By SUNTV Global Channel | December 31, 2025
The political tension in Rivers State escalated on Tuesday as members of the State House of Assembly rejected and returned a ₦100,000 Christmas gift allegedly sent to them on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unconstitutional and unapproved.
The lawmakers, aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the funds were paid without legislative approval and therefore violated constitutional provisions governing public expenditure.
In a statement issued on behalf of the House, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information and Petitions, Enemi Alabo George, disclosed that each lawmaker received a credit alert of ₦100,000, which was traced to an account of the Rivers State Government.
According to him, the Assembly took immediate steps to reverse the transaction once the source of the funds was confirmed.
“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 as a constitutionally recognised institution, the House would not tolerate any form of public spending carried out without its approval.
“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.
The Assembly further accused Governor Fubara of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without authorisation since assuming office in 2023.
“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, judgments of the Supreme Court, and in defiance of the Constitution and the principle of separation of powers,” the lawmakers alleged.
They also issued a warning to civil servants and government officials accused of aiding what they described as unlawful financial practices.
“We hereby 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 are aware of their unlawful conduct,” the statement warned.
The rejection of the Christmas gift comes amid a prolonged power struggle between Governor Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, which intensified following the lifting of emergency rule in the state on September 18.
In recent weeks, the lawmakers have repeatedly accused the governor of unapproved spending, further highlighting the deepening rift between the executive and legislative arms of government in Rivers State.
