The crisis in Rivers State deepens as the House of Assembly accuses Governor Siminalayi Fubara of failing to properly implement the Supreme Court ruling on the 2025 budget presentation.
Lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike denied receiving any official correspondence from Fubara regarding the budget, despite claims from the state government that a letter was sent.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information, Joseph Johnson, insisted that Fubara had written to the Assembly and proposed March 19 for the presentation. However, Assembly spokesman Enemi George challenged the governor to produce an acknowledged copy of the letter, dismissing claims that it was sent via WhatsApp as “unprofessional and embarrassing.”
George also accused Fubara of rejecting previous attempts by the Assembly to facilitate the budget process, stating that staff delivering official letters were assaulted. He further alleged that the Supreme Court ruling had invalidated state commissioners’ appointments, yet the governor refused to submit a fresh list for screening.
The lawmakers accused Fubara of trying to dismantle the legislature, warning that his actions were crippling governance in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urged all parties to avoid dragging the judiciary into the crisis. NBA Port Harcourt Chairperson, Cordelia Eke, advised that disputes be resolved through legal and non-partisan mediation rather than political confrontations.
With tensions escalating, stakeholders are calling for urgent intervention to prevent further instability in Rivers State.