By Paul Dada
The Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara 48 hours to present the 2025 budget.
The lawmakers met on Monday in Port Harcourt following a judgement of the Supreme Court recognising them as bona fide members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
It remains to be seen if Fubara will comply with the ultimatum issued by the pro-Wike lawmakers.
Already, he had signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget passed by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction, into law.
On Sunday, the Rivers helmsman, in compliance with a Supreme Court Judgement, had ordered the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct fresh elections for local government councils in the state.
The directive followed the Supreme Court verdict which invalidated the recently held LG elections in the state.
Fubara, who announced the decision in a statewide broadcast, directed the Local Government chairmen that emerged through the now nullified elections to hand over to the Heads of Local Government Administration pending fresh elections. He also directed the chairmen to hand over power by Monday, March 3, 2025.
Fubara said, “Given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by RSIEC.”
Adding, the Rivers helmsman said, “Although our dear state seems to be back in trying times, I urge everyone to remain calm and peacefully go about their legitimate daily activities.”
