Rivers Assembly Faction Issues 48-Hour Deadline To Fubara For 2025 Budget Presentation

The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding that he formally present the 2025 appropriation bill. The directive was given during the group’s plenary session on Monday, further intensifying the state’s political crisis.

Rivers State Political Rift Deepens

The ongoing power struggle in Rivers State continues to escalate, as the assembly remains sharply divided. The faction led by Amaewhule is aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, while the opposing group, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, remains loyal to Governor Fubara.

In January 2025, Fubara had already signed the 2025 budget into law after it was approved by the Oko-Jumbo-led faction. However, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers insist that the governor must formally present the bill before them, underscoring the deepening tensions between the two rival camps.

Implications of the Budget Presentation Demand

The demand for Fubara’s compliance highlights the broader political battle within Rivers State’s legislature. The confrontation between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, has further fueled uncertainty regarding governance and legislative authority in the state.

According to a Vanguard report, Governor Fubara also announced that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) will conduct fresh elections for local government councils. This follows the Supreme Court’s rulings on Rivers State’s prolonged political crisis.

Governor Fubara’s Response to Supreme Court Ruling

In a statewide broadcast on Sunday, Governor Fubara acknowledged the Supreme Court’s decision while expressing his administration’s disagreement with the ruling. However, he emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law. He confirmed that his government would study and implement the judgment once the certified true copies are obtained, expected by Friday, March 7, 2025.

As a temporary measure, Fubara directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to assume control of the 23 LGAs, pending fresh elections. Additionally, he ordered outgoing local government chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.

“Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by RSIEC,” Fubara stated.