Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly have returned a ₦100,000 cash gift each sent to their personal bank accounts on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited, unapproved, and unconstitutional.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Monday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Alabo George.
According to the statement, the lawmakers—members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly—received bank alerts of ₦100,000 each on December 30, 2025. The funds, the House said, were transferred without prior approval or consent of the legislature.
“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 Assembly stressed that as a constitutionally established institution, it is bound by law to ensure that all public expenditures follow due process, including legislative approval.
The lawmakers further accused Governor Fubara of repeatedly withdrawing funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without legislative authorization since assuming office in 2025, despite warnings from the House, existing Supreme Court judgments, and clear constitutional provisions on separation of powers.
The incident comes amid renewed political tensions in Rivers State, particularly against the backdrop of the ongoing power struggle involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, further deepening the political crisis in the state.
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