The Rivers State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Tony Okocha, has strongly criticized Governor Siminalayi Fubara for presenting the 2025 budget to only five members of the State House of Assembly. Okocha called the action illegal and against court rulings.
Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Okocha said he was shocked by the governor’s actions. He referred to a court ruling from January 2024 by Justice Omotosho, which confirmed Martins Amaewhule as the legitimate leader of the Assembly. The court also ruled that all official business, including budget presentations, must follow this leadership.
“The governor knows better. Presenting the budget to only five members out of 30 is against the law,” Okocha said.
Okocha accused Governor Fubara of dividing the state instead of promoting peace. He said this action could create more problems in 2025.
“Instead of bringing people together for peace, the governor is creating more fights. This is not the way forward,” he added.
The APC chairman also clarified that 27 Assembly members are still loyal to the PDP and have not joined the APC.
“They are still PDP members. I wanted to bring them to the APC, but that didn’t work. My focus is on progress, not following the governor’s bad example,” he said.
Governor Fubara presented a ₦1.8 trillion budget to a group of five lawmakers led by Victor Oko-Jumbo. Many people, including Okocha, have questioned if this process is even legal. Critics say the governor’s actions go against proper governance and fairness.
Okocha urged the governor to respect the law and work with the full Assembly to avoid further problems.