“Leader of the House, please, move a motion to suspend Order Nine Rule ……of this Honorable House to enable this House admit strangers into the hallowed chamber”
Those were the words of the speaker, Delta State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor on Wednesday, November 26, 2025
To the leader of the House, Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, the other 27 members of the State House of Assembly and, indeed regulars at the chamber, the instruction is clear and understood. It was an indication that there were indeed strangers who must be recognised and, lawfully admitted into the hallowed chamber.
Expectedly, as the door was quietly opened by the Sergeant-at-Arms (the legislative officer appointed by the legislature to maintain peace and order as well as the custodian of the Mace), a handful of them (strangers) comprising the Deputy Governor of the State, Sir Monday Onyeme, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, members of the State executive council, top government functionaries as well as former members of the state legislature now codenamed non-sitting members walked in peacefully.
Besides, there was yet another ‘Stranger’ who needed additional instruction before he was admitted into the hallowed chamber.
And, Alas, the instruction came;
“ Leader, please go to the reception and accompany His Excellency, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori into the chamber”.
Decked in his traditional Urhobo attire; Wrapper, shirt and cap, the Governor who was wearing a beautiful smile as he walked beside the majority leader, ordinarily, was never a stranger to the complex. Haven sojourned the State Assembly for over a decade and holding sway as Speaker of the State Assembly with yet-to-be beaten record as the longest Speaker of the State legislature, even the gavel, mace, walls, chairs would, at the slightest glance, recognize him.
But for the caveat that, at the hallowed chamber, “No clapping, no cheering, no singing, no dancing, no eating, no movement”, even the Mace, the gavel, the chairs and, indeed the human elements at the full-capacity hall would have stood in an unending ovation for this “Stranger”.
Walking through the pathway to his seat; his beautiful seat, beautifully adorned with red-coloured velvet, the Governor, already armed with the rules of the House, halted midway to observe the needful; to bow before the mace- the symbol of legislative authority. That was not his first time in the recent years he was bowing before the Mace since he became Governor of the State and, of course, not his first time appearing before the State Assembly; the Eight Assembly after assuming the headship of the State. He has been there a couple of time for same purpose. It was an annual Executive/legislative ritual.
His re-appearance at the hallowed chamber where, like others, he was received as “Stranger” is well understood. He had come to present to the State legislature the 2026 proposed budget of the State.
And that was it.
The Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori at the meeting proposed a budget estimate of N1.664 Trillion for the 2026 fiscal year.
Christened “Budget of Accelerating The MORE Agenda” a breakdown of the budget envelope shows that N499 Billion, representing 30 per cent of the total budget was for recurrent expenditure, while N1.165 Trilllion, representing 70 per cent of total budget was for capital expenditure.
The Governor, while giving further breakdown of the proposed Budget, disclosed that the 2026 budget size indicates an increase of N685 Billion or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation, pointing out that the budget as proposed, would be mainly funded from Statutory Allocation, Internally Generated Revenue, Mineral Derivation, Value Added Tax, Other Capital Receipts and Savings and Oil Revenue Recoveries.
The Governor disclosed that N720 billion, or 43.28 per cent of total projected revenue was expected from statutory allocation which, he said, was boosted by post-subsidy FAAC inflows and improved oil production stability in the Niger Delta, adding that Internally Generated Revenue was projected at N250 billion, representing an 86.5 per cent increase over 2025.
While saying that the projected increase in the state’s IGR was driven by ongoing reforms to plug leakages and widen the tax net, he pointed out that VAT receipts were expected to rise sharply to N120 billion, buoyed by improved federal administration of the tax.
“Capital receipts, however, have been deliberately cut down to N25 billion, a 73 per cent reduction as the government pushes toward a zero-borrowing fiscal strategy.
“Savings and oil revenue recoveries are projected to contribute N489 billion. This is a testament to prudent and disciplined financial management,” the Governor added.
According to him, the proposed recurrent expenditure estimates for 2026 of N499 Billion is made up of personnel costs of N185 Billion, representing 37 per cent of the proposed recurrent budget, stressing that N204 Billion, representing approximately 41 per cent was earmarked for overheads.
He pointed out that the balance 22 per cent or N110 Billion, was accounted for by social contributions, benefits, and grants, emphasising that the personnel cost of N185 Billion anticipates the annual increments and allowances, while the overhead cost mirrors the inflationary trend in the country.
Giving insights into the proposed capital expenditure estimate of N1.165 Trillion, Governor Oborevwori noted that the proposal was N535 Billion, or 85 per cent higher than the 2025 capital budget of N630 Billion.
