Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has written to the State Assembly to schedule a date for the re-presentation of the 2025 Budget.
In a letter obtained by Newsleverage, Fubara suggested that March 19 would be a suitable date but requested the Assembly to provide a specific date for him to present the Budget, as mandated by a Supreme Court ruling.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Fubara arrived to present the Budget but found the Assembly Quarters locked. The Assembly, led by Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is allied with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, continued their plenary session after the Governor left the complex.
Fubara noted that he had made several attempts to communicate with the Speaker but to no avail. He urged the Assembly to prioritize the needs of the people, despite any grievances they may have against him or others.
In December, Fubara had presented a budget of N1.1 trillion to a state assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, which was loyal to him.
However, on February 28, the Supreme Court upheld a federal high court ruling that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State.
The apex court ordered the CBN to withhold Rivers’ financial allocation until Fubara presented the state appropriation bill to the Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly.
