Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday signed the 2026 State Appropriation Bill into Law, thus ending a long disagreement between the Governor and the State Assembly on the matter.
Fubara’s assent to law came less than 48-hours after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike in his recent media parley indicated that all hurdles against the approval of the 2026 budget had been cleared with a recent meeting between him and Governor Fubara.
Absence of a budget from the State House of Assembly led by Martin Amaewhula was one of the key points with which the assembly had held the governor to the juggler during their war for the political control of Rivers State.
And after Governor Fubara returned to his “family” months ago, he had to present the appropriation bill to the assembly, which had to take the nod of Wike to be passed into law ready for the governor’s assent.
At a brief ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara describing the signing of the budget as “a breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new chapter of unity and progress for the state.
He expressed gratitude to God, stakeholders, and the State House of Assembly for the successful passage of the budget.
“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” he said.
The Governor commended the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly particularly, for their diligence and speed in handling the budget at a critical time in the state’s history.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment, to the “Rivers First” mantra, and pledged that the 2026 budget would be implemented with the people’s welfare as the central focus.
He said; “ I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state”.
Governor Fubara specially acknowledged the role of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the process that led to the passage of the bill and its eventual signing into law.
“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” he stated.
He also appreciated his family for their support, noting that governance is a collective responsibility. He further pledged to ensure a cordial working relationship with all arms of government and stakeholders going forward.
“Let me thank everyone for this moment and assure you of our most cordial and cooperative relationship going forward,” Governor Fubara said.
Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Major Jack, who had earlier presented the bill to the Governor for his assent, said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best of intentions, believing that it will be implemented accordingly for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.
“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state. It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that I respectfully present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No 1 2026 to the Governor of Rivers State for his assent,” Jack said.
In a remark shortly after the bill had been signed, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the various provisions made in the budget, describing them as indications that the Fubara administration is prepared to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.
“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” Amaewhule said.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, Principal Officers of the State House of Assembly, and other government functionaries.
