Frank and quite unfazed by the political storm raging in his state, Governor Siminalayi Fubara signed the 2024 appropriation bill of N800 billion into law on Thursday, less than 24 hours after he presented it before a four-member Rivers State House of Assembly.
The signing ceremony was held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, the same premises where the legislators sat, the day before, to receive and approve the budget estimate.
The budget signing ceremony was witnessed by lawmakers, led by the court-ordered speaker, Edison Ehie.
Fubara, while presenting the 2024 appropriation bill before the lawmakers on Wednesday, said the proposal was anchored on the assumptions of crude oil price benchmark of $70 per barrel and 1.5 million barrels production per day, with an exchange rate of N750 to the dollar.
The governor said the budget would be funded from Internally Generated Revenue, Federation Account Allocation Committee receipts, 13 per cent Oil Mineral Derivation Fund, Value Added Tax, Excess Crude, and grants from development agencies.
He assured that no efforts would be spared in implementing the quality projects and services itemized in the 2024 appropriation.
Fubara said the budget would be driven in a manner that would make a positive impact on the lives of all residents of the state.
However, we state unambiguously, that it is unconstitutional for the four lawmakers currently sitting in the 32-member Rivers State House of Assembly to consider the 2024 budget presented by Governor Fubara.
This is because Section 96 of the 1999 Constitution clearly mandates a quorum of at least one-third of members for legislative sittings and duties.
Therefore, only four lawmakers cannot legally deliberate on the budget as it renders such proceedings null and void.
This illegal action risks plunging Rivers State into a dangerous constitutional crisis and possible anarchy.
The ongoing ugly situation sadly reflects the long history of political recklessness in Rivers State and the repeated failure to learn from past mistakes.
Governor Fubara had recently presented the Rivers budget to only four legislators after 27 lawmakers defected from the People’s Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The governor also supervised the demolition of the Assembly complex.
To say the least, the actions of the political actors in the state are reckless and embarrassing.
For too long, Rivers’ political situation has been dominated by gestapo gangsterism and the state has not known peace politically.
Last week, about 11 commissioners threw in their resignation letters. Some have refused to resign, indicating they want to act according to their conscience.
More are expected to join the exodus, all to show that the governor between 2015 and 2023 and the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, practically populated the cabinet.
Political watchers have traced the upheaval in the oil rich state to the resistance of Fubara to the alleged overarching influence of Wike.
Publicly, Wike has indicated his interest in retaining influence in the state.
“Democracy and the rule of law have come under attack in Rivers State and the people cannot continue to play the ostrich, hoping that these issues will resolve themselves.”
Regrettably, these are personal preoccupations that should have nothing to do with governance.
This crisis, as perceived by discerning minds, also casts a stark light on the broader political landscape in Nigeria, a country with a history punctuated by political instability and conflict.
Power struggles often steer the nation towards violence and disruption, reminding the nation of the fragility of its democracy and the dire need for robust institutions and effective governance.
The people must refuse to be fooled. This is about power play and who decides on who gets the bigger share of the cake. But it is important to remind the scheming politicians that the people gave them a mandate, akin to a sacred trust.
In many ways, Rivers State is important in Nigeria. It is one of the oil and gas-rich Niger-Delta states; it hosts the Nigerian headquarters of major international oil companies.
Apart from the enormous power wielded by state governors, its share of the 13 per cent oil derivation are prizes which various interests desperately seek to control.
The Fourth Republic has witnessed such dark skirmishes between political godfathers and their godsons.
In 2003, the incumbent governor of Anambra State, Chris Ngige, was kidnapped by rogue security agents hired by his godfather. Similar confrontations have occurred in Lagos, Edo, Ondo, and Imo States, where the governors or deputy governors faced impeachment proceedings by lawmakers at the bidding of the godfathers.
Consequently, development suffers, mass poverty is rampant, and democracy is stunted, conferring benefits only on the narrow class of political desperados.
Influential voices in Rivers and beyond should rise to prevent Rivers from descending into anarchy. Already, ethnic undertones are audible, and threats have been made.
Fubara’s opponents should operate strictly within the law. The interests of the people are far greater than the narrow interests and egos of politicians.
We call on the elders and political leaders of Rivers State to intervene in the crisis between Governor Fubara and Wike, before it is too late.
Democracy and the rule of law have come under attack in Rivers State and the people cannot continue to play the ostrich, hoping that these issues will resolve themselves.
Recalcitrant godson, Fubara, and his unforgiving godfather, Wike, must be called to order for sanity and the rule of law to prevail in Rivers State.
