize his mistake when the time comes.”

He criticized the President’s perceived alliance with certain loyalists in Kano and the alleged connection to Bayero’s Yoruba lineage, suggesting that maintaining deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero in Kano would not help his re-election bid.

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Dungurawa urged Tinubu to find a resolution to the emirate debacle by removing the deposed Emir from Kano.

Furthermore, Dungurawa announced that the NNPP would field Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as their presidential candidate for the 2027 elections, asserting that Kwankwaso stands the best chance of becoming Nigeria’s next President.

Dungurawa also commended Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for his administration’s achievements over the past year.

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He highlighted significant improvements in education, including the construction and renovation of schools, which have enhanced access to quality education.

In infrastructure, Dungurawa praised the completion of several road projects and upgrades to public transportation.

He noted the establishment of new healthcare facilities and the provision of medical equipment, which have improved healthcare delivery in the state.

Agricultural initiatives under Governor Yusuf’s administration have empowered farmers and boosted food security.

Additionally, Dungurawa acknowledged efforts in youth and women empowerment, citing job creation and training programs.

Dungurawa’s commendations come as Governor Yusuf marks his first year in office, reflecting the administration’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises.

The positive impact of Governor Yusuf’s policies has resonated with the people of Kano State, who have expressed their appreciation for the progress made.

The Labour Party’s Ebonyi State Chapter has expressed strong confidence in its presidential candidate from the last general election, Peter Obi, asserting that he possesses the necessary skills to revitalize Nigeria’s faltering economy.

The party has urged Nigerians to support their movement to assume power and drive the nation towards prosperity.

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During an expanded stakeholders meeting in Abakaliki, the party emphasized its belief that the economy can be revived once the Labour Party is in power.

A communique issued after the meeting, signed by Rt. Hon. Linus Okorie (Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone), Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh (Ebonyi North Senatorial Zone), and Rt. Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Nwobo (Central Senatorial Zone), outlined the discussions focused on the party’s future political activities, including new member mobilization and registration.

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The meeting, convened by the members of the National Transition Committee (NTC) of the Labour Party, Chief Fidelis Nwankwo, Rt. Hon. Linus Okorie, and Dr. Ezeh Emmanuel Ezeh, aimed to brief members on the future activities of the Labour Party, including the mobilization of new members and their registration.

The communique highlighted key resolutions from the meeting:
– Peter Obi remains the National Leader of the Labour Party, acknowledged for his capability to rescue the Nigerian economy.
– Support for the National Transition Committee’s efforts to conduct inclusive State Congresses and National Conventions.
– A call for unity among party members, urging them to put aside differences for the greater good of the party and the nation.
– A target to recruit and register 400,000 new members in Ebonyi State.

Additionally, in a motion moved by Chief Jerry Obasi, former Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2015 general election, and seconded by Hon. Sylvester Nwankwo, former House of Assembly member in Ebonyi State, the stakeholders unanimously appointed Engr. (Chief) Fidelis Nwankwo as the Leader of the Labour Party in Ebonyi State.

Salihu Moh. Lukman, a former National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has called for unity among Nigeria’s leading political figures to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He expressed concern over the growing despondency in the country and urged notable political leaders such as Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola to rise above their individual ambitions for the sake of Nigeria’s democratic development.

Lukman questioned whether these leaders would continue to let their narrow political ambitions hinder Nigeria’s progress or come together to create a united political front.

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Such unity, he argued, could transform Nigeria’s democracy and counteract the ‘state capture’ phenomenon, where small, corrupt groups of former government officials manipulate decision-making processes to their advantage.

He lamented that many political leaders, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, are currently operating in isolation.

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Similarly, APC leaders like Yemi Osinbajo, Rotimi Amaechi, Kayode Fayemi, Ibikunle Amosun, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rauf Aregbesola have been marginalized within the party and pushed to the periphery of Nigerian politics.

Despite some political activities around these leaders, Lukman noted that there has been no significant commitment to building strong political parties capable of challenging the APC and President Tinubu.

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He prayed for divine intervention to unite all patriotic political leaders across party lines, including marginalized APC leaders, to build democratic institutions that ensure government accountability to citizens.

Lukman acknowledged attempts by President Tinubu’s administration to attribute current economic hardships to the previous administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

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However, he emphasized that both administrations are under the APC.

He argued that the APC’s popularity stemmed from the failings of the PDP but noted that the current challenges under the APC are even more severe than those during the PDP’s tenure.

He stressed that the failures of former President Buhari should be shared by all APC leaders, including President Tinubu, as they collectively benefited from the Buhari era.

Lukman concluded that without Buhari, the APC’s victory over the PDP in 2015 would have been nearly impossible, and by extension, so would Tinubu’s presidency.