The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected a N100,000 “Christmas gift” credited to lawmakers’ accounts on the instructions of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the transfer as unsolicited and unlawful.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Enemi George, Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions, and Complaints, emphasized that public funds must follow due legislative process. The funds, which bypassed the House’s approval, were immediately returned.
“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members received bank alerts of N100,000 each, transferred on the governor’s instruction. The unsolicited transfer is unlawful and violates constitutional provisions,” the statement read. George further accused the governor of routinely drawing from the state consolidated revenue account without legislative approval since 2023, in defiance of the Supreme Court.
Civil servants, by contrast, received Christmas bonuses through proper approval channels, highlighting the lawmakers’ concerns over the irregular transfer.
Plenary has been adjourned until January 26, 2026, with Governor Fubara yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or submit commissioner-nominee names.
