The political tension in Rivers State took a dangerous turn on Wednesday when Governor Siminalayi Fubara was prevented from entering the State House of Assembly to present the 2025 budget. The incident, which has sparked widespread reactions, has been described by Tonye Cole, the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), as a "full-scale declaration of war."
Governor Fubara was scheduled to present the state’s 2025 budget following a Supreme Court ruling that suspended federal allocations to the state until the budget was formally presented and approved. The court’s decision had created a sense of urgency for the budget to be processed, as Rivers State risks facing severe financial difficulties without its allocations.
Despite the importance of the occasion, the governor was denied access to the Assembly Quarters. Fubara, visibly frustrated, addressed reporters outside the locked gates. He insisted that his efforts to present the budget were in the best interest of the people of Rivers State, expressing disappointment over the situation.
“I had spoken with the Speaker, and I believed we were on the same page. My intent to present the budget is solely for the benefit of Rivers people, and it is regrettable that we have reached this point,” Fubara said.
The situation has drawn significant political commentary, with many seeing the incident as a sign of deepening discord within the state’s political landscape. On Thursday, Tonye Cole reacted strongly during a televised interview, interpreting the blockade as a clear message of diminishing power for the governor.
“The governor being locked out is not just an act of defiance; it’s a statement. It’s a way of saying that although he holds the title of governor, he doesn’t hold the reins of power in Rivers State anymore,” Cole remarked.
He continued, "This is a full-scale, full-blown declaration of war. In any functioning legislature, where there is peace and stability, you don’t see this kind of chaos. What is happening now shows that we are in dangerous territory, and unfortunately, people may suffer the consequences."
Cole’s comments reflect the growing fear that Rivers State could descend into a prolonged political crisis if the tensions between the governor and other political actors are not resolved. With the Assembly locked and federal allocations suspended, the people of Rivers State could face an uncertain economic future.
