In a surprising turn of events, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State unveiled the 2024 Budget on Wednesday in front of a five-member state Assembly.
The atmosphere, however, was charged as Speaker Edison Ehie, backed by a recent ruling from the Rivers State High Court affirming his legitimacy, presided over the session.
Tagged as the 'Budget of Renewed Hope, Consolidation and Continuity,' the budget had previously received approval from the Rivers State Executive Council. The unfolding drama intensified when Speaker Ehie announced the declaration of 27 seats as vacant, belonging to lawmakers who had defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This bold move adds a layer of political complexity to the budget presentation, raising questions about the assembly's dynamics, the impact on legislative proceedings, and the broader implications for the state's political landscape. As reactions pour in from key figures and citizens, Rivers State finds itself at the center of a political storm with both budgetary and legislative challenges on the horizon.
