A fresh dispute has erupted between the Rivers State Government and the State House of Assembly over the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, particularly regarding the presentation of the 2025 budget.
The Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deliberately frustrating efforts to resolve the crisis, while the government insists the lawmakers are avoiding their constitutional duties.
Speaking in Port Harcourt, House Committee on Information Chairman, Dr. Enemi Alabo George, challenged the governor to provide proof that he had officially requested to present the budget.
George dismissed claims that the governor sent a letter to the Assembly, stating that the House received no such correspondence, either physically or electronically. He accused Fubara of “playing to the gallery” by making the claim in a media interview instead of following proper legislative procedures.
“It is now obvious that if there was any letter at all, it was meant for the public, not the legislature,” George stated, warning that the governor was attempting to “demonize the House” and turn public sentiment against lawmakers.
He further alleged that the Assembly had formally invited the governor to present the budget but was met with hostility. According to George, government officials physically assaulted Assembly staff who attempted to deliver the letter, prompting the lawmakers to send it via courier, which was also ignored.
In response, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, dismissed the lawmakers’ claims, insisting that the government had repeatedly reached out to the Assembly.
He explained that the government first wrote to the Assembly on March 7, then again on March 12, but the lawmakers abruptly adjourned and locked the government out. A third letter was sent on March 13, only for the lawmakers to plan an indefinite adjournment.
“We expect them to reconvene and address this issue. If they fail to sit and approve the budget, they are essentially defying the Supreme Court, which could lead to a constitutional crisis,” Johnson warned.
With both sides entrenched in their positions, the 2025 budget process remains stalled, raising concerns over governance and financial stability in Rivers State.
