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Senate’s Trillion-Naira Nod to Rivers Sparks Uproar, Lagos APC Rallies Support Base for LG Showdown
The Senate on Wednesday approved the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State, totaling ₦1.485 trillion, after its third reading on the floor of the upper chamber.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
This development comes months after President Bola Tinubu forwarded a revised budget proposal to the National Assembly in May, following a prolonged political impasse that resulted in the suspension of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to the bill, the Senate authorised the disbursement of ₦1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the 2025 fiscal year, ending on December 31.
A breakdown of the approved budget includes:
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₦1.077 trillion for capital expenditure
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₦287.38 billion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure
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₦120.8 billion for debt servicing
The bill’s passage followed the adoption of the report by the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during a Committee of Supply session.
While supporting the bill, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) raised concerns over the additional ₦50 billion allocated for the settlement of outstanding pensions and gratuities.
“There must be stricter oversight by the Ad-Hoc Committee to ensure pension funds are released promptly and directly to verified beneficiaries,” Ningi stressed.
He called on the Senate to prioritise transparency and accountability in managing pension disbursements—sentiments echoed by several other lawmakers.
The Senate’s approval marks a major step in resolving a political standoff between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and lawmakers aligned with FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The crisis escalated to a breaking point when the Supreme Court invalidated the original 2025 budget presented by Fubara.
Amid the deadlock, President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers on March 18, 2025, suspending the State House of Assembly and appointing Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd) as administrator for a six-month transitional period, tasked with stabilising governance and resubmitting a revised budget.
Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President, has said he is willing to step down if Peter Obi secures the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
He made the remark during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, where he was asked whether he would withdraw in Obi’s favour if the former Labour Party candidate wins the party’s primary.
Atiku confirmed he would respect the outcome, saying he is prepared to step aside for any winner, including Obi.
“Of course, if he is a contender, why not?” he added when pressed further.
He also noted that other aspirants such as Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi are also in the race for the ADC ticket.
The former presidential candidate explained that his stance reflects democratic principles, stressing that candidates can emerge either through consensus or election.
Atiku further expressed confidence that the North remains a strong political base for him ahead of 2027, saying the region continues to show unity and support in past elections.
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Babachir Lawal, has insisted that the party will participate in the 2027 general elections regardless of the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has defended the presence of its officials at the African Democratic Congress (ADC) national convention, describing it as part of normal diplomatic engagement.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
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