By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
PORT HARCOURT – Political tensions in Rivers State escalated on Tuesday as the state House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, locked the gates of the legislative complex, preventing Governor Siminalayi Fubara from re-presenting the 2025 budget.
The governor, who arrived at the assembly premises with members of his cabinet, was reportedly left stranded outside as security operatives manned the entrance, enforcing the lawmakers’ decision to deny him access. This development is the latest in the ongoing power tussle between Fubara and his predecessor, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whose loyalists dominate the assembly.
A Legislative Standoff
The blockade comes barely a week after the assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the governor, demanding that he present the 2025 budget in line with constitutional provisions. The lawmakers had earlier faulted Fubara’s initial budget presentation, which he made before a faction of the assembly loyal to him, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo. The Supreme Court recently ruled that federal allocations to the state should be suspended until the budget is legally approved, intensifying the crisis.
A source close to the governor’s team said Fubara had written a formal request to Speaker Amaewhule seeking an opportunity to re-present the budget. However, his attempts to reach the speaker through other means, including phone calls, were unsuccessful.
“We are shocked by this blatant obstruction,” an official from the governor’s office told reporters. “The budget presentation is a constitutional process, and the refusal to grant the governor access is an affront to democracy.”
Power Struggle Deepens
The shutdown of the assembly complex highlights the deepening division within the Rivers State government, largely fueled by a supremacy battle between Governor Fubara and Wike. Political analysts suggest that Wike’s influence over the assembly remains a significant factor in the crisis.
“The governor is being boxed into a corner by forces that do not want him to operate independently,” said Dr. Okey Nwachukwu, a political analyst based in Port Harcourt. “This fight is not just about the budget; it is about control of the state’s political structure ahead of 2027.”
Meanwhile, members of the Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the assembly, which is recognized by Fubara, have condemned the action, describing it as “legislative dictatorship.”
What Next for Rivers State?
With the budget yet to be properly considered, financial activities in the state could face significant disruptions, especially with the looming suspension of federal allocations. Stakeholders, including civil society groups and legal experts, have called for urgent intervention from the presidency and the judiciary to resolve the impasse.
As the standoff continues, Rivers State residents watch closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow governance to continue without further political distractions.
