Rivers N1.85tn Budget Stalled Over Fubara, Lawmakers’ Disagreement

The Rivers State Government’s N1.854tn 2026 budget remains before the State House of Assembly, more than a month after Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the appropriation bill.

The delay, according to findings is linked to unresolved agreements between Fubara and lawmakers led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.

Fubara presented the budget, tagged “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” to the Assembly on July 10, 2026. Although lawmakers had promised to give the proposal accelerated consideration because of its late presentation, the bill has yet to be passed.

Information gathered, noted that there has also been little public information on budget defence and other legislative procedures expected to precede the passage of the appropriation bill.

A source within the Assembly disclosed that agreements reached between the governor and lawmakers before the budget presentation had not been fully implemented. The source said some of the issues involved lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects.

The development has reportedly created a trust deficit between the executive and legislature, with lawmakers said to be reluctant to proceed until the governor fulfils his side of the agreement.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also weighed in on the matter during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, alleging that Fubara had failed to honour most of the agreements reached with the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have expressed concern that the prolonged delay could affect the implementation of critical projects across the state. Sources reported that some projects, including the multi-billion-naira Ring Road, were either progressing slowly or had yet to commence fully because of the absence of appropriated funds.

The Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, urged the executive and legislature to clarify the status of the budget and conclude the legislative process without further delay.

Similarly, the National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Oscar Imeabe, warned that continued delay could affect roads, schools, hospitals and other development programmes.

Stakeholders have therefore called on Governor Fubara and the lawmakers to resolve their differences and ensure the prompt passage of the 2026 appropriation bill in the interest of Rivers residents.