03
Mar
Mar
RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY GIVES GOVERNOR FUBARA 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO PRESENT 2025 BUDGET
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CapitalTimesNews / 2 months
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- 2 min read
The Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Sim Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget to the lawmakers. This directive was made during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday, with Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol moving the motion. In a resolution signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, the lawmakers stated, “That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court… you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.” They emphasized that the House expects the governor to present the budget within 48 hours. Amaewhule condemned Governor Fubara’s directive to the heads of Local Government Administration to take charge of the councils, saying it is illegal and against the Supreme Court’s decision. The lawmakers drew the governor’s attention to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Judgement of the Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024. Interestingly, Governor Fubara had already signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 Budget into law on January 2nd, after presenting it to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led lawmakers. However, the Supreme Court’s recent order for Amaewhule and his group of lawmakers to resume sitting as legitimate members of the Rivers State House of Assembly has added a new twist to the situation. The lawmakers also resolved to go on recess by Friday, citing their non-stop work for the past two years. The Supreme Court had mandated the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold allocations for Rivers until it purges itself of what the court described as flagrant disobedience to court orders. It also nullified the local government elections in Rivers State conducted last year. Following the verdict, Governor Fubara called for fresh council polls in the state, promising to obey the judgement of the apex court. He directed the Heads of Local Government Administration to take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections.
