Fubara, Lawmakers’ Dispute Delays Rivers State’s N1.85tn 2026 Budget

The passage of the Rivers State Government’s N1.854tn 2026 Appropriation Bill has been delayed for more than a month amid disagreements between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the state House of Assembly.

Governor Fubara presented the budget, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” to the Assembly on July 10, 2026. However, the lawmakers have yet to pass it into law.

Investigations indicate that fresh agreements reportedly reached between the governor and the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly are at the centre of the delay. Sources said the agreements include issues relating to lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects.

A source within the Assembly alleged that the governor had not fulfilled some of the commitments made before lawmakers allowed him to present the budget.

The source said the lack of trust between the executive and legislature had further complicated the process, with lawmakers reportedly demanding that the governor fulfil his side of the agreement before the budget is passed.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also alleged that Fubara had failed to honour about 90 per cent of the agreements reached with the lawmakers and other members of what he described as “the family.”

Wike specifically alleged that funds had not been released to the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and that some promised vehicles had not been provided.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised about the impact of the delay on development projects across the state. Some projects, including the multi-billion-naira Ring Road, are reportedly being executed on a limited scale due to the absence of appropriated funds.

The proposed N41.4bn allocation to the state House of Assembly has also attracted criticism, with some residents and stakeholders describing the amount as excessive, while others argue that adequate funding is necessary for the legislature to perform its functions.

Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, urged the executive and legislature to clarify the status of the budget and ensure that the process is concluded without further delay.

He warned that Rivers residents should not continue to suffer the consequences of political disagreements, stressing that governance and development must continue regardless of political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections.

Similarly, National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Oscar Imeabe, expressed concern that the budget had remained before the Assembly for more than a month.

Imeabe said every day of delay could affect the implementation of projects in critical areas such as roads, schools, hospitals and youth programmes.

He urged the lawmakers to prioritise the passage of the budget so that the state government can effectively implement its development plans.

The delay comes after Rivers State spent a prolonged period dealing with political tensions that disrupted governance. Stakeholders are now calling on both arms of government to resolve their differences and ensure that the state’s 2026 budget is passed and implemented without further delay.

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