The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports suggesting a disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly over the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The government, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, said the Governor was not “at loggerheads” with members of the state legislature, describing the reported disagreement as a misleading narrative.
It said Fubara was working closely with members of the House of Assembly in the interest of the people of Rivers State and was committed to maintaining peace and stability in the state.
The clarification followed reports published by some national newspapers and online platforms alleging that the Executive and Legislative arms of the state government were at odds over the 2026 budget proposal.
According to the statement, the reports were inaccurate and did not reflect the actual relationship between the Governor and the lawmakers.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is not at loggerheads with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, but rather working closely with them to serve the good people of Rivers State,” the government said.
On the 2026 Appropriation Bill, the state government explained that the budget proposal had already been presented to the House of Assembly and was currently undergoing the required legislative scrutiny.
It expressed confidence that the lawmakers would complete the process and pass the budget in accordance with established legislative procedures.
“The 2026 Budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers,” the statement said.
The government’s position comes against the backdrop of political tensions that have characterised relations between the executive and legislative arms of Rivers State in recent times.
The administration said the state had experienced difficult periods in the past and could not afford to be drawn into another cycle of political controversies capable of distracting attention from governance and development.
It therefore appealed to stakeholders and members of the public to avoid actions or narratives capable of heightening tensions between the two arms of government.
“The Rivers State Government has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies,” it said.
The government also cautioned individuals it accused of promoting what it described as negative narratives, urging them to desist from such activities and allow the state to focus on development.
It stressed the need for peace and harmony, noting that a stable political environment was essential to sustaining development across Rivers State.
“We therefore advise all those bent on promoting negative narratives to desist from such actions forthwith as we need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State,” the statement added.
