Politics
‘We Borrow Based On Your Approvals,’ FG Tells Lawmakers
Ekwutosblog has gathered that the Federal Government has given insight into why it was exceeding revenue targets and still borrowing, telling the National Assembly that it did that based on the approvals of both the Senate and the House of Representatives.
This was disclosed during an interactive session Federal Government’s revenue generating agencies had with the Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) led National Assembly’s joint Committees on Finance, Budget and National Planning on 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Frame Work, MTEF, and Fiscal Strategy Paper, FSP, today.
At the one-day session that lasted over four hours in Room 231, Senate wing, the revenue generating agencies made their separate presentations on 2024 budget performance and revenue projections for N49.7 trillion 2025 budget.
Senate’s query
The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, and Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, all exceeded their revenue targets.
They raked in a combined revenue of N36.952 trillion, which is way above the target for the 2024 fiscal year.
At the end of their presentations, members of the Committees took them up on why the Federal Government was still seeking for foreign loans despite the high increase of internally-generated revenues.
Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP Kebbi Central) was the first to ask: “What is the Federal Government doing with excess revenues generated by the various agencies in view of its unending request for foreign loan approval?”
In his response, the FIRS boss noted that loans being requested by the executive were already part of the appropriation act.
Bagudu and Edun react
Also responding, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Atiku Bagudu, explained that the lawmakers should not forget that the borrowing plans contained in the N35.5 trillion 2024 budget were primarily meant to fund the deficit which is N9.7 trillion.
Bagudu said: “Despite revenue targets surpassing by some of the revenue generating agencies, government still needs to borrow for proper funding of the budget, particularly in the area of deficit and productivity for the poorest and most vulnerable.
“We have a long term development perspective plan agenda 2050 aiming at GDP per capital of $33,000.”
On his part, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, explained to the lawmakers that borrowing was still needed for proper funding of the budget despite increased revenues made by some agencies.
Politics
Breaking: Diri Orders Autopsy on Bayelsa Deputy Governor’s Death, Warns Against Politicisation
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has ordered an autopsy to determine the cause of death of the state’s Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Governor Diri gave the directive on Saturday while receiving former President Goodluck Jonathan at the Government House in Yenagoa.
Reacting to the incident, the governor condemned what he described as widespread misinformation and speculation on social media, warning against any attempt to politicise the deputy governor’s death.
“I want to make an appeal. I have seen people politicise his death. In Ijaw land, there is no enmity in death. Let nobody politicise the passing of our dearly beloved deputy governor,” Diri said.
“If anyone truly loves him, this is the time to show it. I have directed that an autopsy be carried out to reveal the cause of his death. There is a lot of nonsense going on on social media.”
The governor further urged the public to focus on mourning and honouring the late deputy governor, noting that the state government had declared three working days of mourning in his honour.
“If anyone is issuing statements to eulogise him, let it end there. Let us mourn him because Bayelsa State is in a mourning mood,” he added.
Governor Diri also called for unity and love among the people, reminding them of the inevitability of death.
Speaking during the condolence visit, former President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Ewhrudjakpo as a committed and dedicated individual who played a key role in the activities of his foundation.
“For me, he was someone my foundation and I will never forget. He represented the governor in all our programs,” Jonathan said, adding that Ewhrudjakpo worked tirelessly in that role, even more than when he served as deputy governor.
The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo, has said he will never take part in partisan politics, not for even billions of naira.
He stated that no amount of money, including “$1 billion,” (1.4 Trillion naira) would make him join politics.
Oyedepo made this known during an impartation service at Shiloh 2025 held at the church’s headquarters in Canaanland, Ota, Ogun State.
He explained that partisan politics is not part of his life’s calling and that is why he has chosen to stay away from it.
In his words: “In 2015, I warned the church that trouble was coming. Didn’t trouble come?
“Partisan politics is off my calling. If you give me $1 billion to join politics, I won’t, because it is off my course.”
The bishop also said the world is in urgent need of God’s intervention because of the times we are living in.
According to him, believers are being trained as an end-time army to bring solutions to national and global problems, similar to what biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel did.
President Bola Tinubu congratulates Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), on his birthday, December 13.
President Tinubu celebrates with the Minister and former governor of Rivers State, giving thanks to God Almighty for enriching him with a life defined by purpose, service, and courage.
The President describes Chief Wike as an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.
President Tinubu acknowledges the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory through infrastructure expansion, highlighting the Minister’s recent intervention that broke the 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road.
The President commends Chief Wike for his resilience, can-do attitude, and commitment to excellence in all assignments.
President Tinubu thanks the Minister for his consistent efforts in delivering results and wishes him a happy birthday and strength to further his good work in the FCT.
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.
“I commend him for being one of the champions of our Renewed Hope Agenda, even though he belongs to another party and wish him well as he marks another year in his life journey”.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information and Strategy)
December 13, 2025
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