President Bola Tinubu’s transmission of a N1.48 trillion budget proposal for Rivers State to the National Assembly marks a significant intervention in the state’s financial affairs. The proposal arises from the unusual circumstance of the Supreme Court’s nullification of the state’s original 2025 budget coupled with the ongoing state of emergency imposed in March 2025. This confluence of events has created a vacuum in the state’s budgetary process, necessitating the federal government’s involvement to ensure the continued functioning of the state’s government and the provision of essential services to its citizens. The president’s action underscores the gravity of the situation and the federal government’s commitment to maintaining stability and promoting development in Rivers State.
The proposed budget outlines a strategic allocation of resources across key sectors, reflecting a focus on driving economic growth and enhancing the well-being of Rivers State residents. A substantial portion of the budget, N324 billion, is earmarked for infrastructure development, highlighting the administration’s commitment to improving critical infrastructure like roads, bridges, and power supply, which are essential for economic activity and overall development. Furthermore, the budget allocates N166 billion to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of providing quality healthcare services to the population. Education receives N75.6 billion, showcasing the government’s commitment to investing in human capital development, while N31.4 billion is designated for agriculture, with an expected creation of 6,000 jobs, further solidifying the administration’s focus on diversification and boosting the agricultural sector.
The president’s request for the Senate’s prompt consideration and passage of the budget underscores the urgency of the situation. With the state operating under emergency rule, the normal legislative functions of the Rivers State Assembly are suspended. Regulation 4, subsection 2(f) of the Emergency Rule 2025 provisions mandates federal legislative authorization for any financial appropriation from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund. This provision effectively places the responsibility of approving the state’s budget on the National Assembly, highlighting the extraordinary circumstances prevailing in Rivers State and the federal government’s role in ensuring the state’s continued financial stability.
The Senate’s role in this process is pivotal. The President’s letter explicitly requests the Senate’s “expeditious and favorable consideration” of the budget, highlighting the need for swift action to avoid any disruption in the provision of essential services and the implementation of development projects in Rivers State. The Senate’s approval of the budget will signify a crucial step in ensuring the state’s continued functioning and progress. The Senate President’s referral of the budget proposal to the ad-hoc committee on Rivers State further underscores the seriousness with which the Senate is approaching this matter and the intention to ensure a thorough review of the budget’s provisions before its final approval.
The backdrop of emergency rule in Rivers State adds a layer of complexity to the budgetary process. The imposition of emergency rule in March 2025 and the subsequent formation of an ad-hoc oversight committee in May reflect the challenging political and security landscape in the state. The emergency rule provisions necessitate the National Assembly’s involvement in the state’s budgetary affairs, a departure from the usual practice where state legislatures are responsible for approving state budgets. This unusual circumstance underscores the exceptional nature of the situation in Rivers State and the need for extraordinary measures to ensure the state’s functionality and the well-being of its citizens.
The Supreme Court’s nullification of the original 2025 budget adds another dimension to the current situation. While the reasons for the nullification are not explicitly mentioned, the fact that it occurred necessitates the formulation and approval of a new budget. This underlines the importance of adhering to legal and constitutional procedures in budgetary matters and reinforces the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law. The combined effect of the Supreme Court’s decision and the ongoing emergency rule has created a unique situation where the National Assembly assumes responsibility for approving the state’s budget, emphasizing the importance of intergovernmental cooperation in navigating complex situations and ensuring the smooth functioning of government at all levels.
