Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has officially signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law, and, unsurprisingly, the drama in Rivers politics continues. Speaking on January 2, 2025, after signing the appropriation bill, Fubara heaped praises on the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led State Assembly, emphasizing that it is the only legitimate legislative body in the state.
Fubara being his usual self decided to throw shades, he made it clear that Martins Amaewhule and 26 others who jumped ship from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) no longer exist in his political universe as legislators. “The decision is final and irreversible,” Fubara declared, shutting the door firmly on their hopes of reinstatement. This comes despite their desperate attempts to backtrack on their allegiance to the APC and align with the PDP.
It’s worth noting that the Amaewhule faction aligns with former Rivers governor and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, whose power tussle with Fubara has turned into a full-blown god-father and god- son fight , this brings the Oshiomole and Obaseki issue to mind. But Fubara, unfazed by Wike’s threat, isn’t holding back. “No governor in Nigeria has endured this level of disrespect,” he said, making it clear that his primary focus remains on Rivers State’s development and not on political tussle.
The ₦1.1 trillion budget, which was submitted to the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly just a week prior, was signed into law swiftly, a testament to the governor’s iron grip on his loyal legislature. The appropriation bill, consisting of 12 sections, is expected to fund the state’s activities through December 31, 2025.
