The All Progressives Congress (APC) South-South Group has accused Rivers Assembly lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of instigating impeachment threats against Governor Siminalayi Fubara after he refused to approve fictitious projects in the state’s 2026 budget proposal.

The group made the allegation on Friday in Port Harcourt while responding to claims by members of the Rivers State House of Assembly that Fubara breached the peace agreement brokered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end the protracted political crisis in the state.

Addressing journalists, Comrade Freedom Amadi, coordinator of the APC South-South Group, said the impeachment move was not rooted in any violation of the peace accord but was a calculated retaliation against the governor for resisting pressure to inflate the budget with questionable line items.

“What is unfolding in Rivers State is not a constitutional dispute but a deliberate attempt to punish a sitting governor for refusing to mortgage public finances for private political interests. Governor Siminalayi Fubara did not breach the President’s peace accord; rather, he refused to add fictitious projects to the Rivers State budget, and that refusal is now being weaponised against him,” Amadi said.

Members of the Rivers assembly had accused the governor of acting in bad faith and undermining the Tinubu-brokered deal, arguing that his conduct justified impeachment proceedings. Some lawmakers also claimed that presidential intervention could not stop the legislature from carrying out its planned impeachment of the governor.

The APC South-South rejected that position, warning that such statements amounted to open defiance of presidential authority and posed a threat to democratic stability.

“When legislators publicly declare that not even the President can restrain them, they are not asserting independence; they are advertising institutional insubordination. President Tinubu intervened in Rivers State as the elected President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, not as a partisan actor, and his peace initiative is not optional or disposable,” Amadi declared.

According to the group, the peace deal was intended to restore stability and allow governance to proceed without coercion, not to subject the governor to political control through the legislature.

“The agreement brokered by Mr President was about restoring calm and respecting constitutional roles, not about handing Rivers State over to political enforcers. Any attempt to twist that agreement into a tool for intimidation or impeachment is a distortion of its spirit and intent,” he announced.

The APC South-South also pointed to the central role of Wike, arguing that lawmakers driving the impeachment process were acting in alignment with the former Rivers governor, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

“It is impossible to separate the current impeachment threats from the political influence of Minister Nyesom Wike. The lawmakers pushing this agenda are his loyalists, and their actions reflect a coordinated effort to retain control of Rivers politics through legislative intimidation,” he said.

The group noted that Wike’s continued silence, despite serving in an APC-led federal government, raised serious questions about loyalty to the President who appointed him.

“President Tinubu extended trust and political goodwill by appointing a PDP member into his cabinet in the interest of national unity. That trust is being abused if a serving minister allows his loyalists to openly undermine a presidential peace initiative. You cannot sabotage peace and still claim allegiance to the authority that brokered it,” Amadi noted.

The APC South-South warned that using impeachment to settle political scores would erode public confidence in democratic institutions and weaken legislative credibility.

“Impeachment is a grave constitutional mechanism, not a political cudgel. What we are witnessing in Rivers State is not oversight but vendetta, not accountability but retaliation against a governor who chose fiscal responsibility over political obedience.”

The pro-APC group called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to suspend all impeachment actions and urged the National Assembly to intervene to prevent what it described as legislative excesses.

“Legislative impunity in one state endangers democratic order across the federation. Rivers State does not belong to any individual or faction, and its budget is not a private ledger for political godfathers,” the group maintained.

By Mohammed A. Mohammed

In Niger East, a quiet revolution began in 2019 when Senator Mohammed Sani Musa—known across the district as 313—stepped into the Senate with a resolve forged from a deep understanding of his people’s struggles. He had walked those dusty roads himself, seen the dim eyes of children denied education, heard the silent pleas of mothers in ill-equipped clinics, and felt the frustration of youths with talent but no tools.

But 313 did not come to lament; he came to act. With deliberate sacrifice and focus, he channelled his resources, influence, and personal fortune into lifting his people. Boreholes sprang up where water was once a daily battle. Health centres rose where sickness meant long, perilous journeys. Scholarships carried sons and daughters to India and China to become doctors and engineers.

