The political climate in Rivers State is heating up, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman, Tony Okocha, accusing Governor Sim Fubara of fueling division. Okocha criticized the governor’s decision to present the 2025 budget to a controversial faction of the State House of Assembly, warning it could lead to a severe political crisis.

The ₦1.1 trillion budget was presented in December 2024 to the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led faction of four lawmakers. This has drawn sharp criticism, with Okocha arguing that the presentation ignored judicial rulings and the rule of law.

Rivers State currently has 30 functional members in its House of Assembly. However, Okocha pointed out that the majority of legislators were bypassed during the budget presentation. Speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt, he said, “The Assembly has 30 active members, yet the governor chose to present the budget in a setting courts have declared illegitimate.”

The APC chairman expressed disappointment, stating, “I expected the governor to start the year by promoting peace. Instead, he has chosen to deepen division.”

Okocha urged the governor to reconsider his actions and prioritize unity in the state. “This situation is unacceptable,” he said. “The Court of Appeal has ruled against such practices. Presenting a state budget in this manner undermines governance and the rule of law.”

The controversy surrounding the budget presentation has added to existing tensions in Rivers State politics. With the eyes of the nation on Rivers, the coming months may reveal whether efforts will be made to resolve these divisions or if the state will spiral into deeper political conflict.