The Rivers State House of Assembly, under the leadership of Martin Amaewhule, has issued a formal seven-day ultimatum to Governor Siminialayi Fubara, demanding the re-presentation of the 2024 budget to the House.
The faction aligned with the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, took this stance during its session in an undisclosed location in Port Harcourt on Monday.
Previously, a Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a Rivers State High Court ruling that prevented Amaewhule and 24 other legislators from functioning as lawmakers and conducting legislative activities.
Governor Fubara had initially presented a budget proposal of approximately N800 billion for the 2024 fiscal year to the House under Edison Ehie's leadership as Speaker before he vacated the position to serve as the governor's Chief of Staff.
Ehie and Fubara's supporters deliberated on the bill, approved the budget, and the governor subsequently signed it into law.
President Bola Tinubu intervened in the state crisis and, in an eight-point resolution, directed the governor to resubmit the already approved 2024 budget to the assembly led by Amaewhule.
During Monday's plenary session, Amaewhule, presiding over the proceedings, issued the ultimatum following a house resolution.
This decision came after a motion by the House Committee Chairman, Dumped Mao, who also serves as the Deputy Speaker.
The assembly members voted on the motion, leading to the consensus resolution communicated to Governor Fubara via a formal letter.