Speaker Martin Amaewhule of the Rivers State House of Assembly has put a hold on Gov. Siminalayi Fubara’s spending powers until he submits his budget for approval by the legislative body.
During Monday’s plenary, the assembly took action after the seven-day deadline they had given Fubara to present his budget had expired.
House Leader Major Jack introduced the motion, reminding the assembly that the governor’s deadline for submitting the 2024 budget had passed, necessitating immediate action from the lawmakers.
Following a thorough discussion, the House unanimously decided to freeze the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, effectively blocking Fubara’s administration from making any financial transactions or expenditures on behalf of the state until further notice.
According to Persecondnews, on July 8, the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Amaewhule, issued a seven-day ultimatum to Fubara to re-submit the 2024 budget, while also alleging that he had violated the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
After a break of several months, the pro-Wike House issued this order during its first session.
Previously, Gov. Fubara had presented the budget to a rival faction of the assembly, which was presided over by his current Chief of Staff, Edison Ehie, in his former capacity as Speaker.
The pro-Fubara lawmakers, led by Ehie, approved the budget estimates, which the governor subsequently signed into law.
Persecondnews recalls that attempts at mediation aimed at resolving their longstanding feud have punctuated the lingering political tensions between Fubara’s supporters and his predecessor, Mr. Nyesom Wike.
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