OBIO/AKPOR CHAIRMAN CRITICISES FUBARA OVER STATE ASSEMBLY BUDGET

Gift Worlu, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, has criticised Governor Sim Fubara over what he described as the governor’s failure to properly address the State House of Assembly budget since returning from suspension.
Speaking on Tuesday, Worlu said the former Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, did not make provisions for the Assembly in the budget he presented during his six months in office. Ibas was appointed by President Bola Tinubu following the declaration of a state of emergency that suspended Governor Fubara.
Worlu explained that the budget presented by Ibas, while the Assembly was suspended, excluded allocations for Assembly members and the Assembly Service Commission. He said, upon returning, Governor Fubara was expected to present a supplementary budget to address these gaps.
Worlu said: A few other things were also agreed for him to appoint commissioners to work with him and generally work with members of the party who have said, ‘let bygones be bygone’. But since he came back, he has refused to do any of those things. Instead, he plays to the gallery.”
The Obio/Akpor chairman’s comments highlight ongoing concerns over governance and budget management in Rivers State following the end of the state of emergency.