The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a fresh disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly over the 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing the claims as misleading and capable of rekindling political tensions in the state.
The government, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said Fubara was not at loggerheads with the lawmakers but was working with them in the interest of Rivers State.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State,” Nzeshi said.
He explained that the 2026 budget proposal had already been presented to the legislature and was undergoing the normal legislative process.
“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 stated.
The clarification followed reports in some national newspapers and online platforms suggesting that the executive and legislative arms of government were again heading for a confrontation over the budget.
The state government urged the public to disregard such reports, insisting that the ongoing consideration of the appropriation bill should not be interpreted as evidence of a fresh political crisis.
The development comes amid renewed political interest in Rivers State following Governor Fubara’s return to the political camp associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The governor’s political realignment had heightened expectations that relations between the executive and legislature would become more stable and that the budget process would proceed without the kind of political disputes that have characterised the state in recent years.
Nzeshi, however, said the government was determined not to allow Rivers State to be dragged into another round of political controversy.
“Rivers State Government has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies,” he said.
He consequently appealed to those promoting what he described as negative narratives to desist, stressing that peace and political stability were essential to sustaining development across the state.
The government maintained that the 2026 Appropriation Bill remains before the House of Assembly for consideration and expressed confidence that the lawmakers would complete the legislative process and pass the budget.
It therefore urged Rivers residents to discount reports of a fresh rift between Governor Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly over the proposed 2026 budget.
