Lawmakers of the Rivers State House of Assembly have rejected a N100,000 Christmas gift paid into their personal accounts on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited, unapproved and unlawful.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said the funds were immediately returned, insisting that public spending must follow constitutional and legislative procedures.
The statement, titled “Return of Unsolicited and Unapproved N100,000 Transferred to the Personal Accounts of Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Rivers State”, confirmed that the payments were made without legislative approval.
“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of N100,000 each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the governor,” the statement read.
George accused the governor of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s consolidated revenue account since assuming office in 2023 without legislative consent, describing the action as a violation of the Constitution and a Supreme Court ruling.
“We are aware of staff who connive with the governor to contravene the constitution and laws of Rivers State. Their actions are unlawful. We assure the good people of Rivers State that we will not relent in performing our constitutional duties,” he added.
While lawmakers rejected the payment, civil servants in the state reportedly received similar Christmas bonuses through approved channels, further underscoring the Assembly’s concern over due process.
The House has adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026, with Governor Fubara yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or submit commissioner-nominees since returning from suspension, leaving only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court’s recognition of Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Meanwhile, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, speaking during a visit to Khana Local Government Area, cautioned Rivers residents against what he described as a repeat of past leadership errors ahead of 2027.
“As for the state, we will talk about that later. We will not make a mistake again,” Wike said. “If you make another mistake, that means they will drive you out. Your ticket is not automatic. You have to earn it for you to present to your people.”
He also dismissed party divisions, saying: “For us, there’s nothing like APC or PDP; what we have is Renewed Hope. We’re not voting based on party but on the fact that we belong to one political family. Just follow your leaders. Anywhere you see them going, that is where we are going.”
Wike credited President Bola Tinubu for development projects in Rivers, including road construction, the Federal University of Environment and the pardon of the Ogoni Nine.
National APC Vice Chairman (South South), Victor Giadom, echoed Wike’s dominance in the state, declaring, “For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike.”
Former senator Magnus Abe and Gokana Council Chairman Confidence Deko also pledged loyalty, with Deko stating, “Wherever you go, we will go… The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”
Wike concluded that political forces in Rivers are now united under the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring residents of continued collaboration for the state’s progress.
