Rivers Assembly Lawmakers Reject N100,00 Christmas Gift, Accuse Fubara Of Illegal Spending

Port-Harcourt, Rivers State– The political feud between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and members of the State House of Assembly has deepened as lawmakers rejected a N100,000 Christmas gift allegedly sent to them on the governor’s directive.

In a statement issued on behalf of the House by Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Petitions, the lawmakers disclosed that each member received a credit alert of N100,000, which they described as “unapproved and unsolicited.”

The legislators, who are loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said they had taken immediate steps to return the funds to the Rivers State Government’s account.

“Upon discovery of these unsolicited and unapproved transfers, Honourable Members of the House took immediate steps to formally return the said funds to the account of the Rivers State Government,” the statement read.

The lawmakers insisted that all public spending must follow due process and receive legislative approval, stressing that the Assembly would not condone any action that undermines constitutional provisions.

“As an institution established by law and guided strictly by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Rivers State House of Assembly maintains that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval,” the statement added.

They further accused Governor Fubara of persistently withdrawing funds from the state’s consolidated revenue account without legislative consent since assuming office in 2023, despite repeated warnings, a Supreme Court judgment, and what they described as clear constitutional provisions on separation of powers.

“The Governor, since assumption of office in 2023, has consistently drawn from the consolidated revenue accounts of Rivers State without legislative approval despite repeated warnings from the House, judgement of the Supreme Court and in defiance of the Constitution and principles of separation of powers,” the lawmakers alleged.

The Assembly also warned civil servants and government officials allegedly aiding the governor in what it described as unconstitutional actions, saying their activities were being closely monitored.

“Therefore, with the leave of Mr Speaker and the entire House, I seize this medium to once again draw the attention of all staff of the Rivers State Government who connive with the Governor and others to contravene the Constitution and laws of Rivers State to the fact that we have become aware of their unlawful conducts,” the statement said.

The latest development comes amid a lingering cold war between Governor Fubara and the Rivers Assembly, which intensified after the lifting of the emergency rule on September 18.

In recent weeks, the lawmakers have repeatedly accused the governor of engaging in unapproved and illegal spending, further escalating tensions in the oil-rich state.