Roads opened markets. Empowerment turned dreams into enterprises. What began as a mandate became a movement—a personal covenant between a leader and his people, delivered not in words, but in enduring works. Today, that covenant stands as the highest standard in Niger East politics.

In the build-up to the 2027 election, it is no surprise that several aspirants are emerging with ambitious permutations and declarations. Yet, for the discerning people of Niger East, the choice of who should represent them boils down to one irrefutable standard: the exceptional record set by Senator 313.

While new names throw their hats into the ring with enthusiasm, none have yet demonstrated the depth of commitment, proven impact, or visionary intentionality that defines his tenure. Senator 313 has consistently delivered verifiable, life-changing results across infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, and human empowerment. He has rehabilitated rural roads, constructed solar-powered motorised boreholes, established state-of-the-art ICT centres, and empowered countless students through comprehensive scholarship programmes.

In healthcare, he facilitated the construction and equipping of two modern 50-bed hospitals in Sarkin Pawa (Munya LGA) and Kuta (Shiroro LGA), bringing quality medical care closer to underserved communities. Women and youths have been prioritised through inclusive empowerment initiatives, with Senator 313 distributing resources such as tricycles, motorcycles, grinding machines, sewing machines, deep freezers, and generators to over 500 beneficiaries, fostering economic independence.

Remarkably, no emerging aspirant has matched this level of competence, capacity, or selfless dedication. Without concrete policy blueprints or comparable track records, it remains difficult to envision any alternative filling Senator 313’s formidable shoes. The people of Niger East are wise and discerning. They are prepared to pose critical questions to all contenders: What specific, actionable policies do you propose to tackle our district’s pressing challenges?

What verifiable achievements can you showcase that prove your ability to deliver? Does your vision truly align with the aspirations and needs of our communities? Until these questions receive substantive, convincing answers, Senator 313 remains the unmatched benchmark for effective representation and sustainable development.

His legacy is one of proven worth—a leader who prioritises education as the bedrock of progress by constructing and renovating classroom blocks, building ICT centres (such as the one in Ija Gwari, Tafa LGA), and sponsoring scholarships at all levels. A passionate grassroots mobiliser, he distributed 4,050 bags of fertiliser (1,000 urea and 3,050 NPK) across the nine local government areas, enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

Believing firmly that today’s youths are tomorrow’s pillars of society, Senator 313 has championed youth development through sports and skills acquisition, constructing modern mini stadiums in Minna and Kuta while investing millions in training and equipping young entrepreneurs. Unlike many, he has driven numerous community-led initiatives, promoting unity, democratic growth, and inclusive progress.

In a groundbreaking move, he launched a fully funded international scholarship programme, sending 100 talented indigenous students to study medicine in India and another 100 to pursue engineering, Artificial Intelligence, and robotics in China—investments that will yield doctors, innovators, and leaders for generations. As a compassionate philanthropist, Senator 313 executed a deliberate financial intervention, disbursing N143 million to 2,868 constituents, with each receiving at least N50,000 to alleviate hardships.

His transformative leadership has reshaped Niger East, converting dusty paths into roads of opportunity, vibrant markets into economic hubs, and ordinary lives into stories of empowerment. These indelible legacy projects mobilise communities and stand as proof of his unwavering service. Senator Mohammed Sani Musa embodies the true face of responsive democracy in Niger East—a leader who cannot be replaced. His signature achievements are not mere projects; they are determinants of continuity and a powerful antidote to any alternative.

As 2027 approaches, the people of Niger East will once again look to the man who did not wait for applause to serve, who sacrificed personal comfort for communal progress, who measured success not by titles but by transformed lives. They will remember the leader who personally invested millions to train youths, who funded foreign education for 200 of their children, who built hospitals and stadiums and roads—not for votes, but because it was right.

In Senator 313, they have found not just a representative, but a rare servant-leader whose actions have earned unbreakable trust. When the ballots are cast, that trust will speak louder than any campaign promise. The people know: true leadership is proven, not proclaimed. And in Niger East, only one name has proven it beyond doubt. There is indeed No Alternative to 313.

