The Rivers State House of Assembly has accused Governor Siminialayi Fubara of deliberately obstructing the implementation of a Supreme Court ruling, specifically the directive requiring him to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the lawmakers. In a statement issued on Sunday, the Assembly urged the public to hold Fubara accountable, rather than allowing him to manipulate public sentiment to cast lawmakers in a negative light. They insisted that his actions are slowing down governance and plunging the state into unnecessary turmoil.
Where’s the Budget? Lawmakers Demand Proof
Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Enemi Alabo George, refuted Fubara’s claim that he has already submitted the budget for reconsideration. He challenged the governor to produce concrete proof, an acknowledged copy of the letter purportedly sent to the House.
“If the governor truly sent the budget, let him show us an acknowledgment copy. Instead, we hear claims that his aides forwarded it via WhatsApp. This is not just unprofessional, it’s embarrassing,” George stated.
According to the lawmakers, Fubara’s failure to follow due process is a direct violation of the Supreme Court ruling, which requires him to properly present the budget to the Assembly.
A Governance Stalemate: Who’s Holding Rivers State Hostage?
The lawmakers have accused governor Fubara warning that the governor’s alleged delay tactics are grinding governance to a halt. They argue that, instead of engaging in media theatrics, Fubara should be taking concrete steps to ensure that the people of Rivers State don’t suffer from stalled government operations.
George recounted multiple failed attempts to engage the governor, revealing that official letters sent by the Assembly were not only rejected but that staff delivering them were allegedly harassed at the gates of the Government House. Even attempts to use courier services to get their messages across were ignored.
“It is now obvious that the intended recipient of the governor’s supposed letter was not the legislature, but the public. The goal? To whip up sentiment and demonize the Assembly,” George said.
Supreme Court’s Verdict: A Blow to the Governor’s Tactics
The Supreme Court had earlier ruled on the crisis, delivering a scathing indictment of the executive’s actions. The court ruled that the destruction of the Rivers State House of Assembly complex was a blatant attack on the legislative arm of government.
“A government cannot be said to exist without one of the three arms that make up the state under the 1999 Constitution,” the court declared. “In this case, the executive has chosen to collapse the legislature in order to govern without checks and balances. As it stands, there is no government in Rivers State.”
Despite these harsh words, the lawmakers claim that Fubara has refused to change course.
A Brewing Showdown: Calls for Compliance or Consequences
With tensions at an all-time high, political groups and concerned citizens are demanding action. The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has given Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to re-present the 2025 budget, warning that failure to comply could trigger impeachment proceedings.
“The governor must act swiftly, or risk facing the consequences of defying a Supreme Court ruling,” a statement from the group read.
Conclusion: What’s Next for Rivers State?
The standoff between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly has escalated into a full-blown constitutional crisis. At stake is not just the 2025 budget, but the very foundation of governance in the state. Will Fubara heed the calls to follow due process, or will this crisis deepen? As pressure mounts, the people of Rivers State are left watching and waiting for the next move in this high-stakes political drama.
