By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HARCOURT: Rivers State Government has stated that the decision of the State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, to withdraw his appeal challenging the decisions of lower courts to represent the 2024 budget of the state to the Martin Amaewhule-led State House of Assembly, at the Supreme Court was appropriate.

The Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joseph Johnson, in Port Harcourt yesterday, noted that the appeal before the apex court was already an academic exercise.

Johnson said the Supreme Court is a busy temple that does not need to be bored with inconsequential matters, adding that any stroll into the said matter would amount to efforts in futility as the appeal has already performed its function.

He insisted that the decision of the Supreme Court does not in anyway invalidate the legality of Victor Oko-Jumbo-led assembly, adding that Jumbo’s assembly remains valid.

He said: “The 2024 budget became spent on the 31st December of 2024 fiscal year. The appeal is of no useful purpose. The only reasonable thing left to do is to withdraw the appeal and have it dismissed.

“The Supreme Court is a very busy court. It will be most unwise to belabour the Honourable Court with academic appeals without any practical or utilitarian value.

“That is the appeal that the urchins are celebrating. There is no Supreme court judgment against Gov. Fubara, ignore the outdated political propaganda by some desperate politicians.

“Supreme Court ruled on the Appeal over the 2024 budget voluntarily withdrawn by Gov. Fubara because 2024 budget cycle have ended and no need Wasting time discussing a budget that have been fully spent and implemented. Rt Hon Victor Oko Jumbo is still authentic speaker and nothing can change that.”