Mohammed wrote this piece from Suleja.

The Centre for Energy Governance and Public Finance Accountability (CEGPFA) has dismissed claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the reconciliation and removal of certain Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) legacy balances from the Federation Account was unconstitutional or financially harmful to states and local governments.

Speaking on Friday at a press conference held at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, the centre said the allegations ignored the historical, legal and fiscal realities surrounding the disputed balances, describing them as “unfounded” and “misleading”.

Dr Julius Osagie Eromonsele, executive director of the centre, said the balances in question were not fresh revenues generated under the current administration but long-standing legacy entries accumulated over several decades, many of which predated the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

“It is crucial to note that the balances in question are not recent revenues generated under the current administration. They are long-standing legacy entries accumulated over decades, many of them arising before the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act,” Eromonsele said.

He explained that the disputed figures stemmed from unresolved production sharing contract disputes, domestic crude supply obligations under the former fuel subsidy regime, royalty assessment disagreements and reconciliation gaps between NNPC, regulators and revenue agencies.

According to him, these balances had remained on the Federation Account books for years despite repeated audits that questioned their accuracy, legal enforceability and collectability, creating a distorted picture of public finances across all tiers of government.

Countering claims that the balances were arbitrarily written off by presidential fiat, Eromonsele said the approval followed a formal reconciliation process involving relevant fiscal and regulatory institutions, with presentations made to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

“Official records show that approximately $1.42 billion and N5.57 trillion were removed from the Federation Account books after reconciliation established that these figures were either duplicated, overstated, unsupported by verifiable documentation, or no longer legally recoverable,” he said.

He stressed that the directive applied strictly to legacy balances accumulated up to December 31, 2024, adding that reconciliation should not be confused with the cancellation of valid revenue.

“Reconciliation is a recognised public finance practice. It is not the same as cancelling valid revenues. Rather, it is the process of aligning records to reflect economic and legal reality,” Eromonsele said.

He also clarified that no cash was removed from the Federation Account and that no allocations to states or local governments were reversed.

“The funds in question were not sitting as cash in the Federation Account. What occurred was the correction of inherited accounting distortions that had long outlived their practical relevance,” he added.

Addressing constitutional concerns raised by the ADC, the centre said Section 162 of the Constitution applies only to revenues that are lawfully due and payable, not to disputed or extinguished claims.

“Public finance administration requires constant reconciliation to ensure that only valid, auditable and legally enforceable revenues are presented for distribution,” Eromonsele said.

He argued that sustaining false receivables undermines budgeting, fiscal discipline and revenue predictability for subnational governments, noting that credible and realistic revenue flows are more beneficial than inflated figures that never materialise.

The centre said the reconciliation aligns with reforms introduced by the PIA, which repositioned NNPC Ltd as a commercial entity operating under international accounting standards.

Concluding, the centre commended President Tinubu for approving what it described as a difficult but necessary decision.

“Writing off long-standing, unverifiable legacy balances required political will and a commitment to fiscal honesty over convenience. It sends a clear signal that Nigeria is prepared to confront the structural weaknesses of its energy revenue system rather than perpetuate them,” Eromonsele said.

He urged politicians and stakeholders to approach the issue responsibly and support reforms that strengthen transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s public finance system.

Full speech attached

BEING FULL TEXT AT A PRESS CONFERENCE ORGANISED BY THE CENTRE FOR ENERGY GOVERNANCE AND PUBLIC FINANCE ACCOUNTABILITY ON THE RECONCILIATION OF NNPC LTD LEGACY BALANCES AND THE FEDERATION ACCOUNT HELD AT TRANSCORP HILTON, ABUJA, ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, distinguished stakeholders, and fellow Nigerians, the Centre for Energy Governance and Public Finance Accountability has convened this important press conference to respond to unfounded claims by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approval of the reconciliation and removal of certain legacy balances attributed to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) from the Federation Account.

The debate has been framed as a constitutional crisis and a deliberate deprivation of revenue due to states and local governments. Given the gravity of such allegations, it is important to ground this conversation in facts, law, and the historical context of Nigeria’s petroleum revenue administration.

