Less than eight hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated an investigation into Chief Judge Justice Simeon Amadi over alleged age falsification, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has formally notified the House of his intention to present the 2025 budget.
The move follows the governor’s unsuccessful attempt to access the Assembly Complex on Wednesday, when he was locked out. The spokesman of the House, Hon. Enemi George, had stated that the governor failed to formally communicate his visit.
In a letter titled Notice of Presentation of Rivers State 2025 Budget to Rivers State House of Assembly and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Fubara recalled the events surrounding his failed visit.
“You may recall my failed visit to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 12th March, 2025, for the presentation of the 2025 Rivers State Budget in compliance with the judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“As you know, the planned presentation of the said budget could not take place because my entourage and I were locked out at the gate and denied entry into the premises despite the prior delivery of a soft copy of the notice to you following the failure of the Clerk to accept the hard copy from us.
“Recall further that before this unfortunate incident, the House issued a 48-hour ultimatum to present the 2025 budget even when we were yet to be served with the certified true copy of the judgment and accompanying enrolled orders,” he said.
The governor emphasized that his administration had simply been following due process.
“We were simply complying with both the order of the Supreme Court and the request of the Rivers State House of Assembly when we came to present the 2025 budget on the 12th of March, 2025.
“The Supreme Court has directed that all arms of government should exercise their powers and perform their duties within the ambits of the Constitution and ordinary laws of our country, and this we must do to end the lingering stalemate and advance the progress of our state and the well-being of our people.
“No matter the depth of our differences, we believe the interests of the state and our people should take priority over political conflicts.”
Fubara then proposed a new date for the budget presentation, urging the House to provide a convenient alternative if necessary.
“Against this background, it is my pleasure to again notify you, Mr. Speaker, of my desire and intention to present the 2025 Budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly on Wednesday, 19th March, 2025, by 11.00 a.m. or any other date within March 2025 that you may consider convenient.”
