The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers. The directive was made during plenary in Port Harcourt on Monday, following a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol.
The lawmakers referenced the Supreme Court’s order in Suit No. SC/CV/1174/2024, which halted statutory federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and prohibited spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund until an Appropriation Bill is passed.
In a resolution signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly stated, “That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court… you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”
Governor Fubara had previously signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2 after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, the current Assembly, led by Amaewhule, has declared the earlier presentation invalid, citing procedural irregularities.
During the plenary, Speaker Amaewhule also condemned Fubara’s directive to Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to take charge of the councils, describing it as illegal and contrary to the Supreme Court’s decision.
The lawmakers reminded the governor of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Supreme Court’s judgment in Suit No. SC/CV/343/2024, which prohibits the administration of local governments by HLGAs or any other persons other than democratically elected officials.
The ultimatum adds to the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, as the Assembly and the governor continue to clash over governance and constitutional matters.
