The Rivers State House of Assembly, on Tuesday, rejected a N100,000 “Christmas gift” credited to the accounts of lawmakers on the orders of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited and unlawful.
According to Punch, this was contained in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said public funds must follow due process, including legislative approval.
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”, noted that the funds were immediately returned.
“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 consistently drawing from the state consolidated revenue account without legislative approval since assuming office in 2023, in defiance of the Supreme Court and the Constitution.
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.”
Civil servants in the state, by contrast, received similar Christmas bonuses following standard approvals, highlighting the House’s concern that the transfer to lawmakers bypassed due process.
The House had adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026. Governor Fubara is yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or submit the names of commissioner-nominees, operating since his return from suspension with only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling recognizing Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.
Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, used a visit to Khana, Bori, in Khana Local Government Area on Tuesday to caution Rivers residents against repeating what he called a leadership mistake in 2027.
While Wike did not mention Fubara by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as referencing the ongoing power struggle 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.”
Wike, reiterating his commitment to national unity over party divides, stated: “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 credited President Bola Tinubu for supporting Rivers communities, citing infrastructure projects, the approval of the Federal University of Environment, and the presidential pardon for 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.
The National Vice Chairman of the APC, South South, Victor Giadom, reinforced Wike’s influence, declaring Gokana Local Government a “no-go area” for Governor Fubara.
“For him to win anything in Gokana, he must pass through Wike,” Giadom said.
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 to campaign. We are for him,” Abe said.
The Chairman of Gokana Local Government, Confidence Deko, pledged total support to Wike, saying, “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 that both the APC and PDP in Rivers are now operating together under the Renewed Hope Agenda, promising continued collaboration with the people of the state.
“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.
