The Rivers State House of Assembly has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, demanding the immediate presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration.
The resolution, passed during Monday’s plenary session in Port Harcourt, was initiated by a motion moved by Deputy Speaker Dumle Maol. The Assembly’s action is predicated on a recent Supreme Court ruling (Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024), which mandated the cessation of statutory federal allocations and expenditure from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund until an Appropriation Bill is enacted.
“Pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court… you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended,” stated the resolution, signed by Speaker Martin Amaewhule. “The House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”
During the session, Speaker Amaewhule also condemned Governor Fubara’s directive to Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs) to assume control of local councils, deeming it illegal and in direct contravention of the Supreme Court’s judgment (Suit No.: SC/CV/343/2024). The Assembly emphasized that the 1999 Constitution, the Rivers State Local Government (Amendment) Law, 2023, and the Supreme Court ruling explicitly prohibit local government administration by HLGAs or any individuals other than democratically elected officials.
The House further announced its decision to commence a recess by Friday, citing two years of continuous legislative activity. Notably, the 2024 budget was not addressed during the plenary session.
It is recalled that Governor Fubara had previously signed a ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget into law on January 2nd, following its presentation to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Assembly.
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