There are indications that the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, will present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the state’s House of Assembly today.
Recall that Fubara presented the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework to the Assembly last week. The Assembly passed it 24 hours later, allowing the governor to propose the 2026 budget.
The governor anticipates making an appearance at the Assembly Quarters Auditorium, where parliamentarians have temporarily sat since a bomb destroyed their parliamentary chamber during the political crisis that rocked the state almost three years ago.
The budget, which has generated a lot of discussion, is anticipated to be presented by Fubara.
Verifying the details, a Government House source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity said all was set for the budget presentation on Friday morning.
She stated, “Today is the D-Day. Then much awaited budget will happen today. The governor will present his budget.”
Crisis Between Fubara and Lawmakers
The dispute between the governor and the legislators has postponed the budget’s presentation.
However, other stakeholders have defended the governor, claiming that President Bola Tinubu submitted the Rivers State budget to the Senate for approval after he declared a state of emergency and appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas as the state administrator.
They contended that Governor Fubara should not submit a new budget until June or July of this year, when the Senate-approved one expires.
Recall that Ibas verified receipt of the Senate-approved budget when he held office?
Stakeholders have blamed the conflict between the governor and the Amaewhule-led State Assembly for the state’s 2026 fiscal year budget postponement.
It is however believed that the development follows the reconciliation of the feuding parties in the state’s political crisis, signalling a new cordial relationship between the governor and the lawmakers.
Read Also: Wike reveals bold agreement that Fubara would not seek second term
Backstory…
Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s presentation of the 2026 budget comes after months of political uncertainty and constitutional disputes that disrupted governance in Rivers State.
The crisis, rooted in the prolonged power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, led to the emergence of rival factions in the State House of Assembly, legal battles over legislative authority and repeated delays in key government activities, including budget-related processes.
The situation further escalated in 2025 when President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Fubara, his deputy and members of the House of Assembly for 6 months, and appointed a sole administrator to oversee the state’s affairs.
Read Also: Siminalayi Fubara presents 2026–2028 budget framework to Rivers State House of Assembly
