Pro-Wike Lawmakers Adjourn Plenary Indefinitely 24 Hours After Fubara’s Budget Request
The faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhule has adjourned its plenary indefinitely, further deepening the political crisis rocking the oil-rich state.
The decision was reached during the lawmakers’ plenary session held at the Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The move comes barely 24 hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara wrote to the Assembly, requesting a new date for the presentation of the 2025 appropriation bill.
In the letter dated 13th March and personally signed by the governor, Fubara proposed Wednesday or any other convenient date in March for the lawmakers to receive the budget.
He stated that this was his second official request to the Assembly, adding that he was only acting in line with the Supreme Court ruling of 28th February, which directed that the budget be presented before the lawmakers.
However, despite the court’s pronouncement, political tensions have continued to escalate in Rivers State.
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On Wednesday, Fubara and some of his commissioners were prevented from accessing the Rivers Assembly Quarters, a development that stalled his attempt to present the budget in person.
The crisis stems from the ongoing power tussle between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
The rift has resulted in a divided House of Assembly, with the Amaewhule-led faction loyal to Wike, while the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction aligns with Fubara.
In December 2024, Fubara had presented a budget proposal of N1.1 trillion to the Oko-Jumbo-led assembly.
However, the Amaewhule faction, backed by Wike, refused to acknowledge the presentation, leading to legal battles.
On 28th February, the Supreme Court upheld an earlier Federal High Court ruling barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from disbursing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers State until Fubara presents the budget to the Amaewhule-led lawmakers.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
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