Rivers State Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara has made it clear he will not be presenting the 2024 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly, led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule. Fubara declared this decision after the seats of Amaewhule and 24 other lawmakers were declared vacant on December 13, 2023, following their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fubara voiced his stance during a solidarity visit from the leadership structure, key stakeholders, opinion leaders, women, and youths of Etche and Omuma local government areas, led by Ogbakor Etche, the apex socio-cultural organization of the Etche ethnic nationality, at Government House, Port Harcourt. He emphasized that the 2025 Appropriation Bill is already in preparation for presentation to the House of Assembly.
Referring to the defectors, Fubara stated, “The Amaewhule-led lawmakers are truly gone and will eventually return home because they desired it to be so when they defected from the PDP to the APC voluntarily.” He dismissed their recent complaints as mere “noise-making from delusional people” and urged the 25 former lawmakers to wake up and acknowledge the state’s governance is progressing smoothly.
Governor Fubara detailed his administration’s plans for the 2025 budget, which will prioritize education, healthcare, and agriculture. “Let me assure you that agriculture is an area that we have promised the very special and peace-loving people of Rivers State that our 2025 budget, which we have already started preparing, will address,” he said. Fubara reassured that the state government is not concerned with the defector’s issues and emphasized the significance of their seats being declared vacant.
The governor reiterated his commitment to effective governance, stating, “As I talk to you, I have started preparing my budget for 2025, which I am going to present very soon. And, in that budget, my key areas will be education, healthcare, and agriculture.” He explained that the budget would ensure quality healthcare services and educational facilities, even if more roads were constructed.
“Our children need to go to quality schools. Even if they can’t go to private schools, let them go to the public ones that have standards. We need to go to good health facilities owned by the government and get standard healthcare services,” Fubara said. He stressed the importance of agriculture in addressing unemployment and keeping youths engaged to prevent them from turning to crime.
Fubara made it clear that his administration is not at war with anyone and expressed gratitude to those who have contributed to his success. However, he emphasized that loyalty does not mean losing one’s sense of discretion and integrity. “We will not rule this state on our bent knees. We will rule standing this way I am standing,” he declared.
Onyeisi Etche, Eze Emmanuel Opurum, pledged full support from the Etche and Omuma people, urging the governors of the 36 States of the Federation to find a lasting solution to the political crisis and communicate it to President Bola Tinubu. Sir Charles Nwankwoala, president-general of Ogbakor Etche Worldwide, echoed this support, expressing confidence and faith in Fubara’s administration.
