A former member of the National Assembly, Hon. Bernard Mikko, has warned that the people of Rivers State will bear the brunt if the 2024 state budget is stalled due to the ongoing leadership dispute in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Speaking on Nigeria Info FM's Morning Crossfire, Hon. Mikko explained that budgets are meant to serve the people, not the governor. He added that halting the budget would disrupt infrastructural development in local communities. He urged the pro-Wike lawmakers to allow the budget cycle without obstruction.
His comment follows the Amaewhule-led Assembly’s recent directive for the Rivers State Government to re-present the N800 billion state budget, previously passed by five Assembly members under Edison Ehie's leadership. This move came after the Court of Appeal confirmed Martin Amaewhule as the legitimate Speaker.
Hon. Mikko also expressed concern over the integrity of public officials, as pro-Wike lawmakers, led by Amaewhule, continue to deny that they defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). He suggested that the lawmakers seek new mandates from their constituencies to reclaim their seats under the PDP, as some still maintain strong popularity.
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