Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned a ₦100,000 cash gift allegedly sent to them as a Christmas bonus by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
The money, which was transferred into the personal bank accounts of lawmakers, was said to have been sent on the governor’s instructions.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints.
According to the statement, on December 30, 2025, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each.
The lawmakers described the payment as unsolicited and unapproved, stressing that it did not follow due process.
The Assembly said the funds were immediately returned to the Rivers State Government account upon discovery.
“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.
The lawmakers further accused Governor Fubara of consistently withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of the state without legislative approval since assuming office in 2025, despite repeated warnings, Supreme Court judgements, and constitutional provisions on separation of powers.
The development comes amid renewed political tensions in Rivers State, particularly between the state government and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.