The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected a ₦100,000 payment credited to the personal accounts of its members on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as illegal and unauthorised.
According to The Punch, 31st of December, 2025, in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said the funds were immediately returned, stressing that all public spending must receive legislative approval.
The House said members received alerts for the ₦100,000 on December 30, 2025, but noted that the payment had neither been requested nor approved by the legislature.
George accused the governor of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s consolidated revenue account without due process since assuming office in 2023, in violation of the Constitution and Supreme Court rulings. He said the Assembly would continue to uphold its constitutional responsibilities despite what it described as executive overreach.
The lawmakers contrasted the situation with the Christmas bonuses paid to civil servants, which they said followed proper approval procedures.
The Assembly, currently on recess until January 26, 2026, also noted that Governor Fubara has yet to present the 2026 budget or submit names of commissioner nominees, with the state being run by only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court decision recognising Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a visit to Khana in Rivers State, warned residents against making what he termed another leadership mistake in 2027. Although he did not mention names, his remarks were widely seen as linked to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Wike urged residents to follow established political leadership, insisting that loyalty should transcend party lines. He praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting Rivers communities through infrastructure projects, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment, and the pardon granted to the Ogoni Nine.
A former senator representing Rivers South East, Magnus Abe, also affirmed support for 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 Local Government to campaign. We are for him,” Abe said.
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