“This is largely accounted for by the larger budget size of one trillion, six hundred and sixty-four billion naira (N1.664Trillion), as against the nine hundred and seventy-nine billion, two hundred million naira (979.2Billion) of 2025,” the Governor said.
Highlighting the priority sectors of the budget, the Governor said N450 billion was budgeted for road infrastructure, N105.086 billion for education, N50.067 billion for health, N20 billion for Delta State Capital Territory Development Agency and N20 billion for Warri, Uvwie and Environs Development Agency.
According to him, N16 billion was budgeted for Power and Energy, N10 billion for Agriculture, N20 billion for Social Protection, adding that the sum of N100 billion was budgeted for local government intervention in the 25 local government areas in the state (N4 billion per local government).
Reviewing the performance of the 2025 Budget themed “Budget of Fiscal Consolidation,” where ₦979,228,818,719 was approved for funding both capital and recurrent expenditures, the Governor said the performance of the budget was encouraging.
“From January to October 2025, the actual revenue receipts from the Federation Account Allocation Committee and Internally Generated Revenue stood at Seven Hundred and Thirty-Eight billion, Six Hundred and Forty million naira only (N738.640 billion), representing 90.5 per cent of the proportionate budget of eight hundred and sixteen billion, twenty-four million, fifteen thousand, five hundred and ninety-nine naira only (N816,024,015,599).
“The recurrent expenditure for the period under review was three hundred and forty billion, five hundred and fifty-four million, six thousand, four hundred and forty-eight naira only (N340,554,006,448), as against a proportionate amount of two hundred and ninety billion, six hundred and thirty-nine million, seven hundred and ninety-eight thousand, eight hundred and sixty-three-naira, fifty kobo only (N290,639,798,863.50), representing 117 per cent performance.
“The sum of five hundred and nine billion, seven hundred and eighty million, three hundred and thirty-six thousand, three hundred and seventy naira only (N509, 780, 336,370) was expended during the period under review, as against a proportionate amount of five hundred and twenty-five billion, three hundred and eighty-four million, two hundred and sixteen thousand, seven hundred and thirty-six naira only (N525, 384, 216, 736), representing 97 per cent performance.
“It is pertinent to appreciate this stellar performance. It is also gladdening to note that the bold and reformist policies of the Federal Government have started to yield the desired result and the country is beginning to turn the corner,” the Governor added.
While highlighting the importance of peace and security in promoting sustainable development, he said his administration had worked closely with security agencies to tackle crime, including kidnapping and cultism with a view to ensuring sustainable peace and security in communities across the state.
“We will continue to strengthen the security architecture in the state to better protect our citizens from all threats. This administration has invested heavily in security infrastructure upgrade and will continue to do so for enhanced peace and security.
“We are looking at deploying cutting edge technology including drones and sophisticated intelligence gathering capabilities and surveillance equipment. All these are in addition to the prompt payment of personnel emoluments and allowances, as well as the provision of covert logistics.
“Mr Speaker, as I conclude this Budget Address, let me say that we are proud of the progress that we have made so far. However, there is still a lot more to do and the journey to a more prosperous, secure and stronger Delta will take the concerted efforts of all arms of government.
“I want to place it on record, Mr. Speaker, that this honourable House has proved to be a worthy partner in the implementation of our policies and programmes. I commend you all for the sacrifices and contributions you have made and continue to make, for the smooth and effective running of this administration.
“In that same spirit of partnership, I invite the House to kindly and speedily consider and approve this appropriation request, so that collectively we can work towards building the Delta State of our dreams where no one is left behind,” the Governor said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor who lauded the Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides it had recorded under the Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda, said sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State have been witnessed over the past year.
“Your Excellency, it is indisputable that your leadership has ensured the continuation of key legacy projects, expansion of road networks, ongoing construction of five strategic flyovers, improvement of healthcare facilities, empowerment programmes for youth and women, and the strengthening of the educational system.
“These interventions have not only elevated the quality of life for our people but have also reaffirmed the State’s position as a sub-national model of development,” the Speaker said while thanking the Governor for the approval and payment of the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) to staff of the House and Assembly Service Commission.
He noted that the projections in the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) for 2026, 2027 and 2028 approved by the House reflected national, regional, and global economic dynamics, even as he assured the Governor that the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented to the House would be considered with a view to passing the Bill.
Motion to receive the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by the Governor was moved by the Leader of the House, Hon. (Engr.) Emeka Nwaobi who represents the people of Aniocha North State Constituency.
The motion was seconded by the member representing Ika North East, Hon. Marilyn Okowa-Daramola as it was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor.
