Rivers: APC kicks as Fubara signs 2024 budget into law 24 hours after presentation

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has speedily signed the 2024 Appropriation Bill of N800bn into law.

The embattled Rivers State governor signed the bill almost 24 hours after he presented the N800 billion annual budget to a five-member House of Assembly led by Speaker Edison Ehie on Wednesday.

Recent events in the state further highlighted the growing tension between Governor Fubura and the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Recall that the Martins Amaewhule-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly, which is made up of 26 members, recently dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC in a rude shock.

The state legislative chamber is currently split between the governor and his predecessor.  Fubura backs the state house under the leadership of Ehis while the Amaewhule-led faction has pledged their loyalty to the FCT Minister.

Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s 2024 budget presentation to four out of the 31 state House of Assembly members.

Tony Okocha, the state APC Caretaker Committee Chairman, said in a statement in Port Harcourt that the presentation of the budget to the absolute minority members was contrary to the law of the constitution.

‘’The presentation of a bill to 4 suspended members of the House of Assembly does not fulfil the requirements of the constitution for all the reasons stated,’’ he said.

He added that expenditure made by the state government on the outcome of such a presentation was a violation of the constitution and could be a viable reason to commence impeachment.

Okocha further explained that ‘’Amaewhule remains the speaker of the House of Assembly, the lawmakers passed a vote of confidence on him,’’ he said.