Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, on Thursday signed the 2026 State Appropriation Bill into Law.

The governor had on July 10, 2026 presented N1.854 trillion to the State Assembly for consideration and approval.
The budget, tagged the “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” was not debated until after criticism from concerned citizens and stakeholders over the delay. However, the governor dismissed suggestions that the lawmakers’ delay in debating the budget was linked to any disagreement.

Following its second reading on September 1, the House, at its 36th Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session, subjected key components of the proposed fiscal plan to debate before subsequently passing the budget.

While signing the bill into law, Fubara describing it as “a breath of fresh air” and the beginning of a new chapter of unity and progress for the state.

The passage of the budget and it’s signing into law marks a significant milestone in the Rivers political history as it is the first budget that has sailed through the Martins Amaehule led House of Assembly since the administration of Fubara.

Other budget presentations failed and were channel through factional speakers , Edison Ehie and Victor oko jumbo three man House of Assembly due to the political crisis that rocked the state, especially between the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike and the Governor.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Onwuka Nzeshi, noted that at a brief ceremony held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara expressed gratitude to God, stakeholders, and the State House of Assembly for the successful passage of the budget.

“First of all, we want to thank the Almighty God for making this day a reality. I strongly believe that it is a breath of fresh air and a healthy relationship moving forward,” he said.

Governor Fubara commended the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly particularly, for their diligence and speed in handling the budget at a critical time in the state’s history.

“I thank members of the State House of Assembly for a wonderful job at this very critical time of our life,” he said.

Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment, to the “Rivers First” mantra, and pledged that the 2026 budget will be implemented with the people’s welfare as the central focus.

” I want to assure you that our intention will still remain the progress and development of our dear state,” he said.

Governor Fubara specially acknowledged the role of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in facilitating the process that led to the passage of the bill and its eventual signing into law.

“Let me also thank our leader, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike for facilitating this meeting and this process that we are all signing into,” he stated.

The Governor also appreciated his family for their support, noting that governance is a collective responsibility. He further pledged to ensure a cordial working relationship with all arms of government and stakeholders going forward.

“Let me thank everyone for this moment and assure you of our most cordial and cooperative relationship going forward,” Governor Fubara said.

Majority Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Major Jack, who had earlier presented the bill to the Governor for his assent, said the lawmakers passed the budget with the best of intentions, believing that it will be implemented accordingly for the benefit of the people of Rivers State.

“It is the expectation of the Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, that this budget will usher in the desired growth and development of the state. It is therefore with a sense of responsibility that I respectfully present the Rivers State Appropriation Bill No 1 2026 to the Governor of Rivers State for his assent,” Jack said.

In a remark shortly after the bill had been signed, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Martin Amaewhule commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for the various provisions made in the budget, describing them as indications that the Fubara administration is prepared to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Rivers State.

“We took time to look at the budget and from what we saw, we want to tell you that it shows that you are willing to move forward and ensure that this democracy is actually what will get to Rivers people,” Amaewhule said.
The ceremony was attended by members of the State Executive Council, Principal Officers of the State House of Assembly, and other government functionaries.