BACKGROUND

It is crucial to note that the balances in question are not recent revenues generated under the current administration. They are long-standing legacy entries accumulated over decades, many of them arising before the enactment of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). These entries stem from unresolved production sharing contract disputes, domestic crude supply obligations under the fuel subsidy regime, royalty assessment disagreements, and persistent reconciliation gaps between NNPC, regulators, and revenue agencies.

For years, these balances remained on the Federation Account books despite repeated audits and reviews that questioned their accuracy, legal enforceability, and collectability. Treating such disputed figures as assured income created a distorted picture of public finances and fostered unrealistic revenue expectations across all tiers of government.

WHAT THE PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL ACTUALLY MEANS

Contrary to claims of an arbitrary executive write-off, the President’s approval followed a formal reconciliation process involving relevant fiscal and regulatory institutions, including presentations made to the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

Official records show that approximately $1.42 billion and N5.57 trillion were removed from the Federation Account books after reconciliation established that these figures were either duplicated, overstated, unsupported by verifiable documentation, or no longer legally recoverable. The directive applied strictly to legacy balances accumulated up to December 31, 2024.

Reconciliation is a recognised public finance practice. It is not the same as cancelling valid revenues. Rather, it is the process of aligning records to reflect economic and legal reality. Revenues that are not collectible cannot be distributed, and carrying them indefinitely on public accounts does not create wealth—it merely postpones fiscal clarity.

It is also critical to note that the funds in question were not sitting as cash in the Federation Account. No existing allocations to states or local governments were reversed or withdrawn. What occurred was the correction of inherited accounting distortions that had long outlived their practical relevance.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The ADC has cited Section 162 of the Constitution to argue that the President lacks authority to approve the removal of these balances. However, Section 162 applies to revenues that are lawfully due and payable to the Federation. It does not compel the perpetuation of disputed or legally extinguished claims as revenue.

Public finance administration requires constant reconciliation to ensure that only valid, auditable, and legally enforceable revenues are presented for distribution. Without this, the Federation Account would become a repository for accounting fiction rather than a transparent reflection of national income.

Furthermore, the Federation Account is administered collectively through FAAC, which includes representatives of the federal, state, and local governments. The reconciliation process was not unilateral, secretive, or detached from institutional oversight.

From a fiscal standpoint, sustaining false receivables undermines planning, budgeting, and fiscal discipline. States and local governments are better served by predictable, credible revenue flows than by inflated figures that repeatedly fail verification and never materialise in cash form.

This reconciliation also aligns with the reforms introduced by the Petroleum Industry Act, which repositioned NNPC Ltd as a commercial entity subject to international accounting standards. Legacy balances accumulated under a fundamentally different governance structure cannot be allowed to distort the post-PIA fiscal framework indefinitely.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the Centre for Energy Governance and Public Finance Accountability affirms that the reconciliation and removal of NNPC Ltd’s legacy balances from the Federation Account does not constitute a constitutional violation, nor does it deprive states and local governments of legitimate revenue.

Rather, it represents a necessary and responsible step toward restoring transparency, credibility, and realism to Nigeria’s public finance system—particularly in the oil and gas sector, which has long suffered from opaque accounting and inherited distortions.

The Centre acknowledges and commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving this difficult but necessary decision. Writing off long-standing, unverifiable legacy balances required political will and a commitment to fiscal honesty over convenience. It sends a clear signal that Nigeria is prepared to confront the structural weaknesses of its energy revenue system rather than perpetuate them.

True fiscal federalism cannot be built on numbers that exist only on paper. It must rest on transparent accounts, enforceable obligations, and a shared commitment to accuracy and accountability.

We urge all politicians and stakeholders to approach this issue with responsibility and restraint, and to support reforms that strengthen, not weaken, the integrity of Nigeria’s public finances.

Thank you.

[Questions]

Signed:

Dr Julius Osagie Eromonsele

Executive Director,
Centre for Energy Governance and Public Finance Accountability