Wike’s loyalists kick as Fubara presents N1.18tn budget to three-man Assembly

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Monday, presented a N1.18tn budget estimate for 2025 to the factional state House of Assembly comprising three lawmakers.

The incident was reminiscent of Fubara’s conduct last year, when he boycotted the 27-member factional assembly loyal to his predecessor and estranged godfather, Nyesom Wike.

In an interview, the opposition All Progressives Congress in Rivers State accused Fubara of violating the law.

Following the disintegration of Fubara and Wike’s friendship, the Rivers State House of Assembly became factionalised in October 2023.

At the height of the turmoil, Fubara survived an impeachment attempt by pro-Wike members, who also declared their departure from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress.

Since then, Fubara has labelled the 27 lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, as illegitimate, claiming he will have nothing to do with them.

On Monday, he presented the N1.18 trillion 2025 budget to the three-man factional Assembly, which was led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.

READ ALSO:

• Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos
• UK visa: British govt raises financial requirements for students, workers
• EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede

The Assembly also includes the Deputy Speaker, Adolphus Orubienimigha, and the House Leader, Sokari Goodboy Sokari.

The budget presentation was held at the Administrative Block of the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Fubara stated in his address that the budget, dubbed the “Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development,” will be implemented to promote long-term economic growth, expedite development, and improve citizens’ living conditions.

He said, “The total projected revenue for Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year is N1,188,962,739,932.36.

Two components of the budget are constituted as follows: recurrent expenditure of N462,254,153,418.98; capital expenditure of N678,088,433,692.03; a planning reserve of N35,688,864,931.16; and a closing balance of N12,931,287,890.19.

“This gives a recurrent/capital expenditure ratio of 44:56 percent, indicating the sincere commitment of our administration to both infrastructural and human capital development of our people and state.”

Fubara stated that over N31 billion had been given to fund agricultural development measures as well as programs to help Rivers youths overcome unemployment.

On education, the governor recommended spending more than N63 billion, or 9.3 percent of the budget.

READ ALSO:

• Two online scammers arrested in Rivers for defrauding woman of N110m
• I stand by my comments – Bauchi gov replies Presidency
• Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker

“With this, we shall access all outstanding matching grants from the Universal Basic Education Commission to rehabilitate, equip, and furnish dilapidated public primary and junior secondary schools and continue to provide free basic education to our children.

“We will also rehabilitate, equip, and furnish as many senior secondary schools as possible across the state, including the provision of new classrooms, perimeter fencing, water, and electricity, to provide a conducive environment for effective teaching and learning to take place,” he said.

Fubara stated that with the projected N97.750 billion for the health sector, which accounts for 14.4% of the budget, all zonal hospitals, the enhanced neuropsychiatric hospital, and the new general hospital in Rumuigbo, which is under construction, will be completed.

On road and transport infrastructure, the governor stated that over N195 billion had been set aside to complete all ongoing road projects and launch new ones.

“In social development and investments, Mr. Speaker, we have proposed spending N15.4bn to advance youth and gender empowerment, jobs and wealth creation, sports development, and social inclusion,” he said.

The Speaker, Oko-Jumbo, praised the governor for recording a gain in IGR of more than N100 billion, noting that it also demonstrated how appealing Rivers’ business climate has become.

He vowed the legislature’s support for the executive to keep the governor focused on delivering democratic dividends to the people. However, the Rivers APC, led by chairman Tony Okocha, denounced Fubara’s choice to deliver the budget to three MPs while excluding 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.

In an interview with our correspondent, the Rivers APC Publicity Secretary, Chibuike Ikenga, accused the governor of violating court orders.

He said, “I think the trajectory is a continuum where a case is sub judice and the government of Rivers State is continuing to act in disobedience to court processes and procedures.

“It is expected that, having disobeyed the decision of the high court and the decision of the appellate court, we await the final decision from the Supreme Court on who is the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Our party, the APC, expects the state government to obey the judicial pronouncement and positions and await the determination of these issues before the final court so that we can have a reprieve and begin to develop our state.

“That the government is disobeying those positions is unfortunate and does not encourage peacebuilding and development.”

Wike’s loyalists kick as Fubara presents N1.18tn budget to three-man Assembly

Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos

A fire outbreak has razed the Okokomaiko police station and surrounding buildings in Lagos, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency.

According to LASEMA’s permanent secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, the inferno started in a diesel tanker carrying 10,000 gallons of fuel.

He stated that the tanker caught fire while supplying diesel to a network tower near the police station.

According to Oke-Osanyintolu, the inferno spread fast to surrounding properties, devouring police station offices, three bungalows, and parts of a hotel.

The statement said, “Following distress calls received via the 767/112 Toll-Free Emergency Lines at 12:38 hrs, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, activated the State’s Emergency Response Plans and its Emergency Response Team from the Igando Base,” the statement read.

READ ALSO:

• UK visa: British govt raises financial requirements for students, workers
• EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede
• Two online scammers arrested in Rivers for defrauding woman of N110m

“Upon arrival at the incident scene, a loaded diesel tanker (registration number unknown) was found to have caught fire at the aforementioned location.

“Further investigation revealed that the diesel tanker, laden with 10,000 litres of diesel, was supplying a network mast at the aforesaid location when it caught fire while discharging its contents.

“However, the fire reportedly spread to adjoining buildings, one of which is Okokomaiko police station, due to negligence. No loss of lives nor injuries were sustained as a result of the fire incident.

“Three bungalows were completely burnt down when the fire reignited, with household properties worth hundreds of thousands of naira affected. One lock-up shop and four containerised shops were also burnt down.

“A generator house of an unknown hotel and their kitchen was also affected. Cables of the PHCN transformer nearby were also affected.”

Oke-Osanyintolu stated that emergency response teams from LASEMA, LASTMA, the fire service, the Nigerian Army, and the police collaborated to control the disaster.

Fire razes police station, buildings in Lagos

EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ola Olukoyede has assured that the agency will surpass its 2024 record in the fight against corruption in 2025

Olukoyede who made the promise in Abuja on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, in a New Year Message to Nigerians affirmed that officers of the Commission will be unrelenting in breaking strongholds of corrupt practices across the country in the new year.

“ Our work is more than a vocation but a patriotic calling. We know this and will always offer our best to move the nation forward. 2025 will be another year of bringing towers of corruption down. Our focus is set and our commitment is total”, he said.

READ ALSO:

• Two online scammers arrested in Rivers for defrauding woman of N110m
• I stand by my comments – Bauchi gov replies Presidency
• Horror in Ogun as twin brothers kill, dismember sex worker

The EFCC Chairman also called on Nigerians from all walks of life to be more determined and steadfast in their rejection of economic and financial crimes and other acts of corruption, pointing out that the progress of the country is awaiting their resolve in this regard.

According to Olukoyede, progress and robust development of the commanding heights of the economy and improvement in the quality of lives of Nigerians are hinged on rejection of corruption.

“We can make any progress and development we want for our nation to happen by our support for anti-corruption initiatives. The new year is offering us fresh opportunities to recommit ourselves to the ideals of transparency, accountability, and probity. The commanding heights of the economy and improvement in our lives can only be driven by our dedication to integrity and accountable conduct”.

The EFCC boss also wished Nigerians a happy and prosperous new year.

EFCC will bring down towers of corruption this year – Olukoyede