Rivers State lawmakers have rejected and returned the N100,000 Christmas bonus paid to them by Governor Sir Siminialayi Fubara, declaring the cash gift unsolicited, unapproved, and unlawful.
The members of the Rivers State House of Assembly said the payment, which landed in their personal bank accounts, was made without legislative backing and accused the governor of repeatedly spending state funds in breach of constitutional provisions.
Governor Fubara had earlier approved the payment of N100,000 to civil servants and some public office holders in the state as a festive goodwill gesture. However, the lawmakers distanced themselves from the move and swiftly refunded the money to the state government.
In a statement issued late Tuesday, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi Alabo George, confirmed the development.
George said, “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 (N100,000) each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalaye Fubara GSSRS, 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.”
He stressed that the Assembly would not be party to any act that falls short of the law, insisting that all public spending must follow due process.
According to him, Governor Fubara has, since assuming office in 2023, consistently withdrawn funds from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without legislative approval, despite repeated warnings and judicial pronouncements.
George said, “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.
“Therefore, with the leave of Mr Speaker and the entire House, I cease this medium to once again 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 have become aware of their unlawful conduct.”
The lawmakers vowed to uphold the rule of law and warned public servants against aiding actions that violate the Constitution or state laws.
