Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has expressed confidence that the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill will be passed by the House of Assembly once lawmakers conclude the ongoing legislative process.
The assurance came amid reports suggesting a disagreement between the executive and legislative arms of government over the budget.
The state government, through the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, on Wednesday dismissed the reports, insisting that there was no rift between Fubara and the lawmakers.
Nzeshi said the governor was working closely with the House of Assembly to ensure that the budget was passed in the interest of Rivers residents.
“The 2026 budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers,” he said.
The statement effectively places the focus on when the legislative process will be concluded, rather than on any alleged disagreement between the governor and the lawmakers.
According to the government, the budget is already before the House and is undergoing the necessary scrutiny required before its passage. It therefore expects the lawmakers to complete their consideration and approve the appropriation.
Nzeshi said Governor Fubara was “not at loggerheads” with members of the House of Assembly, but was cooperating with them to advance the interests of the state.
The clarification followed reports in some national newspapers and online platforms suggesting that the executive and legislature were again at odds over the 2026 budget.
But the government urged Rivers residents to disregard the reports, warning against narratives capable of reopening political wounds in the state.
“Rivers State Government has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies,” Nzeshi said.
He appealed to those promoting what he described as negative narratives to desist, stressing that peace and political stability were necessary for the state to sustain its development.
For now, the government’s position is that the 2026 budget remains firmly within the legislative process, with Governor Fubara confident that the House of Assembly will pass it after completing its consideration.
