The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget to lawmakers for review and approval.
The directive was issued during the Assembly’s sitting in Port Harcourt on Monday, March 3, 2025, as members stressed the urgency of having a legally approved budget for the state’s development.
Governor Fubara had earlier signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2, 2025, after presenting it to lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. However, the Supreme Court later ruled that the faction led by Martin Amaewhule was the legitimate Rivers Assembly, effectively nullifying the previous legislative actions of the Oko-Jumbo-led group.
Following this ruling, the Assembly, now under Amaewhule’s leadership, demanded that Governor Fubara re-submit the budget for proper legislative approval.
Additionally, the Supreme Court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold Rivers State’s allocations for failing to comply with court orders. The court also nullified the local government elections conducted in the state last year.
In reaction to the ruling, Governor Fubara ordered the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct fresh local government elections. He also directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take over council affairs pending the conduct of new elections.
“Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission,” Fubara stated in a state broadcast on Sunday.
He further instructed the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
The unfolding events highlight the power struggle in Rivers State’s leadership, as both the executive and legislative arms continue to navigate a complex political landscape. With the Assembly insisting on a proper budget presentation, all eyes remain on Governor Fubara’s next move within the 48-hour deadline.
