…As Fubara proposes Wednesday for budget presentation
• Ijaw group gives lawmakers ultimatum for budget passage
From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State House of Assembly has indefinitely adjourned sittings following a plenary session on Friday, presided over by Speaker, Martin Amaewhule.
The decision comes just hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara formally wrote the Speaker of his intention to represent the 2025 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration and approval.
In the governor’s letter dated March 13 and addressed to the Speaker, Fubara proposed to present the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other date within March deemed suitable by the Assembly.
The governor stated that his decision was in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and in response to lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.
Governor Fubara also recalled his previous attempt to present the budget at the Assembly Quarters, where lawmakers had been holding their sessions but was denied entry to the premises.
Meanwhile, the Assembly, at its 136th legislative sitting, passed three bills that will be forwarded to the governor for assent.
Debating on the reports of the various committees for the three bills, which were the Rivers State House of Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Bill, 2025, a bill that seeks to grant the House powers, privileges and immunity to perform its legislative duties; the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) Bill, 2025, which seeks to repeal the existing State Electoral Law of 2018, and to re-enact a new one to provide for the establishment, composition and functions of the commission in line with the Electoral Act of 2022 and the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and the Rivers State Local Government Bill, 2025, which seeks to repeal the state’s Local Government Laws of 2018, 2023 and 2024, and to re-enact a new Local Government Law that will be in sync with contemporary laws in the administration of the Local Government Councils.
Reacting to the reports, the speaker stated that what the House was simply doing was the domestication of the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act of 2017 that gave certain powers and privileges to the legislature in the performance of its function.
Amaewhule averred that the RSIEC Bill is very crucial, given the need to be in tandem with the Electoral Act and the Constitution.
Similarly, the speaker harped on the importance of making the Local Government Law reflect certain constitutional provisions, adding that the Rivers State House of Assembly will continue to perform its legislative duties in the best interest of the people. Members unanimously voted in the affirmative for each of the three bills, and passed them for onward transmission to the governor for assent.
Amaewhule commended members for their doggedness and resilience, saying, “For sacrificing your recess in the interest of the people, history will be kind to you.”
He further extolled them for going the extra mile in working for the state and the people. The House thereafter adjourned indefinitely.
Meanwhile, the Ijaw for Tinubu 2027, led by Tamuno Esiri, has given the Assembly Speaker, and members to respect President Bola Tinubu’s stand for peace by accepting the 2025 budget from the governor.
The group also told the Assembly to stop initiating bills that are self-seeking and anti-Rivers State or be ready to face recall because, “Ijaws for Tinubu 2027 will partner all well meaning groups and Rivers people that support the Governor and Mr. President to effect the recall process to ensure total liberation for Rivers State.”