Rivers Assembly Issues 48-Hour Ultimatum to Governor Fubara to Present 2025 Budget
The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration. The directive was issued during a plenary session held in Port Harcourt on Monday, following a motion moved by the Deputy Speaker, Dumle Maol.
The resolution, signed by the Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, cited a Supreme Court order (Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024) that halted statutory federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and restricted spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund until an Appropriation Bill is passed. The lawmakers emphasized that the governor’s compliance is necessary to align with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The resolution stated: “That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of Statutory Federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and halting of spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill, you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”
In addition to the budget ultimatum, the Assembly criticized Governor Fubara’s recent directive to Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the local councils. Speaker Amaewhule described the move as illegal, citing a Supreme Court judgment (Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024) that prohibits the administration of local governments by unelected officials. The lawmakers reiterated that only democratically elected officials are legally permitted to oversee local government administration, as stipulated by the 1999 Constitution and the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023.
The Assembly also announced its decision to proceed on recess starting Friday, following the conclusion of the plenary session.
This development underscores the ongoing tensions between the executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government, with the Assembly asserting its constitutional authority to ensure compliance with legal and judicial directives.
Stakeholders in the state are closely monitoring the situation, as the 48-hour ultimatum places significant pressure on Governor Fubara to expedite the presentation of the 2025 budget. Failure to comply could further escalate the political standoff and impact the state’s financial operations.
