The reactions that have followed General Christopher Gwabin Musa’s comments on the treatment of the people of Southern Kaduna during the administration of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai reveal how deeply issues of justice, memory and reconciliation resonate in Nigeria.
Yet beyond the debate itself lies a more important lesson: nations heal when courageous leaders are willing to speak the truth, even when that truth is uncomfortable.
General Musa’s remarks were significant not simply because they touched on a sensitive chapter in Kaduna State’s history, but because they were delivered without bitterness, hostility or a desire for revenge.
In a country where many public figures avoid controversial subjects, Musa’s frankness deserves commendation. Honest conversations are often the first step toward healing longstanding wounds.
What stands out most is that his comments reflected the spirit of forgiveness. Rather than reopening old divisions, he appeared to be encouraging reflection on the lessons that can be learned from the past.
True forgiveness does not require silence. It means acknowledging painful experiences while refusing to allow them to dictate the future. That is the message many Nigerians have drawn from Musa’s intervention.
The experiences of communities in Southern Kaduna have been part of national discourse for years. For many affected persons, acknowledgment of their concerns is itself an important step toward reconciliation.
History shows that societies become stronger when they confront difficult realities rather than ignore them. Sustainable peace is rarely built on denial; it is built on truth, understanding and mutual respect.
Nigeria’s diversity makes this lesson even more important. With hundreds of ethnic groups and multiple religious identities, national unity depends on continuous dialogue and empathy.
The debate generated by Musa’s comments should therefore be welcomed as part of a healthy democratic process. Citizens must be able to discuss sensitive issues openly and responsibly.
Leaders who speak candidly help strengthen public trust. Transparency creates confidence, while silence often breeds suspicion and misunderstanding.
Musa’s comments also reflect emotional maturity and statesmanship. It takes strength to forgive, but it takes even greater strength to discuss painful experiences without seeking personal vindication.
At a time when many societies are becoming increasingly polarised, Nigeria needs leaders who can combine honesty with reconciliation and truth with compassion.
The country’s future will be shaped not only by economic policies and security strategies but also by its willingness to address difficult issues with sincerity and fairness.
Ultimately, General Christopher Gwabin Musa has demonstrated that speaking the truth and promoting unity are not opposing goals. By choosing candour over silence and forgiveness over bitterness, he has shown how courageous conversations can become powerful instruments of national healing.
Chuks Oyema is National Coordinator, APC Grassroots Governance Group APC G3
The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu “to direct the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, the National Cash Transfer Office (NCTO) and the National Social Safety Nets Coordinating Office (NASSCO) to urgently account for over ₦78.8 billion in public funds reportedly diverted, unaccounted for or irregularly spent.”
The grave allegations are documented in the 2024 Annual Report published by the Auditor-General of the Federation on 7 August 2026. According to the Auditor-General, the findings in the report variously covered periods between January and December 2023 and ending on 31 December 2024.
SERAP urged the President “to direct the Ministry and NCTO to publish the full records and audit trail of the ₦33.751 billion 2023 cash transfers, including the name of the beneficiaries, payments, verification, authorisations and reconciliation, and to explain the failure to provide REMITA records to the Auditor-General.”
SERAP urged him “to direct the Ministry and NCTO to account for the ₦36.744 billion payments made without prepayment audit, the ₦4.616 billion in unsupported expenditures, the ₦350.182 million enrolment payments, the ₦89.511 million store purchases and the ₦17.422 million diesel advances.”
SERAP also urged him “to direct appropriate anticorruption agencies to promptly and thoroughly investigate the ₦76.24 billion in questionable and unaccounted-for expenditures at NCTO and ₦2.55 billion at NASSCO, and to ensure the recovery and remittance of any public funds improperly spent, diverted or lost.”
In the letter dated 5 September 2026 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “Anyone suspected to be responsible should be sanctioned and prosecuted as appropriate if sufficient admissible evidence is established, irrespective of status, position or institutional affiliation.”
