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Tension In Rivers As 7-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

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Uncertainty has once again gripped the political landscape in Rivers State, as the 7-day ultimatum by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget reaches its deadline this week.

The ultimatum, issued on July 8, will expire today if weekends are counted, or on Wednesday if they are excluded.

The Assembly’s order came after a motion by Dumle Maol, the Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary.

Maol, who is also the Deputy Speaker of the Pro-Nyesom Wike Assembly, urged the House to formally notify the governor to present the budget in light of a recent court ruling, which they believe affirmed their membership and validated Amaewhule’s leadership.

The re-presentation of the budget was a key element of the presidential peace pact in December, aimed at resolving the political crisis in the South-South state.

Previously, Governor Fubara had submitted the ₦800bn budget to the Assembly led by Edison Ehie who now serves as the Governor’s Chief of Staff.

The faction of the Assembly is now led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.

The budget, which was passed and signed into law, is still being implemented, suggesting that the peace agreement has faltered.

Last week, Governor Fubara announced that his administration is already preparing the 2025 budget, indicating that the demand for the re-presentation of the 2024 budget is unrealistic.

The crisis in Rivers State, which began about eight months ago, has continued to evolve.

It started with a fire at the State House of Assembly in October, followed by an attempted impeachment of Fubara, massive resignations from the executive cabinet, and unrest over local government administration. This phase culminated in a failed attack on the Presidential Hotel.

With the deadline for the 2024 budget presentation set for this week, the political climate in the state appears tense, as the assembly and the governor navigate the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician from the same community as Amaewhule, has dismissed the 7-day ultimatum on the governor as laughable.

Ihunwo, who was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former assembly member, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

He encouraged the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, comprising Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, to continue supporting the Governor under the leadership of former Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

The politician, who was criticised for appointing 100 aides last week, said the decision which other CTC Chairmen are also implementing is aimed at bringing local government administration closer to the grassroots.

He announced that more appointments would be made in the coming days, to demonstrate that the Fubara-led government is inclusive.

Politics

Saudi Crown Prince Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms

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Saudi Crown Prince Backs Tinubu’s Economic Reforms
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Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince and prime minister of Saudi Arabia, has commended President Bola Tinubu over his economic reforms.

Salman gave the commendation at the sidelines of the Joint Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

A statement on Tuesday by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, said Tinubu and Salman explored areas for cooperation, particularly oil and gas, agriculture, infrastructure and the constitution of the Saudi-Nigeria business council.

Onanuga said Nigeria is seeking an agreement with the Saudi government over a proposed $5 billion bilateral trade facility between the two countries.

“The Saudi Agricultural and Livestock Investment Company (SALIC) invested $1.24 billion in 2022 to acquire a 35.43% stake in Olam Agri, one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural firms,” the statement reads.

“Talks are being held so that SALIC can have more stake in the company. The Saudis hoped the investment would make Olam one of the biggest agro-allied businesses in the world.

“The Crown Prince commended President Tinubu’s economic reforms, noting similarities to his steps to strengthen Saudi Arabia’s stability and development when he became Prime Minister.

”He also assured Nigeria of his support and promised to motivate his team to realise the various areas of partnerships discussed at the meeting.”

He said the summit has renewed the commitment of Nigeria and other member states on the ministerial committee assigned to engage with global leaders in seeking an end to the ongoing war in Gaza and Lebanon.

The committee will submit periodic reports, which the secretariats of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States will circulate to member states.

“The Committee has also been tasked with further engaging actors across the Global South in the efforts to strengthen international support towards ending the war and Israeli occupation.

”The resolution stressed the importance of protecting sea lanes by rules of international law and welcomed the signing of the tripartite mechanism by the League of Arab States, OIC, and the African Union to support the Palestinian cause.”

He said the leaders condemned Israeli military actions in northern Gaza, describing them as “crimes of genocide”.

 

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NONSONKWA CRIES OUT FOR JUSTICE…

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NONSONKWA CRIES OUT FOR JUSTICE...
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Ekwutosblog gathered that his case came up at the magistrate court 1 Owerri Imo State today, but the court did not sit!! The chief clerk of the Court, Mr Lucky told the lawyers that the magistrate went for a seminar in Abuja, hence the unavoidable absence. The matter was adjourned till 19th November 2024, for report of the D.P.P.

Meanwhile, the DPP did not file any information or charge against Theodore Chinonso Uba even till today!!!

When interviewed, one of his legal team Barr Charles Mgbekonye, told Press the that the matter had been adjourned to 19th November. 2024,

Regards to his bail application, Barr Charles Mgbekonye said his bail application is coming up on 20th November, 2024 at the high court Owerri and the application for baill is before his Lordship, Justice Innodimo and he believes that justice will be served as the judiciary is still the last hope of the common man.

Theodore Chinonso Uba Nonsonkwa thanks ndi Imo for the way thousands of people both mothers, fathers, youths , children all came out today 12th November 2024 and showed him love and solidarity…

He also urged Ndi Imo to pray for him as he hopes that on 20th November, when the high court will hear his bail application, God will manifest and justice will be served.

He is also appealing to his supporters, fans, friends, family, wellwishers, ndi Imo and umu igbo at large to also come and show him love and support on that 20th November, 2024…

Once again, a very big thank you to everyone that showed up today despite their busy schedules…
May chukwuokike abiama bless you all!!!!
Kindly follow #StateofImo for verified News and Current Affairs in addition to insightful contents that inform, inspire, educate and entertain you always.

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Obaseki out as Okpebholo is sworn-in as governor of Edo state

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Obaseki out as Okpebholo is sworn-in as governor of Edo state
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Senator Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the sixth civilian governor of Edo State since the creation of the state on August 27, 1991. The swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday, November 12, at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, the state capital, two months after the All Progressives Congress (APC) clinched the ticket to the Dennis Osadebay House in a keenly contested election.

Okpebholo took his oath of office alongside his running mate Dennis Idahosa.

Present at the swearing-in ceremony were VP Kashim Shettima, Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, Governor Hope Uzodinma, Governor Dapo Abiodun, APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje and others.

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