Niger Assembly Approves ₦151.7bn LG Budget as Rivers Budget Row Deepens Amid Political Tension

In a move aimed at bolstering grassroots development and stabilizing public sector operations, the Niger State House of Assembly has approved a consolidated 2025 budget for its 25 local government areas, amounting to ₦151,721,702,602.11. The budget was passed following intense scrutiny and consultations, with a focus on improving financial discipline and effective implementation despite challenges posed by insecurity.

The House’s Standing Committee on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, chaired by Alhaji Bello Bako, spearheaded the budget review process. The committee collaborated closely with the Ministry for Local Government and the State Planning Commission to ensure full compliance with financial standards.

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Of the approved budget, ₦96.29 billion has been allocated for recurrent expenditures, while ₦55.43 billion is earmarked for capital projects aimed at stimulating development and enhancing the welfare of residents across the local councils.

However, Committee Chairman Bako acknowledged that widespread insecurity has affected revenue collection across several councils, leading to inflated and unrealistic projections in previous years. “To address this, we recommended that local governments establish sound revenue mechanisms, block leakages, and improve capital allocations to impact the lives of citizens,” Bako explained.

The Speaker of the House, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, praised the committee’s dedication and pledged that the Assembly would maintain strong oversight to ensure effective implementation of the 2025 fiscal plan. Following unanimous approval of the budget, Sarkin-Daji instructed the House clerk to transmit the finalized document to the Executive for assent.

While Niger is focused on transparency and financial responsibility, a contrasting political drama continues to unfold in Rivers State, where constitutional tensions over budget implementation have sparked fresh controversy.

Rivers State Faces Political Gridlock Over Budget Control

In Rivers State, the appointment of Ibokette Ibas as a sole administrator has drawn sharp criticism, most notably from suspended Commissioner for Youth Development, Chisom Gbali. Speaking in a televised interview on Arise News, Gbali denounced Ibas’ unilateral handling of the state’s budget, calling the move “unconstitutional” and harmful to the state’s democratic process.

According to Gbali, the sole administrator’s authority to cancel previously approved projects and present a new budget lacks legal legitimacy, particularly following the Supreme Court’s invalidation of the state’s 2025 budget. “This is a calculated attempt to destabilize the administration and undermine Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s constitutional role,” Gbali stated.

Ibas, on his part, has confirmed that his administration is preparing a new fiscal plan, emphasizing that it will prioritize sectors like education, healthcare, social welfare, and infrastructure. He made this known during a strategic meeting with the Rivers Caucus of the National Assembly, promising that the budget will align with the people’s pressing needs.

“We remain committed to ensuring that every budgetary decision reflects the needs of our citizens,” Ibas told lawmakers during the session held at the Government House in Port Harcourt.

Still, political observers warn that the unfolding power struggle could disrupt governance in Rivers State, especially if the conflict between the state executive and federally-backed administrators persists. With the legal basis of budget presentation under scrutiny, Rivers finds itself in a unique governance crisis that could have long-term implications for institutional balance.

A Tale of Two States: Stability vs. Stalemate

As Niger State takes structured steps toward improved fiscal management and local development, Rivers State remains engulfed in political infighting over constitutional authority and fiscal responsibility. The contrast between the two underscores the complex interplay of governance, law, and politics in Nigeria’s federal system.

With the clock ticking on budget deadlines and political alliances shifting, both states are navigating different paths through Nigeria’s ever-evolving democratic terrain. Niger moves forward with oversight and planning, while Rivers grapples with constitutional clarity and administrative legitimacy.