In a bold move that has intensified the political crisis in Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has defended his controversial decision to present the 2025 budget to just three lawmakers, declaring that the 27 members who jumped ship from PDP to APC have lost their seats for good.
The brewing battle between Fubara and his former boss, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, took another dramatic turn on Thursday as the governor signed the N1.1 trillion budget at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Speaking after the signing, a visibly firm Fubara made it clear he’s done taking hits from Wike’s camp.
“There’s no governor in Nigeria who can take the kind of insult I took from those set of people,” Fubara stated, his tone leaving no room for compromise.
“As it stands now, our major target is the interest of Rivers State, and we will continue to defend the integrity of governance.”
In what could be seen as shutting the door permanently on the defectors, Fubara used a maritime metaphor to drive home his point.
“A group of friends embarked on what is called a sea-bared journey nine months ago,” he said.
“Halfway through, while coasting, they realized they were entering the den of devils and sharks, and they now want to retreat. It is too late.”
Addressing whispers about a split in the state legislature, Fubara stood firm behind the three-member Assembly led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, declaring it the only legitimate legislative body in Rivers State.
“We have only one Assembly,” he emphasized, “and that Assembly is headed by Rt. Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo.”
The governor’s hardline stance comes after what he describes as extensive attempts at peace, suggesting that the political landscape in Rivers State has reached a point of no return.
“We have moved on,” he concluded, marking what appears to be the end of any reconciliation hopes with the defected lawmakers.
