The political landscape in Rivers State has been marred by escalating tensions between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly, particularly concerning the re-presentation of the 2025 budget as mandated by the Supreme Court. The Assembly, led by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, has accused Governor Fubara of insincerity and non-compliance with the courtโs directive.
๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฒโ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The Rivers State House of Assembly has refuted Governor Fubaraโs assertions that he attempted to present the 2025 budget but was obstructed by the Assembly. According to the lawmakers, no formal communication was received from the governor regarding the budget presentation. They emphasized that standard protocol requires the governor to formally notify the Assembly of his intention to present the budget, a procedure they claim was not followed. The Assembly maintains that they have been proactive, even issuing a 48-hour ultimatum to the governor to submit the budget for consideration.
๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐จ๐ซโ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
Governor Fubara contends that he made efforts to present the budget but was denied access to the Assembly premises. He alleges that upon arriving at the Assembly complex, he was barred from entry, preventing the budget presentation. However, the Assembly clarifies that due to ongoing renovations at the main complex, sessions have been relocated to a temporary venue within the Assembly quarters, which operates under restricted access for security reasons. They argue that the governorโs unannounced visit without prior notification led to the misunderstanding.
๐๐ง๐๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐ฃ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ฆ๐๐ฅ๐ฒ
Amidst the ongoing discord, the Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely. This decision has raised concerns about potential legislative paralysis in the state. The indefinite adjournment is perceived by some as a strategic move in the power tussle between factions loyal to Governor Fubara and those aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ก๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ฌ
Speculations about a possible impeachment of Governor Fubara have surfaced, with reports suggesting that certain lawmakers are setting traps for the governor to commit impeachable offenses. The Assemblyโs recent move to investigate the state Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Amadi, for alleged falsification of age, is viewed by some analysts as an attempt to remove potential obstacles to an impeachment process.
๐๐๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง
The ongoing crisis has elicited reactions from various stakeholders. Former Governor Wike has distanced himself from the Assemblyโs actions, stating that he will not interfere with their constitutional duties, including any impeachment proceedings. He emphasized the importance of allowing the legislative body to operate independently.
Political analysts have expressed concerns that the underlying issue may be a struggle for political advantage ahead of the 2027 elections, rather than the immediate concern of budget presentation. They caution that such power struggles could hinder governance and development in the state.
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