SERAP said, “Every naira identified in the report must be properly accounted for, and any public funds found to have been diverted, misapplied or ‘paid to ineligible or fictitious beneficiaries’ must be fully recovered and remitted to the Treasury.”
The letter, read in part: “The Ministry should be directed to publish a clear schedule showing the amount recovered, the date of recovery, the institution responsible and the Treasury account into which each recovered amount was paid.”
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions and measures including before the ECOWAS Court, and the Inspection Panel, World Bank Accountability Mechanism to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.”
“There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these very serious allegations.”
“The findings raise fundamental questions about the integrity, transparency and effectiveness of Nigeria’s social protection system, particularly where billions of naira are intended to provide assistance to poor and vulnerable households/beneficiaries.”
“The failure to provide basic payment records and beneficiary information capable of establishing that public funds reached genuine beneficiaries undermines public confidence in the cash-transfer programme and creates a serious risk that funds intended for some of Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable citizens may have been lost, misapplied or paid to persons who were not entitled to receive them.”
“The failure to subject billions of naira in payments to prepayment audit, the absence of supporting documents for several expenditures, irregular procurement processes, and payments without evidence of delivery also raise serious concerns about the adequacy of existing safeguards over public funds.”
“Nigerians have the right to know the state-by-state beneficiary numbers, amounts disbursed, payment dates, failed and reversed transactions, amounts returned to the Treasury and all administrative and transaction costs incurred under the cash-transfer programme.”
“The Ministry and NCTO also ought to explain if there is any independent mechanism for receiving and investigating complaints from persons who were listed as beneficiaries but did not receive payments, as well as persons whose identities or bank accounts may have been used without their knowledge.”
“SERAP further urges you to direct the Ministry to publish a comprehensive and regularly updated register of all beneficiaries of the cash transfer programmes, subject to appropriate safeguards for personal data and the privacy of vulnerable persons, together with sufficiently detailed and anonymised information.”
“SERAP is particularly concerned about the Auditor-General’s finding that the NCTO made ₦33.751 billion in cash transfers to 3,295,207 households and beneficiaries in 35 states in 2023 without evidence confirming receipt of the money by the beneficiaries.”
“The Auditor-General found that the NCTO failed to provide REMITA statements needed to authenticate the payments and establish whether the beneficiaries were genuine and eligible. The audit report also raised concerns about incomplete beneficiary information and frustration of the audit process.”
“The Federal Government must reconcile the payments against the National Social Register and National Beneficiary Register and independently verify the identity and eligibility of beneficiaries, including identifying any duplicate, fictitious, deceased, ineligible or otherwise irregular beneficiaries.”
“According to the Auditor-General’s report, the NCTO paid ₦4.616 billion for various expenditures without adequate supporting documentation. The Auditor-General is concerned that ‘the money may have been diverted.’”
“The NCTO also ‘paid ₦36.74 billion in December 2023 without prepayment audit or internal audit checks, contrary to applicable financial regulations.’ The NCTO ‘paid ₦89.51 million for store items that were not delivered or entered in the store ledger’. The Auditor-General found that the store ledger had not been updated since 2020.”
“The NCTO also ‘disbursed ₦350.18 million to state coordinators for the enrolment of unbanked beneficiaries’, but the Auditor-General is concerned that ‘the money remained unaccounted for, with no adequate beneficiary lists, acknowledgements or other supporting documentation.’”
“The NCTO ‘spent ₦17.42 million through cash advances to staff for the purchase of diesel.’ The Auditor-General said the expenditure should have been subjected to the applicable procurement process and that the procured items could not be traced to the stores.”
“The NCTO ‘paid ₦280.42 million as mobilisation and advance payment to Payment Service Providers without an Advance Payment Guarantee.’ The Auditor-General found no evidence that due process was followed in their selection.”
“The NCTO also ‘failed to account for ₦393.71 million in unutilised funds disbursed to nine states for beneficiary enrolment activities.’ Although the NCTO reportedly claimed that the funds were returned to the Treasury, the Auditor-General found no evidence showing that the money was credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.”
