Politics

Opposition Lawmakers Urge Federal Government to Stop Rivers Allocation

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 16th, 2024.

Opposition Lawmakers Urge Federal Government to Stop Rivers Allocation

The Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Hon. Martins Amaewhule and aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, has halted expenditures from the state’s consolidated revenue fund. This action follows the expiration of a seven-day ultimatum given to the governor to present the 2024 budget before the House.

In a letter dated July 15, 2024, signed by Amaewhule and addressed to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the House announced this decision. The letter was also copied to the state’s deputy governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, the secretary to the state government, the Accountant-General of Rivers State, and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Other recipients included the Auditor-General of Rivers State, the Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMFARC), the Accountant-General of the Federation, and the managing directors of Zenith Bank and Access Bank.

During a plenary session, House Leader Hon. Major Jack highlighted that Governor Fubara has been violating the combined provisions of Sections 121 and 122 of the Nigerian Constitution by spending from the state’s consolidated revenue fund without an Appropriation Law. Jack’s statement prompted a strong response from the House, with members unanimously condemning the governor’s actions and supporting the immediate cessation of expenditures from the fund.

Speaker Amaewhule expressed regret that Governor Fubara has chosen to govern in disregard of the Constitution and court judgments. He emphasized that the House, as representatives of the people, would not ignore the governor’s continuous constitutional violations.