Rivers State: Where is 2026 Budget?

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]Concerns are mounting in River State over Governor Siminalayi Fubara's continued refusal to present the 2026 budget 5 months into the fiscal year, despite ongoing government spending across ministries and agencies.

[00:00:15]The development has intensified criticism from political observers and stakeholders who argue that the state cannot continue operating without a duly approved appropriation law guiding public expenditure.

[00:00:28]The budget impasse marks the third consecutive year of controversy surrounding River State's finances.

[00:00:34]The last budget personally submitted by Governor Fubara was in 2023. In 2024, the state operated without a formal budget amid the prolonged political crisis between the governor and lawmakers. In 2025, tensions escalated to the brink of impeachment after the governor again failed to present an appropriation bill to the state assembly, a development that continued to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state.

[00:01:05]During the emergency period, the sole administrator, Effiong Okon Etta Ebassey, retired, eventually submitted the state's budget to the National Assembly for approval. However, with no 2026 budget currently before any legislative body, questions are being raised over the legality, transparency, and accountability of government spending in River State.

[00:01:28]Critics warn that the continued absence of a budget undermines constitutional governance, weakens fiscal oversight, and deepens uncertainty over the management of public funds in the oil-rich state. I'll start with you, Barrister Sein, on this. What is your take on this one?

[00:01:46]Where is River State budget?

[00:01:48]>> You see, the point is that not just River State budget, where is River State today?

[00:01:52]>> Okay.

[00:01:54]>> In the committee of uh states in Nigeria.

[00:02:00]Rivers State is becoming an impoverished and highly disadvantageous state to live in.

[00:02:07]Economically, they are stunted.

[00:02:13]Socially, they are stagnated.

[00:02:18]There is a law a diabolic law in the activities of governance in Rivers State.

[00:02:27]And there is an attempt which has been on for very long time to do what? Exterminate [laughter] an arm of government which is the legislature.

[00:02:43]And the moment you suffocate the legislative arm of government in any democracy at all, that government is drifting towards anarchy or anomie.

[00:02:56]That is the situation we find ourselves today in Rivers State.

[00:02:59]You see, the present legislative arm of government in Rivers State is a sorry sight. I I I I sympathize with them.

[00:03:11]Because they have become the most inactive legislative arm of government in the history of democracy.

[00:03:19]Baron de Montesquieu once propounded separation of powers.

[00:03:26]And he went further to, you know, awaken our spirit about the dangers of fusion of powers.

[00:03:35]He went further also to now, you know, let us know that apart from fusion of power, THE MOST DANGEROUS OF all these is when the executive arm or an arm of government intentionally, diabolically asphyxiate another arm of government from operating and being in operation.

[00:03:57]WHAT WE HAVE THE TEMPLATE WE HAVE in Rivers State with due respect to the state is that of tyranny and autocracy.

[00:04:06]Now, I refer to what is happening in Rivers State as voodoo type democracy.

[00:04:13]Not because, you know, democracy does not thrive in Nigeria.

[00:04:20]But that of Rivers State is a variant of democracy that is worse than Ebola disease.

[00:04:26]The governor has been acting with fugacious grand matters, with prebanda, you know, GRANDILOQUENCE.

[00:04:37]THE GOVERNOR has been acting like a ONE-MAN ARMY.

[00:04:41]THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN, you know, moving around like a colossus, bestriding a particular colonial entity, you know, without hinges. What am I talking about?

[00:04:56]I want to, you know, say this for the better of the better being of I will use English of Rivers people.

[00:05:06]Therefore, those who are supporting him, well, I wish you people well, but Rivers State is the one that is suffering most.

[00:05:13]Now, let me give you an analysis based on legal premises.

[00:05:17]Section 121 I brought this constitution on purpose.

[00:05:24]I didn't know I was going to discuss this with us this particular matter.

[00:05:28]We practice constitutional democracy.

[00:05:32]And I want to, you know, draw your attention to Section 121.

[00:05:35]The governor shall cause to be prepared and laid before the House of Assembly at any time before the commencement of each financial year estimates of the revenues and expenditure of the state for the next following financial year.

[00:05:52]So, it behoves >> [snorts] >> that even when the 2026 has not come, a particular governor or president must prepare the new budget for the next year looking proactively forward.

[00:06:03]Now, for 2027 budget, the governor president must prepare this particular year and you know present against 2027. Now, that is not even my [laughter] my my problem.

