The court has also affirmed the lawsuit filed by the Assembly and Speaker Martin Amaewhule against Fubara. This lawsuit sought an injunction restraining the governor from impeding the Assembly’s operations under Amaewhule’s leadership as the speaker, among other claims.
On December 13, 2023, amid the prolonged political turmoil in the oil-rich state and the demolition of the Assembly Complex, Fubara presented the N800 billion budget proposal for 2024 to five members of the State Assembly, led by Edison Ehie, who later resigned from the House.
The presentation occurred at the Government House in Port Harcourt after the Assembly Complex was demolished by the state government. This happened following a court order that prevented Ehie’s contender, Martins Amaewhule, from using the Assembly Complex.
Despite the challenges, Ehie and other pro-Fubara lawmakers approved the budget estimates, which the governor subsequently signed into law. Fubara stated that the budget aims to foster economic development through inclusive growth and address socio-economic inequality in the state.