Fubara denied access to Rivers Assembly complex

• The governor was denied access to the State Assembly quarters where lawmakers are currently hold plenary sessions

The crisis rocking Rivers State took a fresh twist on Wednesday after governor Siminalayi Fubara was locked out of the state Assembly complex.

The governor was denied access to the State Assembly quarters where lawmakers are currently holding plenary sessions.

The governor was said to have arrived at the Assembly quarters on Wednesday morning to re-present the state 2025 budget but was prevented from entering the edifice as it was locked.

Fubara had earlier promised to implement the Supreme Court judgment, which includes the formal presentation of the 2024 budget.

The budget was initially presented to a four-member Assembly faction in December 2023.

Last week, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the 2025 budget.

In response, Fubara stated that he was awaiting the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court judgment before proceeding.

On Sunday, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Fubara invited lawmakers for discussions on the Supreme Court ruling.

The discussions were expected to cover issues such as the budget presentation and the payment of outstanding salaries to the legislators, amongst other issues to chart a way forward for the state.