JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Orders Governor Fubara to Present 2025 Budget Within 48 Hours

The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Sim Fubara to present the 2025 budget, setting the stage for another political showdown in the oil-rich state. The directive was given during the Assembly’s plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday.

This latest development comes months after Fubara had initially signed a ₦1.1 trillion budget into law on January 2nd, following its presentation to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, last week, the Supreme Court ruled that Martin Amaewhule and his faction of lawmakers were the legitimate members of the Rivers State Assembly, effectively ending the prolonged leadership dispute in the legislature.

In their first sitting after the landmark judgment, the reinstated lawmakers demanded that Fubara re-present the same budget, adding a new dimension to the ongoing political tension in the state. The Supreme Court’s decision had not only reinstated the Amaewhule-led group but also directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold Rivers State’s allocations due to what it described as blatant disregard for court orders. Additionally, the court nullified last year’s local government elections in the state.

In response to the ruling, Governor Fubara announced plans for fresh local government elections and ordered all outgoing council chairmen to hand over power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, March 3rd. In a state broadcast on Sunday, he reiterated his commitment to upholding the court’s directives and ensuring a lawful transition in local governance.