The Rivers Restoration Movement, an interest group, has called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State to comply with the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the State House of Assembly to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
Johnson Georgewill, the Director General of the group, made the call during a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, emphasizing that the ultimatum aligns with the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
In its judgment delivered on Friday, the Supreme Court directed Governor Fubara to re-present the Appropriation Bill to the duly recognized legislature led by Martin Amaewhule. The apex court also barred the Central Bank of Nigeria from releasing funds to the state government until the budget was properly re-submitted to the House.
Georgewill urged Fubara not to defy the ultimatum, warning that failure to comply could constitute grounds for impeachment. He advised the 10th Rivers Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings if the governor fails to meet the 48-hour deadline.
He criticized the budget previously presented to the Oko Jumbo-led factional House, describing it as lacking substance in terms of proper budgetary presentation. Georgewill stated, “The budget (presented before the Oko Jumbo-led factional House) lacked substance in terms of proper budgetary presentation, saying that the governor must re-submit the budget.”
Georgewill also condemned the governor’s decision to proceed with a 10-day series of project inaugurations across the state, describing it as illegal, provocative, and a clear defiance of valid court rulings.
He said, “We, therefore, question the source of funding for these 10-day project inaugurations, given that both the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Bills have been declared illegal.”
The RRM Director General called on the Amaewhule-led Assembly and the Nigerian Police to take decisive action to uphold democracy in Rivers State. He urged lawmakers to ensure that all illegal appointments, non-budgetary expenditures, and government operations cease until a legitimate appropriation bill is presented before the House.
Georgewill appealed to leaders across the state, including the clergy, politicians, opinion leaders, and traditional rulers, to speak the truth and advise the governor to uphold democratic principles.
He said, “We backed former governor Nyesom Wike in ensuring Fubara emerged as governor against all odds. Therefore, we firmly oppose all forms of betrayal and illegal actions by the state government because truth and justice will always prevail over illegalities.”
Georgewill also congratulated the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the 27 lawmakers on their victory at the Supreme Court.
The RRM’s call underscores the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, as stakeholders continue to navigate the fallout from the Supreme Court’s ruling and its implications for governance and democracy in the state.