The Rivers State Government on Wednesday wrote to the State House of Assembly, intimating the House that neither the office of the Governor nor that of his deputy had received any letter from the Assembly regarding its resolution on the Supreme Court verdict.
In a letter dated 5th March 2025, signed by Tammy Danagogo, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), and addressed to the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the state government informed the Assembly that it only came across the letter on social media.
The letter, referenced GO/SSG/M/130/1 and titled “Re: Resolutions of the Rivers State House of Assembly Pursuant to the Judgment of the Supreme Court of Nigeria Delivered on Friday, 28th Day of February, 2025,” reads in part:
“I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March 2025 on the above subject, which we came across on social media, and notify you that:
“As of the close of work on Tuesday, 4th March 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, the Deputy Governor’s office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the State has received the said letter.
“Please recall that His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, stated in a state broadcast on Sunday, 2nd March 2025, that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and in the best interest of the people of Rivers State.
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“We have since been in contact with our lawyers, who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the Supreme Court judgments, and we hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement them promptly in the best interest of our people.”
The government’s letter comes on the heels of the expiration of the 48-hour ultimatum issued to the state government by the House of Assembly on Monday, demanding the presentation of the 2025 budget to the Assembly.
In the resolution signed by Speaker Amaewhule, the lawmakers cited the Supreme Court’s directive halting federal allocations to the state and prohibiting expenditures from the Consolidated Revenue Fund until a properly passed Appropriation Bill is in place.
The resolution stated that, in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, the House expected the governor to submit the 2025 budget within 48 hours.
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