PORT HARCOURT — The Rivers State Government has denied reports of a fresh disagreement between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly over the delay in passing the 2026 Appropriation Bill.
The government described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that the budget proposal was undergoing the normal legislative process.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said Fubara was working with members of the House of Assembly in the interest of the people of the state.
“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,” Nzeshi said.
He explained that the 2026 budget proposal had already been presented to the House and was undergoing legislative consideration.
“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,” he said.
Nzeshi said the state had experienced difficult periods in the past and was not prepared to be drawn into another round of political controversy.
“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,” he said.
The controversy comes against the backdrop of Fubara’s reported intention to return to the Rainbow Coalition, a political group associated with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The development had generated speculation over the relationship between the governor and members of the state legislature and whether the political alignment would affect the passage of the 2026 budget
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