The Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly in Rivers State has given Governor Siminalayi Fubara a 7-day ultimatum to resubmit the 2024 budget. This development has caused uncertainty and tension in the state.
The approaching deadline, set to expire this week, has generated concerns regarding the potential actions to be taken by the factions led by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governor Fubara, who are political rivals.
According to reports, the ultimatum, issued on July 8, was initiated by a motion put forth by Dumle Maol, Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary and Deputy Speaker of the Assembly aligned with Nyesom Wike.
Maol, in his plea to the House, requested that the governor be informed to submit the budget, referring to a recent court judgment that upheld their membership and recognized Amaewhule as the leader.
As part of the presidential peace pact designed to address the political turmoil in the state, the re-submission of the budget was a crucial component. However, Governor Fubara had already presented the ₦800 billion budget to the Assembly led by Edison Ehie, which was subsequently approved and enacted into law.
Currently, the factional Assembly is under the leadership of Victor Oko-Jumbo.The demand for the re-presentation of the 2024 budget appears unrealistic as Governor Fubara has already shifted focus to preparing the 2025 budget.
Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician and the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, dismissed the 7-day ultimatum as laughable and urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former assembly member.
