The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the 2025 Rivers State Appropriation Bill totaling ₦1.48 trillion, following the presentation of a report by the Senate Ad hoc Committee on the Oversight of Emergency Rule in the state. The committee, chaired by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, emphasised that the emergency rule declared in Rivers is not a substitute for democratic governance but a constitutional tool to restore order and maintain stability under Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution. He stated that both the President and the National Assembly acted within their legal rights in invoking the measure, particularly as the Rivers State House of Assembly had become unable to perform its legislative duties.
According to the report, the budget aligns with the objectives of the emergency framework, focusing heavily on restoring governance and ensuring continuity of public services in the state. Notably, 72% of the budget is allocated to capital expenditure aimed at driving economic recovery and improving public sector efficiency. A provision of ₦50 billion was also earmarked to begin clearing a backlog of pension and gratuity payments, currently estimated at ₦147 billion. Senators praised the structure of the budget, with Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau commending the quality of the report and calling it evidence of the Senate Leader’s effective leadership.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Solomon Adeola described the budget as “highly commendable,” stating that the capital-focused approach reflects a genuine commitment by the interim administration to deliver the dividends of democracy. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, thanked the committee for its swift action and expressed hope that the budget’s implementation would bring lasting peace, development, and prosperity to the people of Rivers State.
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