The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule, has officially directed Governor Siminalayi Fubara to cease any further spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.
This directive was issued following the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the governor to re-submit the 2024 budget.
This conflict stems from a reconciliation meeting in Abuja, mediated by President Bola Tinubu, aimed at resolving tensions between factions loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, and Governor Fubara.
As part of the peace agreement, Governor Fubara was required to re-present the 2024 budget, which he initially submitted in 2023.
Governor Fubara’s original budget proposal, exceeding N800 billion, was swiftly passed by the House led by then-Speaker Edison Ehie, who subsequently resigned and was appointed Chief of Staff to Fubara.
Following the peace deal, the Amaewhule-led Assembly anticipated a fresh budget submission, which has yet to occur, exacerbating the ongoing political rift.
In response to the budget impasse, pro-Fubara lawmakers appointed Victor Oko-Jumbo as their factional Speaker. Tensions escalated further when Governor Fubara declared the pro-Wike lawmakers invalid, citing a court order restraining them due to their defection to the All Progressives Congress.
However, the Court of Appeal overturned this ruling on July 4, reinstating the pro-Wike lawmakers.
During their session on Monday, May 9, the Assembly issued Governor Fubara a one-week deadline to present the budget. In their fourth Legislative Sitting at the Assembly Quarters on Aba Road, the lawmakers accused Fubara of unconstitutional spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund without an appropriation law.
House Leader Major Jack highlighted, “Given the combined provisions of Sections 121 and 122 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as altered, Governor Siminialayi Fubara has flagrantly continued to violate the Constitution by spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the state without an Appropriation Law.”
The Assembly condemned Fubara’s actions and decided to halt all expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Speaker Amaewhule remarked, “It is unfortunate that Governor Fubara now sees a violation of the provisions of the Constitution and judgments of courts as a way of governance. As representatives of the people, the House would not look the other way while the governor consistently tramples on the Constitution he swore to uphold.”
The House resolved to notify the Federal Government, relevant agencies, banks, and both local and foreign donors of this development, advising against any transactions with the Rivers State government until the budget issue is resolved.
