Senate fast-tracks ₦1.48tn Rivers State emergency budget amid ongoing political crisis
On Wednesday, May 28, the Nigerian Senate passed the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget for Rivers State through second reading, advancing a critical fiscal step for the state currently under a declared state of emergency.
The budget, officially valued at ₦1,480,662,592,442, was presented by Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, who emphasized that the Senate had assumed legislative authority over Rivers State as a result of the emergency declaration.
“The Senate has since assumed the powers of legislating for Rivers State having been under the State of Emergency,” Opeyemi stated.
Urgent passage for governance continuity
In supporting the bill, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan stressed the urgency of legislative approval, pointing out the need for rapid fiscal action to ensure the people of Rivers State benefit from government presence during the crisis.
“Mr. President, I don’t know under what topic this document is christened but I could see it is about a budget of the state of emergency.
I hereby support that the budget be passed for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government,” he said.
With no opposition raised, Senate President Godswill Akpabio passed the budget through a voice vote, referring it to the Ad-hoc Committee on Overseeing Rivers State of Emergency for further legislative scrutiny.
Context: Political tension in Rivers State
The emergency legislative move comes amid continued political tensions and governance uncertainty in Rivers State. While full details surrounding the state of emergency remain politically sensitive, the Senate’s assumption of legislative powers and rapid budget review underscore the Federal Government’s attempt to stabilize governance in the region.
The ₦1.48 trillion budget is expected to fund emergency infrastructure, social services, and security-related interventions, with oversight from the Senate committee tasked with managing the emergency phase.
