By: Fabian Apechihin

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State on Friday hosted a private dinner in Makurdi for key political figures reportedly planning to align with his administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

Among the attendees were former Benue governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) leader, Gabriel Suswam, former NAFDAC Director-General, Paul Orhii, and several lawmakers from opposition parties.

According to APC Publicity Secretary, James Orgunga, the meeting was “a prelude to future defections and collaboration,” adding that it was designed for allies and politicians willing to work with Governor Alia in moving the state forward.

However, Suswam’s media aide dismissed claims of an imminent defection, describing the reports as “mere speculation.” He emphasized that any political decision by Suswam would follow broad consultations and a formal public declaration — not a private dinner.

The gathering comes amid growing internal tension within the APC, fuelled by a lingering rift between Governor Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume. The division has deepened party fault lines and is believed to be pushing Alia to consolidate support beyond the APC’s traditional structure.

By Hassan Taiye

Strong indication emerged Thursday in the Senate that presentation of budgetary proposals for 2026 fiscal year by President Bola Tinubu to the National Assembly will not happen soon.

This is as the Senate through its committee on Finance , directed the managers of the Nation’s economy to in two weeks time , furnish it with documented performance report on the 2024 budget implementation and expectations for the implementation of capital component of 2025 budget .

The Chairman of the Committee , Senator Mohammed Sani Musa ( Niger East), gave the directive after about one and half hours closed door meeting the, committee had with the Minister of Finance , Wale Edun , Accountant General of the Federation , Samsudeen Ogunjimi and Director – General of the Budget Office , Tanimu Yakubu .

According to him , the committee resolved that presentation of Medium Term Expenditure Framework ( MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP ) for 2026 to 2029 fiscal years , can only follow after submission of the requested reports to it by the economy managers on the 23rd of this month .

He said : ” We have had the position at which the 2024 budget is, and what the position also of the 2025 budget. And the expectations we are having for the ministry to, as a matter of urgency, bring the MTEF for 2026 to 2029. And the minister has briefed us, and we have collectively agreed that we are making progress, but we need to make more progress.

“We have heard from the Accountant General, we have heard from the Director of Budgets, where we are with the budgets. The payments that have so far been released, the warrants that have so far been signed. And also, regarding the 2025 authority to incur the expenditure for agencies to be able to release their capital projects.

“We have all heard that, and we have agreed that we are making progress. And we expect that, with what Mr. President has done just this week, sending a letter to the National Assembly, requesting for more approvals to loans, to be able to see that the 2025 budget is also taking adequate care of.

“We have all agreed that we will want documented evidence of the performance of 2024, and our expectations for the 2025 budget, before we start talking about the MTEF for 2026.

“And the Honourable Minister of Finance has agreed to oblige us to give us that progress report. And we have agreed to reconvene, because this meeting is just adjourned. We are going to reconvene on the 23rd of October”

Earlier before the Committee went into closed door session with the economy managers , while the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the economy, Wale Edun said high performance is being recorded in the implementation of the capital component of 2024 budget and good performance for 2025 , the DG budget office said otherwise .

According to the DG budget office , during the two fiscal years ( 2024 &2025), budgetary implementation were somewhat turbulent as some of the underlying assumptions were not met .

He said : “We have indeed had a turbulent year — one in which most of the assumptions underpinning the 2024 and 2025 budgets turned out differently from projections.

“Oil revenue, assumed at $75 per barrel, fell short by between $10 and $15 due to global price fluctuations. Inflation also rose beyond projections, affecting borrowing costs and debt service performance, which significantly exceeded targets.

“Furthermore, the unforeseen fiscal implications of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2022 have compounded our challenges.

” Under the Act, 30% of gross oil revenue and 30% of oil and gas profits are retained for upstream operations, while the Federal Government also bears the NNPC’s operating costs. This has reduced the Federation Account allocation by nearly 70% of what used to accrue.

“In addition, crude oil output has been lower than projected in the MTEF approved by the National Assembly”.

From Hassan Taiye with Correspondent Report

Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, has been called upon to contest the 2027 presidential election in order to bring a total turnaround to the economy of the country and the welfare of its teeming people.

This call was made on Tuesday by Local Government Secretaries, Chiefs of Staff to Local Government Chairmen, Supervisory Councillors and Special Assistants from all the 33 local government areas of the state, who converged on the Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, for a solidarity rally.

The local government appointees pointed out the massive transformation of Oyo State on Governor Makinde’s watch, tasking the governor to present himself to deliver the good governance, which Oyo State has been enjoying in the last six years and some months, to the entire country.

According to the appointees, who thronged the Secretariat in hundreds and were received on behalf of the governor by the Deputy Governor of the state, Barr. Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal, at the Frontage of the Governor’s Office, Governor Makinde has proven his leadership mettle over the years.

Speaking on behalf of the ‎political supporters, the chairman of Oyo State Supervisory Councillors’ Forum, Mr Ayodeji Oladepo, said Governor Makinde had demonstrated his leadership ability and would be able to bring transformative governance to the country for the benefits of all citizens.

He assured of the forum’s readiness to mobilise support for the governor’s presidential bid in 2027.

In his response, the Deputy Governor, who received them, thanked them and commended them for their thoughtfulness.

‎He affirmed that Governor Makinde is eminently qualified to be the President of Nigeria, adding that the governor has significantly raised the standard of governance in the state and that he would bring his excellent performance to bear on national leadership.

‎He assured the political supporters that the Governor would respond to their request at the appropriate time.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after receiving the crowd of supporters, Barr. Lawal said: “Well, you saw the crowd. I didn’t know they were coming. But having seen how lively, enthusiastic and happy they were, I could not but come out to address them in spite of the fact that the governor is otherwise engaged.

“The main reason they came, according to them, is to urge our governor to come out to contest for the Presidency. It is a legitimate call because, by all standards and by all means, the governor is eminently qualified.

“Like many other people, they have come out from the 33 local government areas of Oyo State and it shows clearly that these people genuinely wish our governor well.

“The choice entirely is the governor’s, but that is what they wish, and I have told them that the message will be delivered to the governor.

“I know that, at the appropriate time, the governor would respond to the yearnings and the callings of the people.”