The Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
The ultimatum was issued at the first sitting of the House after the Supreme Court, in its ruling on Friday, ordered that Martin Amaewhule and other elected members of the House be allowed to resume sitting unhindered under Amaewhule’s Speakership.
Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers had their seats declared vacant after their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Supreme Court, however, ruled that they remain lawmakers until their status is determined by the court.
The apex court also directed Governor Fubara to re-present the budget to a properly constituted Assembly.
The governor had signed the N1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on 2 January 2025 after presenting it to three lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo.
In a Facebook post on 30 December 2024, Governor Fubara said, “Today, I presented the 2025 Budget of Inclusive Growth and Development to the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“With N1.18 trillion, we’re driving progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, and other infrastructural projects.
“This budget reflects our commitment to advancing prosperity for all Rivers people.”
There was heightened security at the Rivers House of Assembly Quarters on Monday ahead of the lawmakers’ first sitting after the Supreme Court ruling under Amaewhule’s leadership.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara has signalled his readiness to implement the judgements of the Supreme Court without reservations to move the state forward.
The governor, in a statewide broadcast from the Government House in Port Harcourt on Sunday, also directed the Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to immediately assume control of the 23 local government councils in the state.
This was in response to the Supreme Court ruling sacking the LGA chairmen who were elected on October 5, 2024. The apex court had declared the election that ushered in the chairmen as void, citing violation of Section 150 the Electoral Act.
Fubara, who said the HLGAs would run the affairs of the LGs pending fresh elections into the councils by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), also instructed the outgoing LG chairmen to formally hand over their responsibilities to the HLGAs by Monday, March 3, 2025.
He expressed disagreement with the court’s judgement saying, however, that as a law-abiding government, his administration would comply with the court’s orders.
“We are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear state,” Fubara said.
“Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.
“Since inception, we have conducted the affairs of government within the framework of our Constitution, due process and the rule of law.
“While we are not above mistakes because we are humans, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance.
“Accordingly, I have had a meeting with my team of lawyers, and they have assured me that the certified true copy of the judgements may be available to them by Friday, 7th March, 2025.
“I assure you that upon the receipt of certified judgements, we shall study their ramifications and implement them without reservations to move the State forward,” he said.
He urged the people and residents of Rivers State to remain calm, continue with their daily activities peacefully, and trust that the government would work tirelessly to ensure good governance for the benefit of the citizens.
