Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is expected to present the state’s N1.84 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly on Friday, bringing an end to months of uncertainty surrounding the state’s fiscal plans.
The budget presentation comes after the Rivers State House of Assembly approved the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) two weeks ago, clearing a major hurdle for the submission of the annual budget.
Under the framework, the state plans to spend N1.84 trillion in 2026, with more than N400 billion allocated to recurrent expenditure and over N1.4 trillion earmarked for capital projects, reflecting the administration’s focus on infrastructure development.
The budget has attracted widespread attention because it is being presented more than six months into the fiscal year, an unusual development that many observers have linked to the prolonged political crisis between the executive and legislative arms of government in the state.
The dispute, which pitted Governor Fubara against lawmakers loyal to former governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, led to months of tension and uncertainty over governance and legislative activities in the state.
Political analysts believe the standoff contributed significantly to the delay in the budget process, as the strained relationship between both arms of government affected the smooth consideration of key fiscal documents required before the presentation of the appropriation bill.
The eventual approval of the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework by the Assembly is seen as a sign of improved cooperation between the executive and legislature and a crucial step toward restoring normal budgetary processes.
While reading the MTEF on the floor of the House, Speaker Martin Amaewhule described the document as a practical fiscal roadmap for the state over the next three years. However, he expressed reservations about some of the revenue projections, arguing that they did not fully reflect current economic realities, particularly prevailing crude oil prices in the international market.
The planned budget presentation is expected to provide further details on the state’s spending priorities for the year and set the stage for legislative scrutiny before the appropriation bill can be passed into law.