Gov Fubara set to present 2026 budget to state assembly today

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is expected to present the state’s 2026 Appropriation Bill to the Rivers State House of Assembly today, following the approval of the 2026–2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

The budget presentation comes after the governor submitted the MTEF to lawmakers last week. The Assembly approved the framework within 24 hours, clearing the path for the presentation of the 2026 budget.

Governor Fubara is expected to address the legislators at the Assembly Quarters Auditorium, where the House has been holding its sittings since its main legislative chamber was destroyed in a bombing during the political crisis that shook the state about three years ago.

The presentation of the budget is a key step in the state’s fiscal planning process, outlining the government’s proposed spending and development priorities for the 2026 financial year.

Fubara is expected to present the budget, which has been the subject of much debate.

A Government House source, who confirmed the development to our correspondent on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak, said all was set for the budget presentation on Friday morning.

She stated, “Today is the D-Day. Then much awaited budget will happen today. The governor will present his budget.”

The crisis between the governor and the lawmakers has delayed the presentation of the budget.

Some stakeholders have, however, defended the governor, saying President Bola Tinubu had presented the Rivers State budget to the Senate for approval following the imposition of a state of emergency and the appointment of Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of the state.

They argued that Governor Fubara was not due to present another budget until June/July this year, when the one approved by the Senate expires.

Recall that Ibas, while in office, confirmed the receipt of the budget approved by the Senate.

The delay in presenting a new budget for the state for the 2026 fiscal year has been blamed on the crisis between the governor and the Amaewhule-led State Assembly.

However, it is believed that the development follows the reconciliation of the feuding parties in the state’s political crisis, signalling a new cordial relationship between the governor and the lawmakers.

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