The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly over the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, the government said Fubara was working closely with the lawmakers in the interest of the people of Rivers State.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that tensions between the executive and legislative arms of government were responsible for the delay in passing the 2026 budget.
Fubara presented a N1.854 trillion 2026 budget proposal to the House of Assembly on June 10. The presentation came after the budget previously approved for the former Sole Administrator, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, had expired.
There had been concerns over the delay in considering the proposal, with some reports suggesting that fresh agreements between the governor and lawmakers were behind the situation.
However, the state government rejected such claims, insisting that the budget was simply undergoing the normal legislative process.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State,” the statement said.
The government added that the N1.854 trillion budget proposal had been presented to the Assembly and would be passed once the legislative process was completed.
It also appealed to politicians and other stakeholders to avoid comments that could reopen old political wounds in the state.
According to the government, Rivers State has experienced difficult political periods in the past and should not be drawn into another round of controversies.
It therefore urged those promoting what it described as negative narratives to stop, stressing that peace and stability were essential for the continued development of the state.
