By Emmanuel Kwada
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara was barred from presenting the 2025 budget to the state’s lawmakers, despite a Supreme Court judgment mandating the presentation.
Fubara arrived at the temporary legislative quarters, where Speaker Martins Amaewhule and 27 lawmakers convene, only to find the main entrance locked, preventing his entry.
The governor had formally communicated with Speaker Amaewhule through a letter and had also reached out to him, his deputy, and other lawmakers via phone calls since the previous day, but received no response.
This development comes after the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding that the governor present the 2025 budget.
The Supreme Court judgment had ordered the suspension of federal allocations to Rivers State until the budget is properly presented and approved. Former Governor Nyesom Wike’s ally, Speaker Amaewhule, has been leading the lawmakers in holding legislative sessions at the Legislative Quarters in Port Harcourt since December 13, 2023.
