The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has expressed strong disapproval over the actions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara in presenting the state budget to a House of Assembly with only three members in attendance. The APC condemned the move, labeling it an unconstitutional and undemocratic attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the legislative process.
The APC stated that the Rivers State House of Assembly, with its full complement of 32 elected members, should have been involved in the important task of reviewing and approving the state budget. Instead, Governor Fubara's decision to present the budget to a mere three lawmakers, who were selected under questionable circumstances, has raised serious concerns about the transparency and fairness of the entire process.
"The presentation of the 2025 state budget to a partial and possibly hand-picked assembly is a blatant disregard for the rule of law and an affront to the people of Rivers State," said the APC spokesperson in a statement. "This undemocratic move shows a flagrant attempt to bypass the established constitutional process for the governor's personal and political advantage."
The APC emphasized that a functioning, robust legislature is fundamental to the principle of checks and balances, ensuring that the executive branch operates with transparency and accountability. By circumventing the duly elected members of the Assembly, the Governor has risked setting a dangerous precedent that could destabilize the state's democratic structure.
The party further questioned the legitimacy of the budget presentation, noting that critical decisions affecting the state's economic future should not be made by a small, potentially compromised faction of the legislature. The APC has called on the Governor to reconsider his approach and present the budget to the full House of Assembly, as is constitutionally required.