[00:06:15]Let me tell you where the governor has taken advantage of to now say and I dare say that the moment the governor leaves power, he should be probed.

[00:06:26]The EFCC must be called in. I want to say with due respect. I am not biased in what I am saying. I'm just being altruistic and I'm being realistic. Now, look at section 122. What does it say?

[00:06:39]If the appropriation bill in respect of any financial year has not been passed into law >> Mhm.

[00:06:44]>> by the beginning of the financial year, the governor may authorize the withdrawal of moneys from the consolidated revenue funds >> Mhm.

[00:06:55]>> of the state for the purpose of meeting expenditure necessary to carry on the service of government for a period not exceeding 6 months or until the coming into operation of the law, whichever is earlier. He's hiding under this particular WHATEVER NOW.

[00:07:13]TO NOW SAY THAT EVEN IF I DON'T PRESENT MY BUDGET, I CAN DRAW FROM THE consolidated revenue funds.

[00:07:21]>> The consolidated revenue funds, doesn't it have a cap?

[00:07:25]>> THAT IS WHAT I'M SAYING.

[00:07:26]>> [clears throat] >> THERE'S THERE'S AN ACT AGAIN ON THAT cap here, whatever. But, they they have gone beyond IT. IT'S NOT ONLY HIM THAT'S DOING IT, BUT HIS OWN HAS BECOME so lascivious and at the same time so visible because he's the he's the only governor I've seen in the 36 states that have not presented a budget to the house. THE REST ARE PRESENTED. THE REST CAN TAKE advantage of this section 122, but to an extent. BUT IT'S NOT ONLY THAT, IT HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS ONE. SO, what is happening now IS THAT THE GOVERNMENT of the executive arm of government is withdrawing money and spending at its WHIMS AND CAPRICES WITHOUT CHECK.

[00:07:59]SO, HE HE begins to do this.

[00:08:04]You see, because this law, you know, gives that, YOU KNOW, DUBIOUS window to to him and to them. The law says that, you know, he can begin to do this 6 months into the year, WHICH MEANS BY JUNE.

[00:08:16]ARE YOU GETTING MY POINT NOW? BUT IT'S NOT SAYING THAT IF, FOR INSTANCE, the House of Assembly passes the appropriation bill to budget, then that withdrawal will will will stop.

[00:08:27]So, because he wants to continuously begin to be using this to his ADVANTAGE IN A DUBIOUS MANNER, he will not present the the the House of the budget to the the House of Assembly.

[00:08:40]And this is what we should be looking at.

[00:08:44]NOW, LOOK AT THIS.

[00:08:46]RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT, THE AUDITOR GENERAL HAS TO TELL RIVERS PEOPLE WHAT HAS been what the man has been doing with the Rivers people's money.

[00:08:54]Now, go further. HE SAID THERE'S A PROVISO TO THIS, THAT EVEN THOUGH YOU CAN WITHDRAW, LIKE THAT PERSON YOU ASKED, YOU CAN withdraw from the consolidated revenue funds, as the case may be. What will happen IS THAT PROVIDED THAT the withdrawal in respect of any such period shall not exceed the amount authorized to be withdrawn from the consolidated revenue fund of the of the state UNDER THE PROVISION of the appropriation law passed by the House of Assembly.

[00:09:23]So, WHAT MEANS THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY HAS A ROLE TO PLAY.

[00:09:26]>> The House of Assembly needs to give him a limit >> limit that is given by the House of >> The House of Assembly has to approve of his spending >> of his spending >> from the consolidated >> Yes, that is THE THEY MUST APPROVE. BUT NOW, WE DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT'S EXCEEDING THE CAP.

[00:09:40]>> The The question now is has the House of Assembly approved anything for him like probably a cap for him to spend from the consolidated fund.

[00:09:48]>> There's a cap that has been there existing. There's a regime. I said they will amend it.

[00:09:54]So what we are saying now is that this particular trajectory is this. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT THIS man and we came came together and they they agreed that he now became the chosen one. What he's doing is taking advantage of the circumstances that is prevailing in our state TO BEGIN TO DO WHAT NOW? Further his already feathered nest.

[00:10:20]THAT IS WHY YOU FIND OUT we don't even know where the 600 billion is.

[00:10:25]We don't even know exactly what is available. We don't even know how much Rivers State is getting from the FAAC account. WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE INTERNALLY generated revenue of Rivers State.

[00:10:35]THE MAN IS JUST DOING it and going. So me, I'm just, you know, profiling and periscoping.

