The political landscape of Rivers State remains embroiled in conflict as Governor Siminalayi Fubara defends his decision to present the 2025 budget to a three-member faction of the State House of Assembly, effectively excluding 27 members who defected from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Fubara maintains that the defecting lawmakers, loyal to his predecessor and current political rival, Nyesom Wike, have forfeited their seats and have no legal recourse to reclaim them. This action further escalates the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike, with the governor stating he will no longer tolerate perceived insults from Wike’s camp. Fubara’s stance underscores his recognition of only the three-member faction led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo as the legitimate legislative body, effectively dismissing the claims of a parallel Assembly. He uses a metaphor of a sea journey to describe the defectors’ actions, implying their attempted return is too late after venturing into dangerous waters. This firm stance signals a hardening of positions in the ongoing political feud, prioritizing the perceived interests of Rivers State above reconciliation.
Governor Fubara’s justification centers on the argument that the 27 defecting lawmakers have irrevocably lost their seats due to their switch to the opposition APC. He dismisses the possibility of their return to the Assembly, framing their defection as a one-way journey with no possibility of retreat. This position solidifies the division within the state legislature and underscores the governor’s commitment to working with the smaller, loyal faction. Fubara’s emphasis on enduring insults from Wike’s camp reveals the personal dimension of this political battle. His declaration of prioritizing the interests of Rivers State, while seemingly neutral, implicitly positions the actions of the defecting lawmakers as detrimental to the state’s well-being, thus legitimizing his decision to exclude them from the budgetary process. This narrative allows him to present himself as the defender of the state’s interests against perceived internal threats.
Following the signing of the N1.1tn 2025 budget, Fubara expressed gratitude to the three-member Assembly, praising their diligence and commitment to the people of Rivers State. He highlighted their role in enabling the government to “hit the ground running” in the new year, further reinforcing their legitimacy in his view. This public expression of appreciation serves to solidify the political alliance between the governor and the smaller faction of the Assembly, presenting a united front against the larger group of defectors. Fubara’s commendatory remarks extend to the State Executive Council, particularly the Deputy Governor, Commissioners for Finance and Budget, and the acting Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, emphasizing their contributions to the budgetary process. This strategic recognition of key officials strengthens his administrative team and underscores their shared commitment to the governor’s vision for the state.
Governor Fubara outlined his administration’s priorities for the coming year, focusing on education, health, and agriculture, building on what he considers prior successes in road construction and other economic areas. This articulation of key areas of focus aims to reassure the public of the government’s commitment to development despite the ongoing political turmoil. The promise to protect and promote the interests of Rivers State reinforces the narrative of his administration as the true guardian of the state’s well-being, indirectly contrasting this with the perceived disruptive actions of the defecting lawmakers. Speaker Oko-Jumbo reciprocated the governor’s sentiments, praising Fubara’s leadership and highlighting achievements in infrastructure development, healthcare, education, social welfare, and security. This mutual affirmation of support strengthens the bond between the executive and legislative branches, albeit within the context of the existing factionalism. Oko-Jumbo’s praise further legitimizes Fubara’s leadership and the actions taken regarding the Assembly.
The opposition APC in Rivers State, led by Chairman Tony Okocha, strongly condemned Fubara’s actions, labeling them as illegal and a blatant disregard for judicial pronouncements. Okocha cited a January 2024 court ruling that mandates budget presentations to the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Martins Amaewhule, directly challenging the governor’s justification. This invokes the authority of the judiciary to counter Fubara’s claims and highlight the potential illegality of his actions. Okocha criticized the governor’s leadership style, characterizing it as divisive and confrontational, further escalating the political tension. The APC chairman’s criticism extends to the governor’s perceived lack of reconciliation efforts, suggesting that Fubara is exacerbating the division instead of seeking a peaceful resolution. This frames the governor’s actions as detrimental to the unity and stability of the state.
Okocha’s statement also clarified the status of the 27 pro-Wike lawmakers, confirming they remain members of the PDP despite aligning themselves with Wike’s opposition stance. This clarification seeks to dispel any ambiguity about their political affiliation and reinforces the narrative that the conflict is primarily a power struggle within the PDP rather than a bipartisan issue. Okocha’s personal reflection on witnessing past budget presentations under different circumstances underscores the perceived anomaly of the current situation, emphasizing the unusual nature of presenting the budget to a significantly reduced and arguably illegitimate faction of the Assembly. This comparison serves to highlight the perceived irregularity of Fubara’s actions and further reinforces the opposition’s argument against the legitimacy of the budgetary process. The ongoing political standoff in Rivers State reveals deep divisions and raises concerns about the rule of law and democratic processes in the state.
