You’re gone, I’m already preparing 2025 budget – Fubara tells pro-Wike lawmakers

Mr Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of Rivers State has announced his intention to present the 2025 appropriation bill to the state house of assembly soon.

This comes in the wake of the seven-day ultimatum by members of the Assembly faction said to be loyal to the controversial former governor and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

Recall that during a plenary session on Monday, 27 lawmakers demanded that Fubara resubmit the state’s 2024 budget within seven days.

The ultimatum comes after a court of Appeal ruling in Abuja that overruled a previous order by a Rivers high court, which had prevented the lawmakers from conducting legislative proceedings.

The high court’s order came after the lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In December 2023, governor Fubara presented an N800 billion budget estimate for the state’s 2024 fiscal year to the Edison Ehie-led faction of the house of assembly.

Despite the ongoing leadership face-off, Fubara managed to present the budget to five members of this faction and signed the 2024 appropriation bill within 24 hours.

The Rivers state assembly has been deeply polarized due to a power struggle between Wike and Fubara over control of the state’s political landscape.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Fubara stated that he had moved on with the 2024 budget and was focused on preparing the budget for 2025.

“We all know how they crossed over to the APC. They made a mistake, and they are gone,” Fubara said. “When I wanted to help them, I accepted because we are all one. We disagree to agree. They thought they were smart. What is holding them back is the declaration of their seat vacant, which was done in December 2023.”

He assured the public that he is preparing the 2025 budget and will present it soon. He urged citizens not to be deceived by political theatrics, stating, “They can come to the media and dance, but when they go behind, they cry. It is the truth.”

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