Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s expenditure has been stopped by the Rivers State House of Assembly, under the direction of Martin Amaewhule, until he presents his budget to the legislature.
The assembly took this action on Monday during plenary, following a seven-day ultimatum from the lawmakers for the governor to present his budget before the House.
Major Jack, the House Leader, raised the motion informing the House of the seven-day deadline given to the Governor for presenting the 2024 budget to the House.
Following consideration, the House voted to close the Rivers State Consolidated Revenue Account, which stops Fubara’s administration from making any state-related expenditure.
It was reported that on July 8, the Amaewhule-led Assembly accused Fubara of violating the provisions of the 1999 Constitution as amended and set a seven-day deadline for him to resubmit the 2024 budget.
In a letter dated July 8, 2024, signed by Amaewhule and sent to Fubara on Monday, the House highlighted the governor’s actions that breached the Constitution.
This order was issued during the first session of the pro-Wike House after a hiatus of several months.
The faction had earlier heard Fubara’s budget presentation, with Edison Ehie, his current chief of staff, presiding as speaker.
After the budget estimates were approved by Ehie and the pro Fubara lawmakers, the governor signed them into law.
Attempts to mediate the ongoing political dispute between the supporters of the governor and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, are characterized by frequent interventions.