[00:10:41]The House of Assembly has started and you find out you see when you have a child you as a father or a mother you give birth to a child that has become helpless.

[00:10:50]Do you in the morning go and walk past the child?

[00:10:54]That is what has happened in Rivers State. The House of Assembly right now, they know that no matter how what they talk that the man will not even listen to them.

[00:11:02]So the political atmosphere here, I think so people need to, you know, pull this into trajectory and correct the situation as it case may be. All of us what he's doing after he leaves power, my own recommendation is that the EFCC should be called in to look into the books of Rivers State as it case may be.

[00:11:19]And I believe I will rest my case here for now.

[00:11:22]>> All right, very well.

[00:11:24]Frank Enabuje, what is your take [laughter] on this?

[00:11:26]>> Is it budget is part of governance.

[00:11:33]Whether in in government or an institution organization, even the church.

[00:11:43]The truth is that we must tell ourselves the truth in Rivers State.

[00:11:47]What is happening from the beginning is not healthy.

[00:11:51]I I I am a rational thinker, a critical thinker.

[00:11:56]The politics we have played even about when they claim ignorance, then that person should should be the right person of what is happening in Rivers State.

[00:12:07]Is it that it is good that budget should NOT BE PRESENTED? NO.

[00:12:13]NO. BUDGET BUDGET SHOULD BE NO. BUDGET SHOULD BE SHOULD BE PRESENTED.

[00:12:20]BUT THE SITUATION WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES EVEN THAT YOU KNOW the last ONE WE DISCUSSED, RIVERS STATE IS A SPECIAL STATE IN NIGERIAN POLITICS TODAY, BOTH IN GOVERNANCE TODAY.

[00:12:37]WHAT IS HAPPENING IN RIVERS STATE? FOR ME AS A AS A NIGERIAN WHO HAS GOALS ROUND TO KNOW THIS HAPPENING.

[00:12:45]IT DON'T HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER STATE IN NIGERIA.

[00:12:48]SO THIS POLITICAL SCENARIO IN RIVERS STATE IT IS NOT YOU KNOW WE NEED TO GO INTO A LOT OF SERIOUS CRITICAL RESEARCH TO ADOPT A MAYBE A PROCESS AND HAVE MAYBE A VERY GOOD STUDY OF WHAT HAS COME TO stay in Rivers State. It's not about the way it's not about THE GOVERNANCE TEAM.

[00:13:11]SORRY.

[00:13:12]BECAUSE A LOT CANNOT BE DOING WHAT HE'S DOING.

[00:13:16]THERE'S A LOT OF COMPROMISE. OKAY, LIKE THE SPECIAL ADVISOR I'M TALKING about the conservation.

[00:13:22]THEY ARE TELLING ME I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ASSETS TO THE FUNDS.

[00:13:25]IN TERMS OF HAVING THEIR WHATEVER. ORDINARILY, LET THEM KNOW WHAT THE >> DOES THE ASSEMBLY HAVE ACCESS TO THE >> [screaming] >> YOU SAID THE ASSEMBLY DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS OR THEY HAVE ACCESS.

[00:14:00]They are being paid.

[00:14:06]Hold on. Are you saying that the governor pays the assembly?

[00:14:15]>> [snorts] >> Since since this year. The assembly are saying that they have not received any So, are you saying that they are When you say they are being paid, I NEED CLARITY.

[00:14:35]WHEN YOU SAY THEY ARE BEING PAID, are you saying it from a point of certainty that YOU KNOW ABSOLUTELY >> [laughter] >> THERE IS THERE IS A DIFFERENCE between speaking from a place of absolute certainty.

[00:14:53]That if you're called upon, you can bring evidence to that effect. And there is a place from speaking from a place of assumption. Probably you put one and one together and you say this probably should be the result of 1 + 1.

[00:15:08]Are you speaking with absolute certainty? Because this is a very sensitive matter.

[00:15:13]So, if you're saying the assembly is being paid by the governor from money that have not been approved.

[00:15:21]Are you saying this from a place of certainty that if you're called upon you can prove it?

[00:15:26]>> Let me tell you for free, okay? Let me also tell you this assumption.

[00:15:31]Government similar first cannot be doing Like I said before, I am a I am also a believer of budget.

[00:15:41]Sorry, LET ME THE PANDEMIC OF MONEY IN RIVERS STATE IS WHAT I'VE GIVEN ROOM.

