Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his readiness to re-present the 2025 budget to the State House of Assembly whenever the lawmakers are prepared.
Governor Fubara, who spoke to journalists at the Assembly Complex gate on Wednesday, expressed displeasure over being locked out of the premises, despite prior notice to Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
“I had already informed the Speaker about my visit. I came to re-present the budget as directed by the Supreme Court’s ruling on February 28, 2025. I still believe, maybe, they might be instructed later. If they are, I’m still ready to come any day to get this issue sorted out,” Fubara stated.
The governor arrived at the complex alongside top government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, and his Chief of Staff, Dr. Edison Ehie.
Fubara accused Speaker Martins Amaewhule of deliberately avoiding him, alleging that several calls to the lawmaker were ignored.
However, the Chairman, House Committee on Publicity, Hon. Enemi George, dismissed the Governor’s claims, stating that no formal communication had been received regarding the budget re-presentation.
“I have been in the Assembly for the third term now. I know there is a procedure for an event as big as a budget presentation. You don’t send a message to the Speaker on WhatsApp and think you have communicated with the House,” Hon. George said.
He explained that since the main Assembly Complex on Moscow Road was destroyed in 2023, the lawmakers relocated to the Assembly Quarters, where they hold their sittings.
“The gate of the old complex is always locked because people are living there. The Governor was on his way to Ogoni to commission a project and decided to stop over at the Assembly. It is not true that he was locked out. This is very embarrassing,” he added.
Hon. George stressed that the budget re-presentation must follow institutional procedures and be properly documented.
“Budget presentation is a significant event where the Speaker and the Clerk must be properly robed. A formal letter must be documented through the Legislative Institution. It is not just about the Speaker; it is about the entire House,” he explained.
The Rivers Assembly and the Governor have been engaged in a prolonged political standoff, with this latest incident adding to the tensions between the executive and legislative arms of the state government.
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