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The Rivers State House of Assembly refutes Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s claim that he was blocked from presenting the 2025 budget. Lawmakers insist they never received official communication and accuse the governor of political theatrics. They emphasize their commitment to state progress and urge him to follow due process.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has strongly refuted allegations by Governor Siminalayi Fubara that he was prevented from accessing the Assembly to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill. Lawmakers described the governor’s claims as misleading, insisting that no formal request had been received from him to bring the budget before the House.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the Assembly’s spokesperson and Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Dr. Enemi George, accused Governor Fubara of orchestrating a “political drama” to discredit the House.

According to George, the Assembly had, on March 3, formally invited the governor to submit the budget following a Supreme Court ruling, emphasizing their commitment to ensuring the state's financial stability. “Despite facing challenges, including the demolition of our chambers and the withholding of our entitlements for over a year, we prioritized the state’s interests and urged the governor to present his budget without delay,” he stated.

The lawmaker revealed that multiple attempts were made to deliver the House’s resolutions to the governor, but they were repeatedly ignored. Even after resorting to courier services, the Assembly received no response. “He ignored our calls, yet he now claims we blocked him. This is political theatrics at its peak,” George added.

The controversy deepened when a letter purportedly from the governor surfaced on social media. Dated March 11, the letter raised questions about the authenticity of Fubara’s claims. Lawmakers argued that proper legislative procedures dictate that a formal request should be acknowledged before any budget presentation can be scheduled.

George emphasized that the Assembly remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the welfare of Rivers residents. He urged the governor to follow due process rather than resort to public sentiment, stating, “Rivers people deserve governance, not distractions.”