The Rivers State Government has rejected the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly, demanding that Governor Siminalayi Fubara re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill, The Bureau Newspaper has gathered.
The House of Assembly, during its plenary on Monday, had directed Fubara to submit the budget within two days, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment. The lawmakers formally communicated their decision to the governor through a letter dated March 3rd and signed by Speaker Amaewhule. The ultimatum expired on Wednesday.
Rivers Government: No Official Summon Received
In response, the state government, through a letter dated March 5th and signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, stated that it had not received any official communication from the Assembly regarding the matter.
“As of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4th, 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,” the letter read.
The government noted that its awareness of the purported summons was only through social media, adding that it would not act on an unofficial document.
Fubara Pledges to Implement Supreme Court Judgment
The letter further referenced Governor Fubara’s state broadcast on March 2nd, where he reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the rule of law, despite his personal views on the Supreme Court ruling.
“We have since been in contact with our lawyers, who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgment of the Supreme Court. We hereby reassure the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgment, he will strive to implement it in the best interest of our people,” the letter added.
The standoff between the executive and the legislature highlights the deepening political crisis in Rivers State, with observers keenly watching how the situation unfolds.
