2025 budget: The political tension in Rivers State has intensified as the Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of frustrating the implementation of the Supreme Court’s judgment, particularly the directive requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers.
The Martin Amaewhule-led House, which remains loyal to Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and former Governor of Rivers State, made the accusation through its Chairman, House Committee on Information and spokesperson, Dr. Enemi George, in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
George urged the public to pressure the governor to follow due process in presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill rather than attempting to gain public sympathy by portraying lawmakers as obstacles, challenging the governor to produce an acknowledged copy of the letter he claimed to have sent to the House.
Rivers Assembly Denies Receiving Budget Letter
George stated that Governor Fubara had recently stopped at the gate of the Assembly Quarters during a visit to Ogoni, where he addressed the press and claimed he had sent a letter to the House requesting to present the 2025 budget. However, George dismissed this claim as false, insisting that no such letter was received.
“His aides later alleged that they forwarded a letter through WhatsApp to some members of the House, which was also awkward, unprofessional, and embarrassing,” George said.
He further argued that the claims circulating on social media about the governor’s letter were baseless. According to him, no record exists of such communication within the Assembly, and he called on the governor to provide an acknowledgment copy if his claims were true.
“It is now very obvious that if at all there was such a letter, the intended recipient was not the legislature but the public. The clear intention was to play to the gallery, whip up public sentiment, demonize the House of Assembly, and set the public against us,” George stated.
George also alleged that the governor had been uncooperative in resolving the budget crisis despite the Supreme Court’s ruling. He emphasized that the Assembly had written to the governor immediately after the court judgment, urging him to present the budget for consideration and passage. However, their request was ignored.
He recalled that the House had hoped to finalize the budget process by March 15, 2025, to facilitate the release of federal funds meant for the state. George expressed frustration that despite their efforts, the governor remained unresponsive.
He further alleged that Assembly staff who attempted to deliver the letter to the Government House were assaulted and turned away. The lawmakers then resorted to using a courier service, yet still received no response from the governor.
“The governor did not heed our call, nor did he demonstrate any intention to,” George lamented.
He also accused the governor of disregarding the Supreme Court’s ruling that invalidated the appointment of several state commissioners. According to him, the Assembly had asked the governor to submit a fresh list of commissioners for screening, but their letter was rejected at the Government House. Instead of complying, the governor reportedly instructed government agencies not to communicate with the Assembly.
Related: Fubara to Present Rivers 2025 Budget on March 19 After Initial Setback
George criticized the governor’s alleged directive to ministries and departments, which he said has further paralyzed governance in the state.
“The governor must be reminded that the House of Assembly is not an appendage of the executive, and its members are not his slaves, bondservants, or serfs,” he declared.
He accused Governor Fubara of unfairly punishing the Assembly and warned that his actions could negatively impact the lives of Rivers State residents.
“Our allowances have been seized for about a year and six months. We have endured immense hardship, but we have resolved to put this behind us in the interest of our state,” he said.
George stressed that the ongoing political crisis should not extend to the citizens of Rivers State, as it affects pensioners, teachers, health workers, and other public service providers. He called on the governor to act in the best interest of the people.
“The governor is toying with the lives and livelihoods of Rivers people. Let us please all call on him to do the right thing in the interest of our dear state and its people,” he concluded.
The dispute between the Rivers State House of Assembly and Governor Fubara over the 2025 budget presentation is yet another chapter in the deepening political crisis in the state
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