Rivers Speaker Faults Fubara Over Delayed 2026 Budget Framework

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, has criticised Governor Siminalayi Fubara over the delayed submission of the state’s 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), saying the document was not presented within the period required by law. The governor submitted the spending framework to the Assembly on Thursday, while lawmakers approved it on Friday after considering it during plenary.

Amaewhule, through a statement issued by his media aide, Martins Wachukwu, said the MTEF should have reached the Assembly much earlier in line with the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law. He explained that the law requires the framework to be presented in September, four months before the beginning of the next financial year, to allow enough time for budget preparation and consideration.

The Speaker said the governor failed to meet that legal deadline, resulting in a delay in the state’s budget planning process. He noted that the Assembly was dissatisfied with the late submission but decided to consider and approve the framework to prevent further disruption to preparations for the 2026 budget.

According to the Assembly, the MTEF serves as the foundation for the annual budget and is expected to guide government spending over a three-year period. Amaewhule said lawmakers acted in the interest of Rivers State despite receiving the document when the year was already well advanced.

Governor Fubara had forwarded the 2026–2028 Medium Term Expenditure Framework to the House on Thursday, after which it was read before members. Within 24 hours, the Assembly debated and approved the document to ensure that work on the 2026 budget estimate could continue without additional delays.

The development marks another chapter in the ongoing engagement between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State as preparations begin for the next fiscal year.