[00:15:50]THE ASSEMBLY WHAT THEY DO THE APPROVAL FUNCTION.

[00:15:54]TODAY IN RIVERS STATE, SEE ANYBODY WANTS TO PLAY the ostrich.

[00:15:59]I'm always having Rivers State. He's just deceiving the whole world. I don't know what I mean. HE'S DECEIVING HIMSELF.

[00:16:04]BUT ONE THING WE HAVE COME TO KNOW TODAY IS THAT RIVERS STATE IS AN EXCEPTION.

[00:16:10]>> BUT HE'S NOT ANSWERED THE QUESTION.

[00:16:12]>> MY ANSWER I [screaming] HAVE TO I'VE TAKEN THE PART OF ASSEMBLY. I AGREE with him. I didn't KNOW THAT I AGREED WITH THE ASSEMBLY.

[00:16:17]>> NO, you're saying that you you've not >> I SAID I'VE TAKEN THE PART OF ASSUMPTION, BUT THAT'S WHAT but you said that >> What you're saying now >> I SAID AN ASSUMPTION.

[00:16:24]>> YOU ARE ASSUMING >> I SAID YES, I ADMIT.

[00:16:26]>> THAT THE ASSEMBLY receives payments from the government.

[00:16:30]>> Yes, I'm saying it.

[00:16:31]>> You're not saying it because you know.

[00:16:33]You're just assuming that for the governor to be withdrawing, it means that they are taking from the government.

[00:16:37]>> It's the law. It's in the law.

[00:16:39]>> Mhm.

[00:16:40]>> I HAVE SAID I HAVE SAID ASSUMPTION. I said assumption.

[00:16:43]>> You're not sure of what you're saying.

[00:16:44]>> I have said I HAVE SAID IT. I SAID it's an assumption.

[00:16:46]>> ALL RIGHT.

[00:16:46]>> [laughter] >> BUT you know that when you speak from a place of assumption so authoritatively over a matter that is this sensitive.

[00:16:57]>> The matter IS SENSITIVE AND THE VOLUME OF FUNDS WE'RE DISCUSSING IS NOT ABOUT ONE PERSON.

[00:17:03]WHAT YOU'RE DOING IN RIVERS STATE GOVERNMENT IS NOT A SIMILAR TO THE FEDERAL ISSUE.

[00:17:07]SO, I DON'T BELIEVE IN THIS MATTER. BUT IT'S AFFECTING ME AND YOU.

[00:17:12]And those who do business LIKE YOU WERE SAYING THAT RIVERS STATE IS GOING DOWN.

[00:17:17]ARE YOU AND ME ARE WATCHING?

[00:17:21]IT'S NOT ONE MAN.

[00:17:22]THIS IS A COLLECTIVE COLLABORATION FOR ANYWHERE.

[00:17:26]WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF POLITICS IN RIVER STATE TODAY?

[00:17:29]HOW IS IT TO DO WITH THE LAW OF NIGERIA?

[00:17:32]SORRY.

[00:17:33]LET ME TALK THE ISSUES.

[00:17:36]I'M NOT VOTING.

[00:17:37]I SPEAK MY MIND.

[00:17:39]YOU KNOW WHAT I'M DISCUSSING? RAINBOW COALITION AND EVERYTHING. AND WE ARE HAPPY.

[00:17:44]WE DON'T DISCUSS THE IDEA THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS RESIGNED FROM APC.

[00:17:50]THE ISSUE IS THIS. WHAT IS HAPPENING?

[00:17:52]IN THE COURSE OF OUR POLITICAL [laughter] CALCULATION OF RIVER STATE, WE HAVE SEEN A DIMENSION WHERE BUDGET IS NOT PRESENTED.

[00:18:02]AND ALL THOSE WHO SHOULD TALK ARE NOT TALKING.

[00:18:07]WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?

[00:18:09]WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE IS A WAY OF TELLING THE WORLD THAT LOOK, THE STATE ASSEMBLY THAT WE SAY THEY HAVE OVERSIGHT FUNCTION ACCORDING TO THE CONSTITUTION.

[00:18:22]LIKE I SAID, THIS ONE I NEVER THOUGHT BECAUSE OF POLITICAL EVOLUTION THAT WE DON'T EVEN KNOW THE BEGINNING AND THE [screaming] END.

[00:18:31]WHEN YOU HAVE WHAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR MIND, YOU DO IT. SO, you're talking about the state assembly that has oversight function. THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING. THEY'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING.

