The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the Rivers State 2025 budget of N1.48 trillion for second reading, exercising its legislative powers under the State of Emergency currently in effect in the state.

Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi presented the budget proposal totaling N1,480,662,592,442 trillion to the chamber. During his presentation, Opeyemi emphasized that the Senate has assumed legislative authority over Rivers State affairs due to the ongoing State of Emergency.

Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan, speaking in support of the budget, stressed the urgency of passing the appropriation bill to ensure Rivers State residents can benefit from government services.

"Mr. President, I don't know under what topic this document is christened but I could see it is about a budget of the state of emergency. I hereby support that the budget be passed for second reading so that the people of Rivers can feel the presence of government," Senator Olamilekan stated.

With no opposition voiced against the bill, Senate President Godswill Akpabio put the budget to a voice vote, which passed. He subsequently referred it to the Ad-hoc Committee overseeing the Rivers State Emergency for further legislative action.

This development marks a significant step in the federal government's management of Rivers State affairs during the emergency period, with the Senate taking on budgetary responsibilities typically handled by the state legislature.

The budget passage comes amid the broader context of federal intervention in Rivers State governance, highlighting the extraordinary measures being implemented during the State of Emergency.