In a dramatic development in Rivers State, members of the 10th House of Assembly have formally rejected a ₦100,000 cash gift that was allegedly sent to them as a Christmas bonus by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The decision to return the funds highlights growing tensions between the legislative arm and the executive in the state, raising questions about governance, propriety, and adherence to due process in public finance.
The cash, reportedly transferred directly into the personal bank accounts of lawmakers, was said to have been executed under the governor’s instructions. The move caught many lawmakers by surprise, as the payment bypassed established procedures for approval and oversight. Details of the incident were disclosed in a statement signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, who spoke on behalf of the Assembly.
According to the statement, on December 30, 2025, members of the House received notifications via bank alerts showing that ₦100,000 had been credited to each of their accounts. The lawmakers, upon reviewing the situation, described the payment as unsolicited, unapproved, and irregular, emphasizing that the executive branch should not unilaterally disburse public funds without proper legislative approval or adherence to the rules governing public expenditure.
In response, the House of Assembly acted swiftly and returned the entire sum to the Rivers State Government account upon discovery. The lawmakers stressed that the decision was not a matter of personal preference but a reflection of institutional integrity and constitutional obligations. “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 read, reiterating their stance on accountability and transparency in government operations.
The lawmakers further criticized Governor Fubara, accusing him of a consistent pattern of withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of the state without the Assembly’s approval since assuming office in 2025. They noted that such actions have continued despite repeated warnings, Supreme Court judgments, and clear constitutional provisions that underscore the separation of powers between the executive and legislative arms of government. This pattern, according to the lawmakers, erodes the principle of checks and balances and undermines democratic governance in the state.
This incident comes against a backdrop of heightened political tension in Rivers State, particularly following disputes between the state government and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who has been a vocal critic of certain policies and actions of the Fubara administration. The rejection of the ₦100,000 gift by the Assembly not only reinforces the lawmakers’ insistence on procedural compliance but also signals their willingness to assert legislative authority in the face of perceived executive overreach.
The development has sparked discussions among political observers, civil society organizations, and residents about the need for stronger institutional checks, adherence to constitutional provisions, and greater transparency in the management of public funds. Analysts suggest that the incident could further strain relations between the executive and legislative arms in Rivers State, potentially impacting policy implementation and governance dynamics as the state approaches critical political events in 2026 and beyond.