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The Rivers State House of Assembly says it is not interested in the ₦100,000 Christmas bonus paid to civil servants by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
In a statement signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said they have refunded the money paid into their personal accounts, describing it as unsolicited and unapproved.
The Assembly stressed that all public expenditure must receive legislative approval, accusing the governor of spending public funds without due authorisation since assuming office in 2023.
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 said the House would not associate itself with any step that breaches the law, emphasising that the Assembly conducts all financial affairs strictly in line with the Constitution and established due process.
George stated that the governor had earlier sanctioned a ₦100,000 festive bonus for civil servants and certain public office holders in the state, but noted that lawmakers were not consulted before the payment was also extended to members of the Assembly.
He further alleged that since taking office in 2023, the governor has repeatedly withdrawn money from the state’s Consolidated Revenue Account without seeking legislative approval. According to him, the House has issued several warnings in the past against such practices.
He 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 cautioned public office holders against taking steps that could violate the law, stressing that all government expenditure must be driven by accountability and transparency.
See the official statement below.
