The crisis rocking the political landscape in Rivers State has assumed another dimension as the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara to resubmit the 2024 budget to the House.
The faction of the state assembly aligned with Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, took this stance during its session held in an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt on Monday.
It will be recalled that last week, the Court of Appeal in Abuja nullified a Rivers State High Court order that had restrained Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from functioning as lawmakers.
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Previously, Governor Fubara had presented an appropriation bill of approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the assembly under Edison Ehie’s speakership, before Ehie resigned to become the governor’s Chief of Staff.
Ehie and other legislators supportive of Fubara deliberated on the bill, passed it, and subsequently had it signed into law by the governor.
However, amidst the state’s crisis, President Bola Tinubu intervened and, in an eight-point resolution, directed Governor Fubara to resubmit the already passed 2024 budget to the assembly led by Amaewhule.
During Monday’s plenary session presided over by Amaewhule, the assembly issued the ultimatum following a resolution reached by the members present. The motion was initiated by Dumle Maol, Chairman of the House Committee and Deputy Speaker.
The assembly further resolved to communicate this decision to Governor Fubara via an official letter.
In a parallel development, the assembly loyal to Governor Fubara, led by Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo, conducted a separate session where they screened and confirmed a commissioner nominee in preparation for possible swearing-in.
The rift continues amidst legal battles, with Oko-Jumbo and other pro-Fubara lawmakers now heading to the Supreme Court over the Rivers State crisis.
