March 05, (THEWILL) – The Rivers State government has said it is yet to receive the resolutions passed by the Rivers State House of Assembly regarding the re-presentation of the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
THEWILL earlier reported that the Martins Amaewhule-led Assembly had, on Monday, issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Fubara, demanding that he re-present the 2025 budget.
The governor had initially submitted the budget on December 30, 2024, to the Edison Ehie-led House, which the lawmakers loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike have refused to recognize.
Citing a Supreme Court ruling in Suit No. SC/CV/1174/2024, which ordered a halt to statutory federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and restricted spending from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund until a valid Appropriation Bill is passed, the Assembly insisted that the governor must re-submit the budget in compliance with constitutional provisions.
In a resolution signed by Speaker Martins Amaewhule, the lawmakers stated, “That pursuant to the order of the Supreme Court in Suit No.: SC/CV/1174/2024 for the stoppage of statutory federal allocations to the Rivers State Government and halting of spending from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State pending the passage of an Appropriation Bill, you are requested to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended. That the House expects you to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.”
In a letter signed on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, the government stated that, as of the close of work on Tuesday, the Governor’s office, the Deputy Governor’s office, and the Accountant-General’s office had not received any official communication from the Assembly.
The letter referenced Fubara’s March 2 statewide broadcast, during which he reiterated his commitment to upholding the rule of law, despite any personal reservations he may have regarding the Supreme Court’s judgment.
Danagogo disclosed that the state’s legal team was still awaiting a certified true copy of the Supreme Court ruling to facilitate compliance.
He assured Rivers residents that once the official judgment is received, Fubara would take the necessary actions without delay.
The letter read, “I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March, 2025, on the above subject, which we came across on social media, and notify you that:
“As at the close of work on Tuesday, 4th March, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the Office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor’s Office, nor the Office of the Accountant-General of the State has received the said letter.
“Please recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, had in a State Broadcast on Sunday, 2nd March, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of Rivers State.
“We have since been in contact with our lawyers, who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgments, and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement the same timeously in the best interest of our people.
“Please accept the esteemed regards of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State.”
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