Political Turmoil In Rivers: Assembly Adjourns Indefinitely, Future OF Governor’s Budget Uncertain

This unexpected move came on Friday, just as Governor Siminalayi Fubara was preparing to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers on March 19, 2025. After passing three bills, the legislators announced the indefinite adjournment.

Governor Fubara had previously informed the House of his intention to re-present the 2025 budget for review and approval. In a letter dated March 13, 2025, which he personally signed, the governor addressed Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, indicating his plan to present the budget on March 19 or on another date that the House deemed appropriate within the month. The governor’s decision to re-present the budget was made in accordance with the Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for resubmission.

Before the adjournment, the House passed three important bills:

• Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill – A law that grants the Assembly powers, privileges, and immunity to carry out its legislative duties. It was referred to the House Committee on Rules and Business.
• Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill – A law that repeals the RSIEC Law No. 2 of 2018 and redefines the establishment, composition, and functions of the commission. It was sent to the House Committee on Commissions and Agencies.
• Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025 – A law that repeals existing local government laws from 2018, 2023, and 2024, replacing them with a new framework. It was committed to the House Committee on Local Government.

Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, expressed concern over the indefinite adjournment, describing it as a troubling development. He stated, “It is a sad situation because we are trying to prevent the potential dangers of not paying salaries, wages, and pensions to civil servants, as well as the risk of failing to serve the entire state. The House of Assembly is not working in line with our intentions, and this is very disturbing.”