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Victor Oko-Jumbo, Speaker of the factional Rivers House of Assembly, has assured that Governor Siminalayi Fubara will soon present the 2025 budget proposal.
Oko-Jumbo disclosed this during the inauguration of ultra-modern community town halls and the flag-off of a scholarship/empowerment program in Bonny Local Government Area.
“We will not be distracted by the enemies of Rivers state. We will not be distracted by the 25 former members of the house of assembly,” Oko-Jumbo emphasized.
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He also promised rapid development for Bonny kingdom, stating, “Let me use this medium to assure you that we will not rest on our oars until we ensure rapid development comes to Bonny kingdom.”
The Rivers House of Assembly has been factionalized since 2023 due to a fallout between Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
READ ALSO: Rivers Political Turmoil Stemmed From Resource Control – Fubara
This division led to 27 lawmakers defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2023.
Previous controversies surrounding the 2024 budget presentation and passage have led to court interventions.
In January 2024, a federal high court voided the presentation and passage of the State’s 2024 budget, ordering Fubara to re-present it to the legally constituted House of Assembly.
Later, in October, a court of appeal affirmed this judgment, and a federal high court restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria from releasing financial allocations to the Rivers state government.
Despite these challenges, Oko-Jumbo reaffirmed the commitment to passing the 2025 budget, ensuring Bonny Local Government’s inclusion.
“As Speaker of the House of Assembly, 2025 budget will soon be passed; which means that Bonny Local Government will be captured in the 2025 budget that will be presented soon by his Excellency,” he said.
