The Rivers State Government has dismissed reports of a fresh disagreement between the executive and legislative arms of government over the delay in the passage of the state’s N1.85 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill.

The development had fuelled speculation that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had again fallen out with members of the Rivers State House of Assembly following the presentation of the budget proposal to the lawmakers on July 10, 2026.

However, the state government, in a statement issued yesterday, described the report of fresh rift as misleading, insisting that the governor was working closely with the lawmakers in the interest of the people of the state.

Recall that since October 2023, the governor had faced difficulties securing the approval of the full Rivers State House of Assembly for his budget proposals amid the political crisis and division within the legislature.

The situation had led to the emergence of a factional assembly, initially led by Edison Ehie and later Victor Oko-Jumbo, with the protracted dispute between the executive and legislative arms dominating political developments in the state.

A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, noted that Fubara is not at loggerheads with members of the House of Assembly but was working closely with them to advance the interests of Rivers people.

Nzeshi said, “The 2026 budget proposal has been presented to the House of Assembly. It is going through the normal legislative process, and we strongly believe that once the process is completed, it will be passed by the lawmakers.”

The statement said Rivers State had gone through difficult times in the past and was not prepared to be dragged into another round of controversies.

It therefore urged those promoting what it described as negative narratives to desist, stressing that peace and harmony were necessary to ensure steady development across the state.

“We therefore advise all those bent on promoting negative narratives to desist from such actions forthwith, as we need peace and harmony to ensure steady development of Rivers State,” the statement added.