Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has defended his decision to present the 2025 budget to only three lawmakers, declaring that the 27 members of the State House of Assembly who defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All-Progressives Congress (APC) have permanently forfeited their seats.
In a heated political feud with his predecessor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, Governor Fubara asserted that the defected lawmakers have no legal grounds to reclaim their positions.
Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, shortly after signing the N1.1 trillion 2025 budget at the Rivers State House, Fubara lamented the repeated insults he endured from Wike’s faction. He declared his resolve to no longer tolerate any further disrespect.
The governor dismissed allegations of a factionalized Assembly, emphasizing that the three-member legislative body, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, is the sole legitimate Assembly in the state.
“We have only one Assembly, and that Assembly is headed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo,” Fubara clarified.
Using a vivid analogy to describe the defected lawmakers’ actions, he said, “About nine months ago, a group of friends embarked on what seemed like a sea voyage. Midway, they realized they were heading into a den of devils and sharks. Now they want to turn back, but it’s too late. As far as I’m concerned, we are not going back.”
Fubara stressed his unwavering commitment to the interests of Rivers State and his duty to uphold governance. “No governor in Nigeria could tolerate the kind of insults I faced from these individuals. We’ve given them ample opportunity for peace, but now we must move forward. The integrity of Rivers State remains our priority,” he concluded.