The embattled Governor of River State Siminalayi Fubara has described the failure of lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to honour his invitation for a meeting at Government House on Monday as “unfortunate”.
Fubara said that, notwithstanding the lawmakers’ absence, he would proceed with presenting the budget.
The governor said this in a letter written to the state House of Assembly, notifying them of his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for consideration and approval.
Fubara’s letter, dated March 11, 2025, was formally addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule and specifically titled “Presentation of the Rivers State 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly”.
However, the letter was sent to the wrong location, specifically the Assembly complex on Moscow Road, which was bombed last year, rather than the legislative quarters on Aba Road, where the lawmakers have been holding their sittings.
The governor said that his notice was in compliance with the Supreme Court judgment, which recognized the 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike as the legitimate Assembly.
The letter read: “Please recall my statewide broadcast of March 2, 2025, in which I expressed our unreserved commitment to implementing the recent Supreme Court judgment on the political disputes in Rivers State as soon as the enrolled judgment orders were served on us.
“It was in furtherance of this commitment that we initiated the consultative meeting with the Rivers State House of Assembly for March 10, 2025, to consider all the issues raised by the judgment and agree on the way forward in the best interest of our dear state.
“However, this crucial meeting was never held, which was unfortunate. Nevertheless, we have decided to move on to swiftly implement the terms of the judgment as promised, having now been served with the Certified True Copy.
“Consequently, we wish to notify Mr. Speaker of our desire and intention to present the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, by 10 a.m.
“Thank you for the kind consideration of my request by the House, and please accept, Mr. Speaker, the assurance of my highest regards.”
Persecondnews had reported that the governor extended an olive branch to the Amaewhule-led members of the House of Assembly on March 9, inviting them to a meeting through the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo.
The letter, addressed to Speaker Martin Amaewhule, is titled, “Meeting Between the Governor of Rivers State and the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.”
Danagogo said the meeting, set for 10 am on Monday, March 10, 2025, at the Government House, Port Harcourt, was prompted by the Governor’s receipt of the Certified True Copy(CTC) of the Supreme Court judgement.
The letter outlined the agenda for the meeting, highlighting key discussion points such as securing a venue for lawmakers loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike to convene, presenting the 2025 budget, and addressing other pertinent issues.
Fubara stated that he had decided to proceed with the budget presentation after receiving the Certified True Copy of the apex court’s judgment.
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