The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed the Rivers State 2025 budget of N1.48 trillion for second reading, exercising its legislative authority under the State of Emergency declaration 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 powers for Rivers State following the declaration of a State of Emergency.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Solomon Adeola Olamilekan stressed the urgency of passing the budget to ensure Rivers State residents can benefit from government services and development projects.

"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 unanimously. The budget was subsequently referred 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 intervention in Rivers State affairs through the emergency powers granted to the National Assembly, allowing it to perform legislative functions typically reserved for the state legislature.

The budget's passage for second reading indicates it will now undergo detailed scrutiny at the committee level before returning to the Senate for final consideration and potential passage into law.