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WIKE MEETS WITH SUSPENDED RIVERS STATE LAWMAKERS IN UK

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, met with suspended Rivers State lawmakers for a dinner in the United Kingdom on Monday. This meeting follows his political engagements in Port Harcourt on Sunday. The dinner was part of a legislative capacity-building program the lawmakers are attending in the UK. Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, confirmed the event on Facebook, stating that the FCT minister traveled to the UK after visiting allies in Rivers State. The suspended lawmakers were removed by President Bola Tinubu amid a state of emergency in Rivers State due to security concerns. Governor Sim Fubara, embroiled in a power struggle with Wike, was also suspended. Despite a Supreme Court order to reinstate the lawmakers, tensions persist, particularly over Fubara’s presentation of the 2024 budget. Details of the dinner discussion remain undisclosed, but the meeting highlights ongoing efforts to navigate Rivers State’s turbulent politics.

RIVERS STATE GOVERNOR INVITES ASSEMBLY MEMBERS TO CRUCIAL MEETING

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has invited members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to a meeting at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Monday, March 10, at 10:00 AM. The invitation was conveyed in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, on Sunday. The meeting follows the governor’s receipt of the Supreme Court’s judgment, which was not delivered in his favor. Governor Fubara emphasized that the meeting will focus on key issues, including “the provision of a suitable venue for the Assembly’s sittings, settlement of all outstanding remuneration and allowances for Honourable members, presentation of the budget and related matters, and any other necessary issues aimed at advancing the best interests of the state.” The governor expressed his anticipation of the Assembly members’ attendance, stating that the discussion aims to “chart the way forward in the interest of the good people of Rivers State.” This meeting comes after the state Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governor to present the 2025 budget following the Supreme Court judgment.

RIVERS STATE ASSEMBLY GIVES GOVERNOR FUBARA 48-HOUR ULTIMATUM TO PRESENT 2025 BUDGET

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.