The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, demanding the re-presentation of the 2024 budget.
This directive was made during a resumed sitting held at an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt on Monday.
The ultimatum comes after the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified an order by the Rivers State High Court that had previously barred Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from acting as lawmakers.
This ruling restored the assembly’s ability to conduct its legislative duties.
Background of the Budget Controversy
Governor Fubara had initially presented an appropriation bill of approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to a House loyal to him, which was then led by Edison Ehie as Speaker.
This budget was deliberated upon, passed by the House, and subsequently signed into law by the governor.
However, following Ehie’s resignation to assume the position of Chief of Staff to the governor, the situation in the state assembly became contentious.
A faction loyal to Chief Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, challenged the legitimacy of the budget approval process.
Presidential Intervention and Assembly Ultimatum
President Bola Tinubu intervened in the crisis, issuing an eight-point resolution that directed Governor Fubara to re-present the already passed 2024 budget to the Amaewhule-led assembly. The assembly, in its resumed sitting, upheld this directive.
During Monday’s plenary session, Amaewhule presided over the assembly as they issued the ultimatum.
The motion, brought forward by Dumped Mao, the House Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker, was put to a vote and agreed upon by the members present.
“The House has resolved to communicate our decision to Governor Fubara through a formal letter, emphasizing the necessity for the budget to be re-presented within seven days,” Amaewhule announced.
Parallel Legislative Activities
In a parallel development, the faction of the assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, held its own sitting. During this session, a commissioner nominee was screened and confirmed for potential swearing-in, indicating the ongoing division within the state’s legislative body.
