The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule, has issued a 7-day ultimatum to Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the House. This decision came during a resumed session held at an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt on Monday by the faction loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
This follows a recent Court of Appeal judgment in Abuja that overturned an order from the Rivers State High Court, which had prevented Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from functioning as lawmakers.
Previously, Governor Fubara had submitted an N800 billion appropriation bill for the 2024 fiscal year to a House faction led by Edison Ehie, who later resigned to become Chief of Staff to the governor. This faction had already deliberated on, passed, and enacted the budget into law.
However, President Bola Tinubu intervened in the state’s political crisis, directing the governor to re-present the budget to the Amaewhule-led assembly as part of an eight-point resolution.
During Monday’s plenary, Amaewhule issued the ultimatum following a motion by House Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker Dumped Mao, which was agreed upon by the members present. The assembly also resolved to formally notify Governor Fubara of their decision via letter.
In a parallel session, the assembly faction loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, screened and confirmed a commissioner nominee for possible swearing-in.