“NASSCO also ‘paid ₦2.24 billion paid through 158 vouchers without prepayment audit.’”
“NASSCO also ‘paid ₦44.55 million for laptops that were not delivered or entered in the store ledger, ₦19.76 million for advertisements without evidence that the publications were made, and ₦141.01 million to two contractors for software without NITDA clearance.”
“NASSCO also ‘paid ₦16.93 million paid to 56 officers for National Social Register data reconciliation without supporting documentation and ₦14.53 million paid for staff reimbursement relating to National Social Register validation and verification activities without supporting documentation.’”
“NASSCO ‘paid ₦14.53 million as reimbursement to one officer rather than individually to the 55 staff concerned, with no acknowledgements of receipt.’”
“NASSCO ‘awarded ₦27.56 million to an unqualified contractor for the design and printing of materials and paid ₦44 million in insurance premiums to two companies without evidence of the premium payments.’”
“SERAP is particularly concerned that the audit findings reveal repeated failures of basic financial and administrative controls, including the failure to conduct mandatory prepayment audits, missing payment and procurement records, payments for goods and services that could not be verified, inadequate beneficiary documentation, questionable procurement processes and unaccounted-for public funds.”
“Transparent investigation and accountability are especially important where the public funds concerned are part of programmes designed to provide social assistance to millions of poor and vulnerable Nigerians.”
“Section 13 of the Nigerian Constitution imposes a responsibility on government to conform to, observe and apply the provisions of Chapter II of the Constitution. Section 15(5) requires the State to abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power. Section 14 further provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
“Nigeria is also a state party to the UN Convention against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, which require effective measures to prevent, investigate and sanction corruption and promote accountability and transparency in the management of public resources.”
“Article 9 of the UN Convention requires appropriate systems of public procurement and public finances founded on transparency, competition and objective criteria. Article 10 requires measures to enhance transparency in public administration, including access to information. Article 13 recognises the role of civil society and public participation in preventing and combating corruption.”
All roads lead to Nha Trang, Vietnam, on Saturday as Nigeria’s representative at the 2026 Miss World Festival, Queen Tamunosoye Karibi-George, takes centre stage in the competition’s grand finale, with a high-powered Nigerian delegation mobilising support for the Rivers State-born beauty queen.
The finale has generated excitement among Nigerians in Vietnam following Karibi-George’s impressive run in the competition, which has seen her secure a place among the Top 40 contestants and emerge as one of the African contestants attracting significant attention.
Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, earned her place in the Top 40 after navigating the preliminary stages of the competition, strengthening Nigeria’s hopes of recording a strong finish at the global pageant.
Her campaign has also been built around the Miss World philosophy of “Beauty With a Purpose,” with her advocacy and public engagements helping to position her as more than a contestant competing for a crown.
A high-powered Federal Government delegation is in Nha Trang to support the Nigerian representative. President Bola Tinubu is represented by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, who is leading the delegation.
Rivers State is also strongly represented, with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr Honor Sirawoo, mni, representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara and leading the state delegation.
Among other prominent Nigerians in Vietnam is Prof Steve Azaiki, former Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government and former member of the House of Representatives, who also serves as Chairman of Miss World Nigeria.
Also present is Engr Udengs Eradiri, a Bayelsa-based activist and politician, while the Silverbird Group delegation is led by the National Director of Miss World Nigeria, Guy Murray-Bruce.
Karibi-George’s family has equally travelled to Vietnam to stand behind her, with her parents, Barrister Karibi and Mrs Ebitari George, joined by her uncle, Dr Dawari George, a former member of the House of Representatives, alongside other members of the Prince George Group of Houses from Buguma, Rivers State, and the Aganaba Royal Family of Odi, Bayelsa State.
The TeamSoye lead, Prince Iwefa Aganaba, described the finale as a “coronation ceremony” celebrating beauty, purpose and national pride.
The strong African solidarity behind the Nigerian contestant has further heightened expectations, with supporters describing the level of continental backing for Soye as unprecedented in the history of the competition.
