Tension In Rivers As 7-Day Budget Ultimatum Reaches Deadline

The crisis in Rivers State, which began about eight months ago, has continued to evolve.

It started with a fire at the State House of Assembly in October, followed by an attempted impeachment of Fubara, massive resignations from the executive cabinet, and unrest over local government administration.
This phase culminated in a failed attack on the Presidential Hotel.

With the deadline for the 2024 budget presentation set for this week, the political climate in the oil-rich state appears tense, as the Assembly and the Governor navigate the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile, Chijioke Ihunwo, a pro-Fubara politician from the same community as Amaewhule, has dismissed the seven-day ultimatum on the governor as laughable.

Ihunwo, who was appointed by the governor as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, urged Amaewhule to accept his fate as a former Assembly Member, after defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

He encouraged the people of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality, comprising Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, to continue supporting the Governor under the leadership of former Senator John Azuta-Mbata.

The politician, who was criticised for appointing 100 aides last week, said the decision which other CTC Chairmen are also implementing is aimed at bringing local government administration closer to the grassroots.

He announced that more appointments would be made in the coming days, to demonstrate that the Fubara-led government is inclusive.

Cc: Channels News.