Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has dismissed reports of a renewed disagreement with members of the State House of Assembly over the delay in passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The governor described the reports as misleading, maintaining that the N1.854tn budget proposal is still undergoing the normal legislative process.
This clarification was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, who said Fubara remained committed to maintaining a cordial working relationship with the lawmakers.
Nzeshi said, “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.”
According to him, the governor had presented the 2026 appropriation bill to the Assembly and was awaiting the completion of the legislative procedures required for its passage.
“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,” he added.
The statement followed growing concerns over the fate of the budget, which has remained before the lawmakers for more than a month after its presentation.
Fubara had on July 10 presented the N1.854tn “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” to the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly for consideration and approval.
Although the Speaker acknowledged that the budget was presented later than expected, he assured that the legislature would give the proposal the necessary attention in the interest of Rivers State.
However, reports of limited legislative activity on the proposal have fuelled speculation over a possible fresh disagreement between the governor and the lawmakers.
A source within the Assembly, who spoke on condition of anonymity, attributed the delay to alleged fresh agreements reached between Fubara and the lawmakers as part of efforts to resolve the lingering political crisis in the state.
The source alleged that the governor had entered into agreements with the lawmakers before they permitted him to present the budget, but had yet to fully meet his obligations under the arrangement.
According to the source, some of the alleged agreements relate to lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects.
“The governor has not done anything for them since assuming office, and I think they expect him to pay most of their outstanding benefits, and he agreed to do so, but hasn’t kept to his promise,” the source said.
According to the source, a lack of trust between the two sides had complicated the process, with lawmakers demanding that the governor fulfil his part of any agreement before proceeding with the budget.
The claims, however, contrast with the official position of the state government, which insists that there is no dispute between the executive and legislative arms over the budget.
Nzeshi urged those promoting what he described as negative narratives to desist, arguing that Rivers State could not afford another round of political tensions.
“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 said.
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