The Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s intended presentation of a N800 billion budget to the Honourable Oko Jumbo-led assembly has drawn harsh criticism from Honourable Martins Amaewhule, the Speaker of the Pro Wike group of members. He claimed that Rivers State is the only state in Nigeria to carry out government spending without the required legislative consent, calling the current state of affairs there unprecedented and problematic from a constitutional standpoint.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
He particularly emphasized what he perceives as Governor Fubara’s unique disregard for constitutional provisions, suggesting that this represents an unprecedented challenge to Nigeria’s democratic norms and constitutional governance. He issued a stern warning to various state officials, including permanent secretaries, the State Accountant General, and Commissioners, stating that their participation in unauthorized spending of public funds would have legal consequences.
He said in live coverage by TVC, ‘Some people must take the bullet for our democracy. There is nowhere in the world, and there is no state in this Federation of Nigeria, that any state government is spending without approval by the assembly. It is only happening in Rivers State.
And this is the first time in the history of our country that we have a sitting governor who has no respect for the Constitution. All of them, including permanent secretaries that the governor is using – the Accountant General of Rivers State – all those who are claiming to be Commissioners, spending taxpayers’ money without approval, will all face the law. They will have a date with the law at some point in time, and we believe that they will bow to the Constitution and they will bow to this State Assembly.”CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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