Port Harcourt, January 2, 2025 — Rivers State is once again at the heart of a fierce political storm after Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the state’s N1.18 trillion budget for 2025 to just three members of the state’s House of Assembly. The controversial move has sparked intense criticism from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), which has accused the governor of undermining the state’s democratic processes and deepening political divisions.
Speaking to newsmen at his residence in Port Harcourt, Tony Okocha, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, condemned the budget presentation, calling it “unthinkable” and “illegal.” Okocha, who served as Chief of Staff during the tenure of former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, was particularly vocal about the legality of the assembly session in which the budget was tabled.
“It is unimaginable that a governor with such a rich background in finance and governance would sidestep legal procedures in such a manner,” Okocha said. “The House of Assembly has 30 functional members, yet the budget was presented to just three individuals in what courts have already described as an illegitimate setting.”
The budget presentation occurred on Monday before the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Rivers State Assembly, which consists of only three members. This faction has been embroiled in a bitter dispute with the majority of the assembly members, who have been largely sidelined by the governor.
Okocha’s remarks refer to multiple court rulings that have declared the three-member assembly, which has been described as a “forum of friends,” to be unconstitutional. According to the APC chairman, the governor’s actions are a direct violation of democratic principles and constitutional order. He argued that the budget, which is meant to serve the entire state, was presented in a manner that could not possibly reflect the true legislative process.
“This is a mockery of democracy and a clear violation of our constitution,” Okocha said. “How can a state as prominent as Rivers present a budget to a legislative body that is not fully constituted? It is illegal, and it’s an affront to the people of this state.”
In the face of mounting criticism, the governor’s office has not offered a direct response to the allegations. However, sources close to the administration have defended the budget presentation, arguing that it was necessary to avoid a financial crisis in the state.
Fubara’s tenure has been marked by a sharp division within the Rivers State House of Assembly. After the controversial election of Oko-Jumbo as the Assembly Speaker, the 27 lawmakers who oppose Fubara’s leadership have expressed concerns over what they describe as an erosion of democratic principles and legislative independence. These legislators claim that their attempts to convene a legitimate session have been blocked by the governor, who continues to back the three-member faction.
While political observers are divided over the legality of the assembly’s current structure, the APC chairman was unequivocal in his criticism, accusing the governor of flaring tensions rather than promoting unity.
“I expected Governor Fubara to extend an olive branch to the people of Rivers State in the New Year,” Okocha lamented. “Instead, he has chosen to fuel the flames of division. This is not leadership.”
Despite the turmoil, Okocha was quick to clarify that his party was not seeking to capitalize on the situation by enticing the dissident lawmakers to join the APC.
“As far as their membership is concerned, they remain PDP members,” Okocha clarified. “I may have lost that battle, but my focus remains on progress, not on joining the governor’s journey to self-destruction.”
The bitter rivalry between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, continues to play a key role in shaping the political landscape of the state. Wike, who has been a strong influence on Rivers politics for years, has reportedly distanced himself from Fubara, adding further fuel to the fire. Although Fubara’s camp insists that the budget presentation was a legal and necessary step to prevent further disruptions in the state’s finances, the APC argues that the governor’s refusal to cooperate with the majority of the assembly is part of a larger agenda to consolidate power at the expense of democratic norms.
The unfolding situation in Rivers mirrors broader tensions in Nigeria, where political battles often spill over into the legislative process. In states like Rivers, where executive-legislative relations are frequently strained, questions over the legality of budget presentations, governance, and the sanctity of elected institutions remain pressing concerns.
Legal experts, however, have weighed in, noting that the courts would likely have to intervene to clarify whether Fubara’s actions were consistent with constitutional law. Given that the assembly is divided, and with conflicting court rulings regarding the legitimacy of the faction led by Oko-Jumbo, it remains to be seen whether the budget will pass through the necessary legislative channels or face further legal challenges.
Despite the tense atmosphere, the political situation in Rivers State is far from simple. The crisis within the assembly is not only about budget presentations but also about power dynamics, loyalty, and the struggle for control over the state’s resources. The APC has made it clear that it intends to hold the governor accountable for any perceived illegalities.
“The people of Rivers State deserve better than this,” Okocha declared. “They deserve a government that follows the law, a government that works for all its citizens, not just a select few.”
As the political drama in Rivers continues to unfold, the state’s residents can expect a prolonged battle between Fubara’s administration and opposition forces. With the stakes so high, it remains to be seen how the situation will impact governance and political relations in the state going forward.
Rivers State has been a key political battleground in Nigeria, with power often shifting between rival factions. Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who succeeded Nyesom Wike, has faced significant opposition from members of the state assembly loyal to Wike’s faction. Tensions have escalated since the election of the Speaker of the Assembly, Victor Oko-Jumbo, who is seen as an ally of Fubara, while the majority of the assembly members have resisted the governor’s attempts to assert control.
The ongoing legal disputes and political tensions in Rivers have raised serious concerns about the functioning of democratic institutions in the state. As the new fiscal year begins, the question of whether Fubara can secure the passage of his budget through legal means remains uncertain, and the outcome could have significant implications for governance in Rivers State.
