Wike criticises Fubara for putting re-election bid ahead of presenting state budget

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara over what he described as neglect of governance.

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Wike accused the governor of prioritising his second-term ambition while failing to present the state’s budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

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Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, the minister expressed concern over what he termed misplaced priorities.

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“The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly, but he is busy pursuing his second-term ambition,” Wike said.

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He warned that the delay in presenting the budget could hamper the smooth running of government activities and the delivery of essential services to residents.

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The dispute is rooted in the ongoing political rift between Fubara and Wike, which polarised the Rivers State House of Assembly into rival factions.

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In December 2024, Fubara presented a N1.1 trillion 2025 budget proposal to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Assembly, which is loyal to him.

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However, on February 28, the Supreme Court affirmed a Federal High Court judgment barring the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.

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The apex court also directed the Central Bank to withhold the state’s allocations until the governor presents the appropriation bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly, which is aligned with Wike.

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Following the judgment and reconciliation efforts by President Bola Tinubu, Fubara wrote to the Amaewhule-led Assembly requesting a new date for the presentation of the 2025 budget.

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In the letter dated March 13 and personally signed by the governor, he proposed a convenient date in March for the presentation.

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However, when he arrived at the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt with some commissioners on the scheduled day, they were denied access despite prior notice.

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Fubara maintained that his actions were in compliance with the Supreme Court directive mandating him to present the budget to the Assembly.

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However, the Rivers State House of Assembly, on Sunday, accused Fubara of insincerity in the implementation of the recent Supreme Court judgment, ordering him to present the 2025 budget afresh.

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The lawmakers, who are loyal to Wike, alleged that, contrary to Fubara’s claim to have written to the House for budget presentation, they had not received any correspondence from him.

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