The political tension in Rivers State reached a boiling point on Wednesday as the state’s House of Assembly resumed plenary amid allegations that lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, deliberately blocked Governor Siminalayi Fubara from presenting the 2025 budget.
A Locked Gate and a Locked-Out Governor
A dramatic video circulating online shows lawmakers already seated in the chamber while Speaker Martin Amaewhule, flanked by other officials wielding the ceremonial mace, made his way into the hall. But outside, an unprecedented standoff was unfolding.
Governor Fubara arrived at the Assembly complex early in the morning, only to find the gates firmly sealed. Frustration etched across his face, he accused the legislators of orchestrating a political blockade to prevent him from fulfilling his constitutional duty.
“I have made several attempts—by phone calls and through official letters—to reach the Speaker and other members. But it is unfortunate that the gate is completely sealed, and there is no sign that anything is going to happen today,” Fubara lamented.
A Battle for Control
This latest confrontation marks another chapter in the fierce power struggle between Fubara and his predecessor, Wike, whose loyalists dominate the Assembly. With security operatives reportedly instructed to vacate the premises, the message was clear: Fubara’s budget presentation would not take place.
Analysts warn that failure to pass the 2025 Appropriation Bill could throw Rivers State into financial disarray, stalling development projects and disrupting governance.
“The implication is that the state will be run without a budget, which will slow development and lead to financial irregularities,” observed a Facebook user, Prince Yemi Itodo, who shared footage of the locked Assembly complex.
Presidential Intervention, But No Resolution in Sight
The deepening crisis has already drawn the attention of President Bola Tinubu, who previously urged both factions to adhere to a Supreme Court-backed political agreement designed to restore stability. Yet, despite Tinubu’s intervention and Fubara’s appeals for dialogue, Wednesday’s events suggest the power struggle is far from over.
With each passing day, the battle for supremacy in Rivers State politics escalates, leaving the fate of the 2025 budget—and the state’s governance—hanging in the balance.
