Fubara Signs N1.84tn Rivers 2026 Budget Into Law

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has signed the state’s N1.84tn 2026 Appropriation Bill into law, hours after the Rivers State House of Assembly passed the budget. Fubara assented to the bill on Thursday at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Port Harcourt, describing the approved appropriation as a “breath of fresh air.” The budget, titled “Budget of Resilience for Growth and Development,” is expected to guide the state’s spending and development activities throughout the 2026 fiscal year. The governor had initially presented a N1.854tn budget proposal to the Assembly on July 10. The proposal represented a 24.5 per cent increase over the state’s revised 2025 budget. However, lawmakers reviewed some provisions of the governor’s proposal before approving the final appropriation of N1.84tn. The passage and signing of the budget mark a significant development following months of tension between the executive and legislative arms of the Rivers State Government. The 2026 budget process had previously stalled amid disagreements between Fubara and lawmakers over issues surrounding the implementation of agreements reached during the political crisis that affected the state. The governor, however, expressed optimism that the signing of the budget would usher in a new phase of cooperation between the executive and legislative arms of government. Fubara also assured members of the House of Assembly of his administration’s willingness to maintain a cordial working relationship with the lawmakers. The development is expected to provide the government with the financial framework required to implement its programmes and projects across the state. The governor’s decision to sign the bill shortly after its passage also signals a desire to avoid further delays in the implementation of the 2026 fiscal plan. According to the report, the Assembly passed the budget under the leadership of Speaker Martin Amaewhule. The relationship between Fubara and the lawmakers had been a major political issue in Rivers State, particularly during the prolonged dispute involving former Governor Nyesom Wike and his successor. The political crisis had affected the functioning of the state’s legislative structure and generated significant national attention. With the budget now signed into law, attention will shift to its implementation and the extent to which the government can translate the approved allocations into infrastructure, economic development and improved public services. The governor’s administration is expected to work with the Assembly to ensure that the appropriation serves the interests of Rivers residents and supports the state’s development priorities. The signing also provides an opportunity for both arms of government to move beyond previous disagreements and focus on governance. For residents, the major expectation will now be that the N1.84tn appropriation delivers measurable improvements across the state. The governor described the approved budget as a new beginning, expressing confidence that it would strengthen development efforts and deepen cooperation within the state government. With the appropriation now law, the implementation phase officially begins.