Karibi-George’s journey to the Miss World stage has been closely followed in Nigeria since she was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026. Her emergence has particularly resonated in Rivers State, where her success has been celebrated as a source of pride for the state and the wider Niger Delta.
With the grand finale now upon the contestants, attention is focused on whether the Nigerian beauty queen can convert her strong preliminary showing into a place among the finalists and ultimately challenge for the coveted Miss World crown.
For the Nigerian delegation in Nha Trang, however, the message is unequivocal: Nigeria is ready, Nigeria is here, and the day belongs to Soye.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has opened a fresh front in its dispute with PAMO University of Medical Sciences, constituting a seven-member ad hoc committee to probe funds released to the institution by the state government since its establishment in 2017.
The investigation, approved by the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, is being conducted under Section 128 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The seven-member committee is chaired by Dumle Maol. Other members are Silvanus Nwankwo, Lemchi Nyeche, Henrietta Loolo, Peter Abbey, Napoleon Ukalikpe and Emilia Amadi.
The committee is expected to establish the total amount of public funds released to PAMO University over the years and determine whether the money was utilised for the purposes for which it was provided.
It will also investigate the university’s scholarship scheme, including the number and identities of beneficiaries, if any, alongside other issues relating to the management and utilisation of government funds.
The development is likely to deepen the controversy surrounding the university and the Assembly, coming shortly after the legislature declined to approve the N6 billion allocation proposed for PAMO University in the state’s 2026 budget.
The Assembly’s latest action also comes against the backdrop of a legal threat issued by PAMO University to the Speaker.
The university, through its solicitors, had demanded the retraction of what it described as malicious and defamatory comments attributed to Hon. Amaewhule concerning the institution, as well as a public apology.
The university warned that failure to meet its demands could result in legal action against the Speaker.
With the Assembly now launching a formal probe into the university’s funding, the dispute appears set to assume a broader financial and constitutional dimension.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations to the House on or before September 30, 2026.
The Federal Government has rallied Nigerians to support Nigeria’s representative at the 73rd Miss World contest, Tamunosoye Karibi-George, popularly known as Soye, as she advances towards the grand finale of the global pageant.
Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, urged Nigerians to throw their weight behind the Rivers State-born beauty queen, who has distinguished herself at the ongoing competition in Vietnam.
Karibi-George recently emerged Africa’s Top Model and secured a place among the Top 40 contestants, strengthening Nigeria’s hopes of reclaiming the Miss World crown. The grand finale of the 73rd Miss World contest is scheduled for September 5.
Musawa, in a post on X, praised Karibi-George for her performance and urged Nigerians to participate actively in the ongoing voting process.
“Dear Soye, seeing you carry Nigeria’s name with such grace, confidence and purpose on the Miss World stage has made us incredibly proud,” the minister said.
She described Karibi-George’s emergence as Africa’s Top Model and qualification for the Top 40 as a remarkable achievement, adding that her participation had provided an opportunity to project Nigeria positively before a global audience.
According to Musawa, the contestant had also used the international platform to highlight issues of importance and inspire young people.
She said only a few hours remained for Nigerians to vote, urging them to mobilise friends and family members to support the Nigerian contestant.
“Soye needs every vote and every point matters for the stages ahead,” Musawa said, while directing Nigerians to the voting platform.
“Please, let’s come together, vote, share and encourage others to do the same. Queen Soye, Nigeria is behind you.”
Karibi-George was crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 on June 5 after defeating 36 other contestants in the national competition.
Her impressive run at the international pageant has rekindled hopes that Nigeria could produce another Miss World winner, 25 years after Agbani Darego made history in 2001 as the first Nigerian—and so far the only Nigerian—to win the coveted title.
The presidential running mate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, has warned that the support of 30 state governors on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot guarantee President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2027 presidential election.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, said the performance of many APC governors had been so poor that their numerical strength could not translate into electoral advantage for the President.