[00:18:39]SORRY.

[00:18:40]ORDINARILY, WE HAVE NO BUDGET OF RIVER STATE.

[00:18:43]SO, WHAT WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE THE STATE of assembly do now? See, like last time, if I'm not mistaken, WE SAID LAST YEAR WHEN the assembly was called back, was suspended.

[00:18:57]They asked for budget.

[00:19:00]Yes.

[00:19:02]They asked for budget. The assembly asked for budget. How come this is another year?

[00:19:09]They didn't ask for budget. So, me Frank, I've have not heard that in 2026 the the state assembly of River State has asked Governor Siminalayi Fubara, "Please, give us >> what gave rise to the second the the second or the third impeachment proceedings in 2026? Can you remember?

[00:19:28]>> I said I have not heard. Hear me very well.

[00:19:29]>> But are you aware that the assembly moved again to impeach >> THAT HAS BEEN MANAGED. POLICE CAN YOU ALSO >> HOLD ON. HOLD ON.

[00:19:37]DID YOU HEAR >> I HEARD OF IT. SO, WHEN I HEARD I JUST SAID IT'S LIKE A SPECIAL SCREEN.

[00:19:42]>> WHAT WAS THE REASON?

[00:19:44]>> I DIDN'T KNOW.

[00:19:44]>> YOU DON'T KNOW.

[00:19:45]>> I didn't know.

[00:19:45]>> Now, Frank and Nwaji, >> Yes.

[00:19:47]>> should I remind you >> Re- remind me.

[00:19:49]>> the positions you have taken so far?

[00:19:51]>> Yeah.

[00:19:51]>> That's why I'm taking my time to ask you >> Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I was saying you.

[00:19:55]>> When this crisis started, >> Yeah.

[00:19:57]>> Frank, Yeah.

[00:19:58]>> you had a position that was very clear.

[00:20:00]>> Yeah.

[00:20:00]>> Your videos are in our archives.

[00:20:02]>> Yes.

[00:20:02]>> And I recall that when the assembly were making moves to impeach the governor on account of lack of presentation of budget, >> Yeah.

[00:20:11]>> you spoke on the side of the governor.

[00:20:13]You spoke against the assembly. You were very >> On what on what ground?

[00:20:18]>> Hold on.

[00:20:19]>> On what ground?

[00:20:20]On what ground? On what ground? On what ground?

[00:20:22]>> Frank, can you not interject, please?

[00:20:25]You spoke on the side of the governor.

[00:20:27]>> Yes.

[00:20:27]>> You defended the governor so much on this show.

[00:20:31]>> Would I have agreed to it?

[00:20:33]>> You made a nonsense of the reasons the assembly were given.

[00:20:38]Even when that Supreme Court judgment came, Frank, you were a guest on my show because I made sure that >> I will talk about that now.

[00:20:44]>> On that Supreme Court judgment, you faulted the Supreme Court judgment.

[00:20:48]>> It was it open for that?

[00:20:49]>> You faulted the Supreme >> You know you have faulted the Supreme Court judgment. I have agreed to it.

[00:20:52]>> Can you can you just hold on?

[00:20:54]>> Sorry, continue, continue.

[00:20:55]>> You faulted the Supreme >> Yes.

[00:20:56]>> judgment.

[00:20:57]>> Yes.

[00:20:57]>> Don't say yes. Just >> No, I said >> No, I don't need the interjection. Yes, [laughter] thank you very much.

[00:21:02]So, you faulted that Supreme Court judgment as well.

[00:21:04]>> Yeah.

[00:21:05]>> Now, down the line, >> even when interventions came, you had reasons to even question those interventions as well.

[00:21:15]Even though those interventions were viewed as controversial. When the state of emergency came, Dakuku Peterside, you blew off the lid on this show. You were so vocal and you condemned the state of emergency.

[00:21:27]Now, at the end of the day, you have now made a U-turn again on this show this morning.

[00:21:36]To first of all accuse the assembly without What did you say?

[00:21:43]>> [laughter] >> Dakuku Peterside, you will have your say.

[00:21:46]What did you say?

[00:21:47]Don't tell me I'm TAKING YOUR TIME.

[00:21:49]>> [laughter] >> WHAT DID YOU SAY? OKAY, WHEN I'm done, I'll give back the time. You can have my time. So, now it's a monologue I'm talking to you now.

[00:21:55]So, when you say first of all that the assembly is taking money from the governor, and later said it was an assumption.

