As the pro-Nyesom Wike parliamentarians led by Martins Amaewhule’s ultimatum to Governor Siminalayi Fubara expires on Monday, July 15, 2024 (today), tensions in Rivers State are rising. Governor Fubara was given a seven-day ultimatum by the House of Assembly, led by Martin Amaewhule, to resubmit the state budget for 2024.
According to the Daily Post, As the deadline approaches, worries are raised about possible measures from the camps of Governor Fubara, the political opponent of FCT Minister Wike, and Wike, who have been staking claims to the Rivers Assembly and releasing conflicting resolutions.
Dumle Maol, the deputy speaker of the pro-Nyesom Wike assembly and chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, made a proposal that led to the ultimatum’s issuance on July 8. Citing a recent court decision that affirmed their membership and recognized Amaewhule’s leadership, Maol pleaded with the House to direct the Governor to resubmit the budget.
One of the most important components of the presidential peace accord meant to settle the state’s political impasse was the resubmitting of the budget. But Governor Fubara had already brought the ₦800 billion budget to the Edison Ehie-led Assembly, where it was approved and signed into law. Victor Oko-Jumbo currently serves as the leader of the Assembly faction that supports the governor.
Resubmitting the 2024 budget would be unfeasible given that Governor Fubara has declared his administration is working on the 2025 budget.
A politician who supports Fubara, Chijioke Ihunwo, called the seven-day ultimatum absurd and urged Amaewhule to acknowledge his previous membership in the legislature. The governor nominated Ihunwo to lead the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area’s Caretaker Committee….Seē _ Morē