By Esi-ife Arogundade
The Rivers State House of Assembly has called on Governor Siminalay Fubara to swiftly present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours, following a critical five-point resolution made during a plenary session in Port Harcourt.
This request comes considering a Supreme Court ruling that has halted federal allocations to the state until the Assembly recognizes the Amaewhule-led members, who resumed sessions on March 4 after the February 28 order.
The Supreme Court’s decision also invalidated a N1.1 trillion appropriation bill that had been proposed by a rival Speaker, Victor Oko-Jumbo, in January. Mr. Martin Amaewhule, the Assembly’s leader, emphasized the urgency of the governor’s response to prevent a potential financial crisis for the state due to halted federal funding.
In their correspondence, the House highlighted the need for the governor to comply with the Supreme Court order, which requires a new Appropriation Bill to enable spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. The letter specified that the governor is expected to present the bill in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
Additionally, the Assembly indicated its readiness to initiate amendments to the Rivers Local Government Law and the State Independent Electoral Commission law to facilitate fresh local government elections.
The assembly members reiterated the importance of adhering to the recent constitutional amendment, which mandates that only democratically elected individuals should lead local governments. In response to the Supreme Court’s annulment of the previous local government elections, Governor Fubara has instructed Heads of Local Government Administrators in the 23 local government areas to assume their roles as interim administrators of the councils. The developments highlight the ongoing political shifts and legal challenges facing the Rivers State government as it navigates the ramifications of the Supreme Court’s rulings.
