President Bola Tinubu has submitted a ₦1.48 trillion 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly, following the declaration of emergency rule and suspension of the state’s elected officials. The move comes after months of political unrest between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State Assembly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.
In a letter to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu requested swift consideration of the budget, which prioritizes infrastructure (₦324 billion), healthcare (₦106 billion, including ₦5 billion for free malaria drugs), education (₦75.6 billion), and agriculture (₦31.4 billion). The proposal also aims to create 6,000 new jobs.
The Senate referred the bill to its Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule for review. Tinubu also wrote to the House of Representatives, noting that the Supreme Court had invalidated the 2025 budget previously submitted by the now-suspended Governor Fubara.
The state of emergency, declared on March 18, 2025, led to the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Odu, and all Assembly members for six months. Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (rtd) was appointed as interim administrator to oversee the state during this period.
While Tinubu cited constitutional powers under Section 305 to justify his actions, the move has faced backlash from civil society and activists, who continue to demand the reinstatement of the suspended officials. Protests both in support of and against the emergency rule have continued across Rivers State.
