Fubara to present 2025 budget soon, says Rivers speaker

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will again snub the lawmakers loyal to his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for the 2025 budget presentation.

This is despite the judgment of the Federal High Court, which declared the presentation of the 2024 budget to three-member lawmakers as invalid.

The state has been embroiled in a political crisis since October 2023, after a faction of the House of Assembly loyal to the former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, moved to impeach Fubara.

Following the move, there was an explosion that destroyed a section of the state assembly complex.

Efforts to reunite the two gladiators failed, including the peace parley called by President Bola Tinubu.

A three-member assembly loyal to Fubara has been in charge of the legislative activities in the state, including the passage of the budget, among others.

However, a Federal High Court in Abuja declared null and void the passage of the 2024 budget by the three-member assembly.

The governor, on Saturday, promised that the state government would continue to collaborate with the state House of Assembly to better the lives of the people.

He said his administration enjoyed a cordial relationship with the 10th Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, as evidenced in the screening of nominees for various positions and swift passage of executive bills brought before the House.

Speaking at the inauguration of two ultra-modern community town halls and the flag-off of the tertiary scholarship/empowerment programme by the Speaker at Akiama and Aganya communities, Bonny Local Government Area, the governor expressed confidence that the 10th assembly would give life to the 2025 budget.

Represented by the Chief of Staff, Government House, Edison Ehie, the governor said, “I thank you Mr Speaker for your support so far to the government of Rivers State as we see in your cooperation.

“The Speaker that screened caretaker committee chairmen, the speaker that has been helping us ensure that requests from the executive arm are swiftly confirmed, the Speaker that will give life to the 2025 budget.”

He said the constituency projects by the speaker were a sign that he was an elected representative of the people, adding that the 25 former lawmakers, whom he described as Abuja-based politicians, failed to attract any projects to their constituents.

He added, “This is one of the dividends of democracy as elected representatives of our people show that you are elected into the House of Assembly to represent your people. One of the obvious signs is constituency projects.

“The 25 former assembly members that sacked themselves, has anyone done projects? Have you seen or watched it anywhere? Are they inspecting or commissioning projects? These are Abuja-based politicians.”

Oko-Jumbo thanked the people of Bonny for believing in the 10th Assembly, stating that he had no regrets about supporting Fubara.

He said the assembly would not be distracted by the enemies of the state or by the 25 former members.

He recalled that the impeachment plot by the former lawmakers against the governor on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated, but quickly added that the evil plan did not stand because it was resisted by Rivers’ people.

He said, “We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers State. We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the House of Assembly.

“What happened on October 30, 2023, was deliberately orchestrated. Our God, who hath in heaven, blinded their eyes and made them deaf.

“And as such, they made a fatal mistake when they sought to not just only impeach my brother and friend, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie as leader but to further impeach His Excellency, the governor.

“And by God’s grace, today, even though at that time we didn’t think that we would have lasted one month, the Rivers people stood firm, the Bonny people stood firm, and we resisted (and we are still strong today).”

He said the 2025 budget would soon be presented before the 10th assembly, adding that Bonny would be captured in the provision of infrastructure projects.

“There are so many things that we need as a people. But let me remind you that as Speaker of the House of Assembly, the 2025 budget will soon be passed, which means that Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 budget that will be presented soon by His Excellency,” he said.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service on Sunday, Fubara said God allowed the political crisis in the state to take the state in a new direction of political emancipation, economic growth and development.

The governor said what people thought would have overwhelmed him and his team had rather become a blessing, adding that the government is more energised in steering the affairs of the state.

He made the assertion at the special thanksgiving service in honour of His Royal Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo.

The service, organised to celebrate the monarch’s appointment as the Chairman of Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council, was held at the Shepard’s Hill Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God at Mgbuoba Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

In a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nelson Chukwudi, Fubara said his commitment remained unwavering in sticking on with the fear of God in the administration of the state.

He said, “I also believe that what you are calling trouble is not trouble to me. I see it as God’s purpose for a new direction for our state.

“He has taken us higher, right from the first day, which is why, rather than getting weak, we are getting stronger and bolder every day.

“We want to finish our work, and our story will be those who led with the fear of God. We might not be perfect in everything, but in the end, there should be a reason why the angels should not allow our bodies to be taken by the devil.”

The governor pointed to the importance of thanksgiving to God because it brings assurance of His abiding presence and offers a clearer picture of what pathway to navigate through any situation.

Fubara particularly, expressed delight to have joined with the family of the royal father to present their thanksgiving to God as, according to him, it aligns with the commitment of his administration.

Governor Fubara noted the energy with which Eze Wodo danced and likened it to how King David in the Bible danced before God without being ashamed.

He emphasised, “It is one of the credits that made God love King David so much. He glorified God in a special way. He was not ashamed, and God loved him.

“I am happy and, honestly speaking, I am really humbled that at this age and as a traditional ruler, you still revere God highly. God will continue to lift you above human imagination.”

The governor enjoined the church to continue to pray for his administration and for peace in the state.

“And the secret of our administration is just one thing: your prayers. The quiet and secret prayers that you made for us in your closets count.

“I can tell you, there is no prayer that God does not answer. It is like depositing money in the bank. So, I want to thank you and assure you that we will continue to uphold the fear of God in everything we do. We can assure you that.”

He, thereafter, donated N100m to the church to support their work of evangelism, which will serve as a memorial in honour of Eze Chike Worlu Wodo in the parish.

Eze Wodo said since his birth 78 years ago, God has led him through one victory to another amidst the challenges of life, adding that he was in the church to thank God for His benevolence.

He thanked the governor for the appointment and other levels of support.