Governor Fubara Prevented From Accessing Rivers Assembly Quarters To Present 2025 Budget.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was on Wednesday unable to access the Rivers House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt to present the 2025 budget proposal. Upon his arrival with an entourage, the gates to the assembly quarters were locked, preventing him from entering the premises.
The assembly quarters serves as the chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers Assembly, which remains loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The political rivalry between Fubara and Wike over control of the state’s political structure has led to a division within the assembly.
In December 2024, Fubara had presented his 2025 budget proposal of N1.1 trillion to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led state house of assembly, which supports the governor.
Governor’s Response:
Speaking to journalists at the locked gates of the assembly quarters, Governor Fubara stated that he had come in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment regarding the Rivers political crisis.
“I am here this morning with a few members of the state executive council to comply with the Supreme Court judgment,” Fubara said. “Before my arrival, I had made several attempts by phone calls to reach the Speaker (Martin Amaewhule) and other members. I also wrote a letter personally, which was transmitted to the Honourable Speaker for this particular invitation.”
Fubara expressed disappointment at the situation, stating, “It is unfortunate that by the gate, you can see that the place is completely sealed and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today. The reason why we are doing this is the interest of our people — which is the most important thing.”
He added, “There is nothing to worry about. Maybe they are working on their letter. I expect to hear from them maybe after now.”
Background on the Dispute:
The ongoing power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Wike faction of the Rivers Assembly has been a source of tension in the state. In February 2025, the Supreme Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State until Fubara presents the state’s appropriation bill to the Amaewhule-led assembly.
The apex court also nullified the local government elections held in Rivers on October 5, 2024. Fubara had previously pledged to comply with the court’s decision.
As the political impasse continues, all eyes are on how the situation will unfold and whether a resolution can be reached to allow for the smooth running of the state’s governance.
