An Illegal Setting’: Okocha Blasts Fubara Over Budget Presentation

An Illegal Setting’: Okocha Blasts Fubara Over Budget Presentation

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has accused Governor Siminalayi Fubara of deepening divisions within the state rather than fostering peace as 2025,…An Illegal Setting’: Okocha Blasts Fubara Over Budget Presentation

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Speaking in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Okocha criticized the Governor’s decision to present the 2025 budget to a faction of the state House of Assembly led by Victor Oko-Jumbo, despite ongoing legal disputes surrounding the Assembly’s legitimacy.

“Instead of extending an olive branch to promote unity, Governor Fubara has chosen a path that ignores the rule of law,” Okocha stated. He further described the budget presentation as being conducted in what he referred to as an “illegal setting,” a claim supported by recent judicial rulings.

Budget Presentation Sparks Legal Concerns

Fubara’s ₦1.1 trillion budget, unveiled in December, was presented to a group of four Assembly members allied with Speaker Oko-Jumbo. However, Okocha noted that Rivers State has 30 functioning lawmakers, and the majority do not recognize the faction as legitimate.

“The Court of Appeal has consistently ruled against such setups, labeling them as forums of friends rather than legitimate legislative assemblies,” Okocha argued.

Rivers’ Political Climate Heats Up

With a history in governance and finance, Okocha expected Fubara to adopt a more reconciliatory approach. “This behavior is unthinkable from a governor of his caliber,” he remarked.

The APC chairman warned of escalating political tensions if Fubara continues to bypass due process, urging him to consider the long-term implications of his actions on the state’s stability.

As the new year unfolds, Rivers State watchers will closely monitor whether Fubara addresses these concerns or if the divisions within the state deepen further.

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