The Rivers State House of Assembly has indefinitely adjourned its sittings following a plenary session on Friday, presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule in Port Harcourt.
The decision comes just hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara formally notified the Speaker of his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill for legislative consideration and approval.
In a letter dated March 13 and addressed to Speaker Amaewhule, Governor Fubara proposed to present the budget on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other date within March deemed suitable by the Assembly.
He stated that his move was in compliance with the Supreme Court ruling and in response to lawmakers’ request for him to re-present the budget.
The governor also recalled his previous attempt to present the budget at the Assembly Quarters, where lawmakers had been holding their sessions but was denied access to the complex.
The Assembly’s decision to adjourn legislative sittings raises fresh concerns about the lawmakers’ implementation of the Supreme Court’s ruling.
On February 28, the apex court directed the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Attorney General of the Federation to withhold funds meant for Rivers State until a duly constituted House of Assembly, comprising all elected members, is in place.
The budget presentation is crucial to the release of these funds.
As of Friday, March 14, 2025, local government workers in the state had yet to receive their February salaries following the Supreme Court’s judgment, which led to the removal of the 23 local government chairmen.
Similarly, civil servants in Rivers State have expressed concerns over salary payments for March, as the budget has not yet been presented in line with the court’s directive.
