The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget for approval.
This development occurred during a session held at an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt, led by a faction loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
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This ultimatum follows a recent Court of Appeal ruling in Abuja, which overturned a Rivers State High Court decision that had prevented Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from acting as lawmakers.
Governor Fubara had initially presented an appropriation bill of approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to a House led by Edison Ehie, who later resigned to become the governor’s Chief of Staff.
The bill was deliberated upon, passed by the House loyal to Fubara, and signed into law by the governor.
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In an attempt to resolve the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, President Bola Tinubu issued an eight-point resolution, one of which directed Governor Fubara to re-present the already passed 2024 budget to the Assembly led by Amaewhule.
During a plenary session on Monday, Amaewhule issued the ultimatum following a motion by House Committee Chairman and Deputy Speaker, Dumle Mao, which was unanimously agreed upon by the members present.
Concurrently, the faction loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, conducted a parallel session where they screened and confirmed a Commissioner nominee for potential swearing-in.
The Amaewhule-led faction plans to formally communicate their decision to Governor Fubara through an official letter.
