Rivers State Assembly gives Fubara 48 hours to present 2025 Appropriation Bill

Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 48-hour deadline to submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill for their consideration.
The lawmakers said unless this is done, the state might be plunged into a financial crisis because they (lawmakers) will proceed on a 12-week recess from Friday.
They made this position known during plenary presided over by Speaker, Martin Amaewhule
But Governor Fubara has vowed to fight on, saying he was not scared of impeachment.
Yesterday was the first working day after Friday’s Supreme Court judgment which restored the state legislature and ordered the governor to submit the 2025 Appropriation Bill to them for scrutiny.
The Supreme Court ordered the stoppage of federation accounts allocation to Rivers until the lawmakers passed the Appropriation Bill.
Although the governor in a broadcast on Sunday promised to implement the judgment without reservation, his speech at the inauguration of Government Staff House Quarters yesterday showed his combativeness.
Fubara said: “People should know that because no matter how we have been fooled in this state, it has gotten to a point where this state has decided to take their destiny in their hands.
“In as much as I don’t subscribe to violence, when the time comes for us to take a decision, I will lead the cause for that decision.
“Let me say it again, I am not scared of anything. The worst that will happen is for me to leave the office. It is not that I am leaving the earth.
“Is it going to stop me from existing? So, I am not bothered about that. But the right thing must be done and said when the opportunity is given to us.
“Let me thank everyone, especially our youths, be strong, please don’t be perturbed. I assure you that at the right time, you will get the instructions.”
Fubara said he was prepared to pay the supreme price in the course of defending Rivers’ interest.
Urging the people to take their destiny into their hands, the governor enjoined the youths to remain resolute.
The governor lamented that each time his administration tried to stabilise, a spanner would be thrown in its wheel of progress, thereby forcing it to start from the beginning.
Turning to the leaders backing his government, he said: “Our leaders, I do not have anything to give to you. We have not given you anything right from the time we started.
“We have been running a system where every time when we tried to stabilise, one spanner would be thrown our way.
“So, for that reason, it is like bringing us to ground zero and we start afresh. But I will continue to thank you for supporting us without getting anything; supporting us because you believe that it is the right thing to do for Rivers State.
“Let anybody not be deceived; there are faces today that will carry the symbol of some persons and it will be a curse in this state.”
Fubara urged the people to remain strong and fight gallantly to the end, stressing that the focus is not about winning, but about standing for the right cause.
He said: “I want you to be in your highest spirit. It is not about who wins, it is about the glory and the honour of fighting gallantly. Being on the side of truth, not on the side of lies, because of cheap favour.
“I want to assure all our supporters, I know that the news that broke out on Friday must have dampened your spirit. Brace up. What is ahead is more than what has just passed.
“As humans, I know you feel somehow. But just relax. God has our back. We are not resting on anybody but God only.
“I want to thank you for your support and assure you that if there is one person on the planet Earth who will continue to stand by you, I will be that person.
“I assure you that I will lead you with honour, respect and integrity, knowing that when I leave here I will have questions to answer.
“If I am called upon years from today, I want to be proud to defend my position.”
Supreme Court said that there is absolute lack of governance in Rivers.
But yesterday, Fubara inisted there is.
He said despite the antics of foes who believe there is no governance in Rivers, “there is legitimate and purpose-driven governance in Rivers State”.
He said his government, which is not driven by selfish interest, would continue to do the right thing.
On the staff quarters, he said: “We decided that our staff members can’t be living in uncomfortable places while I live in comfort.
“Why would I get efficiency from my workers if they are not happy? The government decided to embark on this project. And I am happy that the contractor delivered it within the time limit.”
The House of Assembly, which sat for the second time after the judgment, gave the governor a 48-hour ultimatum to re-present this year’s budget estimates.
The Assembly also unfolded plans to amend the Rivers State Local Government Law, Number 5 of 2018 and the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission Law, Number 2 of 2018.
The resolutions of the House were contained in a letter dated March 3, 2025, addressed to the governor.
Copies of the letter signed by Amaewhule were also sent to the Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu; Accountant-General of the State and the Chairman of Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RISIEC).
The lawmakers explained that their resolutions were based on the Supreme Court judgment that stopped the statutory federal allocations to the state government and halted spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, pending the passage of the Appropriation Bill.
The lawmakers asked Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
On its plan to amend the local government and RISIEC laws, the lawmakers said the Supreme Court judgment nullified the purported Rivers State Local Government Election of October 5 due to its non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
According to the lawmakers, the amendment was necessary to make the laws comply with the Electoral Act and pave the way for fresh local government elections.
The lawmakers rejected the governor’s directive that the sacked chairmen should hand over to the heads of personnel.
They referred the governor to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023 and the judgment of the Supreme Court which affirmed the primacy of democratically elected local governments.
The letter added: “The House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.
“The House would proceed on a 12-week recess as from Friday, March 7. 2025, but the statutory committee would be expected to continue statutory functions.
“Please, be informed that our resolutions are geared towards a quick fix to the current financial quagmire occasioned by the absence of an Appropriation Law for Rivers State.
“We do not want Rivers State people to suffer. We, therefore, urge you to act fast and do the needful in the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.”