The Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday declined a N100,000 “Christmas gift” paid into the personal accounts of its members on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that the payment was neither requested nor approved and therefore violated due process.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers maintained that public funds can only be disbursed in line with established legal 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 money had been promptly refunded, according to THEPUNCH.
“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 further alleged that since assuming office in 2023, the governor had repeatedly accessed the state’s consolidated revenue account without legislative authorization, contrary to constitutional provisions and existing Supreme Court rulings.
He added: “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.”
The lawmakers noted that while civil servants in the state received similar Christmas bonuses through approved processes, the payment to legislators bypassed required approvals, prompting the House’s decision to reject it.
The Assembly had earlier adjourned plenary sittings until January 26, 2026. As of now, Governor Fubara has yet to lay the 2026 appropriation bill before the House or forward a list of commissioner-nominees, governing instead with eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court judgment that affirmed Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
In a related development, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a visit to Khana, Bori, in Khana Local Government Area on Tuesday, warned Rivers residents against what he described as repeating a leadership error in the 2027 elections.
Although Wike did not directly mention Governor Fubara, his comments were widely seen as a reference to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
“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.”
Emphasizing unity above party affiliation, Wike said: “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.”
He attributed several developmental gains in Rivers communities to President Bola Tinubu, including infrastructure projects, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment, and the presidential pardon granted to the Ogoni Nine.
“During the turbulent period, Khana stood with us and now you have benefited—from good roads to the University of Environment among other benefits because of the love of Mr. President,” Wike said.
Also speaking, the National Vice Chairman of the APC (South South), Victor Giadom, underscored Wike’s political influence, describing Gokana Local Government Area as inaccessible to Governor Fubara politically.
“For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike,” Giadom said.
A former senator representing Rivers South East, Magnus Abe, similarly pledged allegiance to Wike and President Tinubu.
“Wike is a leader who unites, and that is why we are united. The Ogoni people are with you, and we will not go home empty-handed. Please tell Tinubu not to bother coming to Gokana to campaign. We are for him,” Abe said.
The Chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Confidence Deko, also declared his support, stating: “Wherever you go, we will go. This local government is for you because of what you have done for us. The time for payback is near, and we will do the needful.”
Wike concluded by saying that both the APC and PDP in Rivers State are now working together under the Renewed Hope Agenda, assuring residents of sustained cooperation and development.
“The unity of the people ensures that good things will continue to come. We will keep working together to move Rivers State forward,” he added.
