WIKE CAMP KICKS AGAINST GOV FUBARA’S BUDGET PRESENTATION, CITES COURT CASES

The controversy surrounding the 2025 budget presentation of Rivers State Governor, Siminialayi Fubara, has taken a new turn as the camp of former Governor Nyesom Wike has kicked against the budget, citing concerns over its legitimacy.

The Wike camp has been opposing Fubara’s budget presentation, accusing him of attempting to deceive the people of Rivers State with a “padded budget” that serves only the interests of his loyalists and cronies.

Recently, a Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed a suit seeking to stop Fubara from re-presenting the N800 billion 2024 budget of Rivers State. The court’s decision was made after Justice Joyce Abdulmalik found that a similar suit had already been decided by a sister court.

Additionally, the judge noted that the plaintiffs’ counsel, David Maduka, had lost the opportunity to be heard when he failed to address the court on the propriety of the instant suit.

It’s worth noting that there have been other court cases related to the budget controversy. For instance, Justice James Omotosho had earlier set aside the Rivers’ N800 billion 2024 budget passed by the five members of the house and signed into law by Gov. Fubara on Dec. 14, 2023.

The Wike camp has hailed the court’s decision, saying it vindicates their position that the budget is illegitimate. “We have always maintained that the budget presented by Governor Fubara is a sham,” said a statement from the Wike camp. “The court’s decision has vindicated our position and exposed the governor’s attempt to deceive the people of Rivers State.”

The development has sparked a heated debate in the state, with many residents expressing concern over the implications of the budget controversy on the state’s development.

“I am not surprised by the court’s decision,” said Dr. Sofiri Peterside, a lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt. “The budget proposal is indeed unrealistic, and it is clear that the governor is not in touch with the needs of the people.”

Others have also expressed concern over the lack of transparency in the budget proposal. “The budget proposal lacks details, and it is not clear how the funds will be allocated,” said Mrs. Ibim Okere, a civil society activist. “We need a more transparent budget that shows how the funds will be used to address the needs of the people.”

As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the budget controversy will be resolved and what implications it will have for the future of Rivers State. One thing is certain, however: the people of Rivers State will be watching closely to ensure that their interests are protected and that the budget is used to address their critical needs.

Reactions from Stakeholders

The budget controversy has also attracted reactions from stakeholders in the state. The Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed support for the Wike camp’s opposition to the budget.

“We support the position of the Wike camp on the budget proposal,” said Comrade Alex Agwanwor, the state chairman of the NLC. “The budget proposal is indeed unrealistic, and it does not address the needs of the workers and the people of Rivers State.”

The Rivers State chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has also expressed concern over the budget proposal. “We are concerned about the lack of transparency in the budget proposal,” said Comrade Godfrey Okoro, the state chairman of the TUC. “We need a more transparent budget that shows how the funds will be used to address the needs of the people.”

The budget controversy has also attracted reactions from the business community in the state. The Rivers State chapter of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has expressed concern over the implications of the budget controversy on the business climate in the state.

“We are concerned about the implications of the budget controversy on the business climate in the state,” said Dr. Emi Membere-Otaji, the state chairman of NACCIMA. “We need a stable and predictable business environment to operate, and the budget controversy is not helping to achieve that.”