The Rivers Restoration Movement (RRM) has advised Governor Siminalayi Fubara to comply with the 48-hour ultimatum to re-present the 2025 Appropriation Bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly, as directed by the Supreme Court’s ruling last Friday.
The group warned that failure to adhere to the court’s judgment could trigger impeachment proceedings.
The Supreme Court, in its verdict delivered last Friday, directed Governor Fubara to re-submit the state budget to the duly recognized Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule.
Additionally, the court ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to withhold funds from the state government until the budget is properly re-submitted and approved by the legitimate legislature.
Following the ruling, the Rivers State House of Assembly on Monday mandated Governor Fubara to comply with the court’s directive by re-presenting the 2025 Appropriation Bill within 48 hours.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Johnson Georgewill, the Director-General of the Rivers Restoration Movement, urged the governor to adhere to the ultimatum.
According to Georgewill, defying the legislative order would be tantamount to a constitutional breach, warranting impeachment.
“The Supreme Court’s ruling is clear, and the ultimatum issued by the House of Assembly aligns with that judgment. Governor Fubara must not disregard this directive, as doing so would create valid grounds for impeachment,” Georgewill stated.
He also advised the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly not to hesitate to initiate impeachment proceedings should the governor fail to meet the deadline for re-presenting the budget.
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Georgewill alleged that the original budget, which was presented before the Oko Jumbo-led factional House, lacked transparency and proper budgetary planning.
He insisted that the governor must re-submit a comprehensive budget that meets legal and procedural requirements.
Furthermore, he criticized Governor Fubara’s decision to embark on a 10-day series of project inaugurations across the state while the budget remains unresolved.
“The governor’s decision to proceed with these inaugurations is illegal, provocative, and a clear indication of his defiance against valid court rulings,” Georgewill remarked.
“We also question the source of funding for these 10-day project inaugurations, considering that both the 2024 and 2025 Appropriation Bills have been declared illegal by the court,” he added.
The RRM director-general called on the Amaewhule-led Assembly and the Nigerian Police to take decisive steps to uphold democratic principles in Rivers State.
He urged lawmakers to ensure that all non-budgetary expenditures, illegal appointments, and government operations are halted until a legitimate appropriation bill is properly presented and approved.
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He also called on political and religious leaders, traditional rulers, and opinion leaders across the state to intervene by advising Governor Fubara to adhere to democratic and constitutional norms.
Georgewill reiterated his group’s support for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, emphasizing that they played a role in ensuring Fubara’s emergence as governor. However, he stressed that the group stands against what he described as “betrayal and illegal actions” by the Fubara-led administration.
“We backed former Governor Nyesom Wike in ensuring that Fubara emerged as governor against all odds. Therefore, we firmly oppose all forms of betrayal and illegal actions by the state government. Truth and justice will always prevail over illegalities,” he stated.
He also congratulated Minister Wike and the 27 lawmakers on their victory at the Supreme Court, reaffirming the RRM’s stance in support of the recognized legislative authority in the state.
The ongoing dispute between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly has further deepened the political crisis in the state.
Analysts believe that the Supreme Court’s ruling and the House’s ultimatum could significantly impact the governor’s political future.
As the deadline for the budget’s re-presentation approaches, all eyes remain on Governor Fubara to see whether he will comply or face possible impeachment proceedings.