The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget for legislative consideration.
The resolution was passed during plenary on Monday in Port Harcourt, following a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol. The lawmakers referenced a Supreme Court order in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024, which halted the state’s statutory federal allocations and restricted spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State until an Appropriation Bill is passed.
The resolution, signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, stated:
Speaker Amaewhule also criticized Governor Fubara’s directive instructing Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of local councils, calling it illegal and contrary to the Supreme Court’s ruling.
The lawmakers cited the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024, which prohibits the administration of local governments by HLGAs or any other persons except democratically elected officials.
Meanwhile, the House announced plans to go on recess by Friday, stating that lawmakers have been working continuously for the past two years.
Notably, there was no mention of the 2024 budget during the plenary session.
Governor Fubara had signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2 after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Speaker Amaewhule and his faction are the legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, ordering them to resume legislative activities.
