Fubara to unveil Rivers 2026 budget today

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, is set to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill to the House of Assembly today.

Last week, Fubara shared the 2026, 2028 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework with the Assembly. The Assembly approved it just 24 hours later, clearing the way for the governor to present the 2026 budget.

He will appear before the lawmakers at the Assembly Quarters Auditorium. This is where they have been meeting since their legislative chamber was bombed during the political crisis about three years ago.

Fubara is expected to share the budget, which many have discussed.

A source from the Government House confirmed this to our correspondent. They asked to remain anonymous because they were not allowed to speak. They said everything is ready for the budget presentation this morning.

She said, "Today is the D-Day. The much-awaited budget will happen today. The governor will present his budget."

The ongoing issues between the governor and the lawmakers had delayed the budget presentation.

Some people have defended the governor. They said President Bola Tinubu had already presented the Rivers State budget to the Senate for approval. This happened after a state of emergency was declared and Ibok-Ete Ibas was made the administrator of the state.

They argued that Fubara was not supposed to present another budget until June or July this year. This is when the one approved by the Senate will expire.

Ibas, during his time in office, confirmed that he received the budget approved by the Senate.

The delay in showing a new budget for the state for the 2026 fiscal year has been linked to the conflict between the governor and the Amaewhule-led State Assembly.

However, it seems that the recent developments come after the two sides have reconciled. This signals a new friendly relationship between the governor and the lawmakers.