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Budget includes ₦1.077trn for capital projects, ₦50bn for pension arrears
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Emergency plan follows crisis between Gov Fubara and pro-Wike lawmakers
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Tinubu-appointed administrator to oversee full implementation
The Senate on Wednesday passed a ₦1.485 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State, acting on a formal request from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid a continuing constitutional crisis in the state.
The budget, presented in Senate Bill 843, was passed at plenary after its third reading and the adoption of the report submitted by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Emergency Rule Oversight, chaired by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central).
The approval empowers the interim government in Rivers, led by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), to draw ₦1.485 trillion from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.
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The breakdown includes ₦1.077 trillion (72%) for capital projects, ₦287.38 billion (28%) for recurrent spending, and ₦120.8 billion earmarked for debt servicing.
An additional ₦50 billion was provided to settle part of a ₦147 billion backlog in pensions and gratuities, while ₦5 billion was added to strengthen the judiciary after omissions in the original draft.
Senator Bamidele said the appropriation aligned with the Rivers State Development Plan (2017–2027) and was designed to maintain essential governance under the emergency framework declared by the President on March 18, 2025.
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“This budget is meant to drive economic recovery, complete key infrastructure projects, and stabilise the governance of Rivers State under emergency rule,” he said.
The emergency measure came after the Supreme Court nullified an earlier budget submitted by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, amid a political face-off between his camp and lawmakers loyal to Federal Capital Territory Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) backed the bill but urged strict oversight of the pension disbursement process to ensure the funds reach intended retirees.
Citing Section 11(4) of the 1999 Constitution, the Senate defended its authority to legislate for the state, noting the collapse of legislative functions in the Rivers Assembly due to the political turmoil.
