Fubara Siminalayi, the governor of Rivers state was barred from the Assembly complex on Wednesday, which, according to the House spokesman Hon. Enemi George, was due to “his inability to formally communicate with the House.”
Putting that behind him, the governor has again formally written to the state House of Assembly to announce his
intention to introduce the 2025 budget less than eight hours after his Chief Judge was placed under investigation for
alleged age falsification.
The Governor recounted his first visit to the House in a letter to the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, titled Notice of
Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly.
“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025, for the
presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were
locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you
following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.
“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025
budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified true copy of the judgement and accompanying enrolled
orders,” he said.
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Governor Fubara informed the Speaker in the letter that “we were simply complying with both the order of the
Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on
the 12th of March, 2025.
“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their powers and perform their duties
within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering
stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.
“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the State and our people should take priority over
political conflicts.
“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the
2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025, by 11.00 a.m. or any other date
within March 2025 that you may consider convenient.”
It is therefore left to be seen if the House will have the courtesy to respond to the letter giving the long time frame for
the presentation of the budget.
