By Philip Yatai
Port Harcourt, Jan. 7, 2026
A significant governance alarm has been raised in Rivers State, as Nname Ewor, a former Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), highlighted the absence of an appropriated budget for the 2026 fiscal year. This concern strikes at the heart of legal governance and public finance management in a state still grappling with political instability.
Ewor issued the warning during a visit by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to Ahoada East Local Government Area. He stressed that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had yet to present the 2026 budget to the State House of Assembly for legislative scrutiny and approval. This delay is not merely procedural; it carries severe legal implications. Under Nigeria’s fiscal governance framework, particularly the Fiscal Responsibility Act and state appropriation laws, any expenditure of public funds without an approved budget is illegal. This creates a risk that government contracts, salaries, and projects could be challenged in court, potentially halting development and creating financial uncertainty.
Ewor further emphasized that effective administration requires synergy between the executive and legislative arms of government. His comments underscore a foundational principle of democracy: checks and balances. When this synergy breaks down, as evidenced by the budget delay, the delivery of democratic dividends—tangible benefits like infrastructure, healthcare, and education—grinds to a halt. This situation is exacerbated by the lingering shadow of the political crisis that led President Bola Tinubu to declare a State of Emergency in Rivers in March 2025, a crisis reported to have persisted through September of that year.
The context makes the budget delay particularly troubling. While the State Executive Council approved a massive N1.85 trillion 2026 budget proposal on January 2, this remains an executive document. Until it is transmitted to the legislature, debated, possibly amended, and passed into law, it holds no legal weight for spending. This gap between approval and appropriation reveals a critical disconnect in governance machinery.
The event also served as a political rally. Ahoada East Local Government Chairman, Solomon Ochoma, and Assembly Member Queen Williams commended Wike’s past engagement and development efforts. Wike, in his remarks, framed the visit as a thank-you for 2023 electoral support and a mobilization drive for the 2027 elections. He listed achievements from his tenure as governor, including road projects and a 10,000-youth job program, alleging some initiatives were stalled by his successor. He urged continued support for President Tinubu to ensure project completion.
In essence, the gathering highlighted two parallel narratives: one of immediate constitutional concern regarding budget legality, and another of long-term political realignment and mobilization. The budget delay is more than an administrative lapse; it is a symptom of deeper institutional friction that threatens the lawful and effective governance of Rivers State, with direct consequences for the welfare of its citizens.
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
Source: NAN News
