The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour deadline to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding that he formally present the 2025 budget.
The directive was made during a plenary session on Monday, marking the first sitting of the Assembly since the Supreme Court’s ruling on the state’s legislative crisis. Security was intensified at the Assembly Quarters as lawmakers, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, convened to deliberate on the budgetary process.
Governor Fubara had previously signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2, 2025, after presenting it to a faction of the Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. However, on Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the governor to submit the budget to a properly constituted legislature.
The controversy stems from an earlier move by Fubara, who presented the 2024 budget to only four lawmakers led by Edison Ehie, now serving as his Chief of Staff. This came after the Assembly declared the seats of Amaewhule and 26 other members vacant following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC)—a move they now dispute.
The Supreme Court, however, ruled that Amaewhule and the 26 defecting lawmakers remain legitimate members of the Rivers State Assembly until a final judgment is made on their status. The court further directed Amaewhule to resume plenary sessions with all elected members of the House.
Supreme Court Orders Financial Sanctions
In addition to the directive for a properly presented budget, the Supreme Court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold all allocations to Rivers State until the government complies with its ruling.
During Monday’s plenary, the Assembly reaffirmed its position, insisting that Governor Fubara must formally present the budget, titled the Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development, within 48 hours.
The situation remains tense as political and legal battles continue to shape governance in Rivers State.
Be the first to comment