Governor Siminalayi Fubara has rejected the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget.
The governor dismissed the lawmakers’ demand and directive opposing his order for outgoing local government chairmen to hand over to Heads of Local Government Administration (HLGAs).
Fubara, speaking at the inauguration of the Government House Staff Quarters in Port Harcourt, urged Rivers people to remain calm, vowing to defend the interests of the state despite political tensions.
The pro-Wike lawmakers had insisted that the governor must present the 2025 budget in line with constitutional provisions following their reinstatement by the Supreme Court on February 28. However, the state government maintained that it would act after receiving the Certified True Copy of the court’s judgment.
Meanwhile, the sacked local government chairmen have begun handing over to HLGAs in compliance with the governor’s directive.