The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a fresh confrontation between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the State House of Assembly over the 2026 Appropriation Bill, insisting that the budget is progressing through the normal legislative process.
The government, in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, described reports of a disagreement between the executive and legislative arms as misleading and urged residents to disregard what it called “negative narratives.”
Nzeshi said Fubara was “not at loggerheads” with members of the House of Assembly, stressing that the governor remained committed to working with lawmakers in the interest of Rivers State.
“The 2026 Budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly; it is going through the normal legislative process and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers,” the statement said.
The clarification comes against the backdrop of Rivers State’s prolonged political crisis, which has repeatedly triggered tensions between the executive and legislature and resulted in intense political and legal controversies.
The state government said it was determined to prevent a recurrence of the tensions that had previously disrupted governance and political stability in the oil-producing state.
“Rivers State has gone through difficult times in the past and is not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies,” Nzeshi said.
He appealed to individuals and groups allegedly circulating reports of a fresh dispute to desist, arguing that peace, cooperation and political stability were essential to sustaining development across the state.
The government’s position seeks to dispel speculation that the 2026 budget process could become another flashpoint between the governor and lawmakers.
It maintained that the executive and legislative arms were cooperating within their constitutional responsibilities to ensure the passage and implementation of the budget.
“We need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State,” the governor’s spokesman said.
