“Rivers Crisis Deepens As Lawmakers Reject Fubara’s Christmas Bonus”
Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus recently credited to their accounts by Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing the gift as unsolicited and unapproved.
The bonus, reportedly part of festive season payments released to civil servants and select public office holders, was rejected by the lawmakers in a statement issued on Tuesday night. The statement was signed by Hon. Enemi Alabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints.
“Today, the 30th day of December 2025, Honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of one hundred thousand naira (₦100,000) each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, to the personal accounts of members. 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,” George said.
The lawmakers emphasized their commitment to the law, noting that all public expenditures must follow due process, including legislative approval. They accused Governor Fubara of continuing to withdraw funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without legislative sanction since assuming office in 2023, despite repeated warnings from the House and a judgment of the Supreme Court.
“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 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, judgment of the Supreme Court and in defiance of the Constitution and principles of separation of powers,” George added.
He also warned government staff against colluding with the Governor or others to circumvent the Constitution and state laws, noting that the House is fully aware of such unlawful conduct.
The return of the bonus marks the latest point of tension between the Rivers State executive and legislative arms, highlighting ongoing concerns over fiscal discipline and adherence to legal procedures in the state.
