A coalition of civil servants in Rivers State, in partnership with the Rivers Solidarity for Good Governance, has issued a firm ultimatum to the state House of Assembly, demanding that the 2025 budget be received from the executive arm no later than Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
During a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the coalition, led by Opu-Oyibo Lilly-West, condemned what it described as “reckless inaction and obstruction of governance” by the state legislature.
The group warned that failure to act would trigger mass protests, stressing that the delay in receiving the budget has thrown thousands of workers, traders, and residents into economic hardship.
“The failure to address this pressing matter has put critical contracts and salary payments at risk,” Lilly-West stated. “By prioritizing political games over governance, the Assembly is endangering public institutions and betraying the trust of the people.”
The coalition called on the lawmakers to immediately process the budget, aligning with the letter submitted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara requesting its presentation before the Assembly by March 19.
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They declared their demand as non-negotiable, backed by “the collective outrage of civil servants, their families, and the wider community.”
Failure to meet this deadline, the groups warned, would lead to widespread demonstrations, vowing that they “will not tolerate further delays or political maneuvering.”
“The resistance will be unstoppable,” the statement read. “The people will rise against this gross negligence, and we will ensure our voices are heard.”
The coalition further urged the Assembly to set aside political distractions and focus on its legislative responsibilities, calling for an end to what they termed “empty rhetoric and governance stagnation.”