Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State, defended his decision to present the 2025 budget to three lawmakers on Thursday by claiming that the 27 State House of Assembly members who chose to join the All Progressives Congress from the Peoples Democratic Party had lost their seats for good.
In his view, the 27 lawmakers who are loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike have neither a cure nor a chance to return to the Assembly.
Fubara, who and Wike are at odds, stated that he had had enough insults from Wike’s team and would not take any more.
He spoke just after signing the N1.1 trillion 2025 budget at the state house in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The three-member Assembly, presided over by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, is the only valid legislative body, according to Fubara, who denied rumours of a factional Assembly.
“I want to express something,” he hinted, “maybe for some people who are still confusing things. There is just one Assembly, and it is led by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo. Approximately nine months ago, a group of friends set off on what is known as the “sea-bared journey. They realised they were entering the den of sharks and devils while coasting the ship, and they now wish to leave.
“In actuality, we are not turning back, and it is too late. We’ve allowed them enough space to live in peace.
“No governor in Nigeria can tolerate the insults I received from those individuals.
“As of right now, Rivers State’s interests are our main aim, and we will keep up our defence of the integrity of government. From my perspective, we have progressed.”
Fubara promised to stay committed to upholding the integrity of government and protecting Rivers State’s interests.
“We will ensure that we get started so that the performance record that this administration awarded in 2024 will be higher in 2025,” he stated.
“I want to start by expressing my gratitude to the Rivers State House of Assembly for their hard work and for understanding the mission we have ahead of us: to keep working for the Rivers people. I therefore want to express my gratitude for your tireless efforts in making sure we got off to a great start this year.”
In particular, Fubara congratulated the Commissioners for Finance and Budget and the acting Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board for their efforts, and he praised the State Executive Council members, particularly the Deputy Governor, for their collaboration and support.
“We have a bigger task ahead of us, so we expect you to do more,” he said. We have pledged to our people in the areas of agriculture, health, and education. As we have done in the areas of roads and other economic sectors, we must ensure that we have a positive influence. We promised you, the Rivers people, that we would keep up our efforts to safeguard, defend, and advance the interests of our beloved state.”
Speaker Oko-Jumbo claimed in his speech that the state has seen unprecedented expansion in several areas under Fubara, including social welfare, education, healthcare, infrastructure development, and security.
“Your Excellency, 2025 is going to be a year of strategic planning and collaboration,” he stated. We are confident that you will do the job of advancing democracy and bringing its benefits to every part of Rivers State. Therefore, Your Excellency, we would like to express our gratitude on behalf of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly for serving as the governor of the people and for the strategic alliance with the legislature.”
On Thursday, the opposition APC in Rivers State once again denounced Fubara’s choice to show the budget to three lawmakers while leaving out the 27 other Wike-supporting lawmakers.
Tony Okocha, the chairman of the Rivers APC, called Fubara’s move unlawful and a flagrant disrespect for court rulings.
Okocha gave reporters a briefing at his Port Harcourt home on Thursday, citing a January 2024 decision by Justice James Omotosho that required budgets to be submitted to the 27 pro-Wike MPs, led by Martins Amaewhule.
“It is inconceivable and unthinkable that a governor with such a strong foundation in finance and governance would decide to circumvent the legal system,” Okocha stated. The budget was presented in an environment that judges have deemed illegitimate, despite the Assembly having thirty functional members.
“He has at least seen the budget presentation, and I would like to take advantage of the fact that I served as Chief of Staff from 2012 to 2015.” In other words, I have seen three budget presentations.
“In this regard, out of a 32-member Assembly, we have 30 seats that are operational after losing one to death and another claiming resignation. There are three Assembly members on this side and twenty-seven Assembly members on this side. Shouldn’t the budget of a state as significant and well-known as Rivers State be presented unlawfully?
“These issues have been touched upon by the Court of Appeal in their various rulings on such matters, and I refer to them as a forum—possibly a forum of friends, but not legislators.”
