Rivers 2026 Budget Delay Tied to Unfulfilled Fubara Agreements

Fresh agreements reached between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule-led House of Assembly have reportedly contributed to the ongoing delay in passing the state’s 2026 budget, more than a month after it was presented to lawmakers. Fubara presented the ₦1.854 trillion proposal, tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” to the Assembly on 10 July.

Although Speaker Martin Amaewhule initially expressed concern over the late presentation, he assured lawmakers would give the budget proper attention. However, more than a month on, the proposal remains unpassed, with little public information available about budget defence sessions or ongoing legislative processes.

Sources familiar with Assembly developments told The PUNCH that lawmakers reached fresh agreements with Fubara before allowing him to present the budget, following months of political tension. One anonymous source claimed the governor has yet to fulfil several commitments made during those negotiations. The source said: “To resolve the lingering political crisis, the governor met with the lawmakers on his 2026 appropriation bill. They had an agreement, and the deal paved the way for the lawmakers to allow the governor to present his appropriation bill. But the governor has not been able to fulfil the agreements.”

According to the source, unresolved issues include lawmakers’ benefits, entitlements and constituency projects. The source alleged: “The governor has not done anything for them since assuming office, and I think they expect him to pay most of their outstanding benefits, and he agreed to do so, but hasn’t kept to his promise.” These claims could not be independently verified.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, also addressed the budget disagreements during a recent media chat in Port Harcourt, alleging that Fubara had failed to implement most agreements reached during reconciliation talks. Wike said: “The issue of budget, I know why you asked because you expected that once the budget is presented today, it will be passed tomorrow. Remember it won’t be that easy. But at the end of the day, the budget will be passed.”

Wike further claimed Fubara had failed to release funds to the State House of Assembly Service Commission and hadn’t delivered on agreed benefits, stating bluntly: “I will tell you totally that the governor has failed 90 per cent of what they all agreed on.” Despite this, Wike maintained confidence that the budget would eventually pass and be transmitted for the governor’s assent.

Another source pointed to lingering mistrust between the executive and legislature despite reconciliation efforts, explaining: “The House of Assembly does not trust the governor because of a series of broken promises and unfulfilled agreements. So, in any new agreement, they want the governor to satisfy his own side of the bargain first.” Attempts to reach Fubara’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, for comment were unsuccessful.

The delay has raised concerns over the pace of capital project implementation, including the multi-billion-naira Ring Road, which is reportedly progressing slowly amid funding uncertainty. Separately, the proposed ₦41.4 billion allocation to the Rivers State House of Assembly has drawn criticism from some stakeholders as excessive, though others argue the legislature needs adequate funding to fulfil its constitutional duties.

Convener of the Rivers Peace Initiative, Obinna Ebogidi, urged both the executive and legislature to clarify the budget’s current status. He said: “I think the most important thing at this point is for Rivers people to have clarity on where the 2026 budget currently stands.” He warned that the delay, combined with an already-late presentation, was shrinking the available implementation window, adding: “The concern is not about rushing the legislative process, but about ensuring that the process does not lose momentum, particularly because implementation time is already becoming limited.”

National President of the South-South Youths Initiative, Oscar Imeabe, echoed similar concerns, warning that continued delays could stall development projects. He said: “Budgets are the blueprint for development. Every day of delay is a day of delayed roads, schools, hospitals, and youth programmes,” urging the Assembly to prioritise the bill’s passage without further disruption.

Do you think unresolved political tensions like this will continue to slow governance in Rivers State?