Rivers crisis: Lawmakers’ attempt to shut down govt expenditure illegal – Group

The National Vanguard for Rule of Law, NVRL, has said the recent move by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to shut down the state government’s expenditures was illegal.

DAILY POST earlier reported that the 27 lawmakers loyal to the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday restricted Governor Siminalayi Fubara from approving or authorising expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund of the state.

The development came after the seven-day ultimatum the factional assembly members gave to the governor to re-present the 2024 budget before the House elapsed.

Reacting, NVRL, in a statement signed by its convener, Johnson Babatunde, wondered how a budget that was signed in December 2023 could still be re-presented at the House now.

“We view the action of the former lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, as illegal, null and void.

“For the record, Governor Fubara had in December 2023, signed the budget of N800 billion into law after presenting it before lawmakers led by the former speaker, Rt. Hon. Edison Ehie, who passed it into law,” NVRL stated.