Tensions Rise: Rivers Lawmakers Give Governor Fubara 48 Hours To Submit Budget Or Face Consequences

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been given a 48-hour deadline by the Rivers State House of Assembly to submit the 2025 budget.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The lawmakers issued the directive during their plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday, March 3, 2025.

This ultimatum follows criticism from prominent Ijaw leader, Anabs Sara-Igbe, who expressed concerns over the Supreme Court’s ruling on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. He alleged that the judgment was influenced by vested interests.

Sara-Igbe’s remarks came after Governor Fubara assured Rivers residents that his administration would comply with the Supreme Court’s ruling once it obtained a Certified True Copy (CTC) of the verdict.

In a resolution signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly stated:

“Pursuant to the Supreme Court’s order in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024, which mandates the suspension of statutory federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and restricts spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund until an Appropriation Bill is passed, you are required to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in accordance with the provisions of the amended 1999 Constitution.

“The House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”

Speaker Amaewhule also condemned Governor Fubara’s directive for Local Government Heads of Administration (HLGAs) to oversee council affairs, describing it as illegal and in violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

The lawmakers pointed out that the amended 1999 Constitution, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law of 2023, and the Supreme Court’s verdict in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024 explicitly prohibit the management of Local Government councils by unelected officials.

The Assembly announced plans to go on recess by Friday after working non-stop for the past two years. Notably, no discussions were held regarding the 2024 budget during the session.

On January 2, Governor Fubara signed a ₦1.1 trillion budget for 2025 after presenting it to lawmakers loyal to Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo.

However, just last week, the Supreme Court reinstated Speaker Martin Amaewhule and his faction, recognizing them as the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.