Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied any rift with the state House of Assembly over the 2026 Appropriation Bill submitted to the lawmakers.
Recall that the governor, on July 10, submitted a budget proposal of N1.85tn to the Martin Amaewhule-led House for consideration and approval.
However, more than one month after it was presented to the House, the budget estimate had yet to be passed into law by the Assembly, despite assurances by the Speaker, Amaewhule, who had expressed concern over the late presentation but said the lawmakers would give the proposal the needed attention it deserved in the interest of the state.
Recall that The PUNCH, in its July 12 edition, reported a delay in the presentation of the budget after the House took a first reading, following alleged concerns that the governor and the Assembly had yet to reach a truce.
However, Fubara, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said he was working closely with the lawmakers to serve the people of the state.
The statement, titled ‘Fubara, not at loggerheads with Rivers State House of Assembly’, said the 2026 budget, which was presented to the Assembly, was going through the normal legislative process and expressed the hope that once the process was completed, the bill would be passed into law by the lawmakers.
The statement read, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a news item published in some national dailies and online platforms insinuating that there is a disagreement between the executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government over the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State.
“The 2026 budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process, and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers.
“The Rivers State Government has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies.
“We, therefore, advise all those bent on promoting negative narratives to desist from such actions forthwith as we need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State.”
