Budget Presentation: Rivers Assembly Adjourns Plenary Indefinitely

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its legislative duties indefinitely, frustrating the re-presentation of the 2025 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

Recall that this week, precisely on Wednesday, Mr Fubara was at the makeshift premises of the parliament to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers Assembly as directed by the Supreme Court, but he was shut out.

He was not allowed to enter for the presentation of the budget. He, right there, informed journalists that he had earlier called the Speaker, Mr Martin Amaewhule, on the phone of his intention to be at the Assembly.

The next day, during a media chat, his predecessor, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is currently the Minister of FCT, lambasted his successor, saying he was trying to blackmail the state legislators.

At the plenary on Friday, the lawmakers, who are loyal to Mr Wike, agreed to indefinitely suspend sittings, a move that could make it impossible for the Governor to legitimately spend any government funds.