Rivers Lawmakers Reject Fubara’s ‘Christmas Gift’ as Wike Sends 2027 Warning

• The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected and returned a ₦100,000 Christmas gift credited to lawmakers’ accounts on the directive of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The Rivers State House of Assembly has rejected a ₦100,000 “Christmas gift” transferred into the personal bank accounts of its members on the instruction of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, describing the action as unsolicited and unconstitutional.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, the lawmakers said the funds were immediately returned, insisting that public money must follow due process, including legislative approval.

The statement, titled “Return of Unsolicited and Unapproved ₦100,000 Transferred to the Personal Accounts of Honourable Members of the Rivers State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Rivers State,” disclosed that the transfers were received on December 30, 2025.

“Today, 30th December 2025, honourable members of the 10th Rivers State House of Assembly received bank credit alerts of the sum of ₦100,000 each. The said unsolicited and unapproved amount was transferred on the instructions of the governor,” the statement read.

George accused Governor Fubara of repeatedly drawing funds from the state’s consolidated revenue account without legislative approval since assuming office in 2023, describing the practice as a violation of the Constitution and a defiance of the Supreme Court.

He further alleged that some civil servants were collaborating with the governor to circumvent constitutional provisions.

“We are aware of staff who connive with the governor to contravene the Constitution and laws of Rivers State. Their actions are unlawful. We assure the good people of Rivers State that we will not relent in performing our constitutional duties,” George stated.

The lawmakers contrasted their rejection of the funds with the Christmas bonuses paid to civil servants in the state, noting that those payments followed standard approval processes, unlike the transfer to lawmakers which they said bypassed due process.

The development comes amid heightened political tension in Rivers State. The House has adjourned plenary until January 26, 2026, while Governor Fubara is yet to present the 2026 appropriation bill or forward the names of commissioner-nominees. Since his return from suspension, the governor has been operating with only eight commissioners unaffected by the Supreme Court ruling recognising Martin Amaewhule as Speaker.

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Meanwhile, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, during a visit to Khana in Khana Local Government Area on Tuesday, cautioned Rivers residents against what he described as repeating a leadership mistake in 2027.

Although Wike did not mention Governor Fubara by name, his remarks were widely interpreted as a reference to the ongoing political struggle in the state.

“As for the state, we will talk about that later. We will not make a mistake again,” Wike said. “If you make another mistake, that means they will drive you out. Your ticket is not automatic. You have to earn it.”

Reaffirming his political stance, Wike said both the APC and PDP in Rivers State were now operating together under the Renewed Hope Agenda, pledging continued collaboration with President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Supporting Wike’s position, APC National Vice Chairman (South South), Victor Giadom, declared Gokana Local Government a political “no-go area” for Governor Fubara, while former senator Magnus Abe and local government chairman Confidence Deko openly pledged allegiance to Wike and President Tinubu.

Wike concluded by calling for unity, saying cooperation among political stakeholders would ensure continued development in Rivers State.