The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied receiving the 48-hour ultimatum issued by the 27 factional lawmakers loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, asking him to represent the 2025 budget.

In a statement released on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo, Fubara stated that he only became aware of the ultimatum through social media.

A letter addressed to the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly referenced the Supreme Court’s judgment of February 28, 2025, and reiterated that neither the governor’s office, the deputy governor’s office, nor the office of the state’s Accountant-General had received any official communication regarding the directive.

The statement read, "I hereby refer to a letter dated 3rd March, 2025 on the above subject, which we came across on the social media and notify you that:

"As at the close of work on Tuesday 4th March, 2025, we are yet to receive the said letter. Neither the office of the Governor, nor the Deputy Governor's office, nor the office of the Accountant-General of the State has received the said letter."

According to Danagogo, "Please, recall that Siminalayi Fubara, Governor of Rivers State, had in a State Broadcast on Sunday 2nd March, 2025, stated clearly that notwithstanding his personal opinion on the Supreme Court Judgments, he will, as a law-abiding Nigerian, obey and implement their decisions in accordance with the rule of law and the best interest of the people of Rivers State.

"We have since been in contact with our lawyers who are still awaiting the certified true copy of the judgments of the Supreme Court, and hereby reassure you and all the good people of Rivers State that as soon as His Excellency receives the judgments, he will strive to implement same timeously in the best interest of our people.

"Please, accept the esteemed regards of His Excellency, the Governor of Rivers State," Danagogo added.

Previously, SaharaReporters reported that the Rivers State House of Assembly had issued a 48-hour deadline for Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the 2025 budget.

The directive was issued during a plenary session in Port Harcourt on Monday by lawmakers loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, following a recent Supreme Court judgment.

SaharaReporters previously reported that Governor Siminalayi Fubara had pledged to implement the Supreme Court verdict that nullified the local government elections conducted by the state in October 2024.

However, he noted that his administration disagreed with the court’s ruling delivered on Friday. He made this position known in a statewide broadcast on Sunday.

In his address, the governor said, “My dear people of Rivers State, we are all aware of the recent Supreme Court judgments and pronouncements regarding aspects of the lingering political disputes in our dear state.

“Although we disagree with the judgments, we are bound to obey the orders made therein as a law-abiding government.”

Governor Fubara emphasized that since the inception of his administration, he had conducted government affairs within the framework of the Constitution, due process, and the rule of law.

“While we are not above mistakes because we are human, we believe that we have not, as a government, done anything deliberately to trample on the rule of law or the hallowed principles of constitutional governance,” he said.

He added that upon receiving certified copies of the judgments, the state government would study their implications and implement them without reservations to move the state forward.

The governor also announced that Heads of Local Government Administration had been instructed to take over the administration of the 23 local government areas in the state.

He said, “Furthermore, given the outlawing of caretaker arrangements in the local government system, I hereby direct the Heads of Local Government Administration to immediately take over the administration of the 23 local government councils pending the conduct of fresh elections by the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission.

“I further direct the outgoing local government chairmen to formally hand over the levers of power to the Heads of Local Government Administration by Monday, 3rd March 2025.”

He had urged citizens to remain calm and continue with their daily activities as the government works to fulfill its responsibilities.