Fubara Says No Rift as N1.85tn Rivers Budget Waits in Legislative Limbo

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has dismissed suggestions of a fresh disagreement between his administration and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly over the state’s proposed 2026 budget, even as the ₦1.85 trillion spending plan continues to await legislative approval. The governor presented the proposal on July 10, describing it as a “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development” and urging lawmakers to give it the necessary attention.

The situation has nevertheless attracted public attention because the budget has remained under consideration for more than a month after its presentation. And in the curious world of Rivers politics, where peace has previously come with more plot twists than a television drama, the absence of a passed budget is enough to make observers wonder whether everyone is genuinely getting along—or simply agreeing to disagree very quietly.

Fubara Denies Rift With Rivers Assembly Over ₦1.85tn 2026 Budget

Fubara’s proposal totals approximately ₦1.854 trillion, with about ₦413.1 billion earmarked for recurrent expenditure and roughly ₦1.405 trillion for capital projects. Major allocations include funding for infrastructure, education, healthcare and other development priorities.

When the governor submitted the bill, Speaker Amaewhule assured him that the Assembly would give the proposal due consideration, stressing that the growth of Rivers State required collective effort. The bill subsequently passed its first reading, creating the impression that the executive and legislature had successfully moved beyond their previous political battles.

Fubara Says Everyone Is Fine as Budget Sits There Watching Politics Happen

Fubara’s insistence that there is no rift is particularly notable against the background of the prolonged political confrontation between the governor and the Assembly. The relationship had previously deteriorated into a major constitutional and political crisis, including impeachment proceedings and disputes over legislative authority. In January 2026, the Assembly again initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and his deputy, with allegations including unconstitutional spending and interference with legislative functions.

Against that history, the governor’s latest position could be interpreted as an attempt to keep the temperature down while the budget process continues. Politically, however, Nigerians have developed a special talent for hearing “there is no problem” and immediately checking where the smoke is coming from. For now, the official message is harmony; the unanswered question is simply how long the ₦1.85 trillion proposal will remain in legislative waiting room.

OGM News NG will continue to monitor the Rivers State budget process as lawmakers consider the proposal and the governor maintains that there is no rift with the Assembly. Whether the next development brings approval, amendments, further explanations—or another chapter in Rivers State’s famously complicated political storyline—remains one to watch.