[00:22:03]That was an allegation. Number one.

[00:22:05]Number two. You are faulting the assembly for being inactive and not being able to do their legislative oversight functions.

[00:22:14]The same legislative oversight functions that they have been doing since 2023 down to now, and you have been taking a stand against the same legislative oversight functions. Now, is it that you are so like whichever way it goes, as long as Governor Wike is mentioned, it is right.

[00:22:36]Because everything you have said here, everything you have said here, you have said it is not about the governor now, but about governance, about Rivers State.

[00:22:48]Last time I checked, it is the governor that presents the bill.

[00:22:53]Last time I checked, it is the governor that was found guilty by Supreme Court.

[00:22:57]LAST TIME I CHECKED, it is the governor that has NOT PRESENTED THE BUDGET.

[00:23:03]FOR YOU, the assembly is unable to do anything because they are complicit.

[00:23:08]They are taking money from River State coffers.

[00:23:12]I will not allow you to say something again because you never ALLOWED ME LAND.

[00:23:14][laughter] YES.

[00:23:30]>> THE POINT IS IF YOU ALLOW HIM TO >> ALLOW ME.

[00:23:36]LET LET LET ME MODERATE [laughter] THIS.

[00:23:39]MY MY SHOW.

[00:23:42]WHEN A GUEST ON MY SHOW WHEN A GUEST WHEN A GUEST ON MY SHOW refuses to be civil in conversation [laughter] and refuses to abide by the rules of the which he knows. And by the way, I know that he's a journalist.

[00:23:54]>> Okay.

[00:23:55]>> AND HE UNDERSTANDS [laughter] HOW THIS THING WORKS.

[00:23:57]SO, WHEN HE DECIDES TO GO AGAINST THE VERY TENANTS OF THE MAN AND TRY AND TRY TO INTERJECT AND deflect >> You know >> AND ALSO GO AGAINST IT EVEN WHEN I KEEP CALLING HIM TO ORDER. I'M NOT GOING TO LET him talk.

[00:24:08]So, by the same token, you have the floor.

[00:24:09]>> I have a quote by St. Augustine. You're a Christian and I believe we are all Christians. Yeah.

[00:24:15]>> [laughter] >> Thank God.

[00:24:16]>> St. Augustine said that wrong is wrong >> Mhm.

[00:24:20]>> even if >> [snorts] >> everyone is doing it.

[00:24:24]Right is right even if no one is doing it. You know, what is he trying to say?

[00:24:29]A lot of people say Oh.

[00:24:32]Because this thing In essence, what he's trying to say is that two wrongs do not make a right.

[00:24:38]>> Oh.

[00:24:39]>> You understand the point I'm making We all understand the political you know, volcanic atmosphere in River State.

[00:24:47]And if you know, I stood on my ground and I still stand on it today that that state of emergency that was declared, I was one of those who opposed it and I gave reasons why it was not necessary.

[00:25:02]My own records are there.

[00:25:04]I do not, you know, have any emotional attachment to what about this happening here in Rivers State, even though I I I sympathize with the state in general.

[00:25:18]Now, the question what I've seen here is that the governor and his supporters, they are they they throwing so much emotions whenever they are debating issues concerning, you know, governance, etc. And when the man comes to say, "I came to serve the whole people as the case may be."

[00:25:40]Now, let me tell you, the Supreme Court reprimanded this governor.

[00:25:44]Also, the governor went and signed into an agreement with the president. One of the conditions of the they they had in Abuja, I was not there.

[00:25:55]They came out was that one, he should present budget. Two, he will not participate in he will not seek second term second tenure. That is what we are hearing that is what we heard there recently. You will not but he consciously abided by the the part that he will not he will not contest for a second tenure. He obeyed it.

[00:26:18]He may be reluctant as the case may be but he obeyed that particular whatever as the case may be. So, why I say not, you know, obey for the common good of the Rivers people to present that budget? Even not because of his, you know, motives. In my own opinion, my own opinion, my opinion, I may be wrong and let everybody criticize me for this. I believe that he has a dubious motive behind this because and I said this is what some governors, you know, do in Nigeria here.

[00:26:47]They will delay presentation of budget in order for them to cash out from section 122.

[00:26:53]Because the budget will allow them, the House of Assembly, will profile and monitor.

[00:26:59]BUT UNDER SECTION 122, you know that for the consolidated revenue fund, he can go in there and begin to take funds. And if he's QUARRELING WITH THE HOUSE of Assembly, there is nobody to check and balance him.

