The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of failing to act in good faith regarding the implementation of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which requires him to reintroduce the 2025 budget for approval.
The lawmakers, who are loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, dismissed Fubara’s claim that he had written to the Assembly to formally request a budget presentation, insisting that no such correspondence had been received.
However, the state government maintains that the governor has fulfilled his obligation by reaching out to the Assembly. While acknowledging that the House had adjourned indefinitely, officials believe lawmakers should be able to convene for an emergency session to deliberate on a matter as critical as the state budget.
According to government sources, March 19 has been proposed for the presentation, with expectations that the Assembly will facilitate the process. The government argues that the session will not take more than an hour, after which lawmakers will have sufficient time to scrutinize the budget.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, the Assembly’s spokesman, Enemi George, challenged the governor to provide proof that he had sent any letter.
“Last week, on his way to an event in Ogoni, the governor stopped at the gate of the Assembly Quarters to speak to the press. During this interview, he asserted that he had sent a letter to the House, notifying them of his intention to present the Appropriation Bill. However, no such letter was received,” George stated.
He further alleged that the governor’s aides later claimed the letter had been sent via WhatsApp to some Assembly members, describing such a method as “awkward, unprofessional, and embarrassing.”
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“As I speak, social media is flooded with claims of a letter from the governor to the Assembly regarding the budget presentation. Nothing could be further from the truth. We categorically state that no such letter has been received by the House or its staff.
“We challenge the governor and his aides to produce an acknowledgment copy or any evidence proving that the letter was sent and received,” he said.
George accused Fubara of deliberately obstructing efforts to resolve the political crisis in the state, especially regarding the budget process.
“After the Supreme Court judgment, we wrote to the governor, urging him to submit the budget for speedy consideration. Our goal was to pass the bill by March 15, 2025, to ensure we could approach the Federal Government for the release of funds withheld due to the court’s ruling.
“Instead of cooperating, the governor rejected our letter, and our staff attempting to deliver it were assaulted at the Government House gate. Undeterred, we resorted to using a courier service, but still, the governor refused to engage with us.”
He also claimed that following the Supreme Court ruling, which invalidated the appointments of most state commissioners, the House requested a fresh list for screening, but the governor refused to comply.
“Once again, our letter was rejected at the Government House, forcing us to use a courier service. Instead of complying, the governor instructed the commissioners to take legal action against us and directed state ministries and agencies not to engage with the Assembly in any form,” George alleged.
Emphasizing the independence of the legislature as guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution, George warned that allowing the governor to suppress the Assembly would set a dangerous precedent.
“This is a dangerous precedent. A single individual cannot be allowed to hold an entire state hostage due to personal ego. The Rivers State Government, as it stands, is non-functional,” he declared.
He also lamented the hardships faced by lawmakers, including the destruction of the Assembly Complex, attacks on their homes, and the withholding of their allowances for over 18 months.
“We have endured immense suffering for trying to fulfil our constitutional duties. However, we will not allow the governor to extend this hardship to the people of Rivers State.
“Public servants, pensioners, teachers, and healthcare workers depend on government funding. The governor’s actions jeopardize their livelihoods. We must all call on him to do the right thing for the sake of the state and its people.”
