Lawmakers in Rivers State have returned a N100,000 ‘Christmas gift’ credited to their personal bank accounts by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited, unlawful, and in breach of due process.
The decision by the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly underscores rising tensions between the legislature and the executive amid an ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, confirmed that the funds were immediately returned.
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’, stressed that public monies can only be disbursed following legislative approval.
“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members received bank credit alerts of N100,000 each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the governor,” the statement read.
George accused Governor Fubara of routinely drawing from the state’s consolidated revenue account without approval from the House of Assembly, in violation of both the Supreme Court ruling and the Constitution.
He added that some civil service staff were complicit in circumventing constitutional safeguards.
“We are aware of staff who collude with the governor to contravene the constitution and laws of Rivers State. Their actions are unlawful,” he said, assuring residents that the Assembly would continue to perform its constitutional duties without compromise.
The lawmakers highlighted that the transfer to legislators differed from the bonuses paid to civil servants, which followed established procedures and approvals. By contrast, the Christmas gift to members of the House bypassed the legislative process, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.
The dispute comes at a time when the Assembly is on recess until 26 January 2026, while Governor Fubara has yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or submit names for commissioner-nominee positions.
Since his return from suspension, Fubara has been operating with only eight commissioners, despite the Supreme Court recognising Martin Amaewhule as Speaker of the House.
The issue was further heightened by comments from Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers governor, Nyesom Wike, during a visit to Khana Local Government Area.
While not naming Fubara directly, Wike cautioned residents against repeating past leadership “mistakes” in the 2027 elections.
“Your ticket is not automatic. You have to earn it for you to present to your people,” he said, signalling that political entitlement would no longer be taken for granted.
Wike emphasised unity over party lines, describing the Rivers political landscape as operating under a shared “Renewed Hope” agenda, aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s vision.
“There is nothing like APC or PDP. What we have is Renewed Hope. We are not voting based on party, but on the fact that we belong to one political family,” he said.
Supporting Wike’s influence, the National Vice Chairman of the APC, South-South, Victor Giadom, declared Gokana Local Government a “no-go area” for Governor Fubara, signalling growing opposition to the governor within key constituencies.
Former senator Magnus Abe and local government leaders also affirmed their loyalty to Wike and President Tinubu, promising support ahead of future political contests.
