Senator Akpabio Approves Second Reading Of ₦1.48 Trillion Rivers State 2025 Budget

The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, May 28, approved the ₦1.48 trillion 2025 budget proposal for Rivers State for a second reading, signaling a decisive legislative intervention in the ongoing State of Emergency in the oil-rich South-South state. The budget’s second reading was moved by Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi, who emphasized that the National Assembly had assumed legislative functions for Rivers State under its emergency governance framework.

The move comes amid a protracted political crisis that has paralyzed key institutions in the state, necessitating federal legislative oversight. Senator Opeyemi told the Senate that the legislative body was compelled to act in the best interest of the people of Rivers State to ensure that essential public services and development programmes are not disrupted.

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“This is a budget that must be given due consideration,” Opeyemi stated. “Given the current State of Emergency declared in Rivers, it is our constitutional duty as the Senate of the Federal Republic to step in and ensure governance continues in the state.”

Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s most economically significant regions due to its oil wealth and commercial relevance, has been embroiled in intense political infighting, leading to a breakdown in governance. With the State House of Assembly unable to function effectively and leadership disputes escalating, the federal government, citing national interest and security, intervened by declaring a State of Emergency.

Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan echoed these sentiments, highlighting the urgency of the situation. “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,” he said. “I hereby support that the budget be passed for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government.”

With no opposition voiced against the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio conducted a voice vote, and the budget passed the second reading without resistance. The Senate then referred the budget proposal to an Ad-hoc Committee tasked with overseeing the State of Emergency in Rivers, signaling a fast-tracked legislative process intended to restore normalcy.

Budget Overview

The proposed budget, totaling ₦1,480,662,592,442 trillion, is expected to address key sectors affected by the political crisis, including infrastructure, healthcare, education, public security, and social welfare. Lawmakers say that swift passage of the budget is critical to stabilizing governance in the state and preventing economic paralysis.

Analysts believe that the move by the Senate sets a strong precedent for federal intervention in state-level governance when constitutional and democratic processes are under threat. However, some critics have expressed concerns about the potential overreach of federal authority and called for a clear road map to return the state to democratic stability.

Political Reactions and Implications

While the budget passage is being welcomed by many as a necessary step toward rebuilding governance structures in Rivers, it also intensifies the spotlight on the unresolved political disputes that triggered the emergency. Civil society organizations and legal scholars are calling for greater transparency and inclusiveness in the oversight of the emergency administration to ensure that the budget serves the interests of the state’s residents and not political actors.

The Senate’s decision also sends a message to other states facing political instability that the federal government is prepared to intervene decisively when necessary to protect democratic norms and continuity of governance.

Observers are watching closely to see how the Ad-hoc Committee will handle its mandate and ensure budgetary funds are appropriately allocated and monitored. The success of this budget could be pivotal in restoring public trust in governance and creating a pathway for peace and stability in Rivers State.

As the legislative process progresses, the next key step will be the detailed scrutiny and amendment (if necessary) of the budget by the Ad-hoc Committee before its final passage. Stakeholders across Rivers are hopeful that swift approval and implementation of the budget will revive essential public services and lay the groundwork for resolving the state’s political impasse.