The Rivers State Government has denied reports of a fresh disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly over the delay in passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The government described the reports as misleading, saying the budget proposal was still going through the required legislative process.
The clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi.
Nzeshi said Fubara was not in conflict with the lawmakers and remained committed to working with the House of Assembly for the development of the state.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State,” he said.
According to the governor’s spokesman, the 2026 budget proposal had already been presented to the House of Assembly and was being considered in line with established legislative procedures.
“The 2026 budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers,” Nzeshi said.
The statement came amid renewed interest in the relationship between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State, following the political crisis that rocked the state in recent years.
Nzeshi said Rivers had experienced enough political difficulties and should not be dragged into another round of controversies.
He urged individuals and groups promoting what the government described as negative narratives to stop doing so, stressing the need for peace and stability in the state.
“We therefore advise all those bent on promoting negative narratives to desist from such actions forthwith, as we need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State,” he added.
The controversy over the 2026 budget comes against the background of the prolonged political crisis that previously affected relations between Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The disagreement, which became a major national political issue, was linked to the long-running political dispute between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
At the height of the crisis, the governor and some lawmakers were divided over several issues, including political control of the state, legislative decisions and the relationship between the executive and the legislature.
The dispute also resulted in a split within the House of Assembly, with lawmakers taking different positions on the political situation.
The crisis attracted the attention of the Federal Government and other political leaders, leading to efforts to resolve the disagreement.
A major development in the dispute was the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, which produced an agreement aimed at restoring political stability in the state.
The political situation has since changed, with Fubara returning to the political camp associated with Wike.
The development raised hopes that the previous tension between the governor and lawmakers would end and that the state government would be able to focus more on governance and development.
Against that background, reports of a fresh disagreement over the 2026 budget attracted attention because of the history of tension between the two arms of government.
The Rivers State Government, however, has rejected the suggestion that the delay in passing the budget is a sign of a renewed political crisis.
Instead, the government said the budget was following the normal process required before it could become law.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional system, state governors are required to present annual budget proposals to their respective Houses of Assembly for consideration and approval.
The legislature examines the proposal, considers the allocations to different sectors and may invite government officials to explain various provisions before passing the appropriation bill.
Once passed by the House, the bill is presented for the governor’s assent before it becomes an appropriation law.
The process is intended to ensure that public funds are approved through the legislature and that government spending is subjected to legislative scrutiny.
The Rivers government’s position suggests that the delay in the passage of the 2026 budget should not be interpreted as evidence of a political disagreement.
The state government also appears keen to prevent the issue from becoming another source of political tension, particularly given the impact of the previous crisis on governance in the state.
Rivers is one of Nigeria’s most economically important states because of its role in the oil and gas industry. The state hosts major oil companies and critical energy infrastructure, while Port Harcourt remains an important commercial centre in the Niger Delta.
The state government therefore requires a functioning relationship between the executive and legislature to approve budgets and implement development programmes.
A prolonged disagreement between the two arms could affect government plans, particularly in areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, security and social services.
The government’s latest statement is also an attempt to reassure residents and investors that the political situation in the state remains stable.
Nzeshi said the governor was focused on working with lawmakers rather than engaging in political confrontation.
The statement further urged the people of Rivers State to disregard reports suggesting that Fubara and the lawmakers were at odds over the budget.
For now, the government maintains that the 2026 Appropriation Bill is undergoing the normal legislative process and that it expects the lawmakers to complete their consideration and pass the proposal.
The development will be closely watched because of the political history surrounding the governor and the Assembly.
If the budget is passed without a fresh dispute, it could further reinforce the perception that the political crisis that once dominated Rivers State has eased.
However, any prolonged delay or disagreement over the budget could again raise questions about the relationship between the executive and legislative arms.
The state government has therefore called for peace and cooperation, stressing that Rivers needs political stability to sustain development.
With the budget now before the House of Assembly, attention will shift to the lawmakers’ consideration of the proposal and the eventual passage of the bill.
The Fubara administration is expected to rely on the approved budget to implement its programs and projects for the 2026 financial year, while the legislature will retain its constitutional role of scrutinising and approving government spending.
For the moment, the Rivers government insists there is no fresh rift and that the budget delay is simply part of the legislative process.