The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers.
The directive was issued on Monday 3rd March, during a plenary session in Port Harcourt, following a motion by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol.
Quoting the Supreme Court order (Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024), the Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, emphasized that the Rivers State Government could not access federal allocations or spend from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without an appropriated budget.
“The House expects you to submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours,” Amaewhule stated.
Amaewhule also condemned Fubara’s directive for Local Government Administration Heads to take over councils, calling it illegal and a violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024, which mandates that only elected officials can run local governments.
Interestingly, the 2024 budget was not discussed at the session.
Governor Fubara had previously signed a ₦1.1 trillion budget for 2025 on January 2, after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House. However, the Supreme Court recently reinstated Amaewhule’s faction, recognizing them as the legitimate Assembly members.
The House also resolved to adjourn by Friday, citing their continuous legislative work over the past two years.
