Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned a sum of ₦100,000 each that was allegedly transferred into their personal bank accounts on the directive of the state governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, describing the payment as unsolicited, unapproved, and inconsistent with constitutional provisions governing public expenditure.
The development was disclosed in an official statement issued on December 30, 2025, and signed by Hon. Enemi Aabo George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints. According to the lawmakers, members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank alerts crediting them with the sum of ₦100,000 without prior notice or legislative authorization.
The statement noted that immediately the lawmakers became aware of the transfers, they collectively resolved to return the funds to the Rivers State Government’s account. The House emphasized that it acted to uphold institutional integrity and constitutional responsibility, stressing that any form of public spending must follow due process and receive legislative approval as required by law.
“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 repeatedly withdrawing funds from the Consolidated Revenue Account of Rivers State without legislative consent since assuming office in 2025. They claimed that such actions were carried out despite repeated warnings from the Assembly, existing Supreme Court judgements, and clear constitutional provisions on the separation of powers between the executive and the legislature.
The latest incident is part of a prolonged and bitter political crisis that has engulfed Rivers State since the early days of Governor Fubara’s administration. Relations between the governor and the majority of lawmakers have remained strained, marked by mutual distrust, public accusations, and institutional confrontations.
At the heart of the crisis is a power struggle widely believed to be linked to political realignments following the end of the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The Rivers Assembly has largely been perceived as aligned with Wike, while Governor Fubara has sought to assert his independence as the state’s chief executive.
This tension has manifested in several ways, including disagreements over budgetary approvals, accusations of constitutional breaches, impeachment threats, court cases, and the emergence of parallel political structures within the state. Legislative sittings have at times been characterized by heightened security, while governance activities have often been overshadowed by political drama.
The Assembly has consistently accused the governor of sidelining lawmakers in key financial and policy decisions, while the executive has countered with claims of obstruction and undue interference in governance. These unresolved issues have contributed to an atmosphere of uncertainty, affecting policy implementation and public confidence in the state’s leadership.
The decision by lawmakers to return the ₦100,000 transfer is being interpreted as both a symbolic and strategic move, signalling the Assembly’s determination to resist any action it considers unconstitutional or capable of being construed as inducement. By rejecting the funds, the lawmakers reinforced their stance on due process and sought to distance themselves from any controversy surrounding the executive’s financial decisions.
Political observers say the move further highlights the depth of the rift between the governor and the legislature, suggesting that reconciliation remains unlikely in the near term unless deliberate steps are taken by all parties to de-escalate tensions.
As Rivers State continues to grapple with this political impasse, residents and stakeholders have repeatedly called for dialogue, respect for constitutional roles, and a focus on governance and development rather than prolonged power struggles.
