Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has again written to the Rivers State House of Assembly, proposing Wednesday, March 19, 2025, as the new date for the presentation of the 2025 state budget.
In a letter addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, Governor Fubara recalled his earlier attempt to present the budget on March 12, which was unsuccessful due to being denied entry into the Assembly premises.
He stated that despite prior delivery of a soft copy notice and efforts to submit a hard copy through the clerk, he and his entourage were locked out.
The governor emphasized that his attempt was in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment, which he noted had also mandated the Assembly to carry out its functions within constitutional boundaries.
He also reminded the Speaker that the House had previously issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the presentation of the budget, even before he was served with a certified true copy of the judgment and enrolled orders.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to governance despite the political crisis in the state.
He urged all arms of government to exercise their duties within legal and constitutional frameworks for the good of the people.
“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the state and our people should take priority over political conflicts,” he stated.
The letter formally notified the Speaker of his intention to present the budget on March 19 at 11:00 a.m. or at any other time deemed convenient by the House.
Governor Fubara concluded by expressing his hope that the Assembly would consider his request favourably.
There have been a back and forth between the Fubara and the lawmakers following the Supreme Court judgement ordering the governor to present the 2025 budget to the State Assembly led by Amaewhule.
It took a dramatic turn at the Rivers State House of Assembly Quarters on Wednesday when Governor Siminalayi Fubara arrived at the venue but the entrance gate locked.
The security personnel at the quarters locked the gates when the governor’s convoy arrived.
The action of the security personnel was hinged on the position that there was no official communication between the governor and the Assembly. However, the governor insisted that he informed the lawmakers that he coming.
Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Thursday appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to consider the interest of the people of the state and embrace peace to resolve the political impasse in South-South state.
“It is important at this stage that we all embrace peace,” Fubara said when he commissioned some projects in the Okrika Local Government Area of the state.
The governor said he needed peace to govern the state well and called on all dissatisfied political actors in the state to put all that had happened behind and commit to the full implementation of the February 28, 2025 raft of decisions handed over by the Supreme Court.
“The Supreme Court has made its judgment, we don’t have any option but to abide by it, and by the special grace of God, we have started the process.
“We are appealing to other parties: consider the interest of Rivers State. The only thing that we owe this state is peace and development.
“I am open any day, any time for total peace in our state because if I have to govern well, there is the need for peace,” the governor said.
