Fresh details have emerged on why the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to the Rivers State House of Assembly has remained unsigned into law more than one month after its submission.
The governor presented a N1.854 trillion proposal, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” to the Assembly on July 10, 2026.
Although Speaker Martin Amaewhule acknowledged the late presentation and promised that lawmakers would give the bill proper attention, there has been little public information about budget defence sessions or other legislative activities expected to precede its passage.
The delay has raised concerns because the budget was already submitted late following the prolonged political crisis in the state.
Investigations indicate that some major projects, including the multi-billion-naira Ring Road project, are either progressing slowly or have not fully commenced, apparently because funds have not yet been appropriated.
Controversy has also surrounded the proposed N41.4 billion allocation to the Rivers State House of Assembly, with some residents and stakeholders describing the amount as excessive, while others argue that the legislature requires adequate funding to perform its functions.
Speaking during a media chat in Port Harcourt last Tuesday, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggested that the delay was linked to unresolved agreements between Governor Fubara and the lawmakers.
Wike alleged that the governor had failed to implement most of the understandings reached with the Assembly and with what he referred to as “the family.”
He specifically claimed that funds had not been released to the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission and that other commitments, including the provision of official vehicles, had not been fulfilled.
Despite the disagreements, Wike expressed confidence that the budget would eventually be passed and returned to the governor for assent.
Sources close to the Assembly said lawmakers had agreed to allow the late presentation of the budget after reaching certain understandings with the governor as part of efforts to ease the political tension in the state.
According to one source, the delay is now being caused by the governor’s inability to fully implement those agreements.
The source, who spoke anonymously, said some of the issues involve lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects, alleging that many outstanding obligations had not been settled since Fubara assumed office.
He added that the breakdown of trust between the executive and the legislature, arising from what lawmakers see as repeated unfulfilled promises, has contributed significantly to the slow pace of the budget process.
Efforts to obtain a response from the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages were not answered at the time of filing the report.
Meanwhile, Obinna Ebogidi, Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, called on both the executive and the legislature to explain the current status of the budget and ensure that it is passed without further delay.
He said Rivers residents deserve clarity on what is slowing down the process, especially after the Assembly had earlier indicated that the proposal would receive accelerated consideration.
Ebogidi warned that while the legislative process should not be rushed, it must not lose momentum because implementation time is already becoming limited.
He also noted that the delay is occurring amid major political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, but stressed that governance should continue regardless of political calculations.
According to him, critical sectors of the economy and public service cannot be allowed to suffer because of political disagreements.
He urged both arms of government to communicate openly with citizens and pursue political reconciliation alongside effective governance.
Similarly, the National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Oscar Imeabe, expressed concern that the budget remains pending one month after submission.
Imeabe described the budget as the blueprint for development and warned that continued delay could affect the execution of roads, schools, hospitals and youth programmes across the state.
He called on the Rivers State House of Assembly to give urgent attention to the bill so that government activities and development projects can proceed without further disruption.
