Ex-Rep Ogbonna Nwuke Says Rivers Governor Fubara Not Required to Present 2026 Budget Until July

Former federal lawmaker Ogbonna Nwuke has clarified that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is not obliged to present the 2026 budget to the State House of Assembly until July. He explained that the current 2025 appropriation remains valid and can cover the state’s expenditures for the first half of the year.

Nwuke, who represented Etche-Omuma in the National Assembly, said a new budget or supplementary appropriation is only necessary if the state faces revenue shortfalls or significant changes in financial requirements. He also suggested that calls for an early budget presentation may be politically motivated, pointing to impeachment threats from some lawmakers.

Community leaders have backed Nwuke’s view, noting that a budget’s legal validity typically lasts one year, which means Governor Fubara is not legally required to submit a new proposal until the current budget period ends.

The issue has intensified tensions between the state executive and the lawmakers, with budget timing and political disagreements contributing to the ongoing disputes in Rivers State politics.