Rivers Govt Yet to Receive Assembly’s 48-Hour Budget Ultimatum – SSG

By Abigail Philip David

The Rivers State Government has stated that it has not yet received any official communication regarding the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill.

Speaker Martin Amaewhule had, on Monday, written to the governor, requesting that the budget be submitted within 48 hours, citing provisions of the 1999 Constitution. However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Tammy Danagogo, clarified that the governor’s office, the deputy governor’s office, and the office of the Accountant-General had yet to receive any such letter.

Dr. Danagogo noted that the government only became aware of the resolution through social media. “As of the close of work on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter,” he stated.

Additionally, the SSG disclosed that the state government is still awaiting a certified true copy of last Friday’s Supreme Court judgment, which has bearing on the current political situation in the state. He assured that once the document is received, Governor Fubara will act in accordance with the law.

“We have been in contact with our lawyers, who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgments. As soon as His Excellency receives them, he will take appropriate steps in the best interest of the people of Rivers State,” he added.

Dr. Danagogo reaffirmed the governor’s commitment to upholding the rule of law, referencing Fubara’s statewide broadcast on March 2, in which he assured residents that despite his personal opinions on the court ruling, he would respect and implement its decisions in accordance with legal and democratic principles.