By: Felix Ikpotor
Following the presentation of the Rivers State 2025 Appropriation Bill before the Victor Oko-Jumbo led Rivers State House of Assembly by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and subsequent passage of same into law, the main opposition party in the state , the All Progressives Congress, APC, have described the action as illegal.
Chairman of APC in the state, Chief Tony Okocha while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt on Thursday, said the action by the governor amounts to a violation of several judicial pronouncements and established governance protocols .
Okocha, said Fubara has shown his disregard for the rule of law by his action.
He insisted that the Justice Omotosho judgement which ordered the 2024 budget to be represented before the Martin Amaewhule-led Assembly which he said is the only legitimate Assembly to receive the state’s budget.
“He said: “It is unimaginable and unthinkable that a governor with such a rich background in finance and governance would choose to sidestep legal processes. The Assembly has 30 functional members, yet the budget was presented in a setting that courts have described as illegitimate,” he said.
“At least, he has seen the presentation of the budget, and I want to avail you people of the opportunity of the fact that I was Chief of Staff and that spanned through 2012-2015. What it means is that I have witnessed three budget presentations.
“In this sense, an Assembly of 32, we lost one to death, one claimed to have resigned, and then we have 30 functional Assembly seats. 27 of the Assembly members are on this side, and three members of the Assembly are on this side.
“Is it not anathema that a budget of a state as prominent and as important as Rivers State will be presented to an illegal setting?
“The Court of Appeal, in their various judgments on issues like these, have touched on these issues, and I refer to them as a forum, maybe a forum of friends but certainly not legislators.”
Okocha also lambasted the governor for his leadership style which he described as divisive and confrontational while accusing him of aiming for war instead of genuine reconciliation .
He said he had expected the governor to take advantage of the new year to call for reconciliation from parties involved in the crisis in the Assembly especially the Amaewhule-led lawmakers, adding that the 27 lawmakers were still members of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
“I expected the Governor to use the new year to extend an olive branch and promote peace, but instead, he continues to fuel the flames of division.
“As far as their membership is concerned, they remain PDP members. I lost that bid, but my focus remains on progress, not on joining the governor’s journey to self-destruction,” the Okocha added.
Port Harcourt Spectator reports that Governor Fubara on Tuesday presented N1.188trillion budget to Victor Oko-Jumbo led member Assembly.
Meanwhile, Governor Fubara later Thursday, signed into law the 2025 Appropriation Bill after it was passed by the Oko-Jumbo led Assembly.
