The Rivers State Government has made it clear that it will not comply with the 48-hour deadline set by the State House of Assembly to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.
The Speaker of the House, Martins Amaewhule, issued the ultimatum on Monday following a Supreme Court ruling that reinstated the lawmakers. However, the government has responded by stating that it has not officially received any communication from the Assembly regarding the matter.
In a letter dated March 5, 2025, and addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly, the state government explained that as of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, it had not received any official letter from the House of Assembly.
It further stated that neither the office of the governor, the deputy governor, nor the office of the Accountant-General had received the said document. The government emphasized that without an official communication from the Assembly, it cannot take any action regarding the budget re-presentation.
Furthermore, the government revealed that it has been in contact with its legal team, which is still waiting to obtain the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgment.
It reassured the people of Rivers State that once the governor receives the court judgment, he will take the necessary steps to implement it in the best interest of the state. The response from the government suggests that it is prioritizing legal clarity before making any decisions on the matter.
The situation has further deepened the ongoing political tensions in Rivers State, as the reinstated lawmakers and the executive arm of government remain at odds over legislative and administrative matters.
It remains to be seen how the standoff between the Assembly and the government will unfold, especially with the legal complexities surrounding the case. For now, the state government has made it clear that it will not act based on an ultimatum that it claims it has not officially received.
