The Rivers State House of Assembly has adjourned its sittings indefinitely, a decision made during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Martin Amaewhule in Port Harcourt on Friday.
This development comes hours after Governor Siminalayi Fubara informed the Speaker of his intention to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House for consideration and approval.
The adjournment is reportedly linked to the controversy surrounding the budget presentation. The governor had initially planned to present the budget to the House, but was denied access to the Assembly Quarters where the lawmakers were temporarily sitting. This incident led to a bitter experience for the governor, who later wrote to the Speaker, informing him of his intention to re-present the budget.
Governor Fubara plans to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the House on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, or any other day deemed fit by the House. The governor’s decision to re-present the budget is in compliance with a Supreme Court judgment and in response to the lawmakers’ request for him to do so.
The indefinite adjournment of the Rivers State House of Assembly has significant implications for the state’s governance and development. The adjournment may delay the passage of important legislation, including the budget, which could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s economy and development.
The adjournment has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including lawmakers, governance experts, and citizens. While some have expressed concern over the potential delay in the passage of important legislation, others have commended the lawmakers for taking a principled stance on the budget presentation controversy.
To resolve the controversy surrounding the budget presentation and the adjournment of the House, stakeholders have called for dialogue and compromise. The governor and the lawmakers must work together to find a solution that will enable the House to reconvene and consider the budget presentation.
The indefinite adjournment of the Rivers State House of Assembly has brought to the fore the controversy surrounding the budget presentation. While the adjournment has significant implications for the state’s governance and development, stakeholders are hopeful that a solution will be found soon. The governor and the lawmakers must work together to resolve the controversy and enable the House to reconvene and consider the budget presentation.