News
Wike, Fubara are ego-driven, crude – Reno Omokri
Wike, Fubara are ego-driven, crude – Reno Omokri
The governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has been described as a ‘tactless’ politician who is “not refined and does not project much intellectual prowess.”
Reno Omokri made the remarks in a statement on X on Wednesday while commenting on the political tension in Rivers State.
According to Onokri, “the situation in rivers should not be allowed to fester or spiral out of control. It will benefit nobody. And nobody can tell where the political instability it will cause will end.”
Newstrends reports that although Wike handpicked Fubara as his successor, the duo have been at loggerheads for months over political differences that led pro-Wike legislators in the Rivers State House of Assembly to decamp from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
On Saturday, Wike noted that his choice of Fubara was a mistake.
“I want to say this clearly: in life, we make mistakes. I have made a mistake. I own it up, and I say God forgives me.
“I have said all of you should forgive me, but we will correct it at the appropriate time,” he boasted.
Fubara remarked on Tuesday that his administration inherited a massive debt burden from the previous administration of Nyesom Wike.
Fubara stated that several contractors who worked on various projects for Wike’s administration were due to receive balance payments in the billions.
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The revelation provided further light on the situation between the governor and his predecessor and estranged godfather, Wike.
Omokri, who noted that “Both Wike and Fubara are ego-driven,” lamented that “they come from a state that is not homogenous enough to unite and contain this crisis.”
He adds, “The people and culture of the local area do not understand brinksmanship. They play too many zero-sum games, often ending in a lose-lose scenario.”
The self-acclaimed table shaker raised concerns that the political tension in the state may spread across the country, having negative effects.
He, therefore urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ameliorate the feud in the state.
“If their blustering will start and end in Rivers, okay. But it will not end there. The contagious effect may have seismic consequences for our country. Rivers needs an outside force to act as Big Brother. Rivers needs presidential intervention,” Omokri stated.
“This is the kind of thing President Obasanjo was good at. President Tinubu may want to borrow a leaf from Ebura Owu, Okikiola,” he adds.
Comparing Fubara to a “militant in the creek” and no “better than an Ateke Tom” (a repentant militant), Omokri berated the governor for allegedly bombing the Rivers State House of Assembly.
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The former presidential aide also expressed displeasure over those who accepted to work as commissioners under the Fubara-led state government.
Urging Tinubu to interfere in the feud, Omokri mentioned, “In this scenario, the Ambode approach is far better than the Ngige tactic. Fubara is not savvy politically.
“He is also not refined and does not project much intellectual prowess. He is rather crude. Not that Wike is much better. But at least Wike would never allow the State House of Assembly to be bombed.
“That is such a low-life and low-level thing to do. Too pedestrian. As if you are a militant in the creek. No class. Just crass. I am ashamed of people who agree to serve as commissioners under such a fellow. No amount of money can wipe away the stigma. I do not see him as being better than an Ateke Tom.
“The President should impress on his minister to allow the fellow to finish his tenure. 2027 is not too far. If you can unseat him, then, by all means, do so.
“It will be more clinical and will not create much tension, as it will be seen as a natural consequence of an election. But to impeach a bushman like Fubara is to reignite the Niger Delta militancy.
“There is no low that an individual like that would not descend to in such a scenario.”
Wike, Fubara are ego-driven, crude – Reno Omokri
News
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
Yahaya Bello reports to EFCC office with lawyers
A former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, on Tuesday visited the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to honour another invitation extended to him over alleged misappropriation of funds.
Bello went to the anti-graft office with his lawyers in the morning.
The ex-Kogi governor reportedly drove himself to the EFCC’s office in a black Toyota Hilux van with some lawyers.
He was said to have been taken by some operatives of the agency and are currently being grilled.
This is coming after the Supreme Court judgment which dismissed a suit brought by some state governments challenging the constitutionality of the agency.
The EFCC at the last hearing on November 14, sought the adjournment till November 27 in the fresh case it instituted against Bello.
It stated that the 30-day window was still running for the summons earlier issued.
News
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Just in: Ebonyi governor suspends two commissioners, Perm Sec for misconduct
Ebonyi State Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced the immediate suspension of two commissioners with a permanent secretary among others for gross misconduct.
Those suspended are the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development Francis Ori, and the Commissioner for Health, Moses Ekuma, with the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health.
The suspension followed an incident on Saturday night, when the governor reportedly visited the Ministry of Health’s premises and was said to have found six officials diverting government materials.
Others suspended for three months are the Executive Secretaries of the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency
The suspension order was announced by the state Commissioner for Information, Jude Okpor, who cited alleged misconduct and dereliction of duties as the reasons for the disciplinary actions.
Okpor made the disclosure on Tuesday during a press briefing on the outcomes of the State Executive Council meeting held on Monday at the New Government House in Abakaliki, the state capital.
“Following cases of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties by some government officials and matters related thereto, the Chairman of Council directed the indefinite suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development and three months suspension of the Honourable Commissioner for Health, respectively
“In view of the development, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Primary Health was directed to take charge of the ministry in the absence of the suspended commissioner.
Governor Nwifuru directed the suspended government officials to hand over all government properties in their possession including vehicles to the Secretary to the State Government.
News
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
The Federal Government has defended its decision to borrow to address budget deficits, despite surpassing revenue targets in 2024.
Finance Minister Wale Edun and Budget Minister Atiku Bagudu clarified this position during a session with the National Assembly’s Joint Committee on Finance, Budget, and National Planning. The meeting focused on the 2025–2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP).
Last week, the National Assembly approved President Bola Tinubu’s $2.2 billion loan request to fund the N9.7 trillion deficit in the 2024 budget partially.
During the session, key agency heads, including Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) CEO Mele Kyari, Customs Comptroller-General Bashir Adeniyi, and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) Chairman Zacch Adedeji, presented their revenue reports.
The agencies reported exceeding their 2024 targets.
- Customs Service: Generated ₦5.352 trillion by September 30, surpassing its ₦5.09 trillion target for the year. For 2025, the agency projects ₦6.3 trillion, with a 10% increase planned for 2026.
- NNPCL: Achieved ₦13.1 trillion in revenue, exceeding the ₦12.3 trillion projection for 2024. Kyari announced a ₦23.7 trillion revenue target for 2025.
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- FIRS: Surpassed multiple tax collection goals, including ₦5.7 trillion from company income tax against a ₦4 trillion target. Education tax collections also exceeded expectations, reaching ₦1.5 trillion compared to a ₦70 billion target.
Overall, ₦18.5 trillion of the ₦19.4 trillion 2024 revenue target had been achieved by September, indicating the goal will be exceeded by year-end.
Despite these surpluses, the government insists borrowing remains essential to cover budget gaps and support vulnerable populations.
Bagudu explained, “Even with agencies exceeding revenue targets, borrowing is necessary to address deficits and boost productivity, particularly for the poorest. This aligns with Agenda 2050, which aims for a GDP per capita of $33,000.”
Edun also reiterated that loans were critical for adequately funding the budget.
The committee, led by Senator Sani Musa, questioned the rationale behind the borrowing and demanded further transparency. The Immigration Service was specifically asked to provide documents regarding an “unacceptable PPP arrangement” before the end of the week.
The session underscored the government’s balancing act between increased revenues and fiscal challenges requiring external borrowing.
Why we’re borrowing despite surplus revenues – FG
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