85% Of Rivers N1.48tn Budget Was Drafted By Suspended Governor, Fubara – Senate

Siminalayi Fubara

The Senate has come out to say that about 85 per cent of the N1.48 trillion 2025 budget submitted by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), was originally drafted by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Senate recently revealed that the current administrator only drafted the remaining 15 per cent to accommodate new projects, and Nigerians have been reacting.

According to the Chairman of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee on Emergency Governance in Rivers State, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Ibok-Ete Ibas has requested a N50 billion supplementary budget to tackle outstanding pensions and gratuities, and the Senate is currently considering his suggestion.

He added that injecting N50 billion is high on the list of priorities because it would help to settle pension liabilities and aid the peace in Rivers State.

His words, “In the last three weeks, we’ve reviewed this budget in detail and engaged directly with the sole administrator and key members of his team — including the Accountant General, the Permanent Secretary of Finance, the Budget Director, and the Planning Director — all of whom retained their positions after the emergency rule began.

Our findings show that at least 85 per cent of the submitted estimates were drawn up under the Fubara administration.

Only 15 per cent was added by the current administrator to accommodate new projects.

Part of the urgent need is to inject N50 billion to settle pension liabilities and enhance peace in Rivers State.

The administrator is passionate about it, and we agree — governance is not just about roads and infrastructure. It’s also about ensuring those who have served the state receive their due.

This shows a clear commitment to development and infrastructure, rather than recurrent expenses.”

WOW.