Pro-Wike lawmakers in Rivers State have indefinitely adjourned the assembly, delaying Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s 2025 budget presentation. This move intensifies the political battle between Fubara and ex-Governor Nyesom Wike, raising concerns about governance and financial stability as Rivers faces withheld federal allocations amid the ongoing power struggle.
Lawmakers loyal to former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike have indefinitely suspended legislative activities just as Governor Siminalayi Fubara prepared to present the 2025 budget. The decision, announced by the Martin Amaewhule-led faction at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday, escalates tensions in the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike.
The adjournment comes a day after Fubara formally requested a rescheduled date for his budget presentation, citing compliance with a Supreme Court ruling mandating him to present the appropriation bill to the state legislature. His previous attempt to access the Assembly for the budget presentation was blocked.
Rivers State has been engulfed in political turmoil as rival factions vie for control. The assembly remains divided, with the Wike-backed Amaewhule faction opposing the governor, while a separate pro-Fubara group, led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, previously approved a N1.1 trillion budget proposal in December 2024.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that federal allocations to Rivers State should be withheld until Fubara submits the budget to the Amaewhule-led assembly. This latest adjournment, however, raises fresh concerns about governance in the state, as the impasse threatens budgetary approvals and financial stability.
Political analysts warn that this crisis could significantly impact the state's operations, as both factions dig in. With no clear resolution in sight, Rivers State’s governance hangs in the balance, awaiting the next move in this high-stakes political battle.
