In a contentious move, the Rivers State House of Assembly under Martin Amaewhule’s leadership has issued Governor Siminalayi Fubara a strict seven-day ultimatum to resubmit the 2024 budget.
This decision comes after the Assembly’s first session following a prolonged hiatus, during which a parallel session led by Victor Oko-Jumbo also convened.
Previously, Governor Fubara had presented the budget to a faction of lawmakers aligned with him, presided over by his Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, who subsequently passed the budget.
This development marks a critical juncture in the political landscape of Rivers State, raising concerns about legislative integrity and governance alignment amidst dual legislative sessions.
Meanwhile, tension flared in Rivers State yesterday as two opposing factions of the state house of assembly prepared for simultaneous sessions.
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It was gathered that the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led House, which aligns with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, invited Emmanuel Frank-Fubara, a new commissioner-nominee, for screening and confirmation.
The Martin Amaewhule-led House loyal to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, also scheduled a plenary for the day.
While the pro-Fubara lawmakers gathered in an improvised Hallowed Chamber within the Government House in Port Harcourt, the pro-Wike legislators assembled at the State Assembly’s official quarters along Aba Road in the same metropolis.
Both factions scheduled their sessions at 10 am.
Although the agenda for the Amaewhule-led lawmakers remained unclear, the gathering marked their first sitting since the court of appeal recognised them as the legitimate members of the House.
One likely topic of discussion, it was gathered, was the situation surrounding the 23 local government councils in the state.
These councils have been under police blockade for over two weeks due to the crisis triggered by the tenure of the former local government chairmen.
Recall that the State House of Assembly Complex on Moscow Road in Port Harcourt was bombed in October 2023.
The attack followed an unsuccessful attempt by 27 lawmakers loyal to the FCT Minister to impeach Fubara.
The pro-Wike lawmakers had earlier announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), further escalating the political crisis in the state.
