Drama in Rivers: Governor Fubara Blocked from Presenting 2025 Budget
A high-stakes political standoff unfolded in Rivers State on Wednesday as Governor Siminalayi Fubara was denied access to the state House of Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt, where he had planned to present the 2025 budget.
Arriving with his entourage at the assembly quarters, Fubara found the gates firmly locked, preventing him from entering. The assembly quarters serve as the chamber for the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers Assembly, which remains loyal to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident marks yet another flashpoint in the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike, both vying for dominance over the political landscape of Rivers State. The deepening rift has left the state’s legislative body divided into two rival factions—one backing Fubara and the other supporting Wike.
Despite the turmoil, Fubara had previously presented a N1.1 trillion 2025 budget to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led House of Assembly, which remains loyal to him. However, the Supreme Court recently ruled that the budget must be submitted to the Amaewhule-led faction, setting the stage for Wednesday’s dramatic standoff.
Speaking to journalists outside the sealed assembly gates, a visibly frustrated Fubara lamented the situation but maintained his composure.
“I am here this morning with a few members of the state executive council to comply with the Supreme Court judgment,” he stated.
According to the governor, he made multiple attempts to reach Speaker Amaewhule and other assembly members through phone calls and official letters but received no response.
“Unfortunately, the gates are completely locked, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today. We are doing this in the interest of our people—that is the most important thing,” he added.
The impasse follows a February 28 Supreme Court ruling that upheld a federal high court’s decision barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.
The court ruled that the state’s financial allocations would remain withheld until Fubara formally presents the appropriation bill to the Amaewhule-led faction. In another blow to the governor’s administration, the apex court also nullified the local government elections held in Rivers State on October 5, 2024.
