NEWS
Rivers Budget In Limbo Amid Court Confusion
A wave of confusion and political unrest swept through Rivers State on Monday as two Federal High Courts in Abuja issued conflicting orders, deepening the ongoing political crisis.
A federal High Court made a bold move by nullifying the N800.3 billion 2024 Appropriation Bill, previously passed by a faction of the House of Assembly led by former Speaker Edison Ehie and endorsed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Justice James Omotosho, delivering the judgment, declared the budget invalid due to improper presentation and directed Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit it to the Assembly now under the leadership of Mr. Martin Amaewhule.
Additionally, the court officially recognized Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding legal battle.
The court criticized Governor Fubara for allegedly interfering in the state’s legislative affairs, accusing him of acting like a tyrant by demolishing the Rivers State Assembly complex and withholding funds allocated to the legislative House.
The defendants in the suit included prominent figures such as the National Assembly, Senate President, Deputy Senate President, Senate Majority Leader, Senate Minority Leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Deputy Speaker, House Majority Leader, House Minority Leader, and the Clerk to the National Assembly.
Additionally, the governor of Rivers State, Attorney-General of Rivers, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant-General of Rivers, Rivers State Civil Service Commission, Inspector-General of Police, and Edison Ehie were named in the legal proceedings.
In the legal proceedings, the Rivers House of Assembly and its Speaker, Mr. Martin Amaewhule, held the positions of the 1st and 2nd plaintiffs, respectively.
Shortly after, a different court issued an order mandating all parties to uphold the current state of affairs.
This directive, pending the resolution of an ex-parte motion filed by six state elders, seeks to block Governor Fubara from re-presenting the 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly.
Justice J. O. Abdulmalik not only endorsed the order for substituted service of the application on all defendants but also slated a hearing for February 28, injecting a fresh element of legal intricacy into the unfolding narrative.
Led by Mr. Victor Jumbo, a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly representing Bonny State Constituency, the plaintiffs in the case include Senator Bennett Birabi, Senator Andrew Uchendu, Rear Admiral O. Fingesi, Ann Kio Briggs, and Emmanuel Deinma.
Their legal team, headed by Mr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, petitioned the court to declare the seats of 27 lawmakers in the state, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), as vacant.
In response to Justice Omotosho’s judgment, Anabs Sara-Igbe, a member of the Rivers State Elders Forum and spokesperson for the Pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum (PANDEF), criticized the governor, alleging an inability to effectively counter and protect his political career.
Sara-Igbe said though the judgment was “not a death sentence, he can as well appeal the judgment because it is not in his political interest. How can you fold your hands and allow yourself to be dragged to the slaughter?
“They are in the process of impeaching you. That is why you have to fight back and not give them any chance to remove you from office as governor.”
Maintaining his stance, Anabs Sara-Igbe asserted that, according to Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution, the 26 defected lawmakers effectively do not exist, making it inappropriate to present the budget to them.
He emphasized that the budget had already been passed into law, aligning with the perspective of the people of Rivers State.
On the flip side, the Rivers State Chapter of the APC welcomed the court’s decision to nullify the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led faction of the Assembly.
Speaking to the press in Port Harcourt, Tony Okocha, Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, expressed, “The budget was presented in error. There is no way four Assembly members will be sitting as an Assembly when the law stipulated one-third, which is about 10 members.
“So, it means that the Assembly never met, and for the governor to take such a risk amounts to putting something on nothing.”
“So, the decision of the Federal High Court, which also stopped the Governor from interfering with the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly, is in order and is welcomed by us.”
Vice President Kashim Shettima has arrived in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development was disclosed on Friday by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications in the Office of the Vice President.
Akwa Ibom occupies a strategic position in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with major federal investments expected to strengthen infrastructure and economic activities across the state.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
One of the major projects is the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, which has an approximately 82.8-kilometre stretch passing through Akwa Ibom.
The project, according to the statement, “promises improved connectivity, expanded trade, greater investment and new economic opportunities for communities across the region.”
Beyond infrastructure, the administration’s interventions in education, agriculture, healthcare, youth empowerment and social protection are also designed to improve livelihoods and broaden economic participation.
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) is among the initiatives highlighted, complementing Governor Umo Eno’s investments in roads, aviation, tourism and human capital development.
The statement noted that the Uyo rally provides “another opportunity to strengthen the APC’s growing political presence in the South-South and make the case for continuity in 2027.”
Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni was among 100 people honoured with the DTN@100 Award.
She joined a list of distinguished recipients recognised by the Daily Times newspapers. The contributions of the awardees to national development will be documented in a special publication, titled Nigerian Grand Book.
Daily Times which started publication in 1926 gave the awards as part of its centenary celebrations in Lagos. The centenary theme is: “Honouring the Past, Shaping the Future.” Chairman, Folio Media Group and Publisher Daily Times of Nigeria Fidelis Anosike said: “We proudly celebrate Elohor Aiboni, Executive Vice President and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, for her well-deserved recognition at the Daily Times Heroes Award. As a visionary female leader, Elohor has shown that true leadership is defined by action. Her forward-thinking policies continue to drive real, positive change across our nation.”
In her response, Elohor said: “Although this award is presented to me, I do not regard it as mine alone. I share it with my colleagues across the Shell Companies in Nigeria, our partners, and the many people I have had the privilege of working with and learning from over the years.”
Elohor was commended for her achievements in a career in the energy industry that started in Shell in 2002. In addition to serving in operational roles within and outside Nigeria, she has worked as asset manager for Bonga, leading up to her appointment as Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCo) in 2021, the first female to hold the post. Early this year, she took up the role of Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, also the first female and Nigerian to hold both roles.
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In her acceptance speech, Elohor also called for concerted efforts towards educating the girl-child. She said: “If we are serious about shaping Nigeria’s future, we must be equally serious about educating and empowering the Nigerian girl child. Education provides not only knowledge, but also confidence, choice and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to her community and country.”
Photo Caption – L-R: Energy and Investment Solicitor, Sam Aiboni; Executive Vice President and Country Chair, Shell Nigeria, Elohor Aiboni; actress Rita Dominic; and Daily Times Chairman, Fidelis Anosike, during the award presentation at Harbour Point, Lagos.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s U-17 women’s national football team, the Flamingos, following their historic qualification for the final of the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco.
The President commended the team for their impressive 3-1 victory over Brazil in Wednesday’s semi-final, describing their achievement as a remarkable milestone that has brought immense pride and joy to Nigerians at home and abroad.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu also praised the coaching crew and everyone whose hard work and support contributed to the team’s successful campaign.
SEE ALSO: 2027: Shettima Arrives in Lafia to Rally Support for Tinubu’s Re-election
With the Flamingos set to face Japan in the final, the President urged the players to remain focused, confident and determined as they pursue the historic world title.
“I encourage you to approach the final with the same fighting spirit and belief that have brought you this far. I have confidence in your ability to make history by winning the coveted world title,” he said.
Tinubu also called on Nigerians to rally behind the young players, describing them as national ambassadors whose achievements continue to showcase the country’s sporting excellence.
He said the team’s performance would inspire a new generation of girls to pursue their dreams without limitations.
“Once again, Nigeria is proud of you. Go for the trophy, Flamingos!” the President added.
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