Rivers Assembly Denies Receiving Official Communication from Governor Fubara on Budget Presentation

Following the growing tension between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the new leadership of the Rivers State House of Assembly, the House has denied receiving any official communication from the governor indicating his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, accusing him of whipping up unnecessary sentiments.

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The Assembly also faulted claims by Governor Fubara that he was blocked from entering the House to re-present the budget.

The spokesperson for the House and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr. Enemi George, made these remarks during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

George described the governor’s allegations as a “comedy skit” aimed at painting the Assembly in a bad light. He recalled that on March 3, following the Supreme Court judgment, the House wrote to the governor, requesting him to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers.

“We were the ones who, immediately after that judgment, appealed to the governor to bring his appropriation bill. We acted swiftly because we had the interest of the state at heart and didn’t want Rivers people to suffer any harm,” George stated.

He further alleged that despite the House facing challenges, including the withholding of its entitlements for over a year and the demolition of its chambers, lawmakers still prioritized the state’s progress by urging the governor to present the budget promptly.

“We indicated our intentions in that letter and even gave him a timeframe due to the urgency of the matter. To regularize his appointments, we also urged him during our subsequent sitting to submit the names of his nominees for the positions of commissioners and board memberships for screening and confirmation,” George added.

However, according to the House spokesperson, the governor ignored their appeals.

“We sent employees of the Assembly to deliver these resolutions to him, but as usual, they were turned away at the gate and even brutalized. We eventually resorted to using a courier service,” George claimed.

The ongoing dispute between Governor Fubara and the State Assembly underscores deepening political tensions in the state, raising concerns about governance and cooperation between the executive and legislative arms.