He spoke on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he cautioned the ruling party against assuming that control of more than 30 states would automatically secure victory for Tinubu.
According to him, Nigeria’s political history has shown that the number of governors backing a presidential candidate does not necessarily determine the outcome of an election.
“Jonathan was the sitting president, and he lost the election. Those who think that because they have more than 30 governors, they cannot lose are making a very big mistake,” he said.
Kwankwaso argued that the performance of the governors and their respective governments remained a critical factor that could undermine the APC’s electoral prospects in 2027.
“The trend is that those governors and their parties have performed woefully. It is difficult for many of them to even come out and campaign because, from top to bottom, they did absolutely nothing,” he added.
The NDC presidential running mate said the 2027 contest would therefore be determined by the electorate’s assessment of the performance of the incumbent administration and the alternatives presented by opposition parties.
PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Rivers State has demanded the immediate retraction and apology from the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, over alleged defamatory comments concerning the institution’s management of scholarship funds.
The demand was contained in a letter dated Thursday, September 3, 2026, signed by the university’s solicitor, Ayodeji Adedipe, SAN.
The university took exception to comments allegedly made by Amaewhule while presenting the 2026 Rivers State Appropriation Act to Governor Siminalayi Fubara for assent at the Executive Council Chambers of the Government House, Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
According to the letter, the Speaker stated that the Assembly’s committee had considered a proposal of N6 billion for PAMO University in the 2026 budget but found that the institution had not been transparent in its management of funds allocated to it over the years.
The university’s legal counsel quoted Amaewhule as saying that the state could not ascertain what had happened to taxpayers’ money allocated to the institution.
The Speaker was also alleged to have said that the university was invited by the House committee but failed to appear, and that it did not present any records or reports to the Assembly.
However, PAMO University described the allegations as “totally false and unfounded”, insisting that it had never been invited by the Rivers State House of Assembly or any other body to account for funds provided by the state government under the scholarship scheme for Rivers students.
The institution further maintained that it had, since the commencement of the scholarship programme, applied the funds strictly and judiciously for the purpose for which they were provided.
The university said the comments had left its management “thoroughly embarrassed, maligned and defamed”, particularly the allegation that it had not been transparent in managing the scholarship funds.
Its lawyers argued that the statements, as understood by an average person, portrayed the University as an irresponsible and fraudulent institution that had mismanaged or diverted funds provided by the Rivers State Government for the education of students.
Consequently, the university demanded the immediate retraction of the alleged defamatory statements and an apology from the Speaker.
The institution gave Amaewhule 24 hours from notification of the letter to comply with the demands.
The letter warned that failure or refusal to meet the demands within the stipulated period would lead to the commencement of legal proceedings against the Speaker before a court of competent jurisdiction, without further reference to him.
Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara signing into law the Appropriation Act, while the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martins Amaewhule, watches at Government House, Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday signed the 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, describing the development as “a breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new era of cooperation, unity and progress in the state.
Fubara signed the bill at a brief ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, shortly after it was presented to him by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The governor expressed gratitude to God and stakeholders, particularly members of the legislature, for what he described as their diligence and speed in considering and passing the budget at a critical period in the state’s history.
“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” Fubara said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the “Rivers First” mantra, assuring residents that the implementation of the 2026 budget would prioritise their welfare, while driving the progress and development of the state.
“I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” he said.
In a significant acknowledgment of the role played by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, in the process leading to the passage of the budget, Fubara thanked his predecessor for facilitating the meeting and process that culminated in the signing.
“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Wike, for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” the governor said.
Fubara also thanked his family and other stakeholders for their support, stressing that governance was a collective responsibility.
He pledged to sustain a cordial and cooperative relationship with the legislature and other arms of government, saying: “Let me thank everyone for this moment and assure you of our most cordial and cooperative relationship going forward.”
Earlier, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Major Jack, presented the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No. 1, 2026, to the governor for assent.
Jack said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best interests of Rivers residents in mind, expressing the expectation that its implementation would translate into greater development across the state.
“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state,” he said.
