President Tinubu has submitted a ₦1.48 trillion budget for Rivers State to the National Assembly, despite suspending the governor and lawmakers under emergency rule.
- Tinubu’s request for the 2025 Rivers budget was read in the House on May 22.
- The move follows his March declaration of emergency in the oil-rich state.
- Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all lawmakers were suspended for 6 months.
- A former naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, is currently serving as sole administrator.
- The budget request raises questions about federal control and democratic norms.
This isn’t just about numbers — it’s about who holds power in Rivers. By pushing forward a trillion-naira budget while elected officials are on forced leave, Tinubu’s government is steering the state's future through emergency hands. It may be a short-term fix for long-term political dysfunction, but it sets a precedent that makes many uneasy. What happens if this approach spreads?
Will lawmakers approve a state budget without a sitting governor or assembly? Nigerians are watching to see what this means for federal-state balance and democracy itself.
