Coalition dismisses resolution to shut down Rivers expenditures

The Coalition for National Vanguard for Rule of Law (NVRL) has dismissed the resolution of the Martin Amaewhule-led Rivers Assembly to shut down state expenditures.

Mr. Johnson Babatunde, the leader of the coalition, made a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, describing the move as illegal.

Supreme News reports that the Amaewhule-led assembly shut down all expenditures of Gov. Siminalayi Fubara until he presents his budget before the House.

This follows a seven-day ultimatum the lawmakers gave the governor to present his budget before the House.

The Leader of the House, Major Jack, raised the motion informing the House about the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to the governor to present the 2024 budget before the House.

Reacting, Babatunde said that such an attempt is against the spirit of the law, adding that Amaewhule and 24 others had also defected from the PDP to the APC in violation of the law.

“For the record, Fubara signed the budget of N800 billion into law in December 2023 after presenting it before lawmakers led by the former speaker, Mr. Edison Ehie, who passed it into law.

He said that any attempt to secure an injunction to deny Fubara access to the consolidated revenue fund of the state would not augur well.

He also said that they should be wary of an attempt to deny ministries, departments, and agencies in Rivers State access to their accounts to implement the 2024 budget.

He said that Fubara should be allowed to implement the 2024 budget, which has earned the governor accolades across the state and beyond.

NAN reports that on Dec. 14, 2023, Fubara signed the state’s N800 billion 2024 budget into law, barely 24 hours after it was presented to a four-member house of assembly for approval.

Speaking, Fubara said the budget would provide the framework for his administration to undertake notable road projects that would connect communities across the state.