The Citizens for Good Governance in Democracy has dismissed allegations that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, failed to submit a budget to the State House of Assembly, describing the claim as constitutionally flawed.
Speaking on Thursday during an interview on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television monitored by DAILY POST, the group’s spokesperson, Ben Ukeji, argued that the accusation does not align with provisions of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
Ukeji explained that Section 122 of the Constitution empowers a governor to authorize expenditure from public funds for a limited period where a budget has not yet been passed.
“When you look at it, even from all the arguments, Section 122 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that the governor has the responsibility and the right to spend a portion of the budget for a period of six months,” he said.
He further clarified that the controversy revolves around the 2025 budget, noting that Governor Fubara’s administration was disrupted by the declaration of a state of emergency, which affected normal governance processes.
“The budget they are talking about in the entire administration of Fubara is the 2025 budget, and his tenure was truncated by the declaration of a state of emergency,” Ukeji added.
DAILY POST reports that the Rivers State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara over several allegations, including the claimed failure to submit the state budget to the legislature.
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