Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has taken a decisive step toward implementing the recent Supreme Court ruling by formally requesting to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the State House of Assembly on March 19.
In a letter dated March 13 and personally signed by him, Governor Fubara addressed Speaker Martins Amaewhule, recalling his unsuccessful attempt to present the budget on Wednesday in compliance with the court’s verdict. He noted that despite prior notification, he and his team were denied access to the Legislative Quarters, which currently serves as the Assembly complex. This occurred even though a soft copy of the presentation notice had been sent to the Speaker after the Clerk declined to accept the hard copy.
The governor further pointed out that before the incident, the Assembly had given him a 48-hour ultimatum to submit the budget, despite the fact that he had not yet received a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment.
“The Supreme Court has mandated that all arms of government operate within the constitutional framework and legal provisions of our country. To uphold this directive, we must put an end to the ongoing impasse and prioritize the development of our state and the welfare of our people,” Fubara stated.
He emphasized the need to set aside political differences for the greater good, asserting: “Regardless of our disagreements, the interests of the state and our people must come first.”
Governor Fubara further reiterated his commitment to engaging with the Assembly and proposed presenting the 2025 Budget at 11 a.m. on March 19. He also expressed openness to an alternative date within March 2025 that the Speaker might find suitable.
In a related development, the governor extended an olive branch to the aggrieved lawmakers and other stakeholders, urging them to foster an atmosphere of peace essential for executing the Supreme Court’s judgment. He reaffirmed his willingness to embrace “total peace,” underscoring that adherence to the court’s verdict remains the only viable path forward.
