Pro-Wike Lawmakers Deny Fubara Access to Rivers Assembly for Budget Presentation Despite Ultimatum

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has been prevented from accessing the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt this morning. Fubara and his entourage were met with locked gates at the entrance of the assembly quarters, which served as the legislative chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the state assembly. This faction is aligned with Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), deepening the rift between the governor and his predecessor.

The development follows a March 3 directive from the Rivers Assembly, which gave Fubara 48 hours to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to lawmakers under reinstated Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The order came after a resolution passed during the 130th Legislative Day of the Second Session of the Tenth Assembly.

The budget crisis stems from a Supreme Court ruling on February 28, which declared Fubara’s earlier budget presentation and approval process unconstitutional. The court condemned the governor for excluding 28 lawmakers. It nullified the ₦1.1 trillion budget he signed into law on January 2 after presenting it to a four-member faction led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. The apex court also criticized Fubara’s demolition of the Assembly complex, describing it as an abuse of power intended to silence opposition.

Amidst the budget impasse, the Assembly has moved to amend the Rivers State Local Government Law No. 5 of 2018 and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law No. 2 of 2018 to align them with the Electoral Act and facilitate fresh local government elections.

They also reminded the governor that the 1999 Constitution, as amended, prohibits the administration of local governments by unelected officials. This contradicts Fubara’s recent directive for Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take over from outgoing council chairmen.

It will be recalled that the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, recently asked  Fubara to resign or face impeachment. He made the call while describing the invitation of the 27 lawmakers to a meeting by Fubara as a Greek gift.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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