Politics

Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, has declared his support for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in mobilizing voters and political structures in Abia State ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

Published

3 weeks ago

June 8, 2025

Former Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uche Ogah, has declared his support for Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, in mobilizing voters and political structures in Abia State ahead of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

During a visit to the Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) office in Umuahia on Saturday, Dr. Ogah announced his readiness to join forces with the Deputy Speaker and other stakeholders to build grassroots momentum for the President’s campaign across the South East.

“My brother and friend, we have always worked together, and I have come today to join forces with you to make Renewed Hope Partners a success in Abia State. We will put in everything we have — our resources, our social capital — to ensure that this renewed hope partnership is a success,” Dr. Ogah said.

He commended Deputy Speaker Kalu for his legislative efforts, particularly the bill establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC), which addresses decades-long infrastructural neglect in the region.

In response, Rt. Hon. Kalu praised Ogah’s decision to align with the team, stressing the need for political unity and collaboration ahead of the polls.

“We need you on board with all the investments you have made in Abia politics. We are preparing for 2027 and will be touring the South East and beyond to showcase the President’s achievements,” Kalu remarked.

Observers see this partnership as a strategic step in consolidating the Renewed Hope agenda and expanding President Tinubu’s appeal across Abia State and the broader South East region.

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Gov Uzodinma presents 18 months scorecard before Imo Assembly

Published

1 minute ago

June 26, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, has presented his eighteen-month stewardship of his second term in office before the State House of Assembly, highlighting some of his achievements so far.

Addressing the state lawmakers on the floor of the House, the governor gave an account of his stewardship, asserting that his administration has built a new Imo the citizens should be proud of.

Giving an account of his first year in office to the eighteen months of his second tenure, Uzodinma expressed satisfaction that he has placed Imo on what he described as an irreversible path of sustainable development.

He described his administration as people-oriented and anchored on transparency and accountability.

Uzodinma explained that he chose to present the address to brief the members of the House and the public on the progress his government has made since assuming office, particularly in the second term.

In a speech that lasted several hours, the governor highlighted his achievements, from education to health, digital economy, and road infrastructure, emphasising that his programmes and policies are the results of careful planning.

He noted that although he met a state under the spell of institutional decay and infrastructural deficits, he set to work determined to ensure that the people were offered quality and accountable governance.

Uzodinma also disclosed that his focus on workers’ welfare, including the prompt payment of salaries and pensions and the recent clearance of the pension backlog, was aimed at ensuring that the economy of the state remains people-friendly.

He expressed satisfaction that the administration’s road revolution, the revamping of the health and education sectors, and the recent successes recorded in the digital economy and technology have positively impacted the citizens of the state.

The governor also listed the Light Up Imo project as a revolutionary step taken by his administration to accelerate the economic development of the state.

“When a State has steady power, motorable roads, skilled youth, and pro-business policies, it doesn’t beg for investment. It becomes the destination of choice for investors,” he said.

The state’s number one citizen also maintained that when the dredging of Oguta Lake to the Atlantic Ocean project is completed, it will further aid the economic advancement of the state.

He expressed optimism that the steps taken so far in the economic sector will certainly lead the state to its destination of becoming the business hub of the Southeast region.

The governor hinted that his 28 months of piloting the affairs of the state have been filled with fulfilled moments, asserting that he has used the period under review to achieve much for the state, notably the Assumpta Flyover, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Conference Centre, roads, and improvements to Imo Airport, leading to its recent international flight operations.

He further disclosed that his administration has reduced the state’s debt profile from N259 billion in 2020 to N99 billion in 2025, while the internally generated revenue has grown from N400 million in 2020 to nearly N4 billion in 2025.

Uzodinma attributed this achievement to his government’s prudence in financial management.

While expressing gratitude to the people of the state for their support, the governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering good governance.

He also expressed appreciation to members of the State House of Assembly for granting him audience and for their prompt passage of executive bills, which he said have made it easier for his administration to deliver on its mandate.

Earlier, in his address, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Chike Olemgbe, thanked the governor for making time to address the House.

He stated that the legislature, as an independent arm of government, will always ensure a harmonious relationship exists between it and other arms, especially the Executive, while remaining true to its constitutional mandate of lawmaking.

The Speaker affirmed that the paramount task before the Assembly is to ensure that the state succeeds in offering effective governance to its citizens.

Politics

Benue: Gov Alia finally reconciles with Akume

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The alleged cold war between Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State and George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, seems to have faded.

Ekwutosblog reports that the governor fell out with Akume, his political godfather, a few months after the 2023 elections.

The rift was reportedly connected to a battle for control of the state structure, which led to a split within the All Progressives Congress, APC.

However, the reconciliation process began when President Bola Tinubu visited the state recently following the deadly attacks in Yelwata, where over 200 unsuspecting residents were massacred.

Politics

Nigerian Senate passes N1.485 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State

Published

8 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.

The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.

This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

Ekwutosblog reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

Ekwutosblog reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.