Fubara yet to receive Rivers assembly’s letter on 2025 budget submission, says SSG

The Rivers government says it is yet to formally receive a letter from the house of assembly directing Siminalayi Fubara, the governor of the state, to re-present the 2025 appropriation bill.

In January, Fubara signed the 2025 appropriation bill into law after it was passed by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers house of assembly.

The governor signed the appropriation bill 72 hours after it was presented to the house which has just four lawmakers.

However, the supreme court in a judgment delivered on February 28, affirmed the Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers state house of assembly and ordered elected members of the house to resume sitting.

In a letter dated March 3, the Amaewhule-led assembly issued Fubara a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 appropriation bill.

Responding in a letter on Wednesday, Tammy Danagogo, secretary to the Rivers state government (SSG), said Fubara is yet to receive the letter.

Danagogo added that the state government only heard of the purported ultimatum on social media.

“I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March 2025 on the above subject, which we came across on social media, and notify you that as at the close of work on Tuesday 4th March 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter,” the SSG said.

“Neither the office of the governor, nor the deputy governor’s office, nor the office of the accountant-general of the state has received the said letter.

“Please, recall that his excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, governor of Rivers state, had in a state broadcast on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the supreme court judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of Rivers state.

“We have since been in contact with our lawyers who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgments of the supreme court, and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers state that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement same timeously in the best interest of our people.”