Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State announced plans to present the 2025 budget, responding to a seven-day ultimatum from pro-Wike lawmakers demanding the 2024 budget resubmission. Amid political tension, Fubara criticized defectors and emphasized moving forward with his administration's agenda.
In a bold declaration signaling his administration's forward momentum, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State announced his intent to present the 2025 appropriation bill to the state house of Assembly. This announcement comes in response to a seven-day ultimatum issued by lawmakers loyal to Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The ultimatum, delivered during a Monday plenary session by 27 assembly members, demanded that Fubara resubmit the 2024 budget within a week. This session followed a court of appeal ruling in Abuja that dismissed an earlier order by a Rivers high court, which had restrained the lawmakers from legislative proceedings. The high court had issued the restraint following the lawmakers' defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Governor Fubara initially presented the 2024 budget, totaling N800 billion, to the Edison Ehie-led faction of the house amidst a leadership crisis in December 2023. Despite the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike, Fubara managed to sign the appropriation bill within 24 hours of its presentation.
Reflecting on the turmoil, Fubara expressed his readiness to move beyond the 2024 budget. "We all know how they crossed to the APC. And how did they cross? Because of our god. For them to make that mistake — they are gone, and they are gone," he stated.
Fubara criticized the defectors' actions, indicating that their positions had been declared vacant in December 2023. "When I wanted to help them — I accepted to help them because we are all one. We disagree to agree. They thought they were smart," he added.
Amidst these political skirmishes, Fubara underscored his focus on the future. "For me, I have started preparing my budget for 2025, which I am going to present very soon," he announced. He warned the public against being misled by the defectors' media antics, saying, "Don't allow anybody to deceive you. They can come to the media and dance. When they go behind, they cry. It is the truth."
