Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has weighed in on the ongoing budget crisis in Rivers State, urging Governor Siminalayi Fubara to comply with legal rulings and follow proper legislative procedures.
In a recent video shared by TVC, Wike discussed the situation, revealing that President Bola Tinubu had advised Governor Fubara to re-present the state’s 2024 budget through the correct legislative channels. However, Fubara reportedly refused to follow this recommendation.
Wike explained that the budget controversy arose after Governor Fubara presented the 2024 budget to a faction of just four lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly. This move was swiftly challenged in court, with the judiciary ruling the presentation unconstitutional.
Legal Rulings and Financial Implications
According to Wike, the faction led by Martin Amaewhule sought judicial intervention to address the issue. By law, Governor Fubara cannot continue to access state funds from the consolidated revenue account without a properly approved budget.
The Federal High Court, supported by the Court of Appeal, ruled that Fubara must cease all state expenditures until the budget is formally re-presented and approved by the full House of Assembly. Wike emphasized that the court’s ruling was clear: no further spending should occur until the appropriate legislative process is followed.
Wike expressed that the Amaewhule-led faction of the assembly simply wants Fubara to respect the rule of law. He reiterated that both the judiciary and President Tinubu had given the governor ample opportunity to correct the situation.
In Wike’s own words:
“President Tinubu appealed to you to go and resend your budget. You said no, you won’t do that. You said you won’t do what Mr. President said, no problem. Now the court gave a judgment, and the Court of Appeal assented to the judgment.”
The situation highlights a growing tension between the Rivers State government and its legislative and judicial bodies, with potential consequences for the state’s financial management and political stability.
