Fresh tension has emerged in Rivers State over the delay in passing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s proposed N1.854 trillion 2026 budget, weeks after the governor and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly reconciled following years of political crisis.
Fubara presented the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” on July 10, with N413.1 billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure and about N1.405 trillion for capital projects covering infrastructure, healthcare, education and economic development.
However, the appropriation bill is yet to receive legislative approval, raising fresh concerns about the relationship between the governor and lawmakers.
A source familiar with the matter alleged that outstanding agreements involving lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects were partly responsible for the delay. The claims have not been independently verified.
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Former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, had also criticised the delay, alleging that Fubara had failed to fulfil about 90 per cent of agreements reached during the reconciliation process.
Wike, however, said the budget would eventually be passed. The delay has renewed concerns over the durability of the peace agreement, particularly as Rivers has already lost valuable time for implementing the 2026 spending plan.
Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, urged political actors to clarify on the status of the bill, warning that prolonged delays could limit the government’s ability to execute planned projects.
South-South Youths Initiative President, Oscar Imeabe, also called for prompt consideration of the budget, stressing that every day of delay could translate into delayed infrastructure and development programmes.
With more than half of the year already gone, attention is now focused on whether the governor and lawmakers can resolve their differences and move the appropriation process forward.
