APC fumes, says Fubara running Rivers without budget

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers state, has accused Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara, of running the state without a budget.

Tony Okocha, the chairman of the party in the state, said that Governor Fubara had agreed to represent the state’s budget to the Rivers house of assembly for approval during an intervention superintended by President Bola Tinubu.

Okocha wonders why the governor has dithered on implementing some “crucial” parts of the agreement.

 

the governor, of delaying the implementation of the resolutions reached to end the political crisis in the state.

In October 2023, Rivers was  in political tension when the state house of assembly commenced impeachment proceedings against Fubara.

However, Fubara’s loyalists kicked against the impeachment moves.

Thereafter, 27 lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Subsequently, Edison Ehie, the then factional speaker of the Rivers assembly, declared the seats of the lawmakers who defected vacant.

On December 14, 2023, Fubara signed the state’s 2024 N800 billion budget estimate into law — a day after he presented the budget to a five-member faction of the house of assembly.

On December 18, 2023, Fubara and Wike agreed to end the feud between them following President Bola Tinubu’s intervention.

He said, in an interview with NAN, “When the matter reached a crescendo and was almost turning into an emergency, several calls were put across to President Tinubu to wade in,” Okocha said.

“The president subsequently invited all the stakeholders from both sides and we had a very decent meeting devoid of intimidation, harassment, duress or undue advantage given to anyone.

“Following the discussions, the president presented an eight-point proclamation document and handed it over to former Rivers governor Peter Odili.

“At every point Odili read each point from the document, Tinubu interjected and asked if we were okay, and everybody echoed ‘yes’.

“After all parties agreed to the resolution, governor Fubara, his deputy, Wike, myself, PDP chairman in Rivers, national security adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and Martins Amaewhule, the speaker of the house of assembly, all signed the document.”

The APC chairman said after signing the document, Fubara requested protection for his supporters against victimisation, which the president assured.

“The governor has implemented six resolutions, including withdrawing all cases before the courts, freeing the legislature, paying allowances due to lawmakers, and recognising Amaewhule as speaker,” he said.

“But, he has refused to implement two crucial agreements – the re-presentation of the state budget before the 27 lawmakers and the conduct of local government elections.”

“Specifically, the president kicked against caretaker committees or sole administrators for the local government councils,” he added.

“So, governor Fubara cannot, in his wildest imagination, continue to do as he pleases. He cannot continue to run the state without a budget.”