[00:27:13]LET ME JUST MAKE IT CLEAR. SO, in this instance, HE IS DRAWING FROM THE CRF, you know, WITHOUT ANY CHECKS AND BALANCES.

[00:27:22]EVERY RIVERS PERSON OR CITIZEN SHOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. FORGET ABOUT THE THE POLITICAL LEANINGS THAT YOU HAVE.

[00:27:29]FORGET ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED in the past or what has happened politically. But we are talking about legality now, legality.

[00:27:38]THAT WILL PULL THE STATE FORWARD.

[00:27:40]WE BEGIN TO PROBE sentimental questions, citizens as it may be. The state will never move forward. Who is happy with what's happening in in Rivers STATE TODAY?

[00:27:48]THAT EVEN LOOK AT PROJECTS, EVEN NOT BECAUSE OF, YOU KNOW, one or two things we are talking here.

[00:27:53]HOW DID IT NOT COME TO THE ELECTION BY '23? IT'S JUST JUST NOW that I heard that they are commissioning projects, they are doing this. Look at the [laughter] road that HAS BEEN THERE.

[00:28:04]THE ROAD THERE DOES NOT NEED EVEN THE HOUSE OF Assembly or anybody at all apart from the governor to come and look at it and say, "LOOK, IN SPITE OF THE QUARRELS I HAVE with the House of Assembly or whatever the case may be, LIFE MUST GO ON."

[00:28:18]SINCE I HAVE THE KEY I HAVE I have the key to the safe where Rivers State money is, LET ME SPEND THIS RIVERS STATE MONEY AND MAKE SURE THAT PART OF THE road is constructed and, you know, ease the suffering of those people who voted VOTED FOR ME.

[00:28:32]NOTHING IS HAPPENING THERE.

[00:28:34]SO, I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND. When you politicize all these things, the state will go more backwards, other states WILL GO. RIVERS STATE SHOULD BE, YOU KNOW, COMPETING WITH STATES LIKE LAGOS.

[00:28:46]NOW, LET ME GIVE YOU FOR EXAMPLE.

[00:28:48]I KNOW I WENT YOU THINK THAT THE LAGOS STATE IF SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE PRESSURE FROM his godfather, the president You saw WHAT HAPPENED THE LAST TIME.

[00:28:59]OBASANJO WAS REMOVED.

[00:29:01]THE GOVERNOR WANTED OBASANJO OUT.

[00:29:03]BUT THE PRESIDENT WANTED OBASANJO IN.

[00:29:06]YOU SAW WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST TIME.

[00:29:08]AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE GOVERNOR COULD NOT HE DIDN'T DO anything that would bring any altercation from that altercation between him and the president. He did that for the sake of the good and peace of Lagos state. IF THAT WERE TO HAPPEN IN in Rivers state, I bet you there would have BEEN WAR.

[00:29:26]BECAUSE ONE WOULD FORM THE SIDE OF THE the governor and the other would form the side of the president. And they now create that whatever that would make the state ungovernable as as as it has been.

[00:29:37]WHY CAN'T WE REASON?

[00:29:39]NOW, IF RIVERS STATE WERE TO BE FROM BORNO state Borno state Do you KNOW WHAT IS DISTURBING Borno state? The governor Governor Zulum.

[00:29:48]HE'S A LIFE-THREATENING ONE.

[00:29:51]THAT IF BOKO HARAM RAVAGES THAT PLACE AND TAKE OVER THAT whatever case may be, there will be no government in Borno state. But Borno state is still working today.

[00:30:00]Constructing roads, building houses, PASSING BUDGETS, ETC. SO, WHAT IS MORE? WHAT IS POLITICAL WHATEVER THAT WE CANNOT resolve as the case may be? WHY SHOULD POLITICAL HINDRANCES KEEP YOU BEHIND and keep you slowly? That is my question with Rivers state. WHATEVER PROBLEM YOU have with your your your godfather, etc., should not affect governance.

[00:30:20]In my own opinion, should not affect governance. IT HAPPENED IN KWARA STATE.

[00:30:24]EVEN ABDULRAZAK IN KWARA state today, HE'S STILL IN BATTLES WITH the godfathers in in Kwara.

[00:30:30]IN EDO STATE, THERE WAS A A BITTER BATTLE BETWEEN Governor Obaseki and his godfather, Adams Oshiomhole.

