President Bola Tinubu has officially forwarded the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for review, following the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.
In a letter directed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the proposed budget stands at ₦1.481 trillion, with significant portions allocated to revitalizing essential sectors.
“Infrastructure” received the highest allocation with ₦324 billion, while the “health sector” was assigned ₦106 billion, including ₦5 billion designated for “free malaria drugs.” The “education sector” is set to get ₦75.6 billion, and ₦31.4 billion is earmarked for “agricultural development.”
As outlined in the proposal, the budget prioritizes “strategic investment” in core areas with the goal of creating “approximately 6,000 new jobs.”
President Tinubu, in his message to the National Assembly, requested a “speedy consideration” of the proposal.
The Senate has directed the bill to its Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule, asking the committee to evaluate it and provide feedback promptly.
The president also addressed the “House of Representatives” to seek approval of the Rivers State budget, highlighting that the “Supreme Court” had invalidated the 2025 budget submitted by the suspended “Governor Siminalayi Fubara.”
Emergency rule
After enduring months of political tension between “Governor Siminalayi Fubara” and members of the state legislature aligned with “Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike,” President Tinubu declared a “state of emergency” in Rivers State on March 18, 2025.
In a nationwide address announcing the emergency measures, the president also declared the suspension of “Governor Fubara,” his “deputy Ngozi Odu,” and all House of Assembly members for “six months.”
President Tinubu appointed “Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd)” as the interim administrator to manage the state’s affairs during the six-month period.
He based his actions on “Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution,” stating that he could not sit back and allow the political crisis in Rivers to escalate unchecked.
The suspension of the elected officials has been met with strong opposition from “civil society groups” and “activists,” who have continued to advocate for their reinstatement.
There have also been protests both supporting and opposing the emergency declaration, especially among “women” in Rivers State.
Nevertheless, the appointed administrator remains in position and is currently managing the state’s governance.
What you should know
President Tinubu has submitted a ₦1.481 trillion budget for Rivers State amid a state of emergency that saw the suspension of the governor and House members.
An administrator is now in charge, and the Senate is reviewing the proposal despite ongoing public criticism.
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