PORTHARCOURT: The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected a N100,000 Christmas gift paid into the personal bank accounts of lawmakers on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited and a violation of due process.
The lawmakers, in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, said the money was immediately returned to the state government.
According to the statement, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received credit alerts of N100,000 each on December 30, 2025, without legislative approval.
The lawmakers maintained that public funds must follow constitutional procedures, including approval by the legislature, stressing that the transfer was unlawful.
George accused the governor of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without legislative consent since assuming office in 2023, contrary to constitutional provisions and Supreme Court rulings.
“We are aware of public servants who connive with the governor to breach the constitution and laws of Rivers State. Such actions are illegal. We assure the people of Rivers State that we will continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities,” the statement added.
The House, however, clarified that civil servants in the state received Christmas bonuses through approved channels, noting that the lawmakers’ objection was specifically due to the absence of legislative approval.
The Assembly has adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026, amid concerns that Governor Fubara is yet to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill or submit a list of commissioner-nominees. Since his return from suspension, the governor has been operating with only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court judgment recognising Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned Rivers residents against repeating what he described as a leadership error ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a visit to Khana in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, Wike warned that political tickets would no longer be automatic.
“We will not make that mistake again. Your ticket is not automatic; it must be earned and presented to the people,” he said, a statement widely interpreted as referring to the ongoing political rift in the state.
Wike, who emphasized loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, said political alignment would transcend party lines.
“There is no APC or PDP here. What we have is Renewed Hope. Follow your leaders; wherever they go, that is where we will go, he said.
He credited President Tinubu with supporting Rivers communities through infrastructure projects, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment, and the pardon granted to the Ogoni Nine.
Reinforcing Wike’s influence, the APC National Vice Chairman (South-South), Victor Giadom, described Gokana Local Government Area as a political no-go area for Governor Fubara.
Former senator Magnus Abe and the Chairman of Gokana Local Government, Confidence Deko, also pledged support for Wike and President Tinubu, assuring continued political unity in the area.
Wike concluded that political forces in Rivers State were now aligned under the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising sustained collaboration for the development of the state.