[00:30:40]You saw THE WAY IT HAPPENED. EVEN WITH THAT BITTER QUARREL THE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY WAS on somebody and the executive arm of government was controlled by THE GOVERNMENT. THE GOVERNOR WAS STILL COMING THERE TO PRESENT BUDGET TO THEM FOR THE GOOD OF THE STATE. HE WAS STILL DOING HIS JOB, WAS STILL WORKING. IT GOT TO A POINT THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD TO, YOU KNOW, LEAVE APC to PDP because of that political struggle between the the two of them. But the state moved on.

[00:31:05]SO, IT IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE YOU HAVE THIS KIND of issue, you know, coming about in this case maybe.

[00:31:11]Law is law. Like St. Augustine said, wrong is wrong, good is good. What say don't say because the man did this and wrong that you are going to pay back in whatever court. That is what is happening here now.

[00:31:23]>> Now, barrister, very quickly I want to ask you a question with regards to when you were speaking, you talked about an agreement that was reached, right? Where and the FCT minister even said that he he said that openly recently where he said that the governor had no business picking the nomination form because they had reached a political resolution.

[00:31:43]That what it was agreed that he would not run for the second time while the assembly withdraws impeachment proceedings against him. Now, one would say considering the situation in Rivers State and the fact that this budget, what led to the impeachment by the way? Part of it was non-presentation of budget. If impeachment proceeding has been withdrawn or it was used as part of negotiation for to save the governor's political position right now, how then can the assembly begin to, you know, do their oversight function when already there appears to be an insulation against that the governor has a certain protection right now, whether he presents the budget or not? He's not going to be impeached and then if there are no consequences, why should he present the budget?

[00:32:39]>> What I'm saying is that the law This is what the law says. He should present the budget to the House of Assembly.

[00:32:46]And let, you know, democracy thrive in River State.

[00:32:51]You understand? That is my own take. If he has any political whatever with his godfather, it is he should go and settle it amicably with them.

[00:32:58]>> I'm looking at the I'm looking at the effectiveness right now of the River State House of Assembly because at the end of the day, they are the ones to call the governor out on this 2026 budget.

[00:33:09]>> They have not called him out because, you see, when you keep trying and trying, and you know, when we get to it because you know what my colleague here was talking about they are not saying anything. Of course, all over Nigeria right now, that is that has been the culture and political culture we have. Once it is about a year to election, governance is almost suspended. A lot of, you know, the people who are there the positions will be, you know, moving up and down seeking on how to, you know, maybe renew their their mandates, etc., as the case may be. You could see that right now in all 36 states of the federation, even those states where governorship elections are not going to take place, there is political, you know, uh movements here and there now. People are crisscrossing. You see, conventions of political parties are going on.

[00:33:56]Governors are aligning their support with one candidate or the other. So, they they they have abandoned, you know, temporary governance. And it's going to be like that the next election in January or February. So, it's normally LIKE THAT.

[00:34:09]SO, DISTRACTIONS will come in. For instance, if you look at members of the House of Assembly today, assuming, for instance, if Siminalayi Fubara had not withdrawn from the race, he would have been preparing and doing everything that to contest, you know, for the second tenure. The same thing is happening with the House of Assembly members now. Now, with the tradition politically in Nigeria River State, all of them are now angling to go to the House of Assembly. Some of us have seen it. Some of them have to get their second tenure to come back, you know, to the house. So, that is that is the law we have, you know, in this kind of situation. But, what I'm saying is that since the governor has found out that he has submitted, if he if he didn't contest the second tenure, he has dropped the idea, without the lockdown being otherwise, then why don't you present the budget?

[00:34:55]>> All right.

[00:34:55]>> I saw some people who were admonishing him to say, "Please, governor, now that you have had relative peace and settlement with your godfather, you cannot begin to complain again that somebody is gagging you. Why don't you present the budget and do one or two things that will be lasting, what we call legacy projects, that you'll see happen between now and May of next year, for you to do something meaningful for the people, THAT ESPECIALLY IN THE AREA you come from?"

[00:35:24]Some people were telling him that I saw it on social media.

[00:35:27]SO, WHAT IS STOPPING HIM? AND IF I WERE HIM, I'd just present the budget, as the case may be, we'll debate on it, because I already know that I have nothing to lose or gain. I'm not going for second tenure next next next you know, election tenure, as the case may be. But, for for you to now begin to stay back and lay back, is an affront to the constitution.

[00:35:49]>> [music]