Also speaking after the signing, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, commended the governor for provisions contained in the budget, describing them as evidence of the administration’s readiness to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” Amaewhule said.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, principal officers of the House of Assembly and other government functionaries.
The signing of the budget signals a new phase of cooperation between the Rivers State Executive and Legislature, following months of political tensions that had affected the state’s governance and budgetary process.
Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi (left) addressing the corps members, while the Rivers state coordinator of NYSC, Moses, watches.
Four members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have died in the course of their national service, while 12 others have been ordered to repeat the service year for various infractions in Rivers State.
The disclosure was made on Thursday during the low-key passing-out ceremony for 2,538 members of the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream II Corps Members who served in the Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (PHALGA) zones of Rivers State.
The ceremony was held at the Convocation Arena of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.
Giving a breakdown of the Corps Members’ final service status, the Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe, said 48 Corps Members, comprising 28 males and 20 females, had their service extended, while 12 others, five males and seven females, were directed to repeat the national service year.
Rivers State NYSC Coordinator, Moses Oleghe presenting a certificate to a corp member.
He also disclosed that four Corps Members paid the supreme sacrifice during the service year.
Oleghe urged the outgoing Corps Members to uphold the values acquired during their national service and apply the skills they had learnt to build productive careers and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Do right at all times to all men and women, and activate fully the skills that you learnt in the course of the service year,” he advised.
He cautioned the Corps Members against the growing obsession with getting rich quickly, urging them instead to embrace hard work, discipline, dignity in labour and the fear of God.
The NYSC coordinator encouraged the graduates to remain responsible citizens and use their experiences and skills from the service year to positively impact their communities and the country.
The Special Guest of Honour and Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, also charged the Corps Members to maintain high ethical standards after leaving the NYSC scheme.
Zeb-Obipi urged them to “continue to promote ethical values that will project their personal image and family name, positively.”
Cross section of Youth Corps members at the passing out held at the Convocation Arena of Rivers State University, Port Harcourt.
The Vice-Chancellor further assured Corps Members interested in pursuing postgraduate studies that Rivers State University would warmly welcome them and provide the necessary assistance to facilitate their integration into the institution.
The passing-out ceremony marked the completion of national service for the 2,538 Corps Members, even as the deaths of four members and the sanctioning of others underscored the risks and responsibilities associated with the one-year national service programme.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has finally passed the 2026 Appropriation Bill of ₦1.854 trillion, bringing to an end months of uncertainty and delays that had stalled the state’s spending plans.
The budget, christened the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was passed after extensive consideration by the various committees of the House and legislative deliberations on the proposals presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The development comes against the backdrop of the prolonged political crisis that engulfed Rivers State and disrupted the normal legislative process, raising concerns over the state’s ability to implement its 2026 development programme on schedule.
The approved budget stands at ₦1,854,248,734,475.76, representing an increase of about 24.5 per cent over the state’s revised 2025 financial projections.
The passage is expected to pave the way for the Fubara administration to commence full implementation of its 2026 programmes, particularly capital projects and other development initiatives that had been affected by the delay in securing legislative approval.
The delay in passing the budget had also fuelled uncertainty over the implementation of new projects, recurrent obligations and other government programmes requiring appropriations for the 2026 financial year.
The latest development is particularly significant coming only days after Governor Fubara held a meeting with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike, as part of efforts to consolidate the reconciliation process between the two political camps.
The meeting followed months of political confrontation between Fubara and Wike, which had profound implications for governance and the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
Although no direct connection has been officially established between the reconciliation meeting and the Assembly’s action on the budget, the passage represents a potentially important step towards restoring greater political stability and normal legislative-business relations in Rivers State.
With the appropriation now approved, attention will shift to implementation, particularly whether the administration can recover lost time and deliver the capital projects and development programmes contained in the ₦1.85 trillion spending plan.
The Assembly’s approval also places renewed focus on the government’s ability to translate the ambitious budget into tangible infrastructure, social and economic development outcomes for residents of the state.
