Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara was on Wednesday denied access to the Rivers State House of Assembly quarters, where lawmakers currently hold plenary sessions.

ohibaba.com gathered that the governor arrived at the Assembly quarters on Wednesday morning to present the state 2025 budget but was met with a locked gate, preventing his entry.

Fubara had earlier pledged to implement the Supreme Court judgment, which includes the formal presentation of the 2024 budget.

The budget was initially presented to a four-member Assembly faction in December 2023.

Last week, the Assembly issued a 48-hour ultimatum for the governor to present the 2025 budget.

In response, Fubara stated that he was awaiting the Certified True Copy, CTC, of the court judgment before proceeding.

On Sunday, in a letter signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Tammy Danagogo, and addressed to Speaker Martins Amaewhule, Fubara invited lawmakers for discussions on the Supreme Court ruling.

The discussions were expected to cover issues such as the budget presentation and the payment of outstanding salaries to the legislators, amongst other issues to chart a way forward for the state.

Chairman of the Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Strategy, and Security, Ogundipe Olukayode, has dismissed claims that 25 lawmakers are planning to defect from the All Progressives Congress to an unnamed party.

According to Leadership, Olukayode described in a Tuesday statement that the report is “entirely false and without merit.”

“We categorically state that this claim is entirely false and without merit.“

During the recent leadership dispute within the Assembly, a similar report surfaced, suggesting that twenty-seven (27) members were preparing to leave the APC for the Labour Party.

“That claim was also unequivocally refuted, with members affirming their commitment to the party and confidence in resolving internal disagreements through established mechanisms,” he stated.

He emphasized that no APC lawmaker in the Assembly was contemplating defection, reiterating that as progressives, any challenges faced are resolved through democratic and lawful means.

Olukayode further assured that the APC leadership is actively addressing all internal concerns and outstanding issues will be resolved amicably.

He urged those spreading the rumours to desist from misleading the public, stressing that the Lagos Assembly remains focused on its legislative duties of enacting laws and motions that drive the state’s development.

A Civil Society Organisation, Gender Mobile Initiative and the Speaker of the House of Representatives have highlighted the urgent need for gender-responsive legislative reforms.

The call was made at the Women’s Policy Action Lab as part of activities marking International Women’s Day 2025 in Abuja, according to a statement by the Communication Officer, Gender Mobile Initiative, Abubakar Abdullahi.

The meeting further reinforced the need for commitment by stakeholders to advance gender equality in Nigeria.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Youth, Olamujuwonlo Alao Akala, in his remark, assured that the House would activate recommendations made at the lab for necessary legislative action.

The lab, guided by legal experts and policymakers, analyzed and proposed amendments to key policies affecting women’s rights, including the VAPP Act, National Gender Policy, Child Rights Act and the Nigerian Labour Laws.

Stakeholders also emphasized accountability, inclusivity and effective implementation of government policies as they affect women.