Fubara Defends Budget Presentation Amid Rift with Wike’s Camp

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has defended his decision to present the 2025 budget to just three lawmakers, declaring that 27 defected members of the State House of Assembly, aligned with former governor Nyesom Wike, had irrevocably lost their seats.  

Speaking at the signing of the N1.1 trillion budget at the State House in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Fubara said the lawmakers’ defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) left them without a constitutional mandate. He made it clear that there would be no return for the defected legislators.  

“There is no remedy or opportunity for them to return to the Assembly,” Fubara stated, dismissing claims of a factional legislature. “I want to say this, maybe for some persons somewhere who are still mixing up issues. We have only one Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.”  

Fubara, who has been at loggerheads with Wike’s camp, recounted enduring numerous insults from the defected group. He vowed to tolerate no more.  

“A group of friends about nine months ago embarked on what is called the sea-bared journey; halfway through the vessel, while they were coasting, they realized that they were entering the den of devils and sharks, and they now want to retreat,” he explained.  

“It is too late, and the truth is that we are not going back. We have given them enough room for peace. There is no governor in Nigeria who can take the kind of insult I took from those set of people.”  

Fubara pledged to focus on the interests of Rivers State and uphold the integrity of governance. “As it stands now, our major target is the interest of Rivers State, and we will continue to defend the integrity of governance. As far as I am concerned, we have moved on,” he added.  

The governor also expressed optimism about the performance of his administration in 2025, pledging to surpass the achievements of the previous year. “We will make sure that we kick-start, so that the record of performance that was accorded by this administration in the year 2024 will be higher in this year, 2025,” Fubara stated.  

He commended the State Executive Council, particularly the Deputy Governor, Commissioners for Finance and Budget, and the acting Chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, for their contributions.  

“We have made some promises to our people—education, health, and agriculture. We must make sure we make good impact just like we have done in the areas of road and other aspects of the economy. We made a promise to you (Rivers people) that we will continue to protect, defend, and promote the interest of our dear state,” he reiterated.  

Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo praised Fubara’s leadership and strategic vision. “Your Excellency, 2025 promises to be a year of strategic planning and partnership. We have no doubt that you will carry out the task of developing and delivering the dividends of democracy to every nook and cranny of Rivers State,” he said.  

The budget signing marks a significant step forward for the administration, as it aims to address key sectors including education, healthcare, and agriculture while maintaining the state’s momentum in infrastructure development.