Rivers Assembly Crisis Deepens: Pro-Wike Lawmakers Give Fubara 48-Hour Ultimatum on 2025 Budget

The lingering political crisis in Rivers State has taken a new twist as the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for passage.

The directive was issued during the faction's plenary session on Monday, February 24, 2025, marking their first legislative sitting since the Supreme Court ruling that altered the political dynamics in the state.

Fubara's Budget Already Signed-Amaewhule Faction Insists on New Presentation

It will be recalled that in January 2025, Governor Fubara signed the 2025 budget into law after it was passed by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the House of Assembly, which is loyal to the governor. The bill was processed and signed within 72 hours, with only four lawmakers from the Oko-Jumbo faction present.

However, the Amaewhule-led group, which consists of 27 lawmakers, has now rejected that process and is demanding that Fubara re-present the budget within 48 hours for what they describe as proper legislative scrutiny.

Supreme Court Verdict Bolsters Pro-Wike Lawmakers

The political tug-of-war in Rivers deepened following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, which strengthened the Amaewhule faction's authority over the legislative arm of the state.

The apex court upheld a Federal High Court judgment barring the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing the state's statutory monthly allocations due to unresolved legal disputes over the legitimacy of the Assembly members.

Justice Emmanuel Agim, who delivered the lead judgment, declared that the 27 lawmakers, who were previously alleged to have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), remain valid members of the Rivers State House of Assembly until the court makes a final pronouncement on their status.

Furthermore, the Supreme Court ruled that any legislative body operating outside the Amaewhule-led Assembly is illegal, thereby rendering the Oko-Jumbo faction null and void.

Implications of the Political Crisis

The Supreme Court's judgment has handed the Wike faction a political edge, making the battle for control of Rivers State even fiercer. Analysts suggest that the latest move by the Amaewhule-led lawmakers to demand a fresh budget presentation is a strategic attempt to weaken Fubara's authority and assert dominance over the state's governance.

The governor now faces a crucial decision: comply with the ultimatum or risk further escalations, including potential legal or political repercussions.

As the power tussle continues, the people of Rivers State remain caught in the crossfire of a high-stakes political showdown that shows no signs of resolution.