Wike reacts to Fubara’s reelection bid

Former Rivers State governor and incumbent minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at his successor  Siminalayi Fubara over what he described as a neglect of governance in favour of political ambition ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, Wike accused the governor of prioritising his second-term bid while failing to present the state’s budget to the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“The governor is yet to submit his budget to the House of Assembly, but he is busy pursuing his second-term ambition,” Wike said, warning that the delay could disrupt government operations and the delivery of essential services.

The disagreement is part of a prolonged political rift between the two leaders, which has split the Rivers State House of Assembly into rival factions.

In December 2024, Fubara presented a N1.1 trillion 2025 budget proposal to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of the Assembly, which is loyal to him.

However, on February 28, the Supreme Court upheld a Federal High Court ruling restraining the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Accountant-General of the Federation from releasing statutory allocations to Rivers State.

The apex court also directed the Central Bank to withhold the state’s allocations until the governor presents the appropriation bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the Assembly, which is aligned with Wike.

Following the ruling and reconciliation efforts by Bola Tinubu, Fubara wrote to the Amaewhule-led Assembly on March 13, requesting a new date for the presentation of the 2025 budget.

Despite the request, the governor was denied access to the Assembly quarters in Port Harcourt when he arrived with members of his cabinet on the scheduled date.

Fubara has maintained that he complied with the Supreme Court directive by attempting to present the budget to the Assembly.

However, the Amaewhule-led lawmakers have accused the governor of insincerity, insisting that he present the 2025 appropriation bill afresh and denying receipt of any formal communication from him regarding the budget presentation.