On Wednesday, the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, disclosed that his administration is already working on the 2025 appropriation for the state, News About Nigeria reports.
The governor said this in response to the 7-day ultimatum to re-present the 2024 budget which was slammed on him by the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers House of Assembly.
He also insisted that the legislative seats of Amaewhule and 26 other lawmakers that were declared vacant on December 13, 2023, will remain so.
Governor Fubara further tasked the lawmakers to wake up from their delusional slumber as he would not re-present the state budget which was already approved by a four-member faction of the Assembly loyal to him.
Giving details on the 2025 budget which they are already working on, Governor Fubara disclosed that his administration is giving high priority to education, healthcare, and agriculture.
He said, “Let me assure you that agriculture is an area that we have promised the very special and peace-loving people of Rivers State that our 2025 budget, which we have already started preparing, will address. Don’t bother about those people that are delusional. They think we are still sleeping. Let me tell you people so that they can hear anywhere they are. I wanted to help them, sincerely because I know them. And I have said it before, these are people that I have helped. I paid their children’s school fees. I paid their house rents. So, I wanted to help them. We all knew what happened when they crossed (defected), and how did they cross?
“Because of our God, for them to make that mistake, they crossed! They are gone, and they are gone. Now, let me tell you: when I wanted to help them, I accepted to help them because we are all one. We disagree to agree as it is said. But, they thought they are smart. What is holding them is the declaration of their seats vacant that was done on December 13, 2023. That is what is holding them. We are not doing any budget to nullify that decision. It is what will send them to their villages. For me, as I am talking to you, I have started preparing my budget for 2025, which I am going to present very soon. And, in that budget, my key areas will be education, healthcare and agriculture.”
