The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly over the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing the reports as misleading.
The government, in a statement issued by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, on Wednesday, said Fubara was not at loggerheads with members of the House of Assembly but was working closely with the lawmakers in the interest of the people of the state.
The statement followed reports published by some national newspapers and online platforms suggesting that the Executive and Legislative arms of the state government were divided over the 2026 budget proposal.
The government said the 2026 Budget had already been presented to the House of Assembly and was currently undergoing the normal legislative process.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State,” the statement said.
According to the government, there is confidence that the budget proposal will be passed by the lawmakers once the legislative process is completed.
“The 2026 Budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers,” it added.
The state government further appealed for restraint, saying Rivers State had experienced difficult periods in the past and was unwilling to be drawn into another round of political controversies.
“The Rivers State Government has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies,” the statement said.
It urged individuals and groups promoting what it described as negative narratives to desist from doing so, stressing the importance of peace and stability to the state’s development.
“We therefore advise all those bent on promoting negative narratives to desist from such actions forthwith as we need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State,” the statement added.
The government’s clarification comes amid continued public interest in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State and the progress of the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
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