Rivers 2025 Budget, Fubara progresses in error – APC
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivets State has faulted the recent presentation of the state 2025 budget by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the three- man state Assembly chaired by Victor Oko-Jumbo as legally wrong while describing the governor as progressing in error.
The Tony Okocha-led faction of the Rivers APC said the presentation of the N1.188 trillion 2025 budget by Fubara on December 30, 2024 as an “aberration.”
Okocha at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Okocha said by the verdict of the Court of Appeal, the Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly is illegal.
He cited a judgment by Justice Omotosho, which instructed Governor Fubara to re-present the budget to the Assembly under the leadership of Martins Amaewhule.
Okocha further stated that no court had declared the seats of Amaewhule and others vacant, asserting that the governor had no authority to take such actions without a proper judicial ruling.
“Now in this sense, an Assembly of 32. We lost one to death, one claimed to have resigned, and then we have 30 functional Assembly seats.
“Twenty-seven of the Assembly members are on this side, three members of the Assembly are on this side.
“Between you and I, is it not an anathema that a budget of a state as prominent and as all important as Rivers State will be presented to an illegal setting?
“Court of Appeal in their various judgements on issues like these have touched on issues and has referred to them as Forum. They never ever imagined the word “Assembly”. They say they’re a Forum.
“Maybe a Forum of friends but certainly not legislators.
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“From the days of Omotosho, way back in January 2024, it is clear in the judgement of Omotosho that the budget has to presented to a legislative arm under the leadership of Right Honorable Martins Chike.
“Other courts, either that they are appealing or were going to seek further explanations have said over time that the governor presenting a budget to three members is completely unspeakable.”
The factional chairman said the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State as a “tragedy,” hinting at the involvement of an unnamed individual orchestrating the crisis behind the scenes.
