The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a stern seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-present the 2024 budget to the Assembly. This directive was issued during a resumed sitting of the faction loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike, Minister of Federal Capital Territory, in Port Harcourt.

The Assembly’s decision follows recent legal developments, including a judgement by the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturning a previous Rivers State High Court ruling that restrained Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from functioning as lawmakers.

Governor Fubara had initially presented an appropriation bill totaling approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the Assembly under the leadership of Edison Ehie, before Ehie resigned to assume the position of Chief of Staff to the Governor. The bill was deliberated upon, passed, and subsequently signed into law by Governor Fubara.

However, amidst the state’s political turbulence, President Bola Tinubu intervened, issuing an eight-point resolution directing Governor Fubara to re-present the already passed 2024 budget to the Assembly now led by Amaewhule.

During Monday’s plenary session presided over by Amaewhule, the Assembly unanimously agreed to issue the ultimatum following a motion put forward by the House Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Dumped Mao. The resolution underscores the Assembly’s resolve to assert its legislative authority in the budgetary process.

In a parallel development, the assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, held a separate sitting where they screened and confirmed a Commissioner nominee, preparing for potential swearing-in ceremonies.

The unfolding events highlight the deepening political divisions within Rivers State, with competing factions of the Assembly asserting conflicting mandates amid legal battles and presidential directives.