The Rivers State Government has stated that it has yet to receive any official communication from the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly regarding the 48-hour ultimatum given to Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.
Speaker Martin Amaewhule had, in a letter dated Monday, March 3, 2025, requested the governor to submit the Appropriation Bill in line with the 1999 Constitution. However, the state government has denied receiving any such document.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, clarified that no formal letter had been received by the Governor’s Office or other relevant government offices.
“I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March 2025 on the above subject, which we came across on social media and notify you that, as at the close of work on Tuesday 4th March, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, nor the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the State has received the said letter,” Danagogo stated.
He further explained that the government was still awaiting a certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment to determine its next course of action.
Dr. Danagogo reassured the public that Governor Fubara remained committed to complying with legal rulings but needed to review the Supreme Court decision first.
“We have since been in contact with our lawyers who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgments of the Supreme Court, and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement same timeously in the best interest of our people,” he said.
Despite the ongoing political tensions, the SSG emphasized that Governor Fubara had already expressed his willingness to uphold the Supreme Court’s decisions.
“Please, recall that His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, had in a State Broadcast on Sunday 2nd March, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court Judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of Rivers State,” Danagogo added.
With the state government awaiting official communications, the political crisis in Rivers continues to unfold, as residents and stakeholders watch closely for the